30:48Verizon’s proposal for a new cell tower took center stage during the meeting. A telecom consultant presented details about the proposed 250-foot self-supporting structure, intended to enhance cellular service on the east side of town, approximately a mile to a mile and a half from the city center. This initiative responds to Verizon’s challenges in negotiating access to existing towers, with the new site ideally located on city-owned property near the recycling center. The consultant highlighted the technical advantages of 5G technology, including faster data speeds, but noted the need for specific zoning and site considerations. The proposed lease terms involve a monthly rate of $500 with a 2% annual increase. The council discussed potential zoning issues and the benefits of improved communication infrastructure for local businesses and residents.

10:37Simultaneously, homeowner Jim Ky presented two proposals to bolster local business support and address revenue concerns in Hoyt Lakes. First, Ky suggested establishing an 8 to 10-mile mountain bike trail using existing access and logging trails. He assured the council that the initiative would incur no cost to the city and requested permission to coordinate with Elite, the property owner. Ky was optimistic about the project’s potential to attract visitors, drawing parallels with similar successful trails in northern Minnesota towns like Chisago and Crosby. His second proposal addressed the need to enhance the Hoyt Lakes Industrial Park’s competitiveness against a new $9 million industrial park in Aurora. Ky advocated for completing the highway connecting to Aurora to attract businesses, citing past instances where transportation issues deterred manufacturers. He offered to volunteer as a representative to lobby the state for completing the highway, emphasizing that his efforts would not financially burden the city.

57:37Utility system upgrades were another focal point of the meeting. The council reviewed bids for reconstructing utility systems along PSH 110 and CR665, with a contract awarded to Northland Constructors for $860,771. Northland’s bid was approximately 14.37% below the engineer’s estimate. The project includes replacing water mains and sanitary sewer lines, with the city’s financial share deemed reasonable. The urgency of these repairs was underscored by last year’s storms, accelerating the project’s timeline. The council also discussed related financial strategies, such as bonding and potential state appropriations, to fund the necessary infrastructure improvements.

24:02The council navigated various hiring decisions to support community services. They approved hiring summer staff across public works, public utilities, recreation, and the golf course. A notable decision was the appointment of Wade West as the assistant greenskeeper at the golf course. The positions are expected to operate within budget constraints, with a decreased budget for youth employment compared to previous years. Additionally, the council approved new hires for arts and crafts instructor and helper positions, supporting community engagement through recreational programming.

27:17Community events also featured in the meeting’s discussions, with the council reviewing applications for nonprofit bingo events. They approved an application for excluded bingo by a nonprofit organization at the community building on July 26 and 27 and another from the VFW for bingo events on July 19, November 15, and November 22, 2025. These events are permissible under specific regulations for 501c organizations and were supported by the council to foster community interaction.

29:23The council received updates from the Iron Range Historical Society on maintenance requests under a memorandum of understanding with the city. The society outlined planned activities for 2025, such as trail brushing, board replacement, painting, staining, and mapping enhancements. The council supported these efforts, recognizing their potential to improve the area’s presentation and facilitate necessary repairs without incurring city costs.