Two Harbors council approves $1.19 million in wastewater payments; PFA financing secured for chlorine tank

The Two Harbors City Council on Nov. 13 approved two large payment applications to Lakehead Constructors totaling $1,186,598.04 for work on the city’s wastewater projects and recorded a PFA financing approval for a new chlorine tank.

Administrator Patricia D. Nordean reported routine project activity and project paperwork during the administrative report period. As part of the consent agenda the council approved Pay Application No. 4 to Lakehead Constructors for the chlorine tank and building repairs in the amount of $679,898.36 and Pay Application No. 24 for the wastewater treatment plant project in the amount of $506,699.68. The council also approved a $190 invoice to WSB for material testing related to the wastewater treatment plant project and several Bolton & Menk engineering invoices tied to street and utility work.

Why it matters: those two pay applications represent the largest single cash outlays on the consent agenda and are tied to multi-year capital work at the wastewater treatment plant and chlorine containment/repairs. The council recorded a communication from Matt Varilek, chair of the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, indicating the PFA had approved project financing for the new chlorine tank that includes a loan and a principal‑forgiveness grant. That combination of pay applications and confirmed PFA financing suggests the chlorine tank project is moving toward completion and that some project costs will be offset by PFA assistance.

Council action and procedure: the payments were approved as part of the consent agenda on a motion introduced by Councilor Hefter and seconded by Councilor Glaser. The record indicates the consent agenda motion carried and the individual resolutions authorizing payments were adopted without recorded roll‑call tallies in the minutes.

Budget and next steps: project contract totals and individual invoice amounts appear in the record (e.g., the WSB material‑testing contract noted at $26,195). The PFA letter was entered into communications; the council did not record additional discussion or conditions tied to the PFA award in the minutes. Staff follow‑up would typically include updating project accounting and publishing contract change notices; the minutes record no separate referral or reporting requirement beyond normal project administration.