September 2026’s second council meeting went by in a flash with no major issues of discussion, though several residents were in attendance to question a mailing about water lines. Many residents recently received a letter from Bolton & Menk regarding safe water, warning about potential lead water pipes. It was explained that these are mailed out not because of any immediate dangers, but because not all portions of the city’s pipelines have been verified as compliant with the state’s safety standards. In contrast, provided lines have been verified as safe from curb stop to home, properties along streets that have already undergone utility reconstruction as part of Silver Bay’s 2026 Citywide Street & Utility Improvements Project did not receive these letters because the pipelines along those stretches have been updated and verified as compliant.
Before continuing with the rest of the meeting, Mayor Wade LeBlanc took a moment to reflect on an anniversary that took place earlier this month since the last meeting: 25 years since 9/11 in 2001: “We want to thank all first responders on that tragic day. We also want to recognize all those that lose their lives on a daily basis to violence, suicide, accidents, or other unfortunate circumstances, and recognize all first responders, especially those that serve in the Silver Bay community and surrounding area. Thank you.”
The NE MN Elected Leadership Circle will be holding a nonpartisan weekend retreat for local elected and appointed leaders in the region, with educational sessions covering different aspects of leadership. LeBlanc recommended attendance for any interested Councilmembers, commenting that it was an easier way to get training than in action on the job. The Council also discussed wanting a member in attendance at the annual RAMS (Range Association of Municipalities and Schools) dinner and meeting to be held December 3rd in Virginia, MN. Although Councilor Shane Hoff has taken charge of leading Silver Bay’s presence with RAMS in the past, his term limit is coming up, and he is hoping to have his successor take over where he is leaving off.
In more recent events, LeBlanc relayed his plans to attend the upcoming Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Superior Hiking Trail’s Bean and Bear Lakes Loop and Campground Renewal Project. The project included trail reroutes, better infrastructure, and improvements to the campsites at Bear Lake that will benefit anyone enjoying those trails in the area.
The Council also considered a request regarding a driveway that will be affected by the reconstruction from the City’s Street Improvements Project. The concern of larger driveways being remade to be a smaller, more standardized size arose during an earlier meeting on the Special Assessments for the project. LeBlanc’s response was to request a special joint meeting with Public Works to discuss the matter on September 28th, which was accepted by the Council.
Consent agenda items of note approved included: an advertisement for a full-time HR and Payroll Coordinator position with updates from the previous job description; a second special meeting on September 28th to take action on the preliminary proposed 2027 budget and 2027 levy; and making use of a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Professional Development Travel grant given by the Minnesota Department of Education to provide training as recommended by the Silver Bay Library Board.
