On Monday night, the Silver Bay City Council voted to accept a resolution adopting the proposed assessment for the CSAH-32 reconstruction project for the improvement of Edison Boulevard between Penn Blvd and Horn Blvd and Banks Blvd between Horn Blvd and Davis Drive. The work will include the much needed replacement of utilities and the resurfacing of streets. The Council also scheduled a public hearing to inform residents about the details of the project and to present the assessments that property owners will see as their utilities are updated and their streets are repaired. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 30, 2025 at the Silver Bay Reunion Hall. All persons owning property affected by the improvements will be given an opportunity to be heard with reference to their property assessment. Notice of the assessed amount will be mailed to the owners of each parcel prior to the public hearing.
As is typical of such assessments, property owners can pay their assessed cost in one lump sum, or can pay in equal annual installments extending over a period of 15 years. The first installment can be paid on or before the first Monday in January of 2026. Installment payments will bear an interest rate of 2% per annum. Residents can view the documents declaring the project costs on the city’s website.
The Council voted to accept a resolution to award a bid for the reconstruction of the city hall, police, library and rescue squad parking lot, to Northland Construction for the amount of $502,800. The project will be paid for with money from the city’s reserve fund.
Senator Grant Hauschild has authored legislation in support of $3 million for infrastructure improvements for Silver Bay. Senator Hauschild stated that “Silver Bay is a mining town that was built all at once—and now, decades later, everything is aging all at once. That means steep infrastructure costs hitting the community all at the same time. This funding will provide much-needed relief and help Silver Bay make critical upgrades that will support families, businesses, and future growth. I fought for this in the Legislature because I know how essential this investment is to the community’s future.” The proposed funding is now being reviewed by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Advisory Board and the plan is for the funds to be used to design, engineer, construct, and reconstruct publicly owned infrastructure including sewers, water systems, utility extensions, street construction, wastewater treatment, stormwater management systems, sidewalks, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Two special meetings have been set for June 30th, one for the Multi-Modal Trailhead Center bid and contract award and the other for the final plat for Boathouse Bay. The time for the Trailhead Center meeting is scheduled for 11:00 am and the Boathouse Bay meeting is scheduled for 9:00 am.
Utilities Superintendent Mike Miller will be retiring after many years of service. The Council accepted his retirement announcement with regret.
Residents are kindly reminded to secure garbage bins to keep animals and eagles from spreading garbage throughout neighborhoods.
City officials have been working to address the issue of blighted properties in the city. Chief of Police, Cole Ernest spoke with the Council about a number of homeowners that have been notified by the Police Department with requests to remove refuse from their property. Such things as discarded appliances, furniture, garbage and derelict cars are not only an eyesore, but pose a health risk to the community. The process that the City will follow in dealing with the issue of blight will be that property owners will be cited and given 15 days to remove the blight from their property. If after 15 days the blight remains, the City will abate the property and the cost for abatement will be charged to the property owner.
The next Silver Bay Council meeting is scheduled for June 16 at 7:00 PM.
