Grand Marais councilors took the first step toward changing the city’s roof sign ordinance when they unanimously approved a proposed revision at their March 10, 2010 meeting. The revision was recommended by the city’s planning commission, which began discussing the regulations for roof signs at the end of last year. The action was prompted when Cook County Whole Foods Co-op... READ MORE >
In an effort to conserve energy and save some money while doing it, Grand Marais city councilors voted Feb. 24 to apply for a pair of state grants at the urging of a local energy efficiency group. George Wilkes and Buck Benson of the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) presented two opportunities for grants from the State Department of... READ MORE >
There aren’t a lot of roof signs in downtown Grand Marais, and city planners are trying to decide if they want to keep it that way. City Administrator Mike Roth presented city councilors a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance during their Feb. 10 meeting. If approved by council, the new regulations would require that there be ” no space... READ MORE >
In an effort to maintain snow- and ice-free sidewalks, Grand Marais city councilors spent a good portion of their Jan. 13 meeting discussing the policies in place, and who (property owners or the city) is responsible for what. Although the discussion was prompted by complaints from downtown business owners at council’s prior meeting, there was nobody in attendance to present... READ MORE >
At the request of downtown businesses, Grand Marais city councilors said they will reserve a portion of their next meeting to discuss the city’s snow removal policy. Eric Humphrey of the Lake Superior Trading Post, who was also representing the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association, led off council’s Jan. 13 meeting by speaking during the open forum. He said it... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors concluded 2009 by approving the final payment of the $2.2 million street and utility reconstruction project that occurred in 2008 and involved work in Creechville and a number of streets and avenues in the northwestern section of the city. By unanimous vote of council Dec. 30, payment of $115,596.53 will be made to Redstone Construction of... READ MORE >
Grand Marais Mayor Sue Hakes told City Council Dec. 30 that she believes a lot was accomplished during the past 12 months. Hakes presented a list of council’s accomplishments during the past year — her first as mayor — and said she was satisfied with the progress and council’s willingness to take on issues. “We’ve really worked hard this year... READ MORE >
Despite some questions and concerns about the wisdom of pursuing a management agreement with St. Luke’s Hospital, Cook County North Shore Hospital Board members said Dec. 15 they intend to move forward with the process as originally planned. The decision to enter into an agreement with St. Luke’s was made by the board in November, and was preceded by the... READ MORE >
Grand Marais City Council has given its backing to a proposed library improvement project. Linda Chappell, director of the Grand Marais Public Library, appeared before council November 18 to present the plan, which will be funded through a 1 percent sales tax that was recently approved by voters. Chappell said she and the board are anxious to move forward with... READ MORE >
As part of their efforts to find a new administrator, members of the Cook County Hospital District Board are looking into a new course of action for the facility’s future: entering into a management contract with St. Luke’s Hospital. Hospital board member Tom Spence told the board at their November 17 meeting that he came upon that possibility while researching... READ MORE >
