Two Harbors City Council Meeting – April 13, 2026
Despite a good-sized crowd in attendance, there were no comments from the public regarding the proposed height standards amendment or City Code Chapter 11, which will change the height limit of multi-family buildings with more than eight units in the R-3 District from 45 ft to 55 ft. Much of the audience was instead there for an appearance by the Two Harbors Pilots Association, discussing possible improvements to the Two Harbors Airport’s Airport Manager contract. Seth McDonald, a private pilot, spoke on behalf of the group of 16 pilots to go over their list of requests. The list’s three items, in short, were: to require the airport manager to be on the airfield 25 hours a week on average, with exceptions made during extreme weather events; have the airport inspected for operational readiness on a daily basis; and to ensure all points of the existing 2019 contract are being followed and enforced. McDonald commended the council for recent improvements to the airport, such as a new beacon and paving projects. He also noted that during the fires last year, 15 helicopters were regularly flying in and out of the Two Harbors airport. Given the importance of air support in surveying and battling forest fires, it is a key safety issue to ensure the region has an up-to-date, viable airport, especially given how much more common fires have become in recent years.
Also making an appearance was Kitty Mayo to announce the Survive This! Lake County Emergency Resilience event on Sunday, April 26th. The event will cover how locals can coordinate and react during emergency situations and allow members of the public to talk with first responders and hear their educational presentations.
During the earlier agenda meeting, City Engineer Brotzler went over the status of the many projects currently in the works. This included work on the incomplete section of 6th Avenue in May, with the area set to be completed by the end of June. The Lighthouse Point Road project is slightly behind schedule due to relying on state grants and thus needing to ensure it has state approval, but the project is still anticipated to be completed by the end of October. Most of the plans for the Highway 61 Project are currently under consideration by MNDot, with the project planned to begin construction in 2027.
Both the Administrator’s report and the Finance Committee’s report were also largely concerned with recent discussion of the Highway 61 Project, understandably given the impact the endeavor will have on Two Harbors. THEDA (Two Harbors Economic Development Authority) recently spoke with Janelle Jones from the Lake County Chamber of Commerce on how to work together on projects and better support the County. The Public Arts Commission continued to discuss plans for a mural on the bandshell cover and artwork on utility boxes. The Planning Commission discussed taking possible recommendations from the Dark Skies Initiative, focused on reducing light pollution in the area.
Following reports, the consent agenda was approved. Items of note included: changing the May 25th City Council meeting to May 26th to accommodate Memorial Day; approving payments for the Water Treatment Plant Project and the City Hall Exterior Project; approving a fireworks display for July 4th, with the backup date of September 5th if there is rain, with the Finance Director noting this arrangement has been used in previous years but is now being formalized; attendance of the City Administrator and Finance Director at the 2026 Minnesota Airports Conference on April 22-24th; updating the city’s gray water policy, which was last changed in 2004; outhouse rentals for the 2026 season; approving a quote for hanging baskets and planters around Two Harbors; moving mainline poles as part of the Lighthouse Road Project; approving bids for the Hahn Booster Station improvements and the Natural Gas Loop Project; the purchase and installation of patrol squad equipment; purchase of an AC unit for the Lake County Humane Society; possible attendance of city staff to attend the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Annual Spring Gala on April 23rd; approving the height ordinance amendment whose public hearing was held during this meeting; install two overhead door openers at the campground building.
Several Communications were brought up during this meeting. Those given no immediate response by the Council were: Castle Danger Brewery’s annual Earth Day cleanup on April 25th; an invitation from RAMS (Range Association of Municipalities and Schools) to attend Lobby Day at St. Paul on April 14th; a RAMS membership notice on the budget impacts of iron mining trends; and a letter from Chanin Law Firm terminating a purchase and development agreement. Several residents also requested relief from proposed assessment costs for the Lighthouse Point Road Project; however, it was noted that the city doesn’t typically give relief for individual assessment requests. The Two Harbors Pilots Association’s request was referred to the Public Works Committee for further discussion, as was a request for the City to provide more recycling receptacles.
The first new business item approved, involving the City’s Assessment Deferral Policy and Special Assessment Policy, was explained briefly by the Finance Director as being minor updates to make the documents less confusing. Second on the agenda, also approved, was an agreement between the City and UMD to lease land at the Water Treatment Plant building and grounds for two years for a research project concerning Lake Superior. This would include the University paying for permanent building improvements, which would benefit the City beyond the terms of the lease. New business item 3, approved, involves securing financing for the Lighthouse Point Road Project, the 15th Street Watermain Project, and the 4th Street Watermain Project. Bond details will be discussed more at the next City Council meeting. Item 4 on the agenda was tabled for a later date. Item 5, approved, will see ten fire hydrants painted as part of Two Harbors celebrating the U.S.A.’s 250th Anniversary. Item 6 was the long-awaited approval of the Agate Bay Waterfront Plan, which was discussed in detail during the last special meeting on March 30th. This plan involves the future use of a large plot of land under acquisition by the City from the DNR. Items 7 and 8 were removed from the agenda for the time being.
