TOWER— The city council here has a new member after John VanDeVoort took the oath of office at the council meeting on Monday. The council accepted VanDeVoort’s application for the position to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of council member David Wanless, who has moved out of town.
In his application, VanDeVoort said he was interested in helping to shape the community’s future and participate in policy and planning discussions as a member of the council. VanDeVoort grew up in Tower and has spent 25 years in pharmacy administration, currently working as pharmacist in charge at the Essentia clinic in Virginia. He previously spent nine years on the board of directors of the nonprofit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin, including three years as board president. He and his wife Darcy, who also grew up in Tower, recently returned to the community, residing on N. Third St.
In his application, VanDeVoort suggested updating a community needs assessment with broad public input. He said the council could use community feedback to help drive planning and priorities.
VanDeVoort took his seat immediately after taking the oath. His term will expire at the November 2026 general election.
In other business, the council approved the conditional use permit for the planned development at the city’s harbor, which will include 7,500 square feet of commercial space, 14 upstairs apartments, and 14 town homes. The developers, Pine City-based Eagle Ridge Construction, expect to begin work at the site later this summer.
In other action, the council:
• Heard that the city has begun receiving funds from Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation for the water treatment facility. “The money is starting to flow,” said Clerk-Treasurer Michael Schultz, who noted that it is allowing the city to catch up on previous pay estimates from Lakehead Constructors, which are building the facility.
The water may start flowing as well by July, Schultz said, but there will be extensive testing to be done before it goes fully on line. “Right now, everything is looking good,” he said.
• Heard that the city has finally received reimbursement from FEMA for expenses incurred during the June 2024 flooding event.
• Appointed Aaron Kania and council member Bob Anderson to the Gundersen Endowment Fund committee, which will be in charge of reviewing applications for funding from proceeds of the fund, which is now managed by the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation. Three-quarters of the proceeds from the fund go to the city of Tower for general operations, while the remaining 25 percent will be allocated by the committee. In 2025, the committee will have $13,675 to allocate for community requests. The city is still looking for three more committee members, who do not have to be residents of Tower.
• Approved a motion to hire Daniel Fischer as a new member of the Tower Fire Department contingent on completing the required certifications. The council also approved the cooperative fire protection agreement with the Department of Natural Resources, which will allow the city to be reimbursed for the use of fire apparatus and firefighters in response to wildland fires. Schultz also reported on the recent rash of fire calls affecting the department, including back-to-back fires last Thursday of a cabin in Greenwood and a UPS truck in Tower. The council also considered new fire department policies that restrict posting photographs or other recordings from fire scenes to social media.
• Heard that the ambulance service is considering shifting to a new billing service due to problems with the existing service provider.
• Approved a motion to hire Grant Cassavant as the city’s new seasonal worker. He will be paid $17 an hour, mostly for mowing.
• Heard that the repairs to N. Second St., which will reinstall the heaved culverts, is scheduled to be completed by the end of June. The work is likely to start in late June since the project will only take 1-2 days to complete.
• Authorized seeking state grant funding to pay for 70 percent of the cost of upgrading the airport ordinance as required.
• Renewed annual permits for the sale of liquor and cigarettes.
• Took no action pending more information and discussion of issues raised by public works. Supervisor Ben Velcheff has indicated the maintenance staff are facing inconvenience from the installation of a significant number of small signs advertising area businesses and their services. Council member Joe Morin will discuss the issue with Velcheff and come back to the council.
• Called a special meeting for next Thursday, May 22, at 4 p.m., at city hall to discuss city priorities for capital projects for state bonding.
• Approved the first reading of a new ordinance regulating cannabis businesses in the city.
• Approved moving forward in cooperation with the DNR to replace concrete slabs at the Hoodoo Point public landing. The DNR will be taking the lead on the project, with the city offering to assist.