Two Harbors Council elects Hefter president, approves consent agenda including $490,608 wastewater pay application

The Two Harbors City Council on Jan. 13 elected Councilor Uriah Hefter as City Council President and Robin Glaser as Vice President, approved a sweeping consent agenda of administrative and capital items, and scheduled elections for an open At-Large council seat.

The council unanimously approved a motion by Councilor Redmann, seconded by Councilor Glaser, electing Uriah Hefter to the presidency. After the vote, President Hefter presided and invited nominations for vice president; a motion by Councilor Erickson, seconded by Councilor Redmann, elected Robin Glaser as vice president by unanimous vote.

Administrators then presented an administrative report covering December 2024–Jan. 13, 2025 activities, including punch-list work and a walk-through on the Liquor Store Project, the Agate Bay alternatives-analysis meeting, meetings on Highway 61 utility impacts, City Hall façade work, airport terminal construction and furnishings, and labor grievances submitted by two Local 49ers employees (administration is working with the labor attorney on resolutions). The administrator also reported three candidates have filed for the open City Council At-Large position and that there was an error on December utility bills involving the natural gas rate.

The council adopted the consent agenda on a motion by Councilor Erickson, seconded by Councilor Glaser. The consent package included routine minutes and payroll, professional-service agreements and designations, and multiple construction pay applications and invoices. Notable approvals included Resolution No. 01-018-25, authorizing Pay Application #38 to Lakehead Constructors for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project in the amount of $490,608.54, and several pay applications tied to the Liquor Store and Airport Terminal reconstruction projects.

Other consent items approved included designation of the Lake County Press as the city’s official newspaper for 2025; appointment of the Lake County Attorney’s Office to provide criminal legal services to the city (Resolution No. 01-002-25); authorization of Costley & Morris, P.C., for civil legal services (Resolution No. 01-005-25); and approval of various engineering invoices and pay applications to Bolton & Menk, Rochon Corporation, Max Gray Construction and others for street, airport, and breakwall projects.

During committee reports, Councilor Glaser updated the council on HRA staffing and raised concerns about some residents lacking cable service because HUD funds do not cover cable subscription costs, which can affect access to emergency alerts; Councilor Hefter summarized library activity and grants; Councilor Erickson outlined recreation-board discussions on park accessibility, a potential dog park and baseball-field grant opportunities; and Mayor Conner reported on Housing Committee discussions about HRA projects, extension of utilities to spur housing and commercial development, and priorities conveyed to Senator Hauschild focused on replacing utilities beneath Highway 61 and extending utilities to developable areas.

Under new business, the council approved Resolution No. 01-041-25 authorizing Cheryl Sundstrom to pursue grants and donations for Heritage Days 2025, Resolution No. 01-042-25 to participate in the Central Pension Fund for Local 49ers employees, and Resolution No. 01-043-25 authorizing advertisement of bids for the 2025 seal-coat project with Lake County. The council also approved a call for a special election for the City Council At-Large seat (Resolution No. 01-039-25), with dates set contingent on the number of candidates filing.

The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn carried by unanimous voice vote.