Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Meeting Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eveleth council approves brush cleanup, court conversions, community event support; lists votes at a glance
Summary
Council approved a slate of motions including hiring a contractor for a North/South Court brush cleanup, approving pickleball conversion and tennis resurfacing, a five-year state lease for brush disposal, payment to Peterson Sheet Metal, a $5,000 Fourth of July contribution, sale of forfeited guns, multiple personnel resignations and permission for an Elks flag‑burn enclosure; the council also tabled the Fail Pond Phase 3A parking decision pending a grant-extension check.
EVELETH, Minn. — At its May 19 meeting the Eveleth City Council approved a range of routine and capital actions, including contracting for a hazardous brush cleanup, moving ahead with court resurfacing and a pickleball conversion, approving a five‑year state lease for brush disposal, authorizing a payment to a contractor for boiler work and contributing $5,000 to the Fourth of July committee.
Key votes and actions "at a glance"
- Brush cleanup (North and South Court): Council approved hiring the lowest bidder to clear brush and remove rotten trees on the hillside between North Court and South Court to mitigate fire hazard; the contract price discussed in the meeting was $36,000. Councilors said funding will come from discretionary capital balances.
- Pickleball conversion and tennis court resurfacing: Staff presented quotes to convert two courts into six pickleball courts (approximately $59,000) and to resurface tennis courts (approximately $27,000); council approved moving forward and staff will contact the vendor to schedule work. Members said donated funds and charitable-gambling funds will be used rather than general tax revenues.
- State lease for brush disposal: Council approved a five‑year lease with the State of Minnesota for a parcel used for brush burning and disposal; the lease was described in the meeting as a five‑year term for an amount just under $2,200.
- Payment to Peterson Sheet Metal: Council approved payment application No. 1 in the amount of $26,749.64 for the multipurpose‑building boiler reconstruction project; staff confirmed this covers permanent heating work.
- Fourth of July funding: Council approved a $5,000 contribution to the 2025 Fourth of July committee, to be paid from the charitable‑gambling account; the grand marshals were announced as Mike and Cammy Newman.
- Sale of forfeited firearms: At the police chief's request, council approved selling abandoned and forfeited firearms to a surplus buyer for $1,665; the chief said proceeds are planned to purchase replacement shotguns for squad cars and unsold items would be destroyed.
- Personnel: Council accepted resignations from Justin Blazowitz and from Joshua (last name transcribed as Kitzy/Kazzy) of the EMT service; the council asked that departing staff receive letters of thanks.
- Elks flag-burn enclosure: Council approved a request from the Elks (with VFW participation) to install a small, hand‑dug burn enclosure next to the Veterans Memorial for ceremonial flag disposal.
Several routine items — including approval of minutes and payroll — were handled at the start of the meeting. The council also opened public comment and heard a resident, Mike Persons, propose a temporary community garden on the former junior-high/daycare parcel; councilors said the parcel is currently designated green space and a temporary garden could be considered.
What to expect next: Staff will follow up on the Fail Pond Phase 3A grant-extension check; the council asked for vendor scheduling and further coordination on the court projects and for administrative follow‑up on the personnel departures.
Representative quotes: The police chief said of the firearm sale, "these are the ones he's willing to purchase for the $1,665," and added that proceeds would go toward needed squad equipment.
