Grantsburg Revitalization Operation (GRO)
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 7, 2018, Grantsburg Library Community Room
Meeting called to order by Nicki Peterson, 11:10 am
Present: Nicki Peterson, Kristina Kelley-Johnson, Kelly Gerber, Ben Binversie, Wade Vitalis, Joni Burgin, Cris Peterson, Larry Ebersold, Cathy McCabe, Halle Pardun, Jerry Dorff, Mike Kornmann, Pam Davies
Kristina read a message from Rod Kleiss of the Grantsburg Airport Association outlining progress at the airport. Their goal is to be self-supporting, they are looking at putting in a pilots’ campground also open for rustic camping on the southwest corner of the airport with trails into Crex Meadow and courtesy bikes.
Larry added that an old hanger has been purchased, new owner may build a new hanger, could make the old hanger available for courtesy car, possibly and old squad car. Seal coating of the runway could happen this summer, 90% fund from FAA and State of Wisconsin.
Talk of revitalizing existing bike routes through town with new paint and signage and connecting up with Crex Meadow and airport camping.
Cathy McCabe presents ideas for improving the southeast entrance of the community center that include painting the doors, putting up an overhang over the doors, adding benches on slabs, later to look at plantings. School colors had been suggested but since this is a community center, Cathy suggested other colors be considered.
Nicki reviewed the Capstone Project report and asked for input.
- All were impressed with the work of the landscape Architect student, Saige has done. Downtown greening, Main Street Mall idea really looks good.
- Larry pointed out that new LED lights urgently needed and will probably have to happen before funding for a whole new mall concept could be realized.
- Discussed parking, need to maintain enough parking. Could do bump-outs to provide places for trees and planters between areas of parking discussed.
- Using cement colored and impress rather than pavers; less subject to heaving in cold and cheaper. Use of small trees with roots that won’t heave the sidewalks.
- Wade talked about how attractive the concept of “realms” is creating an experience for people coming downtown that is pleasing in and of itself. This concept is used in Saige’s plan.
- Visual anchors are also important concepts that we will want used, such as moving Big Gust to downtown or a fountain or an attractive business such as the brew pub.
- Wade will talk to the Lindstrom City Planner on how they developed HWY 8 through town.
- Safe crossings at intersections, ideas to slow traffic important.
Nicki would like any more input soon, so she can communicate to Saige ASAP as the next part of the project is underway.
Kelly Gerber reported on progress of the Fitness Trail to be put in adjacent to the High School/ Elementary School.
- The architect for the school district is making plans for school campus and will include the fitness trail. This will include any issues with terrain that need to be addressed.
- Financing is in place with grants from Community Bank and Grantsburg Telecom.
- More funding could be sought through Polk Burnett, Northwest Alliance, Parker Haniffin, Burnett Medical (?), Rotary and other groups—sponsorships could include logos at stations.
- Some details: paved trail for ADA accessibility using whatever is most economical, wood chips at stations for injury issues, disclaimer signage, .4-.5 mile length, 3 activities at each station, 10 to 20 stations, Signage integrated with other trails and added to trail kiosks
- School plan will go out for bids in April, possible summer construction. Bids will include fitness trail but will also break out fitness trail separately so we will know what costs GRO needs to cover or if we want to seek other bids just for our project.
- Equipment needed is reasonably priced. Installation is not included in pricing.
Nicki gave an update on the Trail Kiosk that is going in next to the Sinclair station on golf course/village land. Jason Burkman has the posts in and will finish with the structural portion as weather allows. Nicki is finalizing legends and maps. Some discussion of where the next kiosks will go. Ideas: across from the brew pub building on Memory Lake Park land, and another anchor on east side of town, near the library.
Nicki gave update on Grantsburg Telcom grant proposal. Among other things, the application will include $23,000 for materials to create the Olson Drive trail between Memory Lake Park and HWY 70. From estimates by Chris Bartlett, this amount is for materials only, does not include labor hours need to complete the project. Grantsburg Telcom will vote on the grant proposal at their February 19 meeting.
Downtown Committee to plan and implement a survey of businesses to learn what each business sees for the future of their business and downtown Grantsburg, what roadblocks they may be experiencing and how Grantsburg and GRO can help them achieve their goals where appropriate. Mike Kornmann to lead survey production and a Committee Chair needs to be established.
Larry talked about the splash pad being planned at the outdoor pool site and the involvement of the Girl Scout in this effort.
Housing market analysis and workshop was discussed at the last meeting; Nate Ehalt was leading that discussion and wasn’t present at this meeting so it was tabled.
Larry talked again about housing needs in the community and the approximately 20-25 rental properties, mostly houses, that are in poor repair and yards not being kept clean and maintained. Mike mentioned a possible landlord workshop. Larry observed that the real problem landlords are absentee not interested in anything but collecting rents. There are about 4 landlords who account for all the problem properties. Village codes are not adequate to deal with the issues at this time but are being reviewed and upgraded. Wade pointed out that fire inspectors can also do commercial building inspections and may be able to be used to inspect rental properties. Possibility of Village sending warnings for yard maintenance then charging if village crew does the work.
GRO may help recruit more businesses to put up holiday light in the park and provide lights for trees throughout the campground.
Idea to keep holiday lights on the Memory Lake Dam all year to reflect in the lake. All liked the idea, have to hope no vandalism. Would like to be able to change the color of the lights for special holidays if not expensive.
Downtown light posts need outlets for businesses to use for holiday lights.
Should the Village board members be on our email list to receive meeting notices and meeting minutes to try to draw them into GRO or at least let them know what is going on at GRO? Are they reading the materials about GRO they receive from Patty in a timely manner or does it go out in their packets just before their meetings? Kristina to inquire at next board meeting.
Wade Vitalis discussed his plans for a mini-golf course, next to the Drive-In, with waterfall viewable from HWY 70 that will draw in tourists. Would like TAP grant applications to include safe crossing of HWY 70 which WIDOT would support. Would need to paint cross walk and get new light posts with crossing lights. Mike suggested Marc Bowker as contact WIDOT on safe HWY 70 intersections.
The first Wednesday of the month at 11:00 will be set as the regular meeting date/time for GRO meetings. The next meeting will be March 7, 11am at the Library.
A big thank you to Cathy McCabe and Kristina for providing lunch for the meeting.
