[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6285057,"mediaKeyId","2574840-2c39b0eb47917fed92176b1d2b363d5e","parentId",2574840,"title","Votes at a glance: Virginia City Council actions and motions — March 11, 2025","audioSeconds",2792,"startMs",562000,"endMs",3354000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574840-2c39b0eb47917fed92176b1d2b363d5e&start=562&end=3354","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574840-2c39b0eb47917fed92176b1d2b363d5e/thumbnail_562000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285057/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Virginia-City-Council-actions-and-motions-March-11-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285057-e3b32992b033c44e9d2b816bcde682c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163030&Signature=UYx1VJbtf-S35sCoYq9uJ6igUEghBtPA9cI7suEQ9D~OseIFfHXyjceWVtnB0abyq4Ho1eDJa1JlveJkNAkBh6XHvcXwKjrXnvQ2qD4hmvBFMJ0qqPmtGFfIqgvQXoJ0SSIpxekXxrwEvs-xW0BjjqNbLbXcJry7b42bqu8uIlCLqsH~H0AiorFgvOgKZ-NxYi~Fug4wpUMR~gRRiozmNdViToz4wXxCURhqPF59mqgqAFqBwbwZrs4Ikftdr9UnE4FzSb-Vt8iwWt0OhAGlW1jvF1zaDLKYVPINdmV95B2OQNZYcbsLPL4B6nZOaalF5F2SQXPvOkW8O6fOIvXr8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Virginia, MN","date","2025-03-12T12:02:38Z","article","This roundup lists formal actions the Virginia City Council took on March 11, 2025. Where vote tallies were recorded in the meeting, they are shown; where the transcript recorded only \"motion carries,\" the outcome is listed without tally.

Key approvals and motions

- Consent agenda: Minutes from 02/25/2025 and multiple consent items (exempt permit, travel requests, etc.) were approved as a package; Finance Resolution No. 25-005 (schedule of bills) was pulled for discussion and ultimately adopted.

- Resolutions and ordinances: The council approved submission of a grant application to the LCCMR for the South Side Trail Connection in Silver Lake Park; approved second readings of the city ordinance 6.47 (cannabis) and ordinance 11.13 (cannabis zoning); authorized the Virginia Economic Development Authority (VEDA/VITA) to purchase tax-forfeited lots formerly occupied by Frank and Norman; and approved an extension of the RFP deadline for animal control services to March 31, 2025.

- Public Safety Center construction: Council received a report and approved a sequence of change orders and approvals brought by Kraus Anderson and SEH. Change orders approved in committee included numbers 28 through 35, with amounts recorded in the packet (examples: CO #28 $780.71; CO #29 $866.99; CO #30 $18.74; CO #31 $5,692.42; CO #32 −$434.52; CO #33 $9,771.49; CO #34 $17,495.89; CO #35 $28,776.32). Staff reported the project remains within budget and on schedule for July completion and September occupancy.

- Hiring and personnel: The council considered multiple personnel items in the Committee of the Whole: approval of internal appointment to Fire Marshal position failed on roll call (motion failed 5–2); motions approving hires for other fire and EMS roles, including paramedic Joseph Pugliese and firefighter Thomas Skroelke, were approved pending background checks; approval to create a community service officer position in police department approved; continued phased retirement agreement in Community Development Department approved with a requirement that timecards be submitted for phased-retirement payments (motion passed 6–1 after roll call).

- Procurement and program approvals: Council approved purchase of LUCAS chest compression systems using Minnesota EMS funds allocated in 2024; approved an internal posting for an open repair crew foreman position; approved the city's participation in Rockridge Job Shadow Week; and approved removal of certain no-parking signs on Sixth Avenue North and placement of a loading zone with the Rotary Apartments.

- Property and finance items: Council approved purchase of property (parcel 918440) using 2024 contingency funds.

- Municipal cannabis license: A motion to direct staff to move forward with obtaining a municipal cannabis license was defeated on roll call, 4–3.

Votes noted in the record (examples)

- Motion to table the Essentia lease packet item: passed 4–3 (moved by Councilor Johnson, supported by Councilor Motley).

- Motion to accept Iron Range Half Marathon donation and approve event planning: donation accepted (unanimous or consensus as recorded); event approval passed 6–1.

- Motion to appoint internal candidate to Fire Marshal position: failed on roll call, tally 5–2.

Process notes: Several items reported out of the Committee of the Whole and were ratified on March 11; where the committee previously discussed items (for example, permit fee increases), the council noted the need to amend ordinances before new fees take effect (target July 1 implementation).

Materials and next steps: Council directed staff to publish and circulate required documentation for approvals, implement change orders per construction contract, and prepare ordinance language to implement fee changes. For the Essentia clinic lease item, the council scheduled a special meeting to review documents in advance of the notice deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Virginia City Council | March 11th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal motions, votes and approvals taken by the Virginia City Council on March 11, 2025, including ordinances, resolutions, change orders, hiring decisions and other formal actions.","taxTitle","Virginia City, St. Louis County, Minnesota","taxId",71108,"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},6285062,"Iron Range Half Marathon donates $5,000 for event-center fitness equipment; council approves 5K and half-marathon dates",440,794000,1234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574840-2c39b0eb47917fed92176b1d2b363d5e&start=794&end=1234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574840-2c39b0eb47917fed92176b1d2b363d5e/thumbnail_794000.jpg","/articles/6285062/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Iron-Range-Half-Marathon-donates-5000-for-event-center-fitness-equipment-council-approves-5K-and-half-marathon-dates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285062-c1ed1c231d50294dfdf14503d072a8fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163030&Signature=QZ3BkRNOuLKJ7ahBMEU3ZdG7~gk8cbI5VstruAvMhCXoCYSBWCxXi6VJGJT9TL3F1jMN3XXehDNgD85CIDm66nAAGId3rBlqnJPFIeBj72HlMsOCWp5kJTSdGywoW5SHSG3AXYsr~gCYByvM6NRG0V5tb270h49B0jywacXxvFzAkKA98wccSAhfCAxnBjTBzfG0Z29Ym6jmUdhNRkkG3Ic-0yn7VlVq-T8D4fwSvZkYd20KWBJbwys8quipcsIEfPJYS6T~wn2nXOSJ647Itsc4FEq1gp5~bHCoKdLNYgdJpruEujwzsq~rgZxkVUPBoUvTts7j4PmslJXyyHd76g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia City Council on March 11 accepted a $5,000 donation from the Iron Range Half Marathon to buy free weights for the Iron Trail Motors Event Center fitness area and approved event dates for the 2025 half marathon and a new accompanying 5K.

Organizer Gabe Zika told the council the group had approved internally to donate $5,000 to the event center \"to improve the fitness center in the way of free weights lacking right now.\" The council voted to accept the donation and asked staff to place a small plaque acknowledging the donor near the equipment. \"I would ask that we make sure we put a small plaque near or on the equipment saying that it comes from you,\" Councilor Johnson said; councilors instructed staff to handle plaque placement.

Zika also asked for approval to hold a 5K on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, with the half marathon on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Councilor Biodich moved to approve the events; the motion was supported and passed by roll call 6–1, with Councilor Johnson casting the lone no vote. Councilors said routing and safety plans will mirror prior years and that organizers must provide required documentation to the city clerk for final permitting.

Councilors and staff thanked the organizers and sponsors. Councilor Motley thanked Essential Health for continuing sponsorship and noted the benefit of the events for community recreation.

No additional city funding was approved; the council accepted the donation and authorized the organizers to proceed with planning pending submission of standard event paperwork.","Organizers of the Iron Range Half Marathon offered a $5,000 donation to the Iron Trail Motors Event Center to buy free weights; council accepted the donation and approved event dates — a 5K on Aug. 15 and the half marathon on Aug. 16, 2025 — after brief discussion and a request for a recognition plaque.",{"_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},6285066,"Virginia City Council tables Essentia Health lease extension, schedules special meeting",2122,1141000,3263000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574840-2c39b0eb47917fed92176b1d2b363d5e&start=1141&end=3263","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574840-2c39b0eb47917fed92176b1d2b363d5e/thumbnail_1141000.jpg","/articles/6285066/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Virginia-City-Council-tables-Essentia-Health-lease-extension-schedules-special-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285066-0bee1891ecfe84daf5841ea8553c3e56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163030&Signature=S1XjQdreT5zVJtq1BPbNbP7jlVKHBi6OfiOxEYb4Qk09iJc9rttLEmWxYq8w08368mbQoKlGeed4IoyMShqOMiD~hEThAbYht4WOz7loVbutWGSykrrS1TxvNej~~QUeirQu183YC6h1Il0t-YDmhxQMIPfUaCKcyv0jcQIpuTZui1fHqo7B5r41yTuct9C~Cz1rhWVQiCQ1k9W-OjfpRdkS5HK7ons4cjTlTT8BVVJtggH7H2ukUJFI5ijUihee3rYp6jknBLhM7lTHpseADyNVTYtffFoe4eV6Kn-z1enbwlpQUASwRqweH43CIEUuBD~pOIiM1r5L5Xir4m-ZxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia City Council on March 11 voted to table consideration of a proposed change to the clinic lease with Essentia Health and directed staff to convene a special meeting to review lease documents and bond paperwork before the lease notice deadline.

Councilors postponed action after a lengthy discussion over which lease and amendments govern the city's rights and whether Essentia's request affects only the renewal notice period. Councilor Johnson moved to table the packet item; the motion carried 4–3 after a roll-call vote.

The item in the meeting packet asked to change only the notice period for renewing the lease. Essentia representatives told the council they were seeking more time to complete negotiations: Sam Stone, administrator for the Virginia Hospital and vice president of operations for the region, said Essentia had asked staff for a three-month extension through June to continue talks, and that Essentia had delivered a proposal in mid-January. \"We've been working with city leaders for approximately a year trying to get transparency on numbers so we could get a proposal in front of you,\" Stone said.

Joshua Moreau, assistant general counsel for Essentia Health, told the council the earliest lease for the building dates to 2005 and that a planned 2018 sublease and second amendment connected to bond refinancing were not fully executed. \"There was a refinancing where there was going to be some cost savings along with settlement proceeds and the insurance proceeds to fix the defect in the building,\" Moreau said. He said one amendment was not signed at the time and that the packet item on the table relates to the April 2005 sublease and its notice terms.

Councilors raised several concerns. Councilor Johnson said she was not comfortable voting without a full review and noted a long record of the issue appearing on meeting agendas. Johnson also asked to have bond compliance and related documents produced. Several councilors pressed for clarity about a roughly $10,000 annual shortfall the city has identified, which staff and Essentia confirmed relates to an unsigned amendment in the 2018 refinancing sequence.

Councilor Buck Schneider, who identified himself in the meeting as an Essentia Health employee, acknowledged the potential for perceived conflict but said he had consulted the city attorney and intended to vote. He explained his position and said he would remain transparent about it.

After the tabling vote passed, the council endorsed setting a special meeting to continue the discussion before the lease notice deadline. Councilors instructed staff to assemble the relevant emails, executed and unsigned lease documents, bond transcripts, and compliance paperwork for review. City Attorney Brian Lindsey told staff he would be available for a meeting earlier in the month but had trial commitments that limit some dates; the council and Essentia representatives agreed to attempt to meet Monday, March 17, at 5:00 p.m., subject to counsel availability.

Council members emphasized the goal of preserving local health services while ensuring the city has a clear record of executed agreements and bond compliance. No lease terms were amended or adopted at the March 11 meeting; formal action was limited to tabling the packet item and scheduling a follow-up meeting.

The council instructed staff to circulate all related documentation to council members and to the city's counsel ahead of the special meeting so that legal and fiscal questions — including the annual $10,000 discrepancy and the status of the 2018 sublease/amendment — can be addressed in detail.","Councilors delayed action after months of back-and-forth with Essentia Health over an extension of the clinic lease notice period, voted to table the packet item and set a special meeting to review lease documents and bond paperwork before the March 30 notice deadline.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Virginia City Council actions and motions — March 11, 2025

Iron Range Half Marathon donates $5,000 for event-center fitness equipment; council approves 5K and half-marathon dates

Virginia City Council tables Essentia Health lease extension, schedules special meeting