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Tower council unanimously approves harbor bid call, Hoodoo Point work, hires volunteers and sets 6% preliminary levy
Summary
At its Sept. 8 meeting, the Tower City Council unanimously approved construction plans and a call for bids for the Harbor Utility Extension, accepted a Hoodoo Point landing proposal contingent on DNR funding, approved a Hoodoo Point pier agreement with the state, hired two volunteer firefighters, authorized an $11,000 annual cleaning contract, and set a 6% preliminary levy for 2026.
The Tower City Council on Sept. 8, 2025, approved a series of infrastructure and operational measures, voting unanimously on motions that advance harbor and Hoodoo Point projects, add volunteer firefighters, and set a preliminary property tax levy for 2026.
Council members approved construction plans and a call for bids for the Tower Harbor Utility Extension Project. The motion, made by Councilor Kevin Norby and seconded by Councilor Bob Anderson, passed with all five members present voting in favor. The action formally authorizes staff to move the harbor utility project into the bidding phase.
The council also accepted a proposal from C&C Winger for the Hoodoo Point Landing Replacement Project, contingent on verifying funding with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. That motion was made by Councilor Joe Morin and seconded by Councilor Kevin Norby; it passed unanimously.
On a related shoreline issue, the council approved the Hoodoo Point, Lake Vermilion, Public Fishing Pier Land Use, Operations, and Maintenance Cooperative Agreement between the State of Minnesota and the City of Tower. Councilor Bob Anderson moved the approval, Councilor Kevin Norby seconded, and the measure passed 5–0.
Operational and personnel actions included the hiring of two volunteer firefighters. Councilor Kevin Norby moved to hire Kathryn Hill and Shawn Gawboy for the Tower Fire Department; Councilor John Van DeVoort seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Joe Morin moved and Councilor Kevin Norby seconded authorization for the Clerk/Treasurer to contract cleaning services for City Hall, the Civic Center, and the Green Flush restroom, not to exceed $11,000 annually; that motion also passed 5–0.
Financial housekeeping items approved included a motion authorizing Hoodoo Point Campground Manager Randy Pratt and Clerk/Treasurer Michael Schultz to place remaining Hoodoo Point capital reserve funds in a certificate of deposit with Frandsen Bank; the council approved the action unanimously.
The council approved Resolution 2025-XXX to execute the Minnesota Department of Transportation Airport Maintenance and Operation Grant Agreement for 2026–2027. Councilor Bob Anderson moved the resolution, Councilor John Van DeVoort seconded, and the vote was unanimous.
Councilors designated Councilor Kevin Norby, Clerk/Treasurer Michael Schultz, and Maintenance Foreman Velcheff to work with Mesabi Trails and local clubs on placement and arrangements for a new trail kiosk and signage, and directed Councilor Norby and Clerk/Treasurer Schultz to draft Requests for Proposals for the 2026 contracts for the City Engineer, Airport Engineer, and City Attorney for consideration at a future meeting.
In response to a public comment from resident Al Kilberg, the council voted to support further information-gathering on acquiring an ore car for the Tower Train Site and authorized Kilberg to continue that work; the motion was moved by Councilor Kevin Norby, seconded by Councilor Bob Anderson, and passed unanimously.
Finally, the council set the preliminary levy for 2026 at a 6% increase. Councilor Kevin Norby moved the levy motion, Councilor Bob Anderson seconded, and the motion passed 5–0. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
The actions recorded on Sept. 8 will appear again for final approval or further steps at future meetings as required (for example, bidding results, DNR funding confirmation, and any final budget/levy hearings).
