Grand Marais city taxpayers will see a 1.9 percent – at the most – increase in their tax levies next year following city council’s decision to pass a preliminary levy of $839,783.92. The unanimous vote Sept. 10 means the 2015 levy cannot increase, but could go down before final certification at year’s end. City Administrator Mike Roth told councilors the... READ MORE >
Twenty-three thousand eight hundred sixty dollars may seem like a lot to pay for a telephone system, but according to Rena Rogers, it’s a bargain. Cook County’s communications director told the county board Sept. 16, 2014 that it is past time to replace the outdated system that was installed at the courthouse in 2003 at a cost of $33,000. “The... READ MORE >
Following several visits to the city’s planning commission, the developer of an 8.3-acre parcel near the eastern entrance of Grand Marais finally won approval of a key variance Sept. 3 that allows construction of 11 duplexes. The following week Todd Christiansen’s request for a zero lot line setback was also approved by the city council. The variance allows an exception... READ MORE >
Following a work session with the city’s department heads earlier in the day, Grand Marais city councilors said during their regular meeting Aug. 27 that they expect to discuss and refine the city’s 2015 budget at their next council meeting on Sept. 10. A preliminary budget must be set by Sept. 15 under state statute. Councilors may then reduce –... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors approved the temporary placement of yard signs, a three-day liquor license for the North House Folk School, and a rain garden permit at their Aug. 13 meeting. Maren Webb, coordinator of the Moving Matters program, led off the proceedings with her request to put yard signs in the city boulevards and rights of way near the... READ MORE >
Grand Marais city councilors approved an agreement with the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District that will lead to the creation of a third privately maintained rain garden—this one in the city right of way on East Second Avenue. City Administrator Mike Roth told council July 30 that the maintenance agreement contains clauses meant to provide protection for the... READ MORE >
Thanks to the efforts of a group of Gunflint Trail residents, two unnamed islands on West Pope Lake may soon have names. Gunflint Trail resident Tom Bettenhausen, who has spearheaded the project, presented a signed petition to the Cook County commissioners July 22 asking that the federally-owned islands be named, along with a summary of the steps required by the... READ MORE >
In an effort to curb flooding problems on the north side of the Grand Marais Public Library, city councilors moved forward with plans to design and construct a 570-square-foot rain garden in front of the building at their July 9 meeting. City Administrator Mike Roth explained that in times of extreme rainfall, the water tends to pool behind the building.... READ MORE >
The Cook County commissioners had a busy meeting July 8, delving into topics ranging from communications towers to animal welfare to playground and highway maintenance equipment. Tower improvements planned Rena Rogers, information systems director gave an update on her efforts to make the operation and maintenance of the county’s 11 communications towers more sustainable. Rogers said she has been working... READ MORE >
After about a year of thinking and talking about improvements to the Highway 61 corridor through Grand Marais, city councilors set July 16 as the date for a three-hour workshop designed to set the “complete streets” project in motion. Councilors reviewed a design proposal from LHB and C.J. Fernandez at their June 25 meeting. City Administrator Mike Roth explained that... READ MORE >
