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The Babbitt city council, at it’s nearly two-hour Sept. 17 meeting, also discussed the proposed Birch Lake marina project.
Mayor Duane Lossing suggested doing a study on the proposed marina even though the city has received a $197,000 grant to study the project.
Lossing said he questioned whether there is public support for the marina project and that he has concerns over how it would affect the recreational use at the Babbitt Beach.
Lossing said that area, near Wendy’s Wharf, is often used for boating and water skiing. He said he talked with LCCMR, the agency that funded the project, and was assured it would be good to stop and gather public input before moving forward.
“The other thing I’m hearing from the community is the amount of people that this will serve is small,” said Lossing.
He made a motion to table going ahead with a contract with SEH on the proposed marina. Council member Joe White seconded the motion.
Council member Glenn Anderson said the marina project is to help the campground.
“Because right now where do the campground people have to do every night? Pull their boats in and get them out of the water because we have no place for them to put their boats,” said council member Glenn Anderson.
The marina would have 28 slips for boats to dock.
Lossing said not every camper brings a boat and, “Most people are uncomfortable with it because of the security aspect, you got to take all your goods out of your boat.”
Lossing said he wanted to add the marina issue to an informal poll on whether people shoule be allowed to have chickens in town.
“If we go to the community for every decision we have to make, it’s gonna delay everything we do,” said council member Jim Lassi.
Council member Joe White said the city is six years out from being to afford a marina. He advocated pursuing the proposed housing development before a marina.
“We got to get all that done and let’s see where we’re at financially,” said White. “I think we just need to pump the brakes a little bit and focus on what we got right now in my opinion.”
Anderson said the city is just looking at the feasibility of the project and that it would be a money maker by charging people to use the docks.
White said environmental work done now may not even be usable five years from now.
Jason Chopp of SEH said the project was discussed with a city committee and monies were granted to the city to continue the planning process.
A motion to table the project failed 2-3 with Anderson, Lassi and Hoheisel voting no.
A motion to spend $197,000 with SEH to do soil borings, prepare construction documents and submit permit applicants passed 3-2 with Lossing and White voting no.
