[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6333502,"mediaKeyId","2302599-b547065f3a7f04b68e819515c1958f72","parentId",2302599,"title","Board approves $717,000 in aquatic invasive species prevention aid and directs letters opposing proposed state cuts","audioSeconds",1592,"startMs",3309000,"endMs",4901000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302599-b547065f3a7f04b68e819515c1958f72&start=3309&end=4901","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302599-b547065f3a7f04b68e819515c1958f72/thumbnail_3309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6333502/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Board-approves-717000-in-aquatic-invasive-species-prevention-aid-and-directs-letters-opposing-proposed-state-cuts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333502-4f14017c0a22691d9ae4d86f67dd9441/orig.mp4?Expires=1777443907&Signature=hueymFoRnkzxCcSubXDb-1pBxxmLlnwciojoKFggzTGIQMAolcNUFzUMh63Cmc4KQ~LeBnHIT63rAu1H2tAdAH1K5I71vnNGk-qXar7TD89nql82WoaUaUnEl3NKW0xcUgwuZhSMEZVg37zKFqLOr0h4pTiNGXnnwZvVTVTYQD7WJhqVNXBSPpPdxmjnez-uMYfMGpzHgB13frddGSBzG57Z3Fqm1tO-Nb~YbpgiSYiytS2yHE0DLG~v5k6R0-2Zjo7qyMNiWIqT7wmz0tAMA8pKrov-tpI1HUGUTBnP1tDqXVB5Vkc9gzbNUM4pAK92rOaUBprxy3MernqbYbd6AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Louis County, MN","date","2025-02-11T21:44:28Z","article","The St. Louis County Board approved staff recommendations to distribute $717,000 in aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention aid for 2025 and directed county officials to join a statewide letter opposing proposed cuts to the program.

Director Ryan Logan and planning staff summarized the county-coordinated AIS program, which the board said is unique in the state for its countywide coordination and partnership model. Logan told the board that over the past decade the county has funded more than 80 projects totaling more than $6.8 million in AIS prevention activities.

Speakers from partner organizations described program accomplishments and the risks if state funding is reduced. John Utech, AIS program coordinator for the North Saint Louis Soil and Water Conservation District, said the district is “closing in on our 200,000 watercraft inspections and nearly 3,000 watercraft decontaminations,” and highlighted seasonal inspection staffing and public education. Gary Haugen, co-chair of the Lake Vermilion Association, said the lake’s surveillance program has helped prevent introductions of invasive species to Lake Vermilion. Pat Kinzemius, president and CEO of Wildlife Forever, said the governor’s proposed budget would cut the statewide AIS prevention aid program and urged board members to press legislators and the governor to preserve the funding.

Commissioners discussed the program’s origins and its statewide importance. Several commissioners asked staff to prepare a formal county letter to the governor and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources opposing the proposed cuts; the board then voted to send letters and to support the Wildlife Forever-led letter campaign. Director Logan and staff said this year’s allocation process used the statewide formula based on landings and parking spaces and that requests exceeded available dollars (more than $1 million in requests for $717,000 available).

The board approved the funding recommendations and the directive to transmit letters; the meeting record shows the motions carried.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Louis County Board Meeting - 02-11-2025","oneSentenceSummary","St. Louis County approved 2025 funding recommendations allocating $717,000 in aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention aid across local projects, heard testimony from program partners, and voted to send letters to the governor and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources opposing proposed cuts to AIS prevention aid.","taxTitle","St. Louis County, Minnesota","taxId",3768,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6333507,"County awards seal-coat and pavement-marking contract to low bidder Asphalt Surface Technologies",107,3227000,3334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302599-b547065f3a7f04b68e819515c1958f72&start=3227&end=3334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302599-b547065f3a7f04b68e819515c1958f72/thumbnail_3227000.jpg","/articles/6333507/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/County-awards-seal-coat-and-pavement-marking-contract-to-low-bidder-Asphalt-Surface-Technologies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333507-a3dd2f02972f14b8f71f3a758a3ca564/orig.mp4?Expires=1777443907&Signature=b436qgc0SqpkLQreEoA4BxbfBxlxeTdLlSQZhIPo9nr6zc6YaYXTeRDH83Qz-UyHuIiEsQHlp5Glznw7wtP-q3PhQBZTCEd37ssfgRfqyxnG8R5T2xJzVI4lE7w44C6PPA65HnEuzGnuIigdZTUz4kLpOOdET4pBakWCG-DWQwS7XrZ8g0oQQjWFXB3OmIk4sVpMfyhcvGStgLeJkXF4axv1vzw14fecOtG9kqv~8-47r6r5eU~P4h3v4GTT74ABYFEMcsePkcus-2oWzqrlY00G4gvj6lBDV3Zo3WRRv06KPr4hH7kZo8Qwwzblt59hTUm-LuTHef4L4W10yRQQxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Louis County Board approved an award of bids for countywide seal-coat, fog-seal and pavement-marking work to Asphalt Surface Technologies Corporation, the low bidder on the project.

Chair Commissioner Mussoff moved the award and Commissioner Chukovich seconded. Administrator Gray described the work as a cooperative, countywide project with partner jurisdictions; the contractor was the low bidder among two proposals.

The board recorded that the motion carried; no dollar amount for the contract was given in the meeting packet discussion. The administration said the project will help lifecycle maintenance of county roads and is part of routine road maintenance programs.

No public comment or protest was recorded at the meeting on this item. The board’s vote approved the contract award and returned the meeting to the chair.","St. Louis County awarded a countywide seal-coat, fog-seal and striping contract to Asphalt Surface Technologies Corporation after a competitive bid process; the motion carried at the Committee of the Whole.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6333512,"St. Louis County summarizes ARPA spending: $54.5 million across landfill, roads, housing, childcare and broadband",1050,389000,1439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302599-b547065f3a7f04b68e819515c1958f72&start=389&end=1439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302599-b547065f3a7f04b68e819515c1958f72/thumbnail_389000.jpg","/articles/6333512/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/St-Louis-County-summarizes-ARPA-spending-545-million-across-landfill-roads-housing-childcare-and-broadband","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333512-4062d411450943b0f502d49ee4ac114e/orig.mp4?Expires=1777443907&Signature=EheLe7Y9qOdkgxEuVbFmAHkxSgbPEs5~Dm8NYFIM4n1hisN-LStvs3OuOoK2jw6ds5ALva5j5~j1oZAg5Cnd5VQch81mAY9RTFcB6j0qmrccbZMuBHXTHM9aYZDvSDP5h5fOEJc~Fc3rEspi9-GEOwuaVajrLxyBrAiSt1bPzfdPtXU868TbnKMOLsiYQUvS8lDHAgKDyx2yZKsZhrf8Kw1VTQCXFwGJFDXh04g~prGL2a3onj-mf3AceLo3o~sMjjACGrtM8GeAeUEYt0Cp1UGAHOUNr1akFahvSyuQ19u140gp0dmUmmOfj5SYOm6d4daiagpwMsE9U7qi~KFr9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County administration presented a final summary of how St. Louis County used $54.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, describing investments in solid waste infrastructure, roads, broadband and social services meant to address pandemic impacts.

Administrator Gray told the board the county received ARPA funds in two tranches in 2021 and 2022 and that staff worked to meet complex U.S. Treasury reporting and compliance deadlines. Gray said the board intentionally focused funding on four areas: pandemic response/recovery, economic impacts, support for service delivery, and infrastructure (roads, water/sewer and broadband).

Key allocations described by administration included roughly $12.5 million for upgrades to the county’s large solid waste landfill to address forever chemicals; about $7.25 million for roads (including a roughly $3.5 million reclaim-and-overlay project to complete County Highways 115 and 77 between Cook and Tower, with widened paved shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists); broadband investments in communities that lacked service; and investments in county buildings and transfer stations.

Administration also cited investments in youth and recreation projects that benefited 25–30 communities countywide, including $830,000 for childcare expansion in partnership with the Northland Foundation (Administration described roughly $750,000 of that as contributed by the foundation), and a range transitional housing project in Virginia and Hibbing still under way. Other ARPA-supported projects included behavioral health urgent care in Duluth in partnership with the Human Development Corporation (HDC), fairgrounds improvements and a solar expansion project in Mount Iron.

Administrators said roughly half of the ARPA allocation went to infrastructure, highlighted pandemic-related staff costs and outreach that were supported without drawing on levy dollars, and noted that more than 100 unique projects or investment categories were advanced. Board members repeatedly praised county staff for project management and compliance; several commissioners also recognized former deputy administrator Brian Fritzinger and audit staff for their roles in tracking projects.

No county appropriation vote tied to the presentation was required; the session was an informational report and wrap-up after a prior workshop on Treasury reporting.","County administration told the board that $54.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds were allocated across infrastructure, public health response, youth programs, housing and broadband; officials said most funds have been obligated and staff completed Treasury reporting requirements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6333517,"St. Louis County board unanimously backs $3 million state aid request for 148th Fighter Wing hangar upgrades",258,113000,371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302599-b547065f3a7f04b68e819515c1958f72&start=113&end=371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302599-b547065f3a7f04b68e819515c1958f72/thumbnail_113000.jpg","/articles/6333517/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/St-Louis-County-board-unanimously-backs-3-million-state-aid-request-for-148th-Fighter-Wing-hangar-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333517-9fd3bdc39c009aaff6a2fd116c19e788/orig.mp4?Expires=1777443907&Signature=UXpNsUuUJ~0gg1467huYZauKK9rqXewohXR3HiMpa70sLVZ4kEsg1cGGaAQSmDo69EqIjIoBfhIXwI~qAk0Tq-s79I~40i69p6diERi2sFrZSVMOZSioCtAVgQO7OPTQDIw~MRbqBuRHWM1k9ZPWyRUtG50~dElZk689shOvJjyuBvN8esINEyMeBnrYfb0axBfXTcYeTC6OSTkVx0Rpv695nQYUri8uE~mA8krapUeKNuJgv1C4KunOkq9NgK82ZY6saXgakCXsTpU1fNydY8UpX33EPlYTbgeAzoWER5KxEnzcyDYMGVFfsTVrUhqPHwMRiL4ANpUI2U4c1hp1DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Louis County Board unanimously approved a letter of support for a $3,000,000 state funding request to help replace and upgrade an aircraft maintenance shelter serving the 148th Fighter Wing at the Duluth airport.

The board’s motion, made by Chair Commissioner Harlock and seconded by Commissioner McDonald, passed without opposition. Chair Harlock said the board toured the base and received briefings on the wing’s mission and facility needs, and described the hangars as aging infrastructure that should be modernized.

Administrator Gray told the board the hangars were originally built decades ago and had been relocated to the base in the 1970s or 1980s, and that the requested state funds would complement local and regional support. Gray said the $3,000,000 figure is the amount the Duluth area partners are seeking in state support.

Commissioners who spoke called the 148th Fighter Wing both an important local employer and a community partner. Commissioner Boyle noted the unit has been a regional partner since World War II and that this was the first time the unit had asked for state dollars; he called the request “a no-brainer.” Commissioner Jugovich and others described the base visit as informative and thanked staff for arranging it.

The board’s vote was recorded as unanimous. No county appropriation was approved at the meeting; the action was a letter of formal support for the state funding request submitted by Duluth-area partners.

Requests for additional detail about the specific content of the letter or any county follow-up were not specified during the meeting.","The St. Louis County Board approved a letter of support urging $3 million in state funding for a Duluth Air National Guard maintenance shelter used by the 148th Fighter Wing. The board cited the unit’s economic and community role and voted unanimously to send the letter.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves $717,000 in aquatic invasive species prevention aid and directs letters opposing proposed state cuts

County awards seal-coat and pavement-marking contract to low bidder Asphalt Surface Technologies

St. Louis County summarizes ARPA spending: $54.5 million across landfill, roads, housing, childcare and broadband

St. Louis County board unanimously backs $3 million state aid request for 148th Fighter Wing hangar upgrades