[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6215033,"mediaKeyId","3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74","parentId",3662998,"title","County, state and Virginia officials seek roadway swap and boundary fix ahead of US 53 project","audioSeconds",895,"startMs",329000,"endMs",1224000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74&start=329&end=1224","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74/thumbnail_329000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6215033/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/County-state-and-Virginia-officials-seek-roadway-swap-and-boundary-fix-ahead-of-US-53-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215033-7bebc0359ba7abcbd75da66e545f6a8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187972&Signature=j6jjdikz3sFO31IaXuJprMF6jxgbMXzyXCquOoQ9CAH266DAkMkohTd3Es~ZlY0ZotPXWSg3ILtugkP3sV39uEeToh24em7S5tmwCPzwLGntDZyNumCZlw~XnWPzmSuqh6bzDKq05P0q5BpCI-mFoVWinCZCu1QQWGiupCq9I2s~FARUTASNH8qvjKnVTfM7c~UeDFoM1acWqGfMNOBcPVbqC~LoGX8iV~li7hfgGSm-N605W82xzFGevlQ4DYXws7FWepzr~V55oxbk93QIcC4eCzRuK0OmXXMOnwqDgYZmPKgPPOZMqwvST2Vl5E0a01yBB-hPHF2S8gymPVI~9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Virginia, MN","date","2025-06-03T16:21:44Z","article","Virginia City officials on Tuesday reviewed a package of road and boundary changes tied to a planned MnDOT reconstruction at U.S. 53 and Ninth Street that would realign local responsibility for several short road segments and allow a signalized T intersection to replace a County route.

The change proposal would exchange Hoover Road (0.76 miles) and Oregon Road (1.75 miles) between the city and Saint Louis County under a municipal/county state‑aid designation swap. Saint Louis County and MnDOT staff said the swap would increase county state‑aid mileage by the Oregon Road segment and reduce Virginia’s municipal state‑aid street mileage by about 0.88 miles; the city would need to complete formal designation steps with the MnDOT State Aid Division.

Why it matters: The swap, a separate boundary clarification and the planned reconstruction of the U.S. 53/Ninth Street intersection are linked. MnDOT staff said the west‑side portion of County State Aid Trunk Highway (Casaw 102) will be removed when the project is built, and a short “orphan” segment of Ninth Street between Hoover Road and 53 would be turned back to the city so the municipal system matches the actual city boundary.

MnDOT and county staff gave details and answered councilors’ questions about mileage, the state‑aid designation process and an outstanding mapping discrepancy. “There’s different data sources showing different boundaries,” a MnDOT presenter said, noting MnDOT’s mapping showed the short segment outside city limits while the county land records show it inside; staff said they were working to reconcile the two data sources so the State Aid Division can accept the municipal designation.

The project team also described an approach to keep the Mesabi Trail connected during construction: rather than leaving a rail crossing in place, trail managers and the county plan a temporary reroute that will use the existing U.S. 169 bridge crossings until a future, grade‑separated trail crossing can be funded. Councilors asked about pedestrian and bicycle access between the Midway neighborhood and the trail and discussed resurfacing and safety work the county could program for Oregon Road if the swap is approved.

Action requested and vote: Councilor Kevin Johnson moved to direct city staff to continue work and present final agreements to the council; Councilor Motley seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.

Next steps: City staff and county/MnDOT negotiators will finalize cooperative construction and swap agreements, reconcile mapping sources with MnDOT State Aid, and return formal agreements to the council for approval.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Virginia Committee of Whole | June 3rd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Virginia City officials on Tuesday reviewed a package of road and boundary changes tied to a planned MnDOT reconstruction at U.S. 53 and Ninth Street that would realign local responsibility for several short road segments and allow a signalized T intersection to replace a County route.","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},6215012,"Council moves ahead with steam‑conversion RFPs and discusses capital‑bonding priorities and financial review",1178,5467000,6645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74&start=5467&end=6645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74/thumbnail_5467000.jpg","/articles/6215012/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-moves-ahead-with-steamconversion-RFPs-and-discusses-capitalbonding-priorities-and-financial-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215012-619e811d4be4f7cb4fbcef7a9f752113/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187972&Signature=elmI0CktPpGdTDz5Q9rH9kSFepEMVk-RxlLfmUyo-FGIPGrdBmuWN2Fmn0Uku2XCq36Yovj7I7IiYjeAcg6C7fncKhnoZSCdc5hmt6GheDGMFUrPjKwN7eIo4CLsHc0GBGAJqRwnTdr~fBMMloNadMzf-aFqNnF13ZArkzgfdTNunmbpOfpR4WNRoHVwBEszziUdR66bm-ErTc6cI573ty63AIB7WF7JjmGJ6RlsOpiGQB4Xs8I8ZfhKcyuSkFU~eUpoO8QTlV9Iot1ioulACptdZTbtwc0drwT3fxctRcKonoyTtNMPMKXyuXlmy8Dci2MPHRqY9I8t6yKUWe3ZrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff asked the Committee of the Whole to authorize requests for proposals (RFPs) to study and implement steam conversions for City Hall, the library, the senior center and the fire hall; the council approved issuing RFPs so staff can get concrete cost estimates.

Why it matters: Councilors said the city must balance an accelerated timeline for conversions with the limits of state capital bonding and the city’s fiscal capacity. Councilors voiced concern about meeting an internal target and the need for firm cost estimates before committing to construction: \"we have to be thinking two years ahead,\" one councilor said, noting the state budgeting and bonding calendar and a June 30 submission deadline for project priorities. Staff recommended issuing RFPs to secure bids and provide the detailed numbers grantors and bond houses will require.

Capital bonding priorities: The council held an extended discussion about which projects to list for potential inclusion in the state’s fiscal‑year 2026 capital bonding request. Councilors proposed candidates including steam‑conversion work, public works and parks facility upgrades, the municipal golf course renovation, Sixth Avenue reconstruction and a ladder truck for the fire department. Members agreed to submit individual priority suggestions to staff and revisit the prioritized list at a future Committee of the Whole meeting.

Financial advisor: Councilor Paulson moved and the council approved hiring or contracting with a financial consultant (Baker Tilly was discussed) to prepare a long‑term debt and bond‑capacity analysis, after members said they wanted independent modeling of the city’s ability to undertake a large bonding package.

Public works and fire hall: Public Works Director Jim Rossford said some immediate repairs are needed (roof patches and maintenance) and described options for the older portion of the fire hall (winterizing or providing minimum heating rather than a full conversion if the city keeps that space for storage). Councilors flagged the public works garage and vehicle storage conditions as a priority for capital investment.

Actions: The council approved a motion to issue RFPs for steam conversion (moved by Councilor Kevin Johnson, supported by Councilor Bach Schneider) and subsequently approved directing staff to contact a financial consultant for a bond/debt analysis (motion by Councilor Paulson). Staff will collect councilors’ priority lists and return a consolidated ranked list for discussion.

","Council authorized staff to issue requests for proposals for steam conversion at several city buildings, discussed which projects to nominate for state capital bonding in 2026, and directed staff to seek a financial consultant to help evaluate bond capacity and long‑term debt planning.",{"_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},6215018,"Virginia council hears draft Mediacom franchise response; asks cable commission to review",904,4088000,4992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74&start=4088&end=4992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74/thumbnail_4088000.jpg","/articles/6215018/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Virginia-council-hears-draft-Mediacom-franchise-response-asks-cable-commission-to-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215018-22adee1352b7439ff78190d1f16b221e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187972&Signature=gOwSZThkuoFv7Vy64HbQfrIA3kqRqglREfispFUjeadGTIyL4jBFBdTYQpwDR2xtzF3yxVQrh1eR5weUvo~JP75BH08jfLUfj78BYS0E16l4GszHZrs5W3pPSTa-ziCQTbURgXDAlMGPOHQvpuybrJyTL1jpNJAe8dkV4j~DPiDPdqdEiDLGNLnkC65K3Tq4-VYUd~BgslDVlFeV4U9HK2-9PzRRvE8eAtP4-uHFgN3~d7LAD~-0IY-q6OH3ft6K2iXYAS5QiH7UAR6~DXBRcHDXQBG7tq7Ryu3Tcss-JYVVs35EixV33OKSFFvZYQgCym8sgZiRKGEpHPPyv4E0yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A consultant representing Virginia reviewed negotiations with Mediacom over a franchise renewal for the city’s cable system and said the company is seeking material changes to a draft the city transmitted earlier this year.

Attorney Bob Vos told the Committee of the Whole that because Mediacom missed a prior administrative deadline to assert certain federal renewal rights, the city begins negotiations with some leverage. But he said Mediacom’s response contains more redlines than he expected and that most are drafting or legal issues he would reject as a matter of course.

Two substantive issues flagged for council comment: the city had asked for a relatively short franchise term (the council discussed a five‑year term); Mediacom proposed a 10‑year term. Second, Mediacom suggested removing several named facilities from the list of sites that historically receive free service under the franchise; the parties asked the council to confirm which locations should remain listed.

Access channel and public access: City staff told the committee the draft does include language to require Mediacom to provide the city’s public access channel in high definition; Mediacom’s attorney noted the issue needs discussion. City representatives said having HD (or current‑format) carriage for public access was a priority for the council.

Process and next steps: Councilor Kevin Johnson moved that staff forward the draft to the cable commission for review; the council supported the motion. Staff and counsel noted the cable commission currently lacks enough appointed members for a quorum, so commissioners can review the draft and return comments to council as individuals but could not take a formal vote until the commission is fully seated.

","A city‑hired attorney reported Mediacom has offered extensive redlines to a proposed franchise renewal and pushed back on a council request for a short term; the council agreed to route the draft to the cable commission for review but commissioners lack a quorum to act formally.",{"_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},6215024,"Council approves detective position and several personnel changes; AFSCME on‑call rotation expanded",1224,2552000,3776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74&start=2552&end=3776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74/thumbnail_2552000.jpg","/articles/6215024/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-detective-position-and-several-personnel-changes-AFSCME-oncall-rotation-expanded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215024-0d977cd3779a4419b6e65f356afa6fe0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187972&Signature=WRsjN0LtxaHquXLK~4wOSult2OyOiVLTTVvg1aICeIDOqlEKXTePS2mZ9EjR-1QvZfF8Y9wymAAQdzNbOAZwH36MfFx5IXnocgtGZF6vr7yNWCsXb9iYcSk3LLQ1rBZHne3fqSreiHYdFv4AdmZ4MX9VV2GDrYXlaazTM25wuy4FWkn4CVsltgj3CzMeRE2R0hBpmWc5ulzPeBn40XoEESw~sOH4EOB-PM30XfUOiIu6Upq2YdUgCXMxgJhrWKwoaF8dZvn5u87ct0StEZA5dxJtBrJ7kGRMmikoY48SNE1e9xSdc4iMMzGg-J6uhozX3zQf-uGowI5QDe7DhSciCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Virginia City’s personnel committee recommendations advanced on Tuesday after discussion and votes on several staffing and classification items.

The council approved creating a new detective of evidence and digital forensics position in the police department, a role the personnel committee and police leadership said is intended to centralize evidence collection, digital forensics and chain‑of‑custody responsibilities before submission to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Councilor Buck Schneider moved the creation; Councilor Paulson supported the motion and the committee carried the vote.

The committee also approved a letter of understanding with AFSCME to expand the wastewater collection operators’ on‑call rotation from two employees to four and to limit each on‑call rotation to one week. The change, supported by councilors as a burnout‑mitigation and cross‑training measure, was moved and supported in committee and carried by voice vote.

Several classification and job description actions were discussed and advanced: the personnel committee recommended no immediate change to the Accounting Clerk III classification after an administrative review committee proposed a reclassification; the council accepted the personnel committee’s recommendation to leave that classification and pay at its current level. The council also reviewed and approved updated job descriptions for an administrative assistant in parks and recreation, a utility worker (park), an updated finance director job description (with a work‑schedule edit asking the finance director to be available for evening council meetings), and an updated human resources/safety coordinator job description that consolidates payroll confidentiality duties within HR.

Recruitment steps: Council authorized advertising for the updated finance director and HR coordinator roles. Councilors discussed timing for those recruitment steps given an upcoming phased retirement and asked staff to bring final advertisements forward.

Next steps: Staff will post vacancies as directed and return to council with finalists and any recommended wage adjustments when applicable.

","The Committee of the Whole approved creating a detective of evidence and digital forensics position in the police department, endorsed an AFSCME letter of understanding to widen on‑call rotation for wastewater collection operators, and approved several updated job descriptions and advertising for recruitment.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6215029,"Council approves two change orders as Virginia’s new public safety facility nears completion",901,1336000,2237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74&start=1336&end=2237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3662998-fe5b5d37e0d8b358f430096837991a74/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","/articles/6215029/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-two-change-orders-as-Virginias-new-public-safety-facility-nears-completion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215029-ff869031eb82876e66e4285e29f9544c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187972&Signature=Kkeh2GxoRvgYGXv5it987z2BJWGvoBwt6ifiVFRD1FLbFnQssfATzmNNLA~a8tpDpySEDH59o2iNc1fLVjyo6DTQXLljboVdt7jWNbFrdQlMn0FAupre5C4Y~cSXbCBbNyGslBrNSEuCnXJ4kUyQTj95Yu75~YfxPO3DRIkbW3kmP6dowjn5TwiVcNPLmubK-lTsVOaZUA-W8SkdgnPTQkcvB5~~N5gPSkMDCF~fmHiQKYZoKUy6DidgogVdESwSlMDL4M2tjd4bT2evvXZBarH-l2uZ-7zkqfLrPFvCEUFWlK7XN0vtQOvGxJ0g9rLDi9qJ8oGj-RDtSbYwy4uG8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Contractors and city project staff told the committee Tuesday the new Virginia public safety facility is nearing completion, with exterior work, interior finishes and roofing largely finished and occupancy and move‑in planned this fall.

“Projects on schedule, under budget, in really good shape overall,” Carl Sanderson project manager Sean Lewis told the council, citing site work, acoustic ceilings, tile installation and plumbing fixtures in progress and an overall project footprint of about 50,000 square feet.

Budget and change orders: Lewis presented a budget update showing an owner contingency balance of roughly $662,000. The project team also proposed enhancement items — including perimeter security fencing and gates — that could be returned to the council for consideration if contingency funds are used for value‑engineering restorations.

Two change orders were before the committee. Change order request PR‑61 (change order 46) added additional safety anchor points for the fire training tower; the council approved the request after discussion. Change order request number 47 (welding exhaust in Tool Room A104) was described as necessary if the fire department will weld for repairs and training; the committee approved that request, which was listed at $21,593 in the meeting materials. Councilors noted some welding and maintenance operations will remain at public works’ facilities and discussed whether the building could host interagency training in the future.

Other items: Staff reported solar procurement and roof‑mounted array work are underway and recommended a security plan for ground‑mounted panels along Railroad Avenue, including fencing and camera coverage; no final decision on fencing was made. The project team said technology and security purchases were budgeted at about $500,000 to be procured directly by the city.

Actions: The committee approved both change orders (motions moved by Councilor Kevin Johnson; change order 46 supported by Councilor Motley; change order 47 supported by Councilor Freeloop). Both motions carried by voice vote.

Outlook: Staff said site paving is scheduled for July, and the team remains on track for the building to be fully operational in September pending completion of final punch list items and deliveries.

","City staff reported construction milestones, a remaining owner contingency of about $662,000 and recommended two change orders — one for fire training anchor points and another to add welding exhaust in a tool room; both passed the Committee of the Whole.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County, state and Virginia officials seek roadway swap and boundary fix ahead of US 53 project

Council moves ahead with steam‑conversion RFPs and discusses capital‑bonding priorities and financial review

Virginia council hears draft Mediacom franchise response; asks cable commission to review

Council approves detective position and several personnel changes; AFSCME on‑call rotation expanded

Council approves two change orders as Virginia’s new public safety facility nears completion