Mayor talks about Grand Marais council vacancy and budget planning

The City of Grand Marais rescinded the peacetime emergency declaration last month and has been having in-person meetings in the council chambers at city hall. However, it has raised some questions about remote attendance at meetings.

Mayor Jay DeCoux planned to attend the July 28 meeting remotely, but at the start of the meeting, City Attorney Chris Hood told the council that could not happen. If a member of the council plans to attend a meeting remotely, there has to be a public notice three days prior to the meeting.

So, for the July 28 meeting, Mayor DeCoux participated as a private citizen. City Councilor Kelly Swearingen served as acting mayor. It was at that meeting that Swearingen made the announcement she was resigning from her council seat.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence caught up with Mayor DeCoux this week to learn more about how the city will fill that vacancy, about the changing rules for remote participation at meetings, and about the city’s recent work sessions on capital improvements and capacity.

Here’s their conversation. 

* This article has been edited to clarify that Mayor Jay DeCoux was attending remotely.