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Eveleth council approves purchase agreement, easement, preservation invoice, generator work and offers administrator job
Summary
Council approved a commercial purchase agreement for property on Old Highway 53, authorized a gas easement at the city airport for Minnesota Energy Resources, accepted a preservation invoice related to the Elworth campus, awarded generator control replacement at a lift station, and authorized an offer to Pat Omen for city administrator contingent on a background check.
At its Sept. 15 meeting, the Eveleth City Council approved a set of property, contract and personnel items in one business block.
Purchase agreement and negotiating committee: The council approved a commercial purchase agreement for 9006 Old Highway 53 that had been placed under offer; staff said a local realtor and Mr. Hopkins were assisting. Council also authorized a small negotiating committee — the mayor and Councilor Perpich working with Jackie, Joel and the realtor — to advise on any counteroffers or bidding war details before returning to the full council.
Airport gas easement: Minnesota Energy Resources requested an easement to run gas lines to airport hangars for winter heating. Council discussed prior meter‑reader interference issues that had since been addressed and approved moving forward with the easement; the airport committee will continue to coordinate details and keep council apprised.
Preservation invoice for Elworth campus: Council approved a preservation invoice from Rockbridge‑area public‑school authorities for work and utility bills related to the Elworth campus. Staff said an earlier high‑level estimate provided in 2024 ranged between about $450,000 and $700,000, but the latest compiled numbers were considerably lower; Jackie had earlier corrected an agenda figure to roughly $204,000. During the motion a councilor opposed but the motion carried.
Generator control panel: Council reviewed quotes to replace an obsolete generator control panel at a lift station that prevents automatic generator startup. After discussion, the council accepted the lower quote and awarded the work to Total Energy Systems for $7,228.80 to restore automatic generator control and protect wastewater pumping during outages.
Offer for city administrator: The council authorized making an offer to Pat Omen for the city administrator position, contingent on a successful background check; the motion carried. Jackie said the economic development coordinator posting will be released within the week.
Personnel: The council also moved several personnel items in the meeting: removing the library clerk Michelle Moshkow from probationary status and separately approving a two‑month extension of probation for the same position to Nov. 10, 2025; accepting the resignations of EMTs Corbin Theodore and Julia Napper and asking that letters of appreciation be sent.
Next steps: Staff and the appointed committee will handle any counteroffers on the Old Highway 53 purchase and return to council as needed. Airport and MnDOT coordination on easements and signage will continue; Jackie will proceed with the economic development coordinator posting and the administrator offer contingent on background results.
