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

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.