COOK— The city council here again declined to wade into the ongoing controversy over the possible forced expansion of the Cook-Orr Healthcare District. The council took no action on requests by both the Greenwood and Vermilion Lake town boards to “support the current legislation in which a city or town may ask to be annexed to a district.”

The township officials were seeking resolutions of support for the township’s position that their residents should be allowed to vote on whether to join the healthcare district. The district’s board has been seeking legislative support for a measure that would force five townships, including Vermilion Lake, Greenwood, Alango, Sturgeon, and Morcom to join the district. That would allow the district to levy property taxes on the property owners in those townships.

The move has angered township officials, who view the action as a hostile annexation. “The right of the residents to vote to be included in the hospital district should not be denied through change in Minnesota statues of laws,“read the letters, signed by Vermilion Lake Board Chair Bruce Swieringa and Greenwood Board Chair John Bassing.

Councilors did discuss the letters. “They have stated how they feel and we have to respect that,” said Councilor Elizabeth Storm. “We have to keep our working relations.”

The council had taken no action on a request by the healthcare district, back in March, to support their legislative push for annexation of the townships and Councilor Karen Hollanitsch argued for doing the same with the township request. “As a governmental unit, I don’t think it’s our place to get in it.”

In other action, Hollanitsch reported that the Federal Aviation Administration has put the airport on notice over their crosswind runway. “The FAA presented new data and they deem the crosswind runway is not necessary,” said Hollanitsch. “We can continue to maintain it, but if we do, the FAA won’t sign off on any future projects for the airport,” she said. “They can’t justify the need and it would jeopardize any upcoming funding for projects the airport may have in the future.”

Hollanitsch said the city has little choice but to close the runway. “We can’t even maintain it,” she said. “However, a pilot by their own choice may land anywhere they deem safe.”

The airport is currently undergoing a new access road and parking lot project. “We are working with SEH about this. There is a culvert that was installed on that runway that has to be removed.” A motion was made to remove culvert and to close the crosswind runway. The motion carried.

Lisa Hyppa of Northwoods Friends of the Arts addressed the council asking for a letter of support for the NWFA Summer Art Program, “Peace Begins With Me.” The project details a plan for a Peace Pole in the city park. A Peace Pole monument would be crafted and decorated with tiles that display the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” The pole would be about eight-feet high, 6x6 inches, with four sides. She told the council the word “peace” would be written in four to six different languages on the pole. Councilor Hollanitsch suggested the languages include Ojibway and Finnish. Hyppa told the council a committee of artists, youth and NWFA Board will be charged with the languages, design, implementation, and continued care of the Peace Pole. She noted a community event would be planned to celebrate the pole once completed. The council supported the NWFA request and identified a place in the park where the pole could be located.

With summer approaching, Cook Area Farmers Market President Kelly Dahl asked the council to support the market’s application for the 2017 season, with all necessary paperwork and fees submitted. He noted that the members of the CAFM “look forward to another great market year and bring people to town to patronize our area business.” The council approved the CAFM 2017 use of the city park, Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., June 17 thru September. “We’re glad the market is there,” stated Councilor Jody Bixby.

In other action, the council:

• Approved a Timber Days Committee request to waive the softball fee, which had been done last year. They told the council a person had come forward with interest in organizing the softball tournament for Timber Days.

• Heard from Councilor Storm that the Blandin Broadband project application for training has gone in and the city is waiting to hear back.

• Heard an update from Storm on the Lake Vermilion Trail. She reported the joint powers group recently met and discussed promoting the trail, fundraising, trail development phasing and priorities.

• Approved a resolution in support of annual appropriation for regional public library systems. Cook Library is a part of the Arrowhead Library System and receives funding through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds program. The council also learned the Cook Library was mentioned in WebJunction’s article “Social Library”. The library gained notice with the “Spring Pig!” promotion which featured a pig that hid throughout the library during the month of April. Patrons would find the pig and get a treat.

• Heard from the recreation committee on the condition of the ice rink. The rink surface needs to be painted and weeds removed. They also discussed the need to seal the edges of the rink to prevent ice melt run out. The commission noted boards around the rink that need replacing. Snow removal for the rink was addressed and the commission is looking at options. The commission would like to recommend the city look into purchasing an attachment to a riding lawnmower or a bobcat to remove the snow. They also discussed looking into opportunities for volunteer rink maintenance.

• Approved a new hire for Last Chance Liquor at $10.30/hr. The council also approved a new hire for the community center at $9.50/hr.

• Approved a motion to hire a new airport operator.