Virginia council approves contracts, equipment purchases and appointments

The Virginia City Council on Tuesday approved a slate of contracts, equipment purchases and appointments, passing a consent agenda and several separate motions ranging from multi-million-dollar pay estimates to vehicle replacements and board appointments.

On the consent agenda the council approved minutes from Jan. 14, 2025; Financial Resolution No. 25-002 (schedule of bills); pay estimate No. 8 to Kraus Anderson for the Public Safety Center in the amount of $1,712,732.12; an exempt permit for a Mesaba Humane Society raffle March 15 at the Virginia Elks Club; multiple staff travel requests; and a 2025 massage license for Stephen Lapatka (Mesabi Therapeutic Massage). Councilor Johnson moved the consent agenda and Councilor Motley supported the motion; the council voice-voted approval.

Separately, the council adopted a resolution to apply for and accept funds from the Department of Iron Range Resources for the “Virginia Facility Renewable Energy Project Phase 1.” The motion to apply for the grant was moved by Councilor Johnson and supported by Councilor Freehleb and was approved by voice vote.

The council also approved a state-aid agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and a cooperative construction agreement among MnDOT, the City of Virginia, the City of Eveleth and St. Louis County for reconstruction work tied to Highway 53 and Borgen Road. Council discussion identified the Borgen Road/Highway 53 reconstruction as the locus of the cooperative agreement.

On public-safety equipment and fleet matters, the council approved a $35,189.53 repair to the diesel engine (long block) of a 2019 Ford ambulance. Council members asked whether the work was under warranty; staff reported it was not. The council approved the payment and noted the new ambulance price cited in discussion at roughly $350,000.

The council also approved purchasing a replacement unmarked detective vehicle (a 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, all-wheel drive, 29,302 miles, listed at $29,797). The insurance company paid $21,780 for the totaled 2016 Impala; the remaining cost will come from the police budget. The council approved the purchase after staff said radios and other transferable equipment would be moved from the totaled vehicle into the replacement.

The council approved the acquisition of a garbage truck to replace solid-waste equipment, at a purchase price discussed as roughly $324,000. Staff said the solid-waste fund ended 2024 with approximately $297,393 and that the city would use fund balance/reserves to cover the gap. Council discussion addressed lease-versus-purchase and interest-rate comparisons; the motion to purchase passed by voice vote.

Other approvals included: - Change order No. 26 for the Public Safety Center (roof details), a contract increase of $5,049.74. - Purchase of five personal computers for USAR command staff totaling $16,930; staff said these costs are 100% reimbursable through the state USAR allocation. - Authorization to proceed with a request for proposals (RFP) for animal-control services. - Direction to park-and-recreation staff to negotiate with Rock Ridge Youth Hockey for use of the Iron Trail Motors Event Center. - Approval to proceed with a concessionaire agreement and formal offer for the Iron Trail Motors Event Center (the recorded roll call on that motion showed Coffey Aye; Johnson Aye; Motley Aye; Paulson Aye; Friedlieb No — motion passed 4–1). - Approval to advance a draft solid-waste ordinance to first reading. - Setting a public hearing on a new flood-plain ordinance for Feb. 4, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.

Several appointments and reappointments were approved in personnel actions: Amber Mahon to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (remaining one-year term); reappointments to the Virginia Public Utilities Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Park & Rec Commission and Library Commission as listed in the packet. These motions were moved and supported as recorded in the minutes.

Notes and funding sources: staff indicated the ambulance engine repair would be paid from contingency funds; the detective vehicle balance will come from the police budget after insurance proceeds; the garbage truck purchase would draw from the solid-waste fund balance/reserves. For items where costs or vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript beyond a voice vote, the council’s outcome is recorded here as “approved” per the meeting minutes.

The council’s next regular meeting was scheduled for Feb. 11, 2025.