TOWER—For years, city officials and local volunteers invested significantly in the creation of a welcoming service and information hub near the train depot in anticipation of the eventual arrival of the Mesabi Trail. But at a city council meeting here on Monday, city officials heard some stunning news— the trail may never actually make it to Tower.
Sarah Ciochetto, deputy director of the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority, said sharply higher costs of construction, extensive wetlands and rugged terrain just south of town, along with resistance from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, have prompted trail officials to look at alternatives for connecting the final mile and a half of trail with the existing segment that runs from Tower to Ely. The most likely option, she said, would divert the trail to the northeast from near the Tower ski trails along the rail grade, connecting to the existing trail about a mile east of Tower.
The existing portion of the Mesabi Trail in Tower would serve as a spur that could connect riders with the services in the community.
It was not welcome news to members of the city council, who just recently approved construction of a new Green Flush toilet facility at what was expected to be the trailhead.
Ciochetto said she understood the concern. “We’d like to see it come into the depot as well,” she said. “We just can’t find a reasonable path to do so.”
Ciochetto said trail officials believe the best option would be to use a widened shoulder on Hwy. 135 for the last mile and a half, which would easily connect with the depot. But she said MnDOT has been highly resistant to that idea, which has prompted the search for alternatives.
“How much more will it cost to bring it right to Tower?” asked council member Kevin Norby. “I’m already seeing bikers every day on Hwy. 135. I’d like to see some of that traffic coming to town.”
Ciochetto didn’t have an answer to the question but noted that the cost of trail construction has nearly doubled since she started working for the rail authority in 2021, and was now exceeding $600,000 a mile.
In the end, the council tasked members Norby and Bob Anderson to look for other alternatives to ensure that the trail comes through Tower. The issue is likely to be back on the council agenda next month.
In other business, the council agreed to send representatives to an Aug. 27 study session to be held by the Ely City Council to discuss the proposed merger of the Ely, Tower, and Babbitt ambulance services, as proposed in a recent study commissioned by the Ely-Bloomenson Hospital. “I think it’s very important that we participate,” said Norby. The city council discussed but took no final action on the possibility of calling its own special meeting so any of the council members could attend.
In related action, the council approved an increase in the allocation for the new ambulance, which is now expected to cost $258,000, up from the $250,000 the council originally approved. The council also authorized the ambulance service, after the fact, to apply for a rescue UTV from an EMS grant program.
In other business, the council:
 Listened to a presentation by a representative of TextMyGov, a company that maintains software to facilitate text messaging between local governments and residents. The system would cost $2,000 for the first year, including setup and would be $1,500 annually after that, with some additional options available at extra cost. The system would allow residents to find information using a smart texting option that would provide automatic responses based on key words. It would also allow residents to report issues or safety concerns by text and allow the city to send alerts to residents as well. The council took no immediate action on the proposal, but indicated they planned to keep the issue on the agenda.
 Heard public input from two Hoodoo Point seasonal campers, both of whom said they would like to be able to keep the second sheds on their campsites for the needed storage. Second sheds have become an issue at the campground and speakers Don Miller and Richard Swanson both said they would like clarification of the situation. “Do we have to remove them or not?” asked Swanson.
 Discussed the need for changes in the drinking water well system at the Tower Airport, which is experiencing low pressure. In addition, the well is located within a private hangar, which restricts access to the well in case of problems. Council member Josh Zika asked for more information on what might be causing the low pressure, noting that there could be several possible causes. But that information wasn’t immediately available so the council voted to table the issue until some additional questions could be answered.
 Voted to approve advertising for a new maintenance assistant for public works in the wake of the resignation of former assistant John Harju. Mayor Dave Setterberg said he has begun reviewing the job description for the position in preparation for possible changes as well as upcoming contract talks with the union.
 Heard a brief report on the housing development on the Marjo Motel property, which had poured foundations for three units last week without the proper permitting in place. Clerk-treasurer Michael Schultz said as a result of a meeting with the developers and county officials last week that the permitting was now fully in place for the three units currently under construction on the property.
 Heard that the city’s financial audit is now completed and that the council will likely have a review of the document with the auditor at its September meeting.
 Gave the second and final reading to an update to the city’s forestry ordinance.
 Voted to designate Michael Schultz as the city’s primary representative to the Lake Vermilion Trail joint powers board, with David Wanless as the alternative. Wanless had recently responded to a city request for volunteers to serve on the board, which is currently focused on developing a paved trail between Tower and the Y Store.
 Heard from Setterberg on what he termed a “good conversation” with U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber on development currently taking place in the city and the need for future congressionally-directed funds to continue helping with the city’s efforts to address wastewater issues.
 Heard that the new kayak and canoe access dock is here and being installed by the city’s public works.
 Heard that the purchase agreement for the county public works facility is being finalized by the city and county attorneys and will get signed once that work is completed. “We have the money waiting,” said Schultz. Council member Anderson said he’d like the council to talk seriously about leasing the two soon-to-be-empty pole buildings to help cover some of the expense of the purchase of the county building.
 Heard a report from Schultz on conversations with potential apartment developers who are interested in projects in Tower. “We had a couple developers say that, yeah, ‘this is a project we’d like to do,’” said Schultz. “One of the developers has done a lot of projects, and has worked closely with the IRRR. We’ll need to get into more detail at some point. Right now we’re trying to go nice and slow so we don’t get ahead of ourselves.”
 Discussed the possibility of a special meeting later this month to hold a public hearing on a new short-term rental ordinance.