Biwabik public meetings in 2020
13 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Council
The Biwabik City Council will hold a regular meeting via Zoom to consider several resolutions, including approving the 2021 budget, setting the 2021 property tax levy, and setting wages for non-union full-time employees. The agenda also includes public input on the budget and levy, approval of an audit engagement letter, acceptance of election results, acceptance of a firefighter/EMT resignation, and authorization to apply for a FEMA firefighter grant. The meeting will also address consent agenda items such as minutes, financial statements, and reports.
- Resolution 2020-33: Approving 2021 Budget
- Resolution 2020-34: Setting 2021 Levy
- Resolution 2020-35: Setting Wage for Non-Union Full-Time Employees
- Approve Audit Engagement Letter
- Authorization to Submit FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application
Council
The Biwabik City Council will meet to act on several items, including certifying unpaid special assessments to St. Louis County, approving a charitable gambling permit, a supplemental agreement with S.E.H. Engineering for the Main Street Reconstruction Project, and CARES Act eligible expenses. They will also consider applying for a FEMA firefighter grant, approving fire department applicants, and discussing city operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agenda includes routine consent items and reports.
- Resolution 2020-32 certifying unpaid special assessments to St. Louis County Auditor
- Approval of supplemental letter agreement with S.E.H. Engineering for Main Street Reconstruction Project
- Approval of CARES Act eligible expenses
- Authorization to apply for FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant
- Approval of charitable gambling permit
Council
The Biwabik City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the preliminary 2021 budget and consider a resolution certifying a preliminary property tax levy of $1,217,037, which is $117,442 higher than the 2020 final levy. The council will also set a date for a public hearing on the 2021 budget and approve fire/EMS applicants. The meeting is held electronically via Zoom.
- Resolution 2020-28 certifying preliminary 2021 property tax levy of $1,217,037
- Proposed 2021 tax rate of 1.366, up from 1.320 in 2020
- Discussion of preliminary 2021 budget with total expenditures of $1,719,185
- Set date for public hearing on 2021 budget
- Approval of fire/EMS applicants
Council
The Biwabik City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 10, 2020, via Zoom. The agenda includes a nuisance hearing for 126 3rd Avenue South, several new business items such as a resolution to increase firefighter benefits, approval of the first pay application for the carwash entrance realignment, and updates on EMS staffing and a potential new pumper truck. The meeting also includes routine consent agenda items like minutes, financial statements, and bills.
- Nuisance hearing for 126 3rd Avenue South
- Resolution 2020-24 to increase benefit level for vested volunteer firefighters
- Approval of 1st pay application for Carwash Entrance Realignment
- Approval of EMS applicant and action on EMS leave of absence
- Fire Department update on exploring purchase of new pumper truck
Council
The Biwabik City Council is holding its regular meeting on July 13, 2020, with a consent agenda covering minutes, financial statements, and reports. The main new business items are resolutions authorizing grant applications to the IRRR Community Infrastructure Program and Regional Trail Program, plus a leave of absence request and discussion of Voyageurs Trail ownership. The agenda also includes nuisance hearings for three properties.
- Resolution 2020-12: Grant application to IRRR Community Infrastructure Program
- Resolution 2020-13: Grant application to IRRR Regional Trail Program
- Nuisance hearings at 415 W. Railroad Drive N, 116 Main Street, and 112 6th Ave N
- Leave of absence request for Josh Christianson-Petersen
- Discussion of Voyageurs Trail ownership and maintenance responsibility
Council
The Biwabik City Council held a special meeting via Zoom to approve the city's mandatory COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, a requirement under Executive Order 20-74. The council also discussed the transition back to in-person meetings and reviewed potential federal funding for pandemic-related expenses. Additionally, the council appointed an EMS Captain and approved hires for the Fire & Ambulance Department and Public Works.
- Approval of the City of Biwabik COVID-19 Preparedness Plan as required by Executive Order 20-74
- Discussion of potential federal aid of roughly $75,000 for COVID-19 expenses under MN Senate Bill SF47
- Appointment of an EMS Captain for the Biwabik Fire & Ambulance Department
- Approval of a Firefighter/EMT applicant for the Biwabik Fire & Ambulance Department
- Approval of an additional Public Works summer help hire
Council
The Biwabik City Council meeting agenda includes resolutions for a residential redevelopment grant and a bid award for the Main Street/Mesabi Annex intersection. The council will also discuss senior center fund usage and a request regarding a new fire department pumper truck.
- Resolution 2020-10: Authorizing an application to the IRRR Residential Redevelopment Grant Program
- Resolution 2020-11: Awarding bid for work on Main Street/Mesabi Annex intersection
- Discussion of Senior Center funds uses
- Fire Department request to explore purchasing a new pumper truck
- Approval of Public Works summer help hires
Council
The Biwabik City Council will meet electronically to consider several actions, including setting ambulance rates, entering a detour agreement with MnDOT for the Highway 135 project, and approving a DNR grant application for fire assistance. They will also discuss campground operations, fire department pay, and COVID-19 issues. The agenda includes consent items such as minutes, financial statements, and bills.
- Resolution 2020-07 to set ambulance rates
- Resolution 2020-08 for MnDOT detour agreement (Hwy 135 project)
- Approval of DNR grant application for fire assistance
- Discussion and action on Vermilion Trail Campground operation
- Approval of 4-day summer work-week for Public Works
Council
The Biwabik City Council will review a public hearing for a USDA grant application to fund fire department equipment. The meeting includes approval of a supplemental agreement with S.E.H. Engineering for the Main Street project and a resolution supporting a BACA culture and tourism grant. The agenda also covers a special event permit for Music in the Park and a review of the city's public protection classification.
- Public hearing scheduled for USDA Grant Application to fund Fire Department Equipment
- Approval of Supplemental Letter Agreement with S.E.H. Engineering for Main Street project
- Resolution in Support of DIRRR Culture and Tourism Grant Application for BACA
- Approval of Special Event Permit for Music in the Park
- Review of Insurance Services Office Notification regarding Public Protection Classification
Council
The Biwabik City Council is holding a special meeting to consider two items: a resolution to enter into a cooperative construction agreement with MnDOT for the reconstruction of Trunk Highway 135 (Main Street), and approval of an updated pay application for the city-wide reconstruction project. The agreement covers the city's estimated $1,493,395.83 share of costs for grading, surfacing, lighting, ADA improvements, and other work. Bids for the project are scheduled to open on February 28, 2020.
- Resolution 2020-5: Approve agreement with MnDOT for reconstruction of Trunk Highway 135 (Main Street) from County Road 715 to 3,250 feet east of CSAH 4
- City's estimated cost share: $1,493,395.83
- Approval of updated Pay Application #4 for City-Wide Reconstruction (Phase 4)
- City will maintain parking lanes, medians, sidewalks, lighting, and other improvements after project completion
Council
The Biwabik City Council will hold its regular meeting on February 10, 2020, with a consent agenda covering routine approvals and reports. New business includes resolutions for a USDA grant public hearing for fire department equipment, appointing election judges, approving liquor licenses, and discussions on the Main Street project and potential reconnection of Whiskey Road. A closed session is scheduled for pending litigation.
- Resolution 2020-03: Schedule public hearing for USDA grant to fund fire department equipment
- Resolution 2020-04: Appoint election judges for 2020 elections
- Approval of supplemental letter agreement with S.I.P.L. Engineering
- Approval of liquor licenses
- Authorization to prepare and submit FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant application
Council
The Biwabik City Council is holding a special meeting to consider Resolution 2020-1, which responds to a detachment petition filed by property owners on the city's east boundary. The council has read the petition and the resolution states it opposes the detachment. The meeting will include a vote on adopting this resolution.
- Resolution 2020-1 opposing detachment petition for properties on east boundary
- Petition received January 6, 2019, for properties described in Exhibits 1, 2, and 3
- Properties located near Embarrass Lake, Wynne Lake, and St. Louis County Highway 138
- Excludes TIF District 1-1 and TIF District 1-2 properties from detachment
Council
The Biwabik City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed utility rate increase, with an additional $2.00 per month increase on water and sewer rates to fund the water plant loan. The council will also conduct its annual reorganization, approve the 2020 wage for full-time non-union employees, and consider a corrected pay application for Phase 3 of the City-Wide Reconstruction project. A closed session on litigation strategy is also scheduled.
- Public hearing on utility rate change (water +$1.00, sewer +$1.00 per month)
- Resolution 2020-37 to set 2020 wage for full-time non-union employees
- Approval of corrected pay application for Phase 3 of City-Wide Reconstruction
- Annual reorganization: designate depositories, official newspaper, mayor protem, meeting date/time, rules, check signing, East Range Joint Powers Board delegate
- Closed session on litigation strategy