[{"_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",6223624,"mediaKeyId","3570275-c98bfa6d0410a96342ad7e7bb13e4df6","parentId",3570275,"title","Commission authorizes $600,000 interest-free loan agreement for Washington Manor conversion","audioSeconds",92,"startMs",800000,"endMs",892000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3570275-c98bfa6d0410a96342ad7e7bb13e4df6&start=800&end=892","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3570275-c98bfa6d0410a96342ad7e7bb13e4df6/thumbnail_800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6223624/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Commission-authorizes-600000-interest-free-loan-agreement-for-Washington-Manor-conversion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223624-d7698e8a6d253bf58b8c1a3d197d8309/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160010&Signature=i9BnIR4HvpVSfhZUYf1egLbTjH3K-~YgIFvI1f0VoNWGsTU3W2uR7VHDeNW0j-8XLkxX14ZLivCjl2DSDioVYb4PyZ0ilMEZGx3m3wPOqT43dd-gdpbruCZGqMlgHMyNrvtK7n3rSVpWH1V~qUT4FxdEUpVRkk3cz6f1JsdsNcDC7h9yaQxnSrf9GnCNA8JteyHmo1v7zVWEfVXsWthiXd31QjNwWW4xflxOUZdIKMHh3-quO2dFp94uVL-ROmntxh8pZA87Ao94Hci-BRU~btOOemwKxIgXwYZoV7eGV1fmHWXn42uyXJGd~gkcweS9~5EJ82MCjKfjBmpQQgrH5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Virginia, MN","date","2025-05-29T03:03:02Z","article","The Virginia Public Utilities commission on May 28 approved an agreement authorization that will allow the Virginia Housing and Redevelopment Authority to secure an interest-free loan of $600,000 for work at Washington Manor.

Greg, a utility staff member, explained that Virginia Housing and Redevelopment Authority owns Washington Manor and needed “some type of formal resolution to do the work.” He said the document places the utility “in part of the language stating they're gonna utilize the $600,000 interest free loan for a term as they requested of 20 years.” Greg compared the 20-year term to a past approval for the AOE Building.

A motion to approve the use of up to $600,000 for the conversion was made, seconded and carried unanimously. One commissioner asked whether a council member who owns a local business was aware of the request; the record shows the commission proceeded with approval.

Why it matters: the resolution provides a formal paper trail required by the authority to secure the loan and proceed with conversion work at Washington Manor.

Details: staff identified the loan amount as $600,000 and the proposed term as 20 years; they described the loan as interest-free. The commission noted the $600,000 figure is the utility’s maximum in this context. The meeting transcript did not provide additional financial terms or a repayment schedule beyond the 20-year term referenced.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Virginia Public Utilities | May 28th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a resolution to authorize language enabling Virginia Housing and Redevelopment Authority to use a $600,000 interest-free loan over 20 years for Washington Manor’s conversion; the authority needs the paper trail to secure funds.","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},6223629,"Commission approves resolution to participate in city-backed general obligation bonding",306,585000,891000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3570275-c98bfa6d0410a96342ad7e7bb13e4df6&start=585&end=891","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3570275-c98bfa6d0410a96342ad7e7bb13e4df6/thumbnail_585000.jpg","/articles/6223629/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Commission-approves-resolution-to-participate-in-city-backed-general-obligation-bonding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223629-92331a60b8d8165df42934f88ae47821/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160010&Signature=lSjCorvL7Hku~stXSJOOu5xxRRtoxAe7ovtj-6W5sKihhWNP0LGXhaHiDYYgjXf0HCXasB1NhXcuLRZ215YkvERCkG3C6YXbMGIasgDAYKDqOUNGGDw61Hunv~QBAKbTKsRAZ6pHg5Hh~ygvHoZRTFzwSHAH-5j2zLPFvbrcMKVhVyS77HxDPwJePlOOYukMIWo7to2kE~3ezHCPwR6PhAVRhL8D8LUxucWor90E-plQQQGM1vj8a65C-CxGNb7IthFmoTCxVlFL9VlpHOsRxed4C1Q36pKtIYsg5jobBUFB7Q2MPPiE7m2rZ7ZvhvMNH~uoWl1fmNo3VlOk72XIyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Public Utilities commission on May 28 voted unanimously to approve Resolution No. 5367, a preauthorization to participate in general obligation bonding routed through the City of Virginia.

Greg, a utility staff member, explained the resolution “earmarks us, you know, potentially using the bonds if needed. So, once the project is done and cleaned up, if we're interested, we have it preapproved to work with the city through this resolution.” He added that, although the utility is independent, bonding must come through the elected city council because the council is the city’s fiscal agent.

One commissioner noted they had opposed the underlying city project during public hearings because of a personal assessment concern but said they would approve the bonding resolution; the speaker clarified the commission was only acknowledging the bonding arrangement, and the vote carried unanimously.

Why it matters: the resolution creates a formal pathway for the utility to participate in city-arranged general obligation bonding if needed, but final bond issuance and assessments are subject to city council action.

Details: the resolution was identified as number 5367 in the meeting packet. Staff noted past projects and street/infrastructure assessments flow through city hall; the commission’s action was to acknowledge and preapprove participation, not to issue bonds itself.","The commission unanimously approved Resolution No. 5367 to enable participation in city-issued general obligation bonds; staff said the city council serves as fiscal agent and final bonding must be processed through the council.",{"_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},6223634,"Commission approves $177,194.24 grid-resiliency grant contract for switchgear building",182,378000,560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3570275-c98bfa6d0410a96342ad7e7bb13e4df6&start=378&end=560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3570275-c98bfa6d0410a96342ad7e7bb13e4df6/thumbnail_378000.jpg","/articles/6223634/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Commission-approves-17719424-grid-resiliency-grant-contract-for-switchgear-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223634-4e2b9ebf0a802c93e5c24358fd759815/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160010&Signature=R3cslU4zdEf9I0GqGltrosnSqPJqXU~Z2ayUYPu2QYlEjA59oI4dAwoar4Ul7qhNHY4sVf8PwBoirwZRsijCtL6Fez302yTrQMQv55lPlQ3GK~-rgM2JoYqtf6E1xauViWf5sdgl6QY6Xi6aaSWD5KEC2HDQ6Z06fyE7NgVZo1U9bQxvVsZ~AsnOx4e~XIvUMpz3hPFFOiFXn-3Ii2jqviSQenPslevZ7mCQ2l8roxiQJwMoYL7eUxoNyH8gs3SbJSBrxHBKFnTQiVx9Zt~5jmQUEXocMYvA8MdvMDAxdqBm7DaDtpqG3hokM2USyhNgA0hiURnA0Nbrl1ee9L30RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Public Utilities commission on May 28 approved a grid-resiliency grant contract with funding of up to $177,194.24 from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to support construction of a new electrical switchgear building.

Greg, a utility staff member, described the project and the grant: “Way back when we came to you and said that there was a potential grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce for this electrical switchgear building that we're gonna build here that's gonna take all the old hundred year old switchgear out of the power plant and put it in a a new building. . . . We were awarded a grant up to $177,194.24.” He recommended the commission approve the contract as presented.

One commissioner asked whether the action should separately state acceptance of the award versus approval of a contract; staff replied the contract was included in the packet and formal action via the commission was appropriate. The commission then voted to approve the contract; the vote carried unanimously.

Why it matters: the grant will offset the cost of replacing century-old switchgear and is structured as a formal contract the commission must approve to document the utility’s participation and secure the funds.

Details: staff said the building is intended to house new switchgear removed from the existing power plant. The grant amount was given as “up to $177,194.24.” The commission did not specify a construction timeline in the discussion beyond prior work to begin the building and the grant award having been secured.","The commission voted unanimously to approve a grid-resiliency grant contract—up to $177,194.24—from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to help fund a new electrical switchgear building that will replace century-old equipment.",{"_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},6223639,"Commission acknowledges new contractor for Progress Parkway gas main after original bidder backs out",220,204000,424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3570275-c98bfa6d0410a96342ad7e7bb13e4df6&start=204&end=424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3570275-c98bfa6d0410a96342ad7e7bb13e4df6/thumbnail_204000.jpg","/articles/6223639/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Commission-acknowledges-new-contractor-for-Progress-Parkway-gas-main-after-original-bidder-backs-out","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223639-448a8a37748757f1386c95ae44c305c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160010&Signature=WLupbVyb3QS-TOBe~MznmYg-DY~HzGUW~nCW-ud~5K8fvxGv3Zkcz469e6RNDrnT~0FHNR6wH3gf2Z5a6wyikaz~0d1YIooXFBruogaMZHpLfnA-HSAR77-JAZk-RwTjoZzUVKJmhAzb9VEsS8TzUJ~axjI1fAzPDThmFs~BxRQxBAsrgf~RWJ7DeGtgg8qTVB3J-nHspGH1vV0~Z2Om5m-q8-60dR15zlDrPreMNV3Ao3InRPmJKW4BIt4XA9xkvbOLlNaVQi3AcgLz6NVZXJxaseCLHyvsh64lxzxEs~T46PocdiUsQOT-eW5~v1ZzQvk2PJ~cBRhmmiKEyEfLLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Public Utilities commission on May 28 voted unanimously to accept a new quote from AEI to complete the Progress Parkway gas main project after the initially approved bidder, LP Contracting, withdrew.

At the meeting, Greg, a utility staff member, said, “At our last meeting, we approved a bid to LP Contracting, for that gas main project in the amount of a hundred and $23,073.80. The engineers went to move forward with them. They backed out of the bid.” He told commissioners the commission could solicit quotes because the project fell under the commission’s mandated $175,000 bidding threshold and staff sent requests to three firms. Greg said AEI quoted $114,283.32 and began work because of MnDOT timeline requirements.

The commission first voted to acknowledge AEI’s award and then voted to rescind the earlier approval of LP Contracting’s bid; both motions carried unanimously. No individual mover or seconder names were recorded on the audio transcript.

Why it matters: awarding the lower quote allowed the project to proceed without an extended rebidding process while meeting external schedule constraints cited by staff. The commission recorded both the ratification of AEI’s quote and the formal rescission of the prior award in open session.

Details: staff reported the originally approved bid amount was $123,073.80; AEI’s accepted quote was $114,283.32. Staff said AEI had previously performed multiple gas projects for the utility. The meeting record attributes the timeline pressure to MnDOT (the Minnesota Department of Transportation).

The commission did not record written objections during the discussion. Commissioners voted “aye” on both the award acknowledgment and the rescission, and minutes show both motions carried unanimously. The commission did not specify a distinct implementation timeline in the discussion beyond the work having started and the MnDOT-related schedule pressure.","The utility commission awarded a $114,283.32 quote for the Progress Parkway gas main to AEI after the originally approved bidder, LP Contracting, withdrew; the commission later voted to rescind the prior award and ratified AEI’s award unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission authorizes $600,000 interest-free loan agreement for Washington Manor conversion

Commission approves resolution to participate in city-backed general obligation bonding

Commission approves $177,194.24 grid-resiliency grant contract for switchgear building

Commission acknowledges new contractor for Progress Parkway gas main after original bidder backs out