This week’s meeting was brief, with Council members Hoff and Bautch not in attendance. Consent agenda items of note approved included: notices of upcoming summer and part time employment opportunities and a job opening for a Campground Host, which can be found on the city of Silver Bay’s website; openings on the Parks and Recreation Board and Mary MacDonald Committee, also found on the city’s website; a special/conditional use permit and business lease for part of the Mary MacDonald Business Center; the resignation of ELI Yachts as Marina Management; a touring contract with Storybook Theatre for “Hansel and Gretel”; and Boathouse Bay TIF (Tax Increment Financing) withdrawal #10.
The bulk of the meeting involved business from the city administrator, starting with Resolution 2026 #23, a proposed contractor agreement with North Shore Boat Works, LLC to take over Marina Management. The contract approved by the council has no notable changes from the contract with the previous company, ELI Yachts. The company will be taking over at the beginning of May. Resolution 2026 #24 is a small update to Resolution 2025 #65 to specify that certain costs associated with the city’s engineering firm, Bolton & Menk, Inc., are for construction services. Resolution 2026 #14A accepts a bid from the electrical contractor Wescom and authorizes work on the Water Treatment Facility Upgrade and Booster Station Project. Resolution 2026 #25 amends a contract within the Citywide Street and Utility Improvements Project to allow for additional funding as well as additional improvements included in the Project. The funding would come from combining funds for projects, approved by Minnesota’s Department of Health, allowing for an additional $5.3 million in WIF (Water Infrastructure Fund) grants. This additional funding would allow for additional water infrastructure improvements in Silver Bay. Resolution 2026 #26 applies for a loan from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority using their Drinking Water Revolving Fund. This state fund provides low-interest loans to improve public drinking water systems and will be used for Silver Bay’s Watermain Replacement Project. Resolution 2026 #27 involves approving plans and opening bids for improvement No. 2026-01A of the Citywide Street and Utility Improvements Project. The Council was unable to act on it during this session as it requires a supermajority (in the case of the Silver Bay City Council, 4 out of 5 members) vote, and two council members were absent. The Council set a meeting for March 31st to vote on the resolution without pushing the project’s deadline. Resolution 2026 #28, also tied to the Citywide Street and Utility Improvements Project, approves a bid from Full Sun Services to clear trees and do related cleanup in preparation for the project. The deadline for the tree removal/cleanup is March 31st. Resolution 2026 #29 approves a contract with Minnesota Power for interconnection for the solar power system at the Multi-Modal Trailhead Center. All resolutions passed. City Administrator Fralich also briefly discussed submitting three applications for Congressionally Directed Spending, seeking additional funding for local projects.
The one piece of new business was the local winner of the statewide 2025 Mayor for a Day Essay Contest, Everlie Ernest. As one of the three winners, Ernest will be receiving a plaque and a $100 check. Mayor LeBlanc congratulated Everlie, with Council member DeRosier enjoying Ernest’s emphasis on the love of cookies in her essay.
