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HomeNewsSilver Bay Council Considers Change Order for Multi-Modal Trailhead Project

Silver Bay Council Considers Change Order for Multi-Modal Trailhead Project

The Multi-Modal Trailhead project in Silver Bay has had a number of change orders since its inception. The original maximum guaranteed price tag came in at $4,361,223. There have been a number of necessary adjustments to that amount due to design changes and cost-saving measures. Some features of the project, like plumbing plan revisions, have added to the cost of the project, while other features, like changes in hardware and removal of the planned window shades, have reduced the cost. At Monday night’s meeting, the Council approved a change order that is needed so that bathrooms at the Center will be compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) specifications. The change order up for consideration will add $17,107.93 to the project cost, bringing the guaranteed maximum price to $4,391,192. In addition to bringing the bathroom stalls into ADA compliance, the increase in amount will go toward work required for the operations of pay stations and for the addition of soffit trim. DSGW, the architectural firm that designed the trailhead center, has agreed to reimburse the city for a portion of the charges relating to the shower stalls. In addition, the city officials anticipate receiving some of the contingency funds back from Krause Anderson that would cover the remaining amount or a portion thereof, minimizing the amount the city will need to cover.

In other business, there are a number of open seats on city boards and commissions that expire on December 31, 2025. The Council approved the renewals of the following board members to their respective seats: Dick Stern to the Park and Rec Board, Steve Van House to the EDA Board, Nelson French to Planning and Zoning, and Steve Van House to the Mary Mac Committee. Additionally, council members agreed to add Mary Hoffman to the Mary Mac Committee. With the many structural needs and decisions that must be attended to at the Mary Mac facility, it was felt that an additional member on that committee would be beneficial to the decision-making process. There will be a public meeting scheduled in January to get feedback on expanding the Mary Mac committee.

The Safety Committee is recommending improving the city’s safety and training options by using NEOGOV, which is a comprehensive and automated software system designed for local governments. The Silver Bay Police Department currently uses NEOGOV for their P.O.S.T. required training and finds the system user-friendly. There is a three-year proposal that provides a low introductory offer in year one ($3,263), year two increases slightly at a discounted rate ($4,050), and year three has a larger increase with a small rate reduction ($8,284). The average training is $5,200/year, which is less than $300 for a full-time employee. The city may opt out with 30 days’ notice if the training system does not meet the city’s needs. Costs for this training software would be offset by what is currently spent on training/hotels/meals. Staff will first seek NEOGOV training before attending off-site training; however, some off-site training will be required for training that requires hands-on, testing, or when continuing education credits are not offered.

Truth In Taxation will be included at the next Silver Bay Council meeting, scheduled for December 15th at 7:00. Council meeting times will change to 6:00 pm starting on January 2nd.

Rick Evans
Rick Evans
My wife, Marsha Kinzer (a proud DEHS Greyhound, class of ‘77) introduced me to the North Shore on vacation in 2012. It became our regular escape when the stress of our careers in education became overwhelming, and it didn’t take me long to fall in love with the breathtaking scenery, the nice people, and “salad” containing Jell-o and marshmallows. So you can either blame or thank my loving wife for my being here, because when we needed to choose a retirement hometown, Marsha advocated hard for her beloved Duluth, and here we are, six months later. Yes, this will be my first northern Minnesota winter. Yes, I welcome thoughts and prayers. Government, public policy, and social justice weighed heavily in the curriculums I taught at the high school level over a thirty-eight year career. In addition, we were a laboratory school focused on critical thinking in conjunction with technical and scientific writing. So when I found myself adrift on the great ocean of retirement and spied a raft, I jumped at the chance to take up what I’d left behind…minus the bad teachers’ lounge coffee. My position at the NSJ allows me to combine my passions for government and writing, and it’s helping me to feel less out of touch in new surroundings. When I’m not being “Cubby” (Marsha’s favorite new nickname for this green reporter) I enjoy pointing at eagles and saying, “Look, honey. There’s an eagle.” I’ve had an active side hustle as a professional musician for almost as many years as Charlie Parr. As a guitarist/singer/songwriter, I graced the stages of clubs and festivals around southern Wisconsin, including an appearance on A Prairie Home Companion. Should I even mention A Prairie Home Companion, or am I the only one here old enough to remember what that is? Look! An eagle!
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