[{"_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",6141226,"mediaKeyId","5576053-bbfc8e803cb86dbaa5ef9f1ed38ee49c","parentId",5576053,"title","County approves truck, truck‑wash engineering and winter treatment contracts for public works","audioSeconds",183,"startMs",7231000,"endMs",7414000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576053-bbfc8e803cb86dbaa5ef9f1ed38ee49c&start=7231&end=7414","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576053-bbfc8e803cb86dbaa5ef9f1ed38ee49c/thumbnail_7231000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6141226/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/County-approves-truck-truckwash-engineering-and-winter-treatment-contracts-for-public-works","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141226-07950a9e5d76256fb4993c18a405612d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145016&Signature=NWBGNS0JleB9QrFTBcHD0DIVRpYJmO885RJpOxMoQapezws84t6bSow3XonEAQDC5TuRRPadl~oYINl6uSZk2myTH6rL8t59mXMksLBP3cGVtEMUeZ7Msdz7onhCnXDCrODwA41o8Vxyy~rc-S7IAp3Lk-mIZrlY8J1KSeuY8shZtZxcy64iNQ0aEiWyshIb5-3Tf9Q2aPfA9w7aCC0t-EJc9V7dd2b97GITuNX99FcRgsuURVtbSDFc4DnUnmDrC8D4TQHA8ZDYJ-5F9wj4dOBGSCRk~xewuNR7Gyb2DtvJ7fRG4eRfiaeIBT-UwGSqopwfkE4DYnD79WNnbCvTrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Louis County, MN","date","2025-08-12T22:24:09Z","article","St. Louis County commissioners approved three public works items Aug. 12: a state contract purchase of winter road treatment materials, procurement of two field service trucks and an engineering services agreement for truck wash and generator facilities at county public works campuses.

County Public Works and Administration said the purchases and agreements support equipment longevity, environmental management and operational efficiency. Administrator Gray noted Altec (the truck vendor) and EnviroTech (a de‑icer supplier) have local or regional presence and that upgraded support facilities and washing infrastructure reduce long‑term maintenance costs and the spread of invasive species.

Contracts and approvals: The board approved a state contract purchase for road salt and alternative de‑icing chemicals (Cargill Inc. for salt; EnviroTech for de‑icers) and acknowledged a roughly 5% increase in contract pricing from the prior year. Commissioners also approved a source‑well purchase of two field service trucks from Altec Industries; administration emphasized the specialized nature of the equipment and local availability. Finally, the board authorized an engineering services agreement with DSGW Architects for design of truck wash and generator projects at public works campuses; staff said the design work positions the projects for award when funding is finalized.

Why it matters: Public Works staff and several commissioners noted investments such as automated GPS salt application and truck washing extend equipment life and reduce salt use; Commissioner Nelson said GPS improvements have cut salt usage and saved substantial dollars. Commissioner Harla and others referenced environmental benefits, including reduced spread of invasive species and improved runoff management.

Procurement notes and next steps: Administration said multiple firms responded to the engineering request and DSGW won the design contract through a competitive process. The truck‑wash and generator designs will be used to seek construction funding later in the year; staff said procurement and construction will follow statutory RFP and purchasing requirements.

Votes: Each item was moved and approved during the committee and at the board level (motions and seconds recorded in committee reports).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Louis County Board Meeting - 08-12-2025","oneSentenceSummary","St. Louis County authorized purchases and design agreements for public works equipment and facilities, approving a state contract salt purchase, purchase of two field service trucks and an engineering agreement for truck washes and generators to support maintenance operations and equipment life‑cycle cost savings.","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},6141230,"County board adopts first‑phase zoning ordinance corrections, clarifies animal units and dust control roles",338,4508000,4846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576053-bbfc8e803cb86dbaa5ef9f1ed38ee49c&start=4508&end=4846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576053-bbfc8e803cb86dbaa5ef9f1ed38ee49c/thumbnail_4508000.jpg","/articles/6141230/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/County-board-adopts-firstphase-zoning-ordinance-corrections-clarifies-animal-units-and-dust-control-roles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141230-6582846577c8633f0ba57ec27beb88ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145016&Signature=MQPnKUpzu-Z-lpA~Tqao45vA4rI6e~AheRce2VgCAm5dC1n2O2narfpzpA25GBk~mYthnXYVXJemRi7ywEbiuvdSu2qy-jDil4ssPyTrB0FWOhxSDFUfvzGzdIWId~IHsESJwW-4~0tFvNXmA1pI2oxhJy6P2EY-01qYnzEKdAOt7JKCzmzVUPISZTxtM6ooT9ZIq3mhQueZs4znUNVhgw0Ob3TZgtI6tvKGLQcr8OE0ZpRBu7bTRPfMbCrNDl8RfYVyF8vY8vS5TZcbiDHz1Dew~s~yckkTmUvf23SF~yeRqlt-sEIUKzibpY6UZbPHWBOhSECop-zBnrS5MXkY0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Louis County commissioners on Aug. 12 voted to adopt a package of four first‑phase amendments to the county zoning ordinance (Ordinance No. 62), changes county planning staff and the planning commission said are intended to correct misinterpretations and align county rules with state law.

Director Ryan Logan told the board the amendments address specific problems of interpretation and procedure: a section on animal units included wording that could be read as allowing animal units per acre in a way not intended by the ordinance; extractive use standards were revised to clarify which agency enforces dust control; zoning map amendment procedural timelines were corrected (including a 20‑day timeline for notifications); and language on board‑of‑adjustment alternate membership was added to align with Minnesota statute. Logan said the work is a phase‑one step and the department and planning commission will continue comprehensive ordinance review in subsequent rounds.

Dust control clarification: Commissioners asked how the change affects on‑the‑ground enforcement of dust from borrow pits on unpaved roads. Logan and planning staff explained the amendment clarifies that planning and zoning enforce dust control within a permitted borrow‑pit area, while Saint Louis County Public Works retains responsibility for maintenance and dust control on county public roads outside permitted areas, with operators expected to coordinate with public works. Logan said the change reflects long‑standing practice and reduces ambiguity about departmental responsibilities.

Animal units and other fixes: The animal‑unit change removes ambiguous “per acre” phrasing so allowed animal units are interpreted consistent with the ordinance’s tables and acreage ranges, preventing potential exponential miscalculations. The zoning map and BOA language amendments correct procedural omissions and add the ability for the board to appoint alternate BOA members as provided in state statute.

Vote and next steps: The planning commission conducted a public hearing and recommended adoption; the county board approved the phase‑one amendments unanimously. Staff told commissioners the department is conducting monthly workshops to work through the ordinance section by section and expects additional amendments to return for board consideration in late 2025 or early 2026.","The St. Louis County Board approved phase‑one amendments to zoning ordinance 62 to correct animal‑unit language, clarify dust control enforcement for extractive uses, adjust zoning map amendment timelines and align board‑of‑adjustment alternate membership with state statute.",{"_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},6141236,"Board approves attorney position funded from opioid settlement; debate over use of innovation funds",650,5460000,6110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576053-bbfc8e803cb86dbaa5ef9f1ed38ee49c&start=5460&end=6110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576053-bbfc8e803cb86dbaa5ef9f1ed38ee49c/thumbnail_5460000.jpg","/articles/6141236/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Board-approves-attorney-position-funded-from-opioid-settlement-debate-over-use-of-innovation-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141236-1c4c63ea69fc4e8a1a9ec04c82a70006/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145016&Signature=hs8p8qe2kJbxxS~s1yBiKdow11QKaNaZLulGv-gXA9W5LFYl6nzTdDnwVQv3ywJs1PQBk8DmwMohG~Nz3ahBNU9Yfv8bupb4IJdXOCJCu63l3VGIeercx7iGN7g~tyOUcFOhxybf8CS4oHpnbecIsoVNshhJhvk-zxyI5mFivJZJpXBqDFXlUZ8Zs0shh8NZxmA27YOm0A2jepPgQ6oJMGq~fh82cF7GnfObzm5OYBiQEZtm6iUuDEDeGY8~Pm0jFykvbQ-GieLN8zDzryB5OKRDHcJabq78U~gnz~13D~Qk~aVYJJqHyyYvKtegNUOSiFu~MIHfucJMYi7CFxZ1uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Louis County commissioners voted 6‑1 Aug. 12 to approve using opioid settlement dollars to fund an attorney position to support specialty courts, with board language amended to require a review of the funding source for the third year.

The original motion to approve funding for specialty‑court staffing was moved and seconded at the board meeting and subsequently amended after discussion. Administration and legal counsel briefed the board on mechanics and phasing; Attorney Mackey advised on meeting procedure when the board substituted revised language. Administrator Gray confirmed the amended language clarifies the board’s expectation that year‑three funding will be revisited.

Why it mattered: Commissioner Grimm publicly opposed using the opioid innovation fund to backfill budgetary staffing needs. Grimm said, “I don't believe we should drain the opioid innovation funds to reduce our budgets,” arguing those dollars should be preserved for community grants and new programs that directly serve people affected by substance use. Other commissioners defended the decision as an interim step to support specialty courts while county budget discussions continue.

Amendment and vote: The board accepted a revised version of the resolution that added a whereas clause referencing the opioid remediation subcommittee meeting minutes and explicitly noted that year‑three funding would be revisited. After debate, the motion to approve the resolution as amended carried 6‑1. Roll‑call recorded Commissioner Graham voting no; Commissioners Boyle, McDonald, Musa, Nelson, Yugovich and Chair Commissioner Harlow voted yes.

Next steps: Administration said the matter of longer‑term funding will be addressed during the upcoming budget process and that the board’s amendment requires review of the funding source for the third year. The approved action will allow the staffing to be posted and funded in the near term subject to the amendment’s condition.

Context: Commissioners also referenced the opioid settlement committee and prior committee of the whole discussions; several board members urged that opioid settlement dollars be targeted at innovation and community grants rather than to offset recurring county staffing costs. The record shows concern over the county’s absence of recent open community solicitation for opioid settlement applications; the board’s amendment seeks to preserve oversight of how the settlement funds are spent beyond the immediate staffing action.","The St. Louis County Board approved funding a specialty‑courts attorney position using opioid settlement funds for up to three years, with an amendment to revisit funding sources for year three. The measure passed 6‑1 after commissioners debated whether opioid innovation funds should be reserved for community grants rather than staffing.",{"_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},6141241,"St. Louis County approves bonds to fund $16.5 million Depot HVAC and MEP renovation",1207,313000,1520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576053-bbfc8e803cb86dbaa5ef9f1ed38ee49c&start=313&end=1520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576053-bbfc8e803cb86dbaa5ef9f1ed38ee49c/thumbnail_313000.jpg","/articles/6141241/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/St-Louis-County-approves-bonds-to-fund-165-million-Depot-HVAC-and-MEP-renovation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141241-ffaa3321df766745ce4a6ca9fa6eca84/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145016&Signature=jmX8F8RmXnPxMtxuxrcZ777NiFlmOcDFNOdXz1xp4RgRJy0wCEYasL9wp-yYlZzy2O2g~xu3sgAMR8SJ~-4dFRM9FCp5dVj6jA0wKSOi8LFSmsXDM~udmK7VRArg9eEPX1Dq9ydvXW~UcdLaWh7IyJFMvMxxZEwsWIemvYUIqZm79rTFS~f7QD19cNGgdknSISiJhA9JMBq7hDQSZHvzMxLesMHhFGBnciwB6iRFfe-7biO0Hauq6fhZIze0drQIfMznV4ln9k6RAzcbbQODQO9yE5RgjC1fELHGTDFYndYFmKRca3oOOaJWmtLHZCY-cmijKXsfnUj1xDr1HBPdPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Louis County commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 12 to update the county five‑year capital improvement plan and to move forward with bond issuance that will fund a major renovation of the historic St. Louis County Depot.

County administration described the depot project as a whole‑building heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning (HVAC) and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) replacement intended to protect artifacts, improve air quality and enable continued public programming. Director Tennis said, “The total cost for this project is estimated at $16,500,000,” and described the work as shovel‑ready and phased to limit nonprofit disruption.

The vote amended the capital improvement plan and approved a notice of intent to issue general obligation capital improvement bonds in two series not to exceed $19,500,000 in the aggregate: Series 2025B (up to $16,500,000, targeted to depot HVAC/MEP work as tax‑exempt qualified private activity bonds because of 501(c)(3) tenants) and Series 2025C (up to $3,000,000 for other CIP projects). Commissioners moved and approved the CIP amendment and intent to issue bonds after a public hearing that included tenant and community support.

Why it matters: County staff and commissioners said the depot, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, houses eight arts and cultural tenant organizations and hosts frequent public events. Administration and the depot director argued the current mechanical systems are antiquated, have failed in recent years and pose risks to collections and tenants’ operations. Coordinator Thalen and other staff highlighted metrics used to prioritize the project: the depot’s energy use intensity (EUI) was described as 98 (high relative to updated county facilities) and its facility condition index (FCI) at about 0.4, with staff warning that deferred maintenance can cause costs to grow exponentially.

Project details and timeline: Administration presented a predesign and design timeline beginning in fall 2022 and said a complete permit set is in hand. Construction was described as slated to begin in November 2025 with a phased approach and an estimated two‑year construction window; staff emphasized they intend to keep portions of the building open and to provide limited “swing space” on the fourth floor for tenant operations. County staff said the project includes HVAC replacement, critical MEP renovations, energy‑efficiency measures and controls upgrades that will reduce operating costs and carbon footprint.

Public testimony and partnerships: Ken Buehler, executive director of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and general manager of the North Shore Scenic Railroad, testified in support of the bond plan and thanked the county for stewardship. A resident, Kathy Peterson, offered public comment in support, citing long personal ties to depot programs.

Funding history and procurement notes: Staff recounted prior state bond requests and work with a legislative lobby team: the project received $1.5 million from a 2020 state bonding special session that paid for envelope and life‑safety work. Administration said other state bonding requests over multiple sessions were unsuccessful and framed the county bond issuance as necessary to keep momentum and avoid emergency repair costs as market prices rise. Bond counsel and county finance staff were present to answer legal and fiduciary questions; staff noted the issuance will follow TEFRA (private activity) requirements because of nonprofit tenants.

Vote and next steps: After the public hearing, the board voted unanimously to approve the CIP amendment and the bond issuance resolution. Administration signaled it will bring specific projects for board approval as bond funds are allocated. Construction contracts and final procurement will be subject to the county’s RFP and purchasing rules.

County staff and commissioners said the award marks a key step in protecting a regional cultural asset while trying to limit tenant disruption during construction.","County commissioners unanimously approved an amended capital improvement plan and the intent to issue up to $19.5 million in general obligation capital improvement bonds, with $16.5 million targeted to replace aging HVAC and mechanical systems at the historic St. Louis County Depot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County approves truck, truck‑wash engineering and winter treatment contracts for public works

County board adopts first‑phase zoning ordinance corrections, clarifies animal units and dust control roles

Board approves attorney position funded from opioid settlement; debate over use of innovation funds

St. Louis County approves bonds to fund $16.5 million Depot HVAC and MEP renovation