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Hibbing City Council adopts CIP resolution, accepts housing funds and approves downtown demolition; approves equipment purchases
Summary
Council adopted a capital improvement plan with preliminary authorization for CIP bonds not to exceed $10 million, accepted $1.15 million in housing funds, adopted a resolution declaring several downtown buildings substandard (clearing the way for demolition), and approved a set of equipment and contract purchases including audiovisual, wastewater chemical equipment, a mud pump and a flow-meter installation.
At its Feb. 19 meeting, the Hibbing City Council adopted a capital improvement plan and took several formal actions that advance projects for public works, housing and downtown redevelopment.
Capital improvement plan and CIP bonds: Following a statutory public hearing, Sheena (financial adviser; representing the bond team) and Nick Anhead (from Ehlers) briefed the council on the capital improvement plan and a preliminary authorization to issue capital improvement bonds in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 to address public works deferred maintenance. The council offered and adopted Resolution 25-0203 adopting the CIP and preliminarily authorizing CIP bonds. The motion to adopt was made by Councilor Bayless and supported by Councilor Hildebrand; the motion carried by voice vote.
Housing grant acceptance: Community development director Betsy reported that Hibbing was awarded $1,150,000 in revenue-bond grant funds under 2024 state law and presented Resolution 25-0204 to accept the award for housing development. Councilor Hoffman moved the resolution, which Councilor Whitney supported; the motion carried by voice vote.
Downtown demolition: Betsy also presented Resolution 25-0205, finding parcels on the 400 block occupied by structurally substandard or dilapidated buildings and requesting authorization to proceed with demolition and related work. Betsy said title work, surveys, geotechnical and environmental reports and demolition estimates have been completed and noted a grant-expenditure deadline of Dec. 2027. The council approved Resolution 25-0205 (motion by Councilor Faso, support by Councilor Bayless); motion carried by voice vote.
Equipment, contracts and purchases: The council approved several operational purchases and contracts by voice vote: - AVI Systems annual Cablecast/server agreement, $13,038.89, for chamber audiovisual and streaming services (motion moved by Councilor Whitney). - Replacement chlorine and sulfur dioxide equipment for the wastewater plant (single-source recommendation to use Hawkins Chemical); equipment cost listed at $23,700 plus $0.85 per foot for tubing (estimated ~250 ft); Superintendent Hurd estimated installation within a month. - New flight (mud well) pump for the wastewater plant at $17,057 plus freight. - Installation of a flow meter in the filter building with the low bid from Iron Range Plumbing of $1,765 (a $140 discount if the city provides the hole watch).
Each of these items was presented by staff and approved by council; the transcript records voice votes and reports motions carried. No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the transcript.
