paper packet. They're on the agenda first. Packet that was mailed out. They're not on the >> right. >> Got it. >> That's okay cuz I have
>> Yeah, but they're on it. >> Oh, I >> Oh, you say Oh, I >> Oh, that's different. from the one. Oh, okay. So, it is I don't have to. >> Thank you.
>> My my didn't have to add it. >> Thank you. >> We're live. >> Okay. But we are live. How about that? >> Did you get
Yeah. >> You want it? >> We should be fine. All right. Okay. And the time is 6:32. With us this evening is Gio
Shel myself and Kim Van Beck. That's it. Right. One and two. Okay. Very good. Um is anyone here this evening for open forum which
would mean people who are not already on the agenda >> to be there. Okay, that we'll move on from open forum. Um, next up, the consent agenda.
Would anyone like to make any changes, amendments to the consent agenda and or make a motion to approve? I would like to call everyone's attention, however, to the administration hire and hope everyone saw that and did that. If
you're not, please do. I think this is rather important in a very great and positive way. >> I'll make a motion to approve with the highlights. >> I'll second that motion.
>> All right. So, um a very not here yet, but welcome to man as all right. Second on that. >> Okay. Uh all in favor of the agenda as is >> I >> I
>> I >> much we will move on to new business. Um this is a bit of a special treat for us this evening as part of the Coast Guard. We
have Mr. Bobo here with his wife Mickey. if you guys want to come up and sit closer to the mics right there. Um Bob has a gift for us and I'll let you Bob give us just a
little brief summary of how your relationship to Grand Murray which isn't all that far in the past. >> Well, I I transferred here from Duth in the fall of 1971
and we had one child And we lived on the second floor of the Coast Guard station. I was the engineer and there were five or six other coasties here and we had a 36 ft lifeboat and it was it was a good life and the Coast Guard decided to
close the station. Uh it was announced I think in March or April of uh 73 they were going to close the station, take the boat away and the stations
disestablished and I happened to be the officer in charge at that time. So I was the last one to leave. The crew from Duth was boarding up the station and as I was walking around one of my final times I
looked at the belt and bell which was hanging on the front porch and I thought h if I don't somebody else will. So I became this self-appointed custodian of the bell for the next 50
years. Uh it traveled around the United States with us. It uh stayed about 25 years at uh family property on Lake Vermillion and uh came back to Michigan, which is
where I reside now. And I I know Mickey and I just had a wonderful time in Grand Marray. Uh our oldest daughter was born at Cook County Community Hospital in 73.
If you look back in uh the voting records in 1976, I was stationed in Spain, but I was voting in Minnesota. And uh there was mayorial election that
year and uh I voted for Dwight Smith as a right-in candidate. And I just we had dinner with Dwight's daughter Kristen last night and she said, "Oh yeah, that topic comes up at her family every once
in a while. How dad got almost elected as mayor of the city of Grand Marray." And as I aged, I was wondering, what am I going to do with this bell? Should I leave it to my kids to decide
what to do with it? But uh I had followed City of Grand Marray activities on Facebook and read uh WTIP's news and I saw that there was a chance
that the city of Grand Marray might get the old Coast Guard station. So I'm kind of thinking, okay, yep, I could give it to the historical society, which would be appropriate. City of Grand Haven. And then there was the announcement of the uh rescue unit
at Grand Portage and I thought, "Oh, maybe there's a fit there." But by that time, I talked with Tracy and she welcomed me and said, "Yeah, we can take the bell." So, uh, we set up a date. Oh, the date was contingent when I could
get reservations at the campground and things kind of worked out from there. We arrived yesterday. The the bracket for the belt, I inverted it for transportation purposes. This end is supposed to be
facing up. Simple solution to it. But on the inside at the bottom, there's a uh foundry mark and it was uh made by the American
what was it? Oh. Maybe it was the Akran Brass Company, Akran Brass and Aluminum Company from Cincinnati, Ohio in the early 1930s. And it's a 10-in bell or a 10-in throat on it. And that's about all I know. But
I went to the current website for the company and uh I saw a link, I didn't follow it, that said, "Want more history on your bell? Click here." and we were in the process of leaving our house in Michigan and coming up here. So, I
didn't do that. I'll let somebody from the city of Grand Marray do that. But, uh I certainly hope this finds a nice place at the Coast Guard station. We absolutely loved it there. I think two of our favorite things from living there were the sunsets behind the Sawtooth
Mountains. Just incredible from there. And our living room and bedroom window faced to the west. And it was just gorgeous. And the other thing I remember is being able to see Rock of Ag's lighthouse from our kitchen window at
night with the light flashing. It wouldn't happen often, but I'd say it happened maybe five or six times while we were there, but it was just We were there on the night the Edund Fitzgerald sank. The lake was as calm as it is today the
next morning after she went down. So, uh, we've got a lot of good memories here. And uh I was surprised at how many people kind of remember me and Mickey I can't forget Mickey worked at the
nursing home and uh as she was in process of delivering our daughter there was a mixup in with with administration of the drug to induce labor
that's not good. Yeah, I know. Uh, so she had to stay an extra >> she had to stay stay an extra night and I got there in the morning and she's manning the phones at the nurses station in the hospital. >> It's not legal.
>> Okay, you didn't hear that. Rell and here's the bell. I can die with a clear conscience. >> Well, come on, Bob. You come over here. All of us. We need a photo.
>> You're welcome. I'm happy to do this. >> I've got You got a good zoomer on that one. >> Sure do. >> People's feet. >> I know this this would have gone >> had they not rescued it.
>> They're going. We're We're pressing go. So, smile. Nice. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> You hold them. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Good luck with it. >> I I hope the station
>> something real good comes of the station cuz it's an >> Oh, one one other thing I forgot to tell you. Another story. This when the station closed, >> the crew left and there were pictures and miscellaneous sunundry items left
behind. And there was one beautiful painting that a crew member had gotten from somebody, an artist's point. And it's traveled with us for these 50 years. >> It's in my living room. >> In our living room. And we have gotten
so many questions. Where did that painting come from? And we can't recognize the artist signature on it or anything, but it's a beautiful painting from artist point. >> Well, Ruth Ruth the art
director. So, you and she can help you identify. >> Well, unless it's not >> I I don't know. Mickey, do you remember the signature on it? I don't think. >> No, I was just saying that
>> some of the children of >> I tried I tried looking it up long time ago, but I couldn't find any >> trail. I'll let you know. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Must not have been that good. It was given away to
>> a picture. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Thank you. is really fun. >> Yes, I will. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Well, speaking of art. >> Hey, Ruth.
>> Hi. Did we any Well, okay. >> Do you need me to sit? >> Oh, you can just in case I guess in case people have comments or questions. This is a nice courtesy to let us know what's
up with the art festival layout because most of your activity is on Wisconsin Street, which is actually a county term, right? >> Right. They do have some closures on Second Avenue West. And of course, we're going to help out with all the
barricades because we do that. But that's mostly a courtesy just to make sure everybody knows what's going on. Give them a chance to >> answer any questions. And this is last year's layout, right? >> First one is last year's layout. The second one is the change layout,
>> right? >> Oh, this truly is a different packet. >> My picture in my packet. >> Oh, there's that one. >> Oh, yeah. Cuz it's super big. All right. >> It's
Oh, that is okay. Got it. >> Oh, this is kind of like before when we would be all the way up and down the street. >> Yeah. Yeah. The one difference is we're not we're not closing off Second Avenue West. Uh there's two options there and I
just did chat with uh Deari who's the manager, new manager perhaps at Harbor Inn and kind of do some problem solving. But basically what we said, we just need to block the end of Second Avenue West so there's not traffic coming on to
Wisconsin Street. And she asked if there would be opportunity to leave some parking spots open, which are city parking spots on the west side of Second Avenue West, right next to their building, in order for patrons there to
park. Um, we're fine with that. We just need to kind of figure out the barrier option. The dilemma is that anyone who parks there is going to do a 17point turn to get back around >> and then drive the wrong way >> and drive the wrong way.
>> So I'm not sure that's I guess that's maybe the biggest thing is just the permission to block barricade at the end and then what to do about parking. We've looked at this closure plan a million times for different festivals on the second avenue with the one minute
traffic and now with the improved alley and the block to the east makes the most sense to me to just close it right after the alley. driveways to Harbor in are open and to the Heritage Post and to all the businesses on the block to the east
rather than mess with people going into a dead end on a oneway and having to figure out what to do next. So, it's a couple of couple of parking spaces, but it's for a good cause. So, limited amount of time. >> Anyone else have any questions or
You're all set. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. I think that's really it. But no, we don't know anymore. >> Well, they never needed to ask you for permission when they were just using Wisconsin Street.
>> This is the only change here is that >> Second Avenue West will also be closed. If you're all shaking heads, that's fine with me. >> Okay. Okay, very good. Thank you. >> All right, next up um
county block HKGI I feel like an contract cost share. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, thank you for having us. This is my first time here before
the city council, so I'm just pleased to be here and have an opportunity to meet everyone. Um, I understand this issue has been brought to you before. Uh, Mitch and Neva Maxwell, our director of land services, were here on February 25th with the same requests that we have
today. But I want to fill you in on a couple steps that we've taken since then. Let me find my notes here. So, first of all, um because this was discussed on February 25th, I will not get into all of the background of the bluff, but we're happy to answer any
background questions that you may have. But following um or actually, let me let me back up before the February meeting. And back in December, 2025, the Cook County Board authorized work to update the master plan. And then on February
25th of 2026, that's when Neva and Mitch brought the request to all of you seeking your input and participation. No decision was made at that time. And then following that meeting, I had a discussion with administrator Roth and we talked about next steps. And um and
given that discussion and some other discussions that I had with Cook County staff, I brought it back to the Cook County Board and um asked for a specific request at that time. What are they asking the city council to participate in? Because when Neva and Mitch
previously brought this to all of you, you were asking for your participation, asking for 50% of the the cost for the plan. um but not a direct request from the board on what was kind of their bottom line. So, we brought it back to the board and they said we would really
like that 50% match. So, um we're here today again just to ask for the 50% match. We did go back to HKGI and asked for an updated proposal because it had been some time. The updated proposal did
come in $2,000 more than what it previously was. So now the ask is 20 um 26. What is it exactly? 20. >> Good question. 26 540 >> 540. Thank you.
>> Um and so the the ask did go off a little bit given that the original um proposal was done quite some time ago. So we're here to answer any questions, any concerns that you may have. I did listen to your past discussion and I know there was some questions about um
the funding source that the county was looking at using for this. Happy to answer any questions about that as well. Just wanted to bring it back before you and have a discussion about what makes the most sense. >> Um one of the pieces from that discussion
from the council that stood out for me and one of the reasons that we didn't do a vote that night was council members Mike was not at that meeting and I wanted to have a conversation with him to understand part of how this fit within our budget which I thought made
sense to make sure everyone feels good about that. Um, and that was one of the reasons I didn't ask for a vote that night so that everyone could make sure the questions were answered. So if that's still part of that, I think
that's a piece that know you could talk to >> and I'd be happy to. So this is not an item that you discussed when you were putting together the 2026 budget. It was not included in this year's budget. Uh
you do set aside funds for council priorities that you could assign to this. Certainly you have adequate funds to do this if you decided it was appropriate. I think that was was a good question. Yeah. >> All right. Does anyone have any
questions or comments right now? >> Uh remind me the funding source that the county is is using there for their half. >> Sure. Absolutely. So the funding source that we discussed was using PILT funds which is our payment of lie of taxes for the Boundary Waters. And I think the
distinction that I I think is important to make is that's just another that's a bucket of funds for us. It's another line item that we have to leverage within our budget, but we didn't previously assign funds from that for this project. So those funds um we could
use those funds for other areas, other needs within the county. It's not set aside specifically for this project. And the reason that that you would want the city to partner on 50% is I mean we're we're also county
>> this is city >> taxpayers and right built is city taxpayer money too right? It is. It is >> well because to the city. >> The reason that we want to partner is we truly see this as a partnership as we move forward with the park. Um and we
want it to be a joint venture and joint effort with the city. Um and so the board felt it appropriate to ask for a contribution towards the full amount. >> We're a significant land owner on the property. It's in city limits in pretty
much its entirety. Of the 600 some acres, the 240 of it that is most likely to be improved with things that we would ask for grant money to help with is the city-owned piece. That's the south and
east part of the property closest to the Gland Trail. Okay. I'll just restate my thoughts that that hillside is important. We hear that all the time. And I think um it's
important for the county and the city to come up with a plan to do all of that and not have any more surprises. We end up with too many of them whether it be here in the city or not. making positive steps forward to
something and I think the potential here is has appealed to residents and visitors alike. I think residents would benefit from we don't know what the full design is but some of the general concepts of it and also
preserves the two main views that we all treasure the lake this way and the hillside the other way. Um, so that's my thought on that. Anyone else have questions? Anyone would like to make a motion then
in support of this request from the county to move forward this um this planning project? >> I just have one more question. >> Yes. So Mike, when we look at this, I just want to have an idea of numbers like so
is this would this be a significant dip into the amount of funds that we actually have aside or what is this? >> That's a pretty hard question to >> to answer. I I mean I think going back to the council has had numerous chances to
identify what their priorities are. This has always been a part of a conversation because it's always been something that we've had an opportunity to do and it's not something the council has said is a top priority which is why we didn't have a specific set aside for it.
>> So, um you know, we don't there there isn't anything that you've set aside for this. That's there's 26,000 that we can't do something else with. um you you can afford it if you want to do
it if it's a priority now. >> And I think to me, you know, the fact that was not going to be a priority was in the sense that we would not be the one leading this or >> we would be putting energy and staff time into moving a project like this
forward, but we could be a partner to this. And that's why to me it was not a council priority is that's how I view it. >> Well, one of the reasons why we never had it as a priority on our priority
list and we we discussed it quite a few times. I guess I'm concerned is where are we prepared to go where this is going to go you know I mean are we in that position >> we don't know yet and this is a
discovery option to know where it would go but we don't know and I don't think any of us part of these projects which you have brought up in the past and very rightly
so is that you may get the initial funding to start a project like this, but the real issue is later on. And we talked a little bit about that, but the ongoing expense, but I think
that's something we need to cut. >> Absolutely. This this is just a a planning phase. Um, so there are no decisions beyond that at this point for the county and we're not asking for the city to make any decisions beyond this
point at this time. It's just for updating this master plan and we would um part of the master plan is to create a joint powers committee and we would want um city council participation in that as well appointees from the city
council. So it would be um definitely something that you would be engaged in. And again, this is just for the master plan. >> And the master plans has a purpose, right? And the reason we're talking to HKGI is because we just did this with
our own rec park. We just hired them. We just updated our master plan to gain regional significance and allow us to apply for legacy funds, which we just applied for and were successful in getting. So I think we do have an intention. We know the path we're going down is that. So I think Craig, if
that's the question you're asking, are we prepared to try to get legacy funding for something at this park? >> They projects always start out like this, right? Where you throw a little bit at it and you have somebody study it and then then you go down the next road
and it's, well, yeah, we got some money available, but it's a match, right? What do you think? Should we just do it? We're already here. And that's that's the slope, right? That's what you're talking about is are we going down that road? Are we wanting to prioritize this financially for the city because it will
wind up costing beyond this more money. In my opinion, it always does. Mhm. That's kind of >> And we have joint powers agreements already that we have been trying to update
for ever since that visit. We haven't succeeded on I don't think any of them tell the truth. That's just a question. I mean for adding, you know, I understand you you have to have joint powers that you put
together between us and the county before you can take this to the funding source. So that's something that's going to have to be laid out, right?
>> That's I kind of think we need to have a longer conversation about this before we throw any more money at it. I'd get to run anyone that broadly supports this idea. There's a lot of vag. >> Well, we don't know what we're getting
into. I mean, is it just a a few hiking trails or is it camping? That's the point of having this is to figure to narrow that in to make those kinds of decisions to create that vision.
>> Mayor Benson, if I may, >> do you mind if I was wondering what was >> Yeah. So, phase two of the proposal is exactly what you're talking about. It would develop the concept um for review. So um
then they would develop the master plan document and at that time after that's completed then we would have discussions about what are the next steps if any at that point >> and I I just wanted to speak to like in
you know in this process you know if and when we form a joint powers board they would kind of be the entity to which user groups would be coming to us. I mean certainly if there's infrastructure that is either county or city operated
like a campground or something like that that might be something we need to match with for building a bike trail that might be the SCA the SHT might be applying for building you know campsites or more hiking trails and so it's all of
that burden is not necessarily going to fall on city and county. Um, additionally, each piece of the process would have to go through a resolution with city and county. So, entities come to joint powers board, they make a decision on if it fits with the plan,
and then if yes, then resolution from city and county needs to happen still too. So, there is still a break that we can pull if we aren't in agreement. So, um, yeah, I just felt like that was relevant. And I think two of those key
points are items that were identified I don't even know how many years ago now when we did create a joint powers steering committee to create what I think is the framework of the most recent master plan as it exists today.
One is that that steering committee isn't going to have its own budget. It h it can't spend money that isn't continually authorized by the elected officials. And the other is that the plan is for user groups to come not only with how are they going to pay for the
facilities that are going to get constructed but how are they going to be maintained and that's really the job of the steering committee then is to decide does this plan seem feasible realistic do we want to do that so it's completely understandable to think yes this will
cost us money I'm quite confident as well that this will cost the city money if we end up building a park but the entire idea behind it was still to try and create something that's sustainably operated by user groups rather than by taxpayers.
It's hard to say what exactly all those things are going to be. The master plan has a nice bubble diagram and those uses were vetted through quite a few public processes. I mean, there definitely are lots of people that we could bring in here to say they do think it's a good idea. If you wanted to test that out,
but um until we really know what are they going to build and how are they going to fund it and how are they going to maintain it, what's that plan, I don't think we can say what's going to be included. >> Any questions? I do think this is the way you figure out what to do.
But there's, you know, it's it is money, but I feel like it would be well spent in this way to figure it out. >> I think it's hard to quantify the risk of not doing it, right? It's easy to
understand the cost of doing it, but it's the risk of not doing it is a little harder to to quantify. But maybe that's the point Tracy you were trying to make is that we want to have some kind of plan here for this property so that some surprise doesn't show up and end up being the plan for the property
that we didn't have an opportunity to vet publicly. >> I truly believe that you can sit there and say I don't want to do anything, but somebody's going to do something. Change will come. So you're part of it. you make it or do you just end up being
reactionary to something that maybe isn't what you want at all? >> Give me an example of that. >> Well, we just had an offer for something to put a hotel and right away there wasn't a lot of interest in that. Not how feasible that ever was.
>> Oh, you're talking about the property on the top of the hill >> up farther up. You mean >> the private property? And I and you know I don't want to go into the weeds, but that's kind of the thing I mean where instead of being a group that thinks you know what what do we want to see there and not see there and create that
instead we're on the back side of it reacting to someone else's ideas of what we think should be there. >> Gotcha. >> And there's always been a thought of some use, right? We ended up with a zip one that didn't go anywhere. Not
probably the best idea. talk about whatever I want to go there. But that was a sales that should never have been sales pitch ever absorbed personally is how I feel. But I think there is a lot of potential up there to keep that
property still looking like it does and still have benefit for us and and financial benefit possibly. I do kind do strongly feel that the people who lived enjoy this kind of a heightened Look at all these people
already walking like just out to Fall Creek and you know we heard anecdotally from some of the construction people there really is anybody use this? They do all the time and all they had to do is go to toy and
see how many people walk that section of the trail and that for years or bike it all the time. Um I think local people do enjoy it. So I don't some people said oh is this just going to be another tourist thing and I would say no not at all I
mean it will be but I mean it's not just for that purpose I think it would have benefit that and part of it is visioning it too I mean if there is something you feel is more important as a resident for the community members then that's your
chance to add that to the mix of what could be beneficial and you don't find that out unless you have someone lead a a project like this. Yeah. To to get those. We don't know what's sitting out there of the
possibilities. Um and what people may say they think is important. I think even your campground update probably brought ideas and things you hadn't thought of. It's a little easier that cuz we built off of a
a master plan that was already done. >> Sure. >> We basically renewed it to look at the park in a different light. What's good, what's bad, what can be changed, and then that brought in people and opinions and meetings
to discuss that. But this is on a whole different virgin piece of property. So, it's got a blank slate. >> That's right. And the one thing that I observe as I've been living in this community is we've had
um projects or I shouldn't say projects. We had uh feers put out to get the opinions of people on what people's ideas are of the hill side
whether it's county land or city land. And a lot of the results from those have been basically to leave it alone. Nobody wants to see anything built up there. Um I know we just had a gentleman sell four
lots of land off about a mile off the side of it. Um basically that was to stop him from developing it. Um, so it's kind of interesting
to sit here and try to figure out how to develop it. But yet, in my opinion, as just a resident of this town, I don't think you can get a lot of support to develop it. Maybe they cut a trail through it or something like that. But if that's what we're going to do is
build a trail, hiking trail or another stone build trail or another bike trail or whatever, how much money do I have to spend to establish that minimum impact type of a activity. That's the thing that I questioning
here. Um, you know, I mean, when you first started talking, Mitch, about this property, cuz I was at the meeting, I heard we want anything up there, a campground, this and that. I'm sitting there going, and
then I don't think that's going to happen. Maybe it is. Maybe it'll be part of HKGIS study that the big campground would be great up there. I don't know. But as far as a city councilman, we can't devote any time and effort to
that right now. and going into the future. I don't think that that's our intention to expand or have another accessory campground that we have to operate and run cuz it takes a lot of work and we're having trouble with manpower right now
this summer with the one we have. Those are the issues that I'm plowing ahead a few years of. Where does this take us? Where does this leave us? What conversations are we going to have about it? I know HKGI is going to have meetings with the public and I can kind
of already get the feel of what some of those meetings might be like like all meetings we have when we try to change and do something different. Um that's my concern about it. And when you start putting money into it, okay, this is the
first ask. Um we know that more money comes later. We have to either shelf this thing as it was done by HKGI or move ahead with something else which means more money. That's how it works,
you know. And when we did our update down here, um the city taxpayer pretty much paid for it all. Am I not mist? Yeah. This is county passing city
more city dollars if county city residents are paying county dollars. But I don't I just I have a my feeling is I'm not too hyped up about it right now and that's basically why it hasn't made our priority list in the last four years. So
that's my opinion. I can't tell you anybody else how saw you feel or how people out here feel or the people in the community feel, but um we have quite a few things on our plate that we're plowing ahead to try to approve
approve and fix and do that those things right now with our dollars that we have to work with. Um so I don't know that's my whole feeling about it. I mean, I know this is a beginning because you have to get you want to get those legacy
dollars, which we had to do for the city. You have to spend money to get that. Um, I understand that, but that's just how I feel about it. >> You started by asking the question why this isn't a council priority, and I
think you answered it at the end, saying we have a lot of things that we need to accomplish right now. >> That's right. To me, that's the reason why you haven't made it a priority. >> It's not that discussed, but it just, >> you know, you have so many things you can try to accomplish in a year and this
one fell off the plate. >> And I think that I said earlier too, whatever reason was exactly what you just had a concern about and we all agreed this will not be something we will be a leader on, nor will we be actively involved. It's not going to be
campground number two for the city. I think we're all in agreement for a lot of what you just said, correct? >> Yeah. But if we own 240 acres of it, >> it doesn't mean that's what's going to be what happens to it, but I think we all agreed because there was a concern that somehow we were going to say, "Oh,
Dave Tearstick is already a campground, you know, person and he'll be the one leading this." And we all were very clear that that's not what's going to happen. He has a full-time job. That's not where this will go. And and I think that's still what we're saying with
this. And and I agree with you. We the reason we said it wouldn't be a priority simply because we wouldn't be actively the one leading the charge. But I think we can be at the table and spend this money to do the exploratory to find out
what this could go in in the larger thing of what this could be. this isn't that much money to finally find out for sure kind of what you're worried about what what does the communities I'd like to know that too finally >> and I I would agree with that piece at
least and it is spending money now um but to really let people the community chime in and then we know what do they want or do they want nothing that would be a good thing to know >> and one of the questions I asked that
last week Is is this truly a question thing or are we just like rubber stamping again your last plan? And if it wasn't truly full of community give us opinions of you know a fresh start to look at then I I didn't think it was a
good idea either. But you answered that question for me. This was really going to be another chance for everyone to contribute and reinvision. And Mayor Benson, that's also something that's been very important to our commissioners is to make sure that there is that public engagement piece as we move
forward. >> Yeah, because I I wouldn't want to just say, "Oh, yeah, we're going to do whatever." And just follow the last one as it was. I don't think that's a good idea. >> And that was I don't remember what year that was. That was a while ago. >> 2018. There's been a a recurring
occasionally significant public conversation about this at least since 2001. So, and not I mean we you you say you know you know what those meetings are like. You do because we've had them and people have come in and and we still
need to continue that process before this becomes a plan. You'd be willing to move forward. I don't think that part is done. But there are themes that have come through that entire conversation that hearken back to what you talked about earlier too, Craig, that we don't want to see something developed there.
And I think that the park was an idea that prevents things that we don't want to see develop there as much as it was an idea to build things that we want to have there. We have devoted a lot of county staff time to this project over the years and
we're really at a point where we need to know if we're moving forward because we have county priorities as well and different ways that we could be leveraging that staff time where it seems like we're spending a lot of time having having discussions about do we move this forward. So, I'm really hoping
that we can come to a resolution. I know you've spent time on it, but what kind of baffles me is when was the last when did you do that last feeling of the public's opinion and
you came and you you assessed that opinion and provided it to us and now here we are talking about moving this whole thing ahead when we already kind of had a glimpse of what the public opinion was. So I'm baffled by that. Why
you turn around and spend more money chasing this rabbit down the rabbit hole when you got a taste of it? >> But I mean, so Craig, I mean, respectfully, we we looked at the same data. I I came to the
council and I showed you what our I think we did this in February of 2025. I put out some feelers to kind of see if this if the public still had an appetite for it. um in the data that I received a significant portion of the public wanted to see it proceed.
So yes, there are naysayers certainly there are but in looking at the numbers I see a majority of the people that wanted to proceed. So this is why I'm here. Like you know >> that's interesting because that's not a meeting
to put that. >> The other thing I want to talk about is PIP money. We don't have PIL money. If we did maybe be easier to throw money at this. Um, you know, we funded our whole thing down here for the city with our city dollars.
I uh I don't know. I just at this time I don't know how I feel about it, but that's Yeah. >> Well, that's I think you feel more strongly to move ahead with this. I think the county might feel more strongly to move ahead with this than
the city. I'm not talking for everybody, but I that's my feeling. >> Otherwise, we'd be approaching you and you know to speak to that, Craig. I mean, we have our comprehensive trails plan that we did back in 2016. In that comprehensive
trails plan, this is part the Sawtooth Bluffs was specifically called out as a priority in that. So, it's it's not a personal crusade. It's something that we we spelled out in that process that we
this is a priority and so it and two I mean yes we we at our parks and trails commission meetings we we discuss it often. It is something that we all agree would you know kind of like to see proceed. And so,
you know, in this process, you know, in polling the public and and seeing how they felt about it, going to the county board, seeing if this, you know, if we can proceed with this planning process, um, you know, so, and then additionally
having me in this position, you know, it was something that in an effort to be collaborative with with the city >> and I appreciate you saying all these things, Craig? That's you know why we're all here on the council. So it all
matters what you're supposed to do so we can think out there and make sure I appreciate that. Anyone else have questions or thoughts right now? >> I don't see any urgency to make a
decision tonight. Is there something else you'd like to consider to this that I mean makes makes you questions you still have about this part of it?
I'm not sure that supported like saying in in the community. you don't know that people really want a destination park. >> That's not I mean the point of this is to find out what we would could could or would do with it and that means getting
public opinion. I think that's really the the bigger points of this is to tie that all together. Finally, >> and that would be one of the questions as well um with um working with the community is asking is this something
that you want to see in the community and if so what would you like to see at that location? So that that question and trying to gather that data so that the city and the county can make a database decision about what to do with that land is this process
>> as as well too. it, you know, in pulling people into the steering committee. You know, I in my proposal, I requested folks from, you know, like the school district. Um, you know, the historical society was an idea, you know, involving
community members in creating something that the community wants. It is not, you know, this isn't going to be driven by folks outside of Cook County. This is going to be driven by a steering committee, you know, selected um by city and county to represent our values,
you know, and nothing is set in stone about what it's going to be. I mean, certainly we have that plan from 2018 about that the city and the county both agreed on at that point, you know, through a public process. As Mike said,
you know, it was agreed upon then. Now it's just an update of this and with a very public facing process and engaging everybody as much as possible. So that's where we don't have to be locked in on exactly what it looks like. We hopefully
by the end of this we we do. And um yeah, and at that point all without all that we have is a plan that we could submit to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission for regional designation. >> I mean, I I know that we've, you know,
gauged the community before, but I think it is important now because things have changed to engage with them again and see where we're at. see what they would like to do. We really don't know what's where they're at. I mean, we had the one
survey that you must have >> that was just right now. >> Well, that was something we did internally. Yep. >> Yeah. And so that's that's something, but that's not really telling us what the community is interested in, what they would like to have happen up there.
And, you know, it is money can afford right now. And so, I think that that's you know, we should take that into account. We can spend the money to figure out like is this going to be the thing that we're going to actually go forward with because we don't know. I mean, maybe the
community is not us and they do really want something out there and they do want something a little different than we can imagine as just us. >> I have heard anecdotally from other groups in the community some ideas they do have. But so there is interest in
things being done out there and not just individuals. So that would require um larger groups to kind of know where they would land. Who's here when HDGI jumps into this and
starts looking at other than public comment and public meetings we have with them? You know with the rec park we have a plan already there. We have a map. We have basically facility build and we gave them ideas of what we wanted to do
and things that we had to do actually so we could be eligible for those monies that we went after to get for in the backs and such things that were that we did down there. But when HTGI looks at a piece of property like this, who
who sets the tone or who, you know, are they going to be referring to the 2016 trails plan? Um, or are they do they have an open slate to propose or offer or discuss all kinds
of things that could be put on that property? You know, I mean, are you going to pretty much throw all the spaghetti on the wall and let the public kind of say, "Well, we like that, but we don't like that. We like that, but we don't like that." Cuz that's how these babies work. You know that. I
mean, there going to be a lot of ideas and some of them are going to be great for some interest and not so great for other interests. And someone's got to mediate and drill down and actually come up with a plan. And that's going to be HKGI.
>> Yeah. and it's going to be steering committee that works with the HKGI that's made up of local officials. So that that's the proposal from the county as well that you'd have two city councilors and a member of the primary park board as a part of a steering committee that's
working with HKG to make sure that that project is guided the way we want to see it happen. And part of that work starts at the very beginning of the project, phase one of the kickoff meeting. Those discussions will take place, what's in scope, what's not in scope. And a lot of
that discussion will happen with this steering committee to advise that kickoff committee. And I think it would be an important role of whomever if you appoint someone to that board that they are leaison with the council and make sure that they're
communicating back and forth what our boundaries are about what we want to see happen. And that's why we hire these companies opposed to trying to do this ourselves. And it's my understanding this particular company must focus in this
arena as opposed to others. >> So there there's a skill set behind that and they're all supposed to help with funding. And to your point about the spaghetti and throwing at the wall to see what will stick, part of this is also what's
not a viable option. We might have some user groups that want to see certain things up there that because of the the land, it's not a viable option for some reason, and we need an expert to be able to tell us whether it is or isn't as we move forward as well. So, that would be part of the proposal, too.
Any other questions? All right, with that, would anyone like to make a motion to approve the contribution amount for this project for the Su Club HKGI
contract share? >> I would make that motion. >> Second for that. I will second that. Any further comments or questions? All right. All in favor of approving dollars for
the statute club contract cost share. >> I All right. Thank you. >> Ask for the oppos. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, there was a pivot. We had an
additional agenda item that is delayed because we needed to get us more information. I'll give you a quick preview one and explain why North isn't here. >> North of course was told many years ago now that they don't have to come and present to you. They can just give their
annual report in writing. And uh Greg was planning on attending because the additional agenda item was we were going to talk about some different treatments we wanted to do the Fifth Avenue intersection to try and deal with pedestrian safety issues and we're still gathering information with Mindon on
that. So it's not on the agenda. Hence is not here. Hence your report is in writing included in your packet. Uh we also have some materials we're going to hand out to you in your box. Uh and the agenda is transport shortened. >> Great.
>> All right. >> Sorry. Next. Uh the administrator report. >> At your last meeting, you talked about Boulevard maintenance. I emailed a form uh today to you that we'd sent out to folks along the property uh that
affected properties on Highway 61 that was mailed, emailed or handd delivered depending upon what availability we had to get to folks. We asked them some specific questions about how they're currently maintaining the boulevards and also just for general feedback. So we're
we've already started receiving that feedback. Hopefully at your next meeting we'll be able to record that and hear that conversation again. Uh League of Minnesota Cities conference next week. I know the mayor is planning on attending. I was planning on
attending, but I don't think I'm going to be able to make it work. So, you'll just have to put up with me in the office for those three or four days of the week. Uh many conversations occur occurring right now at the utilities commission about leech it. Um, there's
been a few more meetings back and forth with Grand Portage, with the MPCA. Uh, the APU itself had a good conversation about it at their last meeting. They asked for a midmon update meeting on that. That's scheduled for next Monday
at 3:00. So, we'll be looking at where we're at updated on on that. The next steps are they've asked us to prepare significant industrial user agreements for both of the companies that we had been accepting leeching for
and to include in those agreements a more robust testing plan and a way to pay for it. So I'll be meeting with our city attorneys uh tomorrow to to work on that process. And like I said, next Monday the meeting is occurring. we'll have a chance to update that and have
the utilities commission continue the conversation. And a quick plug for the utilities commission while they're on the topic. We have an open seat when we need somebody. Um, and so for a reminder, the folks that are qualified to serve on the utilities commission are
those folks that are customers that reside in the area of the utilities commission service territory. So that's not just the city limits. We also serve east and west along the shore a few miles in both directions. Uh if there's
anybody out there who thinks they can be of service to help us with the wastewater treatment plant project to help us sort through questions about uh accepting leeching or not to help us plan for our electric utility system to
uh there's there's two guys doing this work right now. We've got a third seat open and they they could sure use your assistance. Please look us up. >> Yeah, I think that commission it's only three people and so you're only down to two. I don't think that's
>> we can we should be able to put one person should be at least three. Anything else on contracts? Any update on the things brought up? Oh, well, I mean, I don't want to promise
cover promise here because it'd be kind of silly to say we're about done with one of those contracts, but I think we're very close to being done with the law enforcement agreement. >> We were very close to being done with it some time ago as well. So, uh, I like I said, I don't want to overpromise, but
we've met recently the attorney, sheriff's office, administrators, our attorney to go over the terms uh, that had been agreed by the steering committee that was working on it and looking at draft contracts. I think there's one or two more issues that need
to get talked about a little bit more. Um, but I don't think any of it's dealreaker stuff. So, should be a draft that's coming to you. I don't want to say when. Been too many years. >> I just want to celebrate the win when it
does. >> Close is going to count this time. >> What's next on that? >> To be determined. What originally was next was to talk about street maintenance. >> Uh I think we made a temporary
adjustment to that. >> So, I wouldn't say we haven't gotten anything done because we did that. That's right. and that's been in place for a little while now. Uh whether it still makes sense to have that be the next agreement or whether there's a couple of other items that we might decide are more important to be seen.
>> Maybe that could be a upcoming work session as we go back to that list to look at the scale because seemed like you know did some work on that and it just seems like if we're >> see now we have enough data like we had that one dry linear that we can really
had enough data to run with to see what we're going to do with the streets. >> Yeah, the snow removal. Yeah, >> that's the biggest question mark on it. But lots of other things included in it. >> Okay. So, >> and then the short stay right now that
they reshifted and direct place and all that. >> Yeah. >> And there's this was that an additional or just replacement attorney? They have another attorney in place too to help Jean move some of this along too. But
did she get one additional one too? >> Not sure. >> Okay. I wasn't clear either. >> Don't don't forget about what we call the community center agreement but which is actually our contribution to the operations of the Y. That was one of the three that was originally on the list.
>> So it's not they have a city administrator again. They've got their attorney staff back up and they reposition for the is that land services? What what is that department called? >> Yeah,
>> that's in place. So now there's opportunity for things to start engaging again, I think. And we working on that. >> Well, that was my report, but actually Kim's reminded me that we have one additional hire that we want to add to at the golf course. Please hire Mariana
Dea Osa Muika as a golf course employee this summer. A motion to approve. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> Thank you. >> We got
a animal tomorrow. >> Yeah. I don't have anything planning zoning later. Was it next Wednesday? >> Next meeting management board on Monday is next meeting. Um probably be looking
at some of that stuff from North Management Board. >> Nothing. >> I don't have anything. We had a PC meeting and parkboard meeting prior to that last city council meeting. >> Okay. another
BC meeting next Monday. So, I'll update to you on that at the next council meeting. >> Uh today, you just mentioned that we did have the one MPCA imported city meeting.
I thought that went very well. Um there some to-dos should acknowledge. So, I think that went well. Learned a little bit more about how the MPCA works and um learned some things about
Minnesota Powers that was very positive future of that and their actions on that. So, that was very good and that's a good good meeting. And then you said that the technical people met again
today and we've made some progress. So, that's good. Um, we had the Takenite Harbor project open house on Monday down in Schroeder. They ended up with about 50 people coming through to review everything and
response. So, they were very pleased with that. And then and I went down there for that. I really wanted to thank some of the advisory committee members and there were just a few there, but that was nice to do. They've been very
complimentary about that advisory committee, their participation and just how they operate as a group that went very well. And then at our EDA meeting yesterday, they gave their formal presentation to the community members were part of that piece of it. It was
nice Carlo who um heads deed who for whom we got that grant from came up here for the meeting. So that was nice. Um, and we had a few people from out in the West End sitting in the audience for that meeting yesterday, too. So, that
was um, good. I'm trying to think if there was anything. Oh, Minnesota Power came. two people from Minnesota Power came and um kind of reiterated that they still want to be a partner with us and um if there is something that works for
them and works for us, they're all ears on that and admitted they've looked at a lot of things themselves, but um they're clearly still at the table. Cleveland Clay Cliffs is not a course. Um they Minnesota Power is continuing to
remediate the site to industrial standards. So they're still doing their part at you know this. So obviously it depends on where you want to take your property what it has to be remediated at but that's where
they're at. I was trying to think if there's anything else that out of that, you know, industrial light industrial park concepts. People really wanted to capitalize better on the marina, including boat repair, boat sales, anything boat related. There was some
thoughts around that just because the marina is such a great asset. Chris, people always are get concerned about housing, especially if anything big did come in. Where would you house people? Then there was mixed use concepts that would um have some tourism
but also with the thought of retail, food, hotel which is all tourism still incorporating marina um event center that kind of piece some housing and once again um making sure there's public as access to the
shoreline um and just a more balanced development. So that's just a high level on that. Um, also at the EDA meeting, we talked about the golf course schedule now for closing around August if all proceeds. Okay. We
approved some grants and approved our budget for the year. And then as Mike just said, I'll go to the LMC conference next week. >> Where is it? >> This year it's in Rochester. They always go back and forth to Luth Rochester.
>> Do it that way. So yeah, let down >> down there. Yeah. Me and chat. >> There we are. Thanks everybody. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> Yeah. She gave.