CITY OF TOWER MINNESOTA

City of Tower

April 14, 2009

Tuesday at 5:30 PM

City Council Chambers

The special meeting of the Tower City Council was called to order by Mayor Abrahamson.

Present:           Nevala, Hiltunen, Heinowski, Hanson, Abrahamson

Absent:            None

Also Present:   Kotzian, Lamppa, City Attorney John Cope

Visitors:           Mark Weir, Ron Abrahamson, Sr.  Marshall Helmberger, Sheldon Majerle, Heidi Dale, Josh Carlson

            Motion by Hiltunen supported by Nevala to accept the agenda as presented.  All yes.  Motion carried.

            John Cope reviewed the open meeting law and read a LMC statement on this issue.

            A discussion was held on the rights and responsibilities of the Mayor and Council. John Cope stated that the LMC Handbook Chapter 6-14 was an excellent source of information on this topic.

            Other responsibilities of the Council include knowing the City Charter and duties of the staff.

            A discussion was held on the proper way to make and discuss motions.

            Attorney Mark Weir spoke on behalf of Ron and Elizabeth Abrahamson concerning the so called "Griffin property".  He assured the Council that all the property under discussion still belonged to the Abrahamsons and as of today, G. Griffin did not own any.

            Keeping of the City Records was also discussed.  All records, papers or tapes, are kept at City Hall.  Past practice of taking negotiation tapes homes by council members will be stopped.

            Motion by Hiltunen supported by Nevala to adjourn.  Time: 7:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Lamppa

Deputy Clerk/Treasurer

City of Tower

Special Meeting

April 3, 2009

Friday @ 5:30PM

City Council Chambers

            A special meeting of the Tower City Council was called to order by Mayor Stephen Abrahamson.

            Present:           Abrahamson, Hanson, Heinowski.

            Also Present:   Kotzian.

            Absent:            Nevala, Hiltunen

            Visitors:           Jodi Summit, Marshal Helmberger, Sheldon Majerle.

            Public input:    None.

            Hiltunen arrived at 5:40PM   

      The meeting was called to close the meeting to allow the Council to develop or consider offers or counteroffers for the purchase or sale of the following properties:

                  a.         Lakoskey property, affected by riverfront development efforts

                  b.         Cathcart property, adjacent to the city "dump site" property

                    c.         Griffin property, adjacent to the city "dump site" property          

            The Council did not close the meeting for any of the above parcels.  No action was taken regarding the three parcels.

Councilor Hanson left at 7:04PM.

Motion by Heinowski supported by Hiltunen to adjourn.  Time:  7:10PM

Respectfully submitted,

Timothy L. Kotzian

            Clerk/Treasurer

City of Tower

Special Meeting

September 22, 2008

Monday @ 5:30 PM

City Council Chambers

            The special meeting of the Tower City Council was called to order by Mayor Stephen Abrahamson.

            Present:           Abrahamson, Heinowski,  Hiltunen, Nevala

            Absent:            Hanson

            Also Present:   Kotzian, Lamppa

            Visitors:           Brian Patterson - O’Day,  John Cope - City Attorney, Rick Worringer - TAC, Matt Bolf - S.E.H., Brian Johnson - TAC, Tom Foster- S.E.H., Joel Dresel - S.E.H., Jodi Summit, Sheldon Majerle, Jerry Nemanich - Mesabi Bituminous

            Motion by Heinowski supported by Nevala to accept the agenda as presented.

            Motion by Hiltunen supported by Heinowksi to approve the Commercial Rehab Loan to Tower News for new roof as recommended by the Commercial Rehab Committee.  All yes.  Motion carried.

Richard Hanson arrived at 5:35 PM. 

            This special meeting was held to discuss the Tower Airport Seaplane Base fueling system, which has not been working properly since its installation. Kotzian gave an overview of the history of the system; Tom Foster agreed with Kotzian’s history and then elaborated on the system itself.  Joe Dresel explained that S.E.H. went over the system in the late fall of 2007 and spring of 2008 and that it was operational when they finished, except that it only ran for a short time and then failed again.  At this time, the City wants the system fixed at no cost to them. The City Council, along with their attorney, believe that it is the general contractor’s responsibility to make this happen.

Jerry Nemanich arrived at 6:30 PM.

            Motion by Hanson supported by Nevala to have John Cope send a letter to Mesabi Bituminous to finish this project within a time frame of two weeks.  All yes.  Motion carried. 

Motion by Hanson supported by Heinowski to adjourn.   Time:  6:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Lamppa

Deputy Clerk/Treasurer

City of Tower

Special Meeting

April 28, 2008

Monday @ 5:30PM

City Council Chambers

            A special meeting of the Tower City Council was called to order by Mayor Stephen Abrahamson.

            Present:           Abrahamson, Heinowski, Hiltunen, Nevala.

            Also Present:   Kotzian.

            Absent:            Hanson.

Visitors:           None.

Motion by Heinowski supported by Hiltunen to accept the agenda as presented by the Mayor.  All yes. Motion carried.

            Public input:    None.

            The committee consisting of the Mayor, Heinowski, and John Niemiste had met with Charles Cathcart, the adjourning property owner, to discuss the City purchasing the property.  The committee recommended having the two properties appraised as one.

            Motion by Hiltunen supported by Nevala to approve having the two properties appraised as one, each interested party to spend up to $500.00 dollars, and each share equally in the City Attorney drafting an appraisal agreement if needed.  All yes. Motion carried.

            Motion by Heinowski supported by Hiltunen to adjourn.  Time:  5:55PM

Respectfully submitted,

Timothy L. Kotzian

Clerk/Treasurer

City of Tower

Special Meeting

January 17, 2007

Thursday @ 5:30PM

City Council Chambers

            A special meeting of the Tower City Council was called to order by Mayor Stephen Abrahamson.        

            Present:            Abrahamson, Hanson, Heinowski, Hiltunen, Nevala.

            Also Present:    Kotzian.

            Absent: None.

            Visitors:            Jane Richey MAPE

            Motion by Heinowski supported by Nevala to approve the agenda as presented by the Mayor.  All yes. Motion carried.

            Contract negotiations between the City and MAPE (Clerk) were conducted.

            Motion by Heinowski supported by Nevala to approve the MAPE contract for 2007 and 2008;  3% raise on base pay per year, change dental benefit to same as Local #1490, and change contract language to reflect MAPE/Union rather than NMSA/Association.  All yes. Motion carried.

            A discussion was held on the 2008 Reorganization Chart.

            Motion by Hiltunen supported by Heinowski to approve the Reorganization Chart.  All yes. Motion carried.

            Motion by Nevala supported by Hiltunen to adjourn.  Time:  7:10PM

Respectfully submitted,

Timothy L. Kotzian

Clerk/Treasurer

Date:         November 16, 2007

To:            Lake Vermilion Area Units of Government

From:        Tower Economic Development Authority

Subject:     Joint Meeting to Discuss a Regional Economic Development

                  Authority Concept

The Tower EDA is hosting a meeting with local government officials and other interested parties to discuss the concept of establishing a Regional Economic Development Authority to address growth issues that are and will continue to impact the Lake Vermilion area. We ask that a representative be appointed to attend the meeting on behalf of your City Council, Township Board, or organization.

The meeting will be held on Monday, December 3^rd at 6 pm at the Tower City Hall located at 602 Main Street. Tower EDA Board members will be making personal contacts to encourage your participation, or RSVP your planned attendance with Ann Lamppa, 753.4070.   

Thank you for your consideration of this important meeting request.                   

City of Tower

Mediation Session

October 19, 2007

Friday @ 9:00AM

City Council Chambers

       The purpose of the meeting is to take part in a mediation session with Union Local #1490 and try to negotiate a contract settlement.

City of Tower

Budget Committee Meeting

October 18, 2007

Thursday @ 5:30PM

City Council Chambers

       The Budget Committee members of Abrahamson, Heinowski, and Nevala will meet to work on the budget and levy for 2008.

City of Tower

Planning and Zoning Commission

October 4, 2007

Thursday @ 6:00PM

City Council Chambers

            A special meeting of the City of Tower Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chair Heinowski.

            Present:            Abrahamson, Hanson, Heinowski.

            Also Present:    Kotzian.

            Absent: Broten, Niemiste.

            Visitors:            Matt Bolf.

            Motion by Abrahamson supported by Hanson to accept the agenda as presented by the Chair.  All yes. Motion carried.

            A discussion was held on the proposed Business Park plat as presented by SEH.

            Motion by Hanson supported by Abrahamson to approve the preliminary Business Park Platt as presented by SEH, with several minor changes, and recommend to the City for approval.  All yes.  Motion carried.

            Motion by Hanson supported by Abrahamson to adjourn.  Time:  7:30PM

Respectfully submitted,

Timothy L. Kotzian

Clerk/Treasurer

For Immediate Release:                                                             Contact:  Richard Nordvold

August 22, 2007                                                                                          218-263-5670     

Hoyt Lakes Community Meeting

   Representatives of Iron Range Community FiberNet, a consortium of eleven Iron Range communities and two Indian Reservations, will be in Hoyt Lakes on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 to present the “What, Where and Whys” of the Fiber to the Premises project being planned in the participating communities.

   The meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. in the Hoyt Lakes Community Center and is open to the public.

   Following the formal presentation representatives of the project will be available to answer questions and discuss the project.

   Iron Range Community FiberNet  is a public/private partnership that will bring ultra high-speed fiber optic connectivity to every business and residence within the corporate city limits of each participating community. 

City of Tower

Special Meeting

July 23, 2007

Monday @ 5:30 PM

City Council Chambers

            The special meeting of the Tower City Council was called to order by Mayor Stephen Abrahamson.

            Present:            Abrahamson, Hiltunen, Nevala, Broten, Heinowski

            Also Present:    Kotzian, Lamppa

Absent: None

            Visitors:            Jeff Griffin, Bob Kost, Brian Birk, Tom Mesojedec, Steve Peterson, Gary Ross, Ken Kube, Dick Grabko, Jeff Goetzman, Marshall Helmberger, Gary Ross, Charity Ross.

            Motion by Nevala supported by Hanson to accept the agenda as presented by the Mayor.  All yes.  Motion carried.

            No public input.

            Bob Kost, of SEH, reported on the need for a zoning overlay for the harbor district and on the need of a Master Developer. 

            Jeff Goetzman, of SEH, gave a progress report on the Environmental Assessment, which should be completed by the end of November.  He also discussed the concept designs for the roads, bridge and Master Plan.

            Motion by Heinowski supported by Hanson to approve the July 20, 2007, SEH Supplemental Letter Agreement for the Boat House Demolition Work.  This includes the Minnesota Historic Property Record, not to exceed $9,900 and Boathouse Hazardous Materials Inspection, Demolition Plan, and Specification, not to exceed $3,900.   All yes.  Motion carried.

            Motion by Hanson supported by Hiltunen to approve the July 20, 2007, SEH  Supplemental Letter Agreement for the Harbor Redevelopment Geotechnical Program/ Soil Boring Work.  The Geotechnical Program is not to exceed $129,500.  All yes.  Motion carried.

            Motion by Hanson supported by Heinowski to approve the July 20, 2007, SEH Supplemental Letter Agreement for the Harbor Redevelopment Project Highway 135/169 and Bridge Design Work.  Bridge surveys not to exceed $16,500; bridge hydrologic and hydraulic analyses not to exceed $10,000; Highway 169 bridge design and construction plans not to exceed $68,000; East Two River and local street bridge design and concept plans not to exceed $3,900; Highway 135 and 169 design, plans, NPDES and wetlands permitting not to exceed $245,000; and Highway 169 right-of-way platting not to exceed $10,000.  All yes.  Motion carried.

            Motion by Nevala supported by Hanson to approve the July 20, 2007, SEH Supplemental Letter Agreement for the Harbor Geometric/Layout, Preliminary Dredging Work and Jetty/Breakwater Study.  The harbor geometrics and preliminary layout work not to exceed $79,000; the preliminary dredging work not to exceed $6,900; and the jetty/breakwater study not to exceed $11,800.  All yes.  Motion carried.

            Motion by Hanson supported by Heinowski to approve the July 3, 2007, SEH Supplemental Agreement for Preparing the Harbor Overlay Zoning District and Master Developer RFQ and RFP.  The overlay zoning district scope of work is approximately $17,000 and the master development selection process is estimated to run between $25,000 and $35,000.  All yes.  Motion carried.

            Jeff Goetzman and Dick Grabko went over the Harbor Development Project budget and gave a financial update.  They also presented the preliminary plat for the Business Park and noted the importance of coordinating the Business Park Project with the Harbor project.

            The City Council members will each review the Master Plan before the next council meeting.

            Motion by Heinowski supported by Hanson to adjourn.  Time 7:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Lamppa

Deputy Clerk/Treasurer

City of Tower

Special Meeting

June 11, 2007

Monday @ 4:00PM

City Council Chambers

            A special meeting of the Tower City Council was called to order by Acting Mayor Jon Nevala.

            Present:            Hanson, Heinowski, Nevala.

            Absent: Abrahamson, Hiltunen.

            Visitors:            None.

            The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a closed session to discuss negotiation strategy.

            Motion by Heinowski supported by Hanson to adjourn.  Time:  5:18PM

Respectfully submitted,

City of Tower

Special Meeting

June 11, 2007

Monday @ 4:00PM

City Council Chambers

    1.         Call to order

2.       Roll Call

3.       Acceptance of Agenda

4.       Public input

    5.         Motion to close meeting for negotiation strategy 

    6.         Open meeting to public

    7.         Adjourn

City of Tower

Board of Adjustment

May 14, 2007

Monday @ 5:00PM

City Council Chambers

            The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a variance from Ken Hinkel in Block 28 Lots 9,10,11,12,13.  He is requesting a front set back of 25 feet, a rear setback of 7 feet, and a side setback of 5 feet.