The Babbitt city council heard several proposals for economic and community development opportunities at a Tuesday meeting, some new and some ongoing.
The dog park project moved forward, with a motion by Jim Lassi seconded by John Fitzpatrick to take fencing from the softball fields off the auction block and set it aside for use at the park.
“You could have enough fencing (from) there to make one heck of a big dog park,” said Lassi.
IRRRB Culture & Tourism grant applications open on July 1, creating an urgent need for a detailed proposal. These grants can provide up to $30,000 in funds, said project proponent Cathy Hoheisel.
“I’d like to start the grant process, so I can’t really do that if we don’t have a spot,” said Hoheisel.
The project plans tentatively include the use of 6.45 acres of land near Cherry Circle and north of the bike trail. The council can’t act on the land until the next council meeting, said mayor Andrea Zupancich.
Lassi said he will propose later on to rezone the parcel back to a conservation district designation and “keep it for non-development.”
"I think that would fit into your dog park quite well. And I think it would satisfy the neighbors, because their main thrust is they don’t want development there, so we have a little bit of a dog park, that’s not going to interfere with anybody,” Lassi added.
“I foresee that you probably would go in there and cut the brush out, leave some huge trees, and maybe go in and have it weedwacked every now and then,” said council member Duane Lossing.
The trial run of the dog park at the outdoor rink will proceed as planned.
The council also heard an offer from the Northwoods Saddle Club to lease land for use by horses and riders. The club, long hosted at the Embarrass fairgrounds, is now seeking relocation after the agreement with the fair board fell through.
“Embarrass Fair owns the property and the Timber Hall, the Saddle Club owns all of the panels, the concession stand, the announcer stand, the equipment, the barrels, the poles, and it’s been a mutual agreement for years,” said club representative Audrey Kalinowski.
“Something must have happened, and they didn’t get funding. So they want to buy it from us. Or we can leave,” she added.
The group, which includes dozens of members, typically hosts five events per year, drawing 40- 50 riders annually to the largest event and up to 80 total attendees, including riders’ family and friends.
They hope to lease a shady property off Conservation Club Road for $500 a year.
“We’d like to, if possible, get this rolling so we can start getting the land in September,” said Hoheisel.
The planning commission will discuss the matter further at a meeting on July 3.
Meeting as the Economic Development Authority immediately following the adjournment of the regular city council meeting, council members heard a proposal from Zupancich - who briefly stepped down from her capacity as mayor to present as a realtor - for new construction on lots 15, 16, 17 on Commerce Street.
A buyer, offering $15,000 in cash, hopes to put in a restaurant and a new building for robotics. The restaurant may also offer ice cream.
“She’s really excited about it and it’s nice to see excitement,” said Zupancich.
"It's the first commercial build ing we’ll have there since I’ve been around,” Zupancich added.
The council members, with Joe White absent, unanimously voted to approve the purchase agreement.
In other business, the council: Discussed potential specifica tions for the clerk-treasurer job contract, as well as a hiring timeline.
• Adopted a motion to move forward with a proposal from CEDA to create a strategic plan for the city, including a resident survey.
• Continued discussions with Gary Kurpius on a revised land offer.
• Suggested referring a decision to place a camera at the boat landing to the Babbitt Police Department.
• Denied a conditional use permit on Mulberry Lane for the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability. The council discussed two alternative site options.
•Acceptedtheordinanceamendment to rezone two parcels south of the golf course for Green Mining Company.
