Tower council adopts ATV and cannabis rules, approves fees, appointments and project pay request

The Tower City Council took a slate of formal actions at its June 9 regular meeting at the Civic Center, adopting an ATV regulation, approving cannabis-related ordinances and registration, updating its fee schedule, confirming committee appointments and authorizing a contractor payment for the water treatment facility.

The council adopted Ordinance 8A, regulating snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles in city limits, on its second and final reading. The motion passed with Councilors Joe Morin, Bob Anderson, Kevin Norby and John Van DeVoort voting Aye and Mayor David Setterberg voting Nay.

Councilors also approved the second reading of Ordinance 93, regulating cannabis in the city, and the second reading of Ordinance 82P, which amends zoning regulations; both votes were unanimous. The council approved the City of Tower Cannabis Retail Registration Application form and set the cannabis registration fee at $100 as part of a broader fee-schedule amendment that also set the short-term rental fee at $100 and removed grave-digging fees from this schedule.

In project and personnel actions, the council approved Pay Application #9 to Lakehead Constructors for the Water Treatment Facility Project and unanimously voted to hire Adam Williamson to the Tower Fire Department, contingent on background check and required certifications. Council appointed Dan Jones, Emily Schultz and Robert McDonough to the Gundersen Endowment Fund Committee and appointed Councilor John Van DeVoort to the Tower Breitung Wastewater Board. The council also approved a Short Elliott Hendrickson proposal for planning and land services on a bike trail extension at the Tower Municipal Airport.

Votes at a glance: • Pay Application #9 to Lakehead Constructors for the Water Treatment Facility Project — Motion by Councilor Joe Morin; second by Councilor Bob Anderson; passed unanimously. • Authorization for review and execution of a trail extension estimate between Pine Street and the Depot — Motion passed (4 Aye, 1 Nay); Councilor Kevin Norby recorded the Nay vote. • Hire of Adam Williamson to the Tower Fire Department — Motion by Councilor Kevin Norby; second by Councilor Joe Morin; passed unanimously (contingent on background and certifications). • Appointments to the Gundersen Endowment Fund Committee (Dan Jones, Emily Schultz, Robert McDonough) — Motion by Councilor Joe Morin; second by Councilor Bob Anderson; passed unanimously. • Ordinance 8A (ATV regulations) — Second and final reading approved; Mayor Setterberg voted Nay, motion passed. • Ordinance 93 (cannabis regulation) — Second reading approved, unanimous. • Ordinance 82P (zoning amendment) — Second reading approved, unanimous. • Approval of the City of Tower Cannabis Retail Registration Application form and related fee updates — Motion passed unanimously. • Resolution 2025-007 supporting Vermilion Housing Corporation housing rehabilitation — Motion by Councilor Joe Morin; second by Councilor Bob Anderson; passed unanimously. • Tower-Soudan Joint Powers Recreation Board Joint Powers Agreement (May 13, 2025 version) — Motion passed unanimously. • Donation of $200 to the Old Settler’s Association — Motion passed unanimously. • Appointment of an exploratory ad hoc City Hall relocation committee (Councilors Joe Morin and Kevin Norby) — Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting record shows motions were made and seconded from the dais where indicated; when individual roll-call votes were recorded the transcript lists each member’s vote. The council adjourned at 7:58 p.m.