Media Release from Cook County.  Contact: Jeff Cadwell, Cook County Administrator, 218-387-3687 or [email protected]

July 25, 2017 – Following are highlights and key priorities covered at the Tuesday, July 25 Board of Commissioners Meeting:

Parks & Trails Commission
Lisa Kerr, Land Commissioner and Parks & Trails Commissioner asked the Board to accept the award of a Lake Superior Coastal Programs STAR Grant in the amount of $7,500 to support the master planning process for the Sawtooth Bluffs Recreational Area project, and to cover the County’s share of $3,750 in matching dollars. The grant will cover half of the anticipated costs for ARDC to complete a Master Plan for the project with the matching funds coming from the City of Grand Marais and Cook County. The Sawtooth Bluffs Project is a joint project of the City of Grand Marais and the Cook County Parks & Trails Commission comprising 640 acres north of the Gunflint Trail water tower and surrounding the end of Old Ski Hill Road. The project’s main objective is to create a major trail network for a variety of recreational actives. The project and site was recently awarded a high designation by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks & Trails Commission which makes the project eligible for additional sources of funding.

Camping at Hostel
Bill Lane presented a Conditional Use Permit amendment to allow camping at the Hungry Hippie Hostel. The recommendation was made by the Planning Commission to approve the amendment, and the Board supported that recommendation.

Highway Engineer Position
Administrator Cadwell presented the Board with a job posting, updated job description, a proposed Search Committee and timeframe for the recruitment of the next Cook County Highway Engineer. The Committee will consist of Commissioners Bursheim and Deschampe, John McDonald – MnDOT, a member of the Highway Advisory Committee, a member of the Highway Department staff, Administrator Cadwell and County Human Resources Generalist Judy Hill. The proposed salary for the position including the responsibilities of agricultural inspector will be $75,500-$102,000. The search is expected to take six-eight weeks to complete.

Public Health & Human Services Director Resignation
Administrator Cadwell presented a letter of resignation from Public Health & Human Services Director Joshua Beck. Commissioner Bursheim made the motion to accept the resignation with regret. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Doo-Kirk. Commissioner Storlie thanked Beck publicly for his good work. 

Budget Workshop
In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings in August, there will be a Budget Workshop held in the Commissioners Room on Aug. 29, from 1-4 pm.

Full details of Board Meetings are available through video footage, Agendas and Minutes at www.co.cook.mn.us. County Board Meetings are open to the public.

Contact: Jeff Cadwell, Cook County Administrator, 218-387-3687 or [email protected]