Jonathan Bouvine

Key agenda items for this session include the consideration of electing the City Council President and Vice President for the upcoming year. The consent agenda covers numerous administrative and financial matters, such as approving claims and payroll, appointing the Lake County Attorney's Office for criminal legal services and Costley & Morris, P.C. for civil matters, designating the official newspaper, adopting Robert's Revised Rules of Order, designating fund depositories, and authorizing investment notifications. The consent agenda also addresses numerous invoice approvals for various engineering services (Bolton & Menk) and pay applications for major construction projects including the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chlorine Tank Repairs, Beacon Replacement, Taxilane C Reconstruction, and the Airport Terminal Building Reconstruction. Further items include authorizing Fire Chief benefits verification, approving training for city personnel, accepting donations, approving an amended proposal for Respectful Workplace Training, accepting a gift resolution, authorizing membership in the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Cities Initiative, and authorizing solicitation for grant writing services. New business proposals involve authorizing the Heritage Days Chair to apply for grants and solicit donations, authorizing agreements for employee pensions, and authorizing the advertisement of bids for the 2025 Seal Coat Project.

The City Council meeting addressed new business items. Key actions included the approval of Resolution No. 12-467-24, which approved the agreement between the City of Two Harbors and AFSCME, Local 1123 for the period spanning January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026. Additionally, Resolution No. 12-468-24 was approved, sanctioning the proposal from Summit Signs for the purchase of signage for the Breakwall Bottle Shoppe, with an associated cost of $11,444 plus permit fees.

Key discussions during this meeting included the Administrator's report detailing interactions regarding the Highway 61 Project, utility rate studies, interviews for the Public Works Director position, and discussions with Senator Klobuchar regarding the economic impact of tourism. The Utilities Committee reported on Highway 61 projects, gas and electric rates effective July 1, 2025, and car charging usage. The Public Affairs Committee addressed options for relocating the Farmer's Market and reviewed City Code regarding public markets and potential committee consolidation. The Finance Committee discussed the West End Utility Project. The Public Arts Commission reviewed RFQ submissions for the Mural Project and drafted the Request for Proposal. The Council approved the 2024 Audited Financial Statements and denied the Farmer's Market request to use a specific city-owned parking lot. Several resolutions were passed, including approving rate increases for gas and electric services effective July 1, 2025, approving an ordinance revision for Short Term Rentals, and approving membership in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

The meeting began with the approval of agenda changes requested by the City Administrator, including adding reports for the North Shore Management Board and Waterfront Task Force, approving a change order for painting City Hall garage doors not to exceed $1,850, scheduling a Special Council Meeting for Financial Management Plan review, and adding resolutions for change orders related to the Water Plant Improvement Project and fee amendments for engineering services. Administrative reports highlighted participation in MnDOT meetings concerning Highway 61 Project detours, waterfront planning meetings, presentations to Bonding Tours regarding the Highway 61 bonding request, and a ribbon-cutting for the new Airport Terminal Building. Committee reports covered discussions on purchasing new police and public works vehicles, 2026 health insurance rates, tax abatement for the Vision Housing Project, and updates on the NorthShore Management Plan revision. Consent Agenda items included authorizing claims, approving payroll, sending personnel to training/conferences, electing not to waive municipal tort liability limits, making several personnel appointments, and approving various invoices and pay applications related to street improvements, chlorine tank repairs, and the City Hall Façade Project. New business saw the approval of a piano donation for the Community Building, an application for public works grant funding for utility projects in preparation for the 2027 Highway 61 Project, tabling a proposal for City Code update services, and formally approving the change order for City Hall garage door painting, the date for the special meeting on the Financial Plan, and change orders/fee amendments for the Water Plant Improvement Project.

Key discussions included committee reports covering the HRA's review of general reports, personnel matters including the Interim Executive Director evaluation, and updates on HUD requirements and strategic planning. The Library reported increased user activity and circulation numbers. The Trees and Trails committee discussed the ReLeaf grant and trail condition studies. The Edna G Commission recommended proceeding with the process to remove the vessel from the water. The Utilities committee reviewed change orders for the Wastewater Treatment Facility and received a timeline for the AMI Metering Switch over Project. The Public Arts committee finalized the Request for Proposals (RFP) for interested artists. The Council held an executive session to consider a real estate transaction involving city-owned property at 630 7th Avenue. New business involved adopting resolutions concerning the selection of the utility extension option along Highway 61 for the MNDOT reconstruction project, approving an emergency facilities agreement with the USDA Forest Service for fire response, setting a special meeting for 2026 bonding priorities, licensing property owners for utility/alley use, and doubling cemetery disinterment rates.