Rentals: Realtors Want the Option

A letter in Sunday's Pioneer by a local Realtor had some valid arguments against the rental moratorium proposed by the Bemidji City Council. The Ordinance, which puts a 12-month moratorium on new rental registrations, will have a second reading on Monday night. The public hearing will provide citizens an opportunity to weigh in on the measure.

The local Realtor Association invited City Council members to their regular noon meeting last Tuesday to discuss the proposal. None attended. Look for Realtors at the meeting Monday night to speak in opposition to the moratorium.

Should a 100 Year Old Building be Preserved?

The Carnegie Library is 100 years old this year. Built in 1909, the building has served as the public library, county welfare office, music school, art center and more. It is owned by the City and is the centerpiece of Library Park.

Hundreds of people were in the park this weekend to attend Art in the Park. Too bad most of them have never been inside the Carnegie building. The reward for braving the dangerous front entrance (which is only feet from the high speed traffic on Paul Bunyan Dr) is a wonderful art center--currently exhibiting six local artists.

Is the building important enough to save? The recently completed Carnegie Reuse Study concludes that it is. The Heritage Preservation Commission believes it is. Will the City Council agree? It's on their agenda Monday night.

Fairly Easy--Entries at the Fair

A friend emailed me last week and asked for tips on entering her knitting at the fair. I am no expert, but I have entered flower arrangements the last two years and have had a bit of beginner's luck.

The first year I entered, I won the Bertha Johnson Best First Time Entrant award ($30) and last year in addition to winning 6 ribbons, I won the best of show for my arrangement of orange and yellow lilies (shown at the center in the top row in the photo above and left). I grew the orange lilies, my neighbor Darlene grew the yellow ones.

Anyone is welcome to enter the fair -- young and old, county resident or not. My kids always entered something when they were at home--embroidered pillow cases, a lego diorama, photographs, a bluebird house.


My winning entry in the Asian influence category (Darlene's lilies)

Here's the Beltrami County Fair website. Check out the premium list and pre-register online. Entry day is Wednesday of fair week from 11 am to 6 pm.

By the Numbers

• Number of days the fair runs: Five - Wednesday through Sunday, July 29 through August 2
• Cost to drive in and park at the fair: $5 daily/$10 season pass (parking is free on entry day)
• Value of a first place ribbon in the flower arrangements class $8
• Number of "dress an animal" contests held: three - dress a goat, dress a chicken, dress a cow (not to mention "paint a pig")

More Minnesota fairs:
Minnesota Federation of County Fairs

Advice from the Masters:
Entry Tips from Beltrami County Master Gardeners

Random Bits

Segways on state trails? Should the two-wheeled personal chariot be allowed on paved state trails? DNR wants an opinion from the State Attorney General.



A list of potential candidates for governor (30, Yikes!!) updated July 7th.

Lists of Minnesota blogs at City Pages, Bemidji Community Internet, and at Minnesota.com Is yours missing? Add it.

Too Many Rentals Per Block?

If you ever wished for a way to keep rental properties off your block, you might get your wish. The city council will take up a discussion on the number of rentals in Bemidji neighborhoods at their regular meeting on Monday at 7:00.

The council originally requested a moratorium on new rental registrations in order to study the idea. They'll see that ordinance Monday, but will also be presented with a rental density ordinance. The density ordinance would limit the number of rentals based on a percentage per block.

Several other college towns have instituted density ordinances. Duluth limits rentals to within 300 feet of each other in the university area. Mankato passed a density ordinance a year ago that limits density to 25% of homes on each block.

Is it time for Bemidji to have a density ordinance?

Weekly Bits from the City Newsletter 7-3-09

The City Council will consider a rental density ordinance on Monday; new park programs started this week--something for kids and adults in city parks; and a traveling Skate Park demo on July 4 will give locals a chance to try out ramps and rails. Read about these bits in this week's newsletter.