TOWER— The balance between motorized and non-motorized recreation proved to be the one point of concern by members of the city council here at their regular meeting June 12, even as they approved a proposal by the Howard Wagoner Trails Club to pursue the construction of new trails on city land.
The club, which was involved in the creation of the Ancient Cedars and Pine Ridges trails in Tower, is looking to add some connecting trails, most of which of would cross undeveloped city land. Most of the new trails would be built by volunteers and would likely be limited to footpaths, although in some cases the new routes could incorporate old logging roads or unofficial and infrequently used ATV paths. The agreement included a number of routine conditions, although the one that proposed to limit some portions of hiking trails to foot traffic caught the attention of councilors, who were concerned it could prompt community pushback. Mary Shedd, past president of the trails club, told the council that the club has no concerns over existing motorized use, most of which is long-established and not in conflict with the hiking trails. “I agree we can co-exist on about 90-95 percent, but there is one short segment that should be closed,” she said. Shedd was talking about a short stretch from a picnic table at the top of the north side hill to an impressive ledge overlook a few hundred feet to the north. That short route has had limited ATV traffic over the years but has become somewhat overgrown.
Current club president Victoria Ranua said the areas of concern to the club have seen very little motorized use recently but that it could increase if the club takes steps to improve trail corridors for hiking. According to Shedd most of the new hiking trails are narrow and occasionally rugged, which makes them largely inaccessible to ATVs in either case.
The council struggled to finesse the issue in language for a motion but, in the end, granted the request with the caveat that the clerk-treasurer engage with the club to work out any designations limiting trail uses.
“We love the trails,” commented council member Kevin Norby. “They’re a real asset to the community.”
In other business, clerk-treasurer Michael Schultz gave the council a report on the city’s continuing funding shortfall for its planned new drinking water plant. He noted that the final pieces are now in place for the city to receive $3.375 million in federal funds for the project from the U.S. Army Corps but said that still left the project about $2 million short.
The city had hoped that the shortfall would be covered in this year’s state bonding bill, but it was left out in the final version approved by lawmakers. “It does appear there is a path for us to obtain bonding money next year,” said Schultz. “We’ll do whatever we can to get bonding money for that.” The council voted 4-0, with council member Josh Zika absent, to authorize Schultz to file a bonding request for the project for consideration in 2024.
At the same time, Schultz said the city will see some benefits from the most recent legislative session, including an additional $10,000 in local government aid.
In other action, the council:
 Held a public hearing on whether the city should consider changing street names in honor of significant citizens of the community. Mike Korpi was the sole speaker at the hearing and he argued that some recognition for the late teacher Carol Ahlstrom would be valuable.
The council took no action on the issue but is considering a commemorative street sign that would make the change unofficially.
Heard a report from Schultz about the ways in which the city of Tower contributes to the Fourth of July celebration. That includes arranging road closures and detour routes, arranging and paying for portable johns, paying for advertising and candy for distribution during the parade, and city maintenance for clean-up following the events.
The city will not be doing a fireworks display this year for a variety of reasons, said Schultz, although given the current dry conditions, the display might have been canceled, as occurred in 2021. The Department of Natural Resources has already banned fireworks displays outside of the limits of cities in much of northeastern Minnesota. Schultz noted that the Lake Vermilion Resort and Tourism Association has made arrangements to have fireworks shot off on July 5 from a barge anchored near Potato Island. That plan is the subject of a front page story in this week’s edition of the Timberjay.
• Heard an update from Schultz noting that a county judge has approved the change in the Gunderson Trust, allowing the trust to transfer its funds to the Duluth-Superior Community Foundation for management. Once the written order is received, the trust will finally be in a position to transfer the funds.
• Held a brief discussion on the recently completed Tidy Up Tower days, held earlier this month. While the intent of the program was originally to address blight conditions, council member Joe Morin noted that the effort doesn’t seem to address the properties he’d like to see improved. Council member Bob Anderson suggested the program could do more to address public spaces that benefit everyone.
• Under the consent agenda, approved a memorandum of understanding with the AFSCME union making Juneteenth an official holiday.
• Approved transferring some of the savings from the Hoodoo Point Campground fund into CDs to boost the financial return on those funds.
• Hired Makenna Villebrun as an emergency medical responder for the Tower Area Ambulance Service contingent on a background check.
• Approved liquor licenses effective July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 for Good Ol’ Days, D’ericks, and Benchwarmers and cigarette sale licenses to Bob’s Standard, D’erick’s, Vermilion Fuel and Food, and Zup’s.
• Set July 10 at 5 p.m. as the date and time for a public hearing on an easement request by Dave Rose to access property he owns on the west side of the East Two River. Rose has put up over $19,000 in a city-managed escrow account to pay for costs associated with the easement.
• Noted that the city had been assessed an administrative fine (which was later forgiven) by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for the failure of Tower RV Resort to file for a sewer connection permit before connecting to the Tower-Breitung municipal sewer system.