The Silver Bay City Council meeting was conducted in an efficient manner last Tuesday evening. Two resolutions and three proposals were on the agenda and all were passed by the Council.
Joe Rhein, of Bolton & Menk, informed the Council that four bids for the improvements to East Lakeview Drive have been received. Rhein had a recommendation as to which of the bids to accept and stated that Lake County will “own the contract” and will award the bid. The City has obtained $1.8 million in grant funding for the project and construction is likely to start in October and finish up in the Spring of next year. The additional resolution before the Council pertains to an easement agreement with Cleveland Cliffs-North-Shore Mining, to expand parking, trails and camping sites at Black Beach Park. The Council unanimously passed both resolutions.
The City has been in need of a Caterpillar Excavator for a couple of years. This type of equipment has been in short supply due to recent supply chain problems, but City Administrator, Lana Fralich, informed the Council that one is available for purchase. The cost of the excavator is somewhat higher than expected, but since the overall expense for replacement has been included in the city budget, the Council gave the purchase a green light.
The City has entered into an annual renewal agreement with the Minnesota Lottery. Silver Bay receives approximately $50,000 a year in revenue that comes from the lottery, according to Mayor Wade LeBlanc.
Silver Bay Public Library staff will receive some training through the Blandin Foundation. Blandin awarded a $100,000 grant for expansion and renovation of the city’s library. The Blandin Foundation works to help build resilient, resourceful rural communities in Minnesota. The Foundation “stands with communities as they design and claim their futures”. Library staff will be part of a rural place-making cohort that will include building relationships among rural leaders as they work to advance their communities.
Finally, a special meeting for the review and approval of the Boathouse Bay development is planned for September 19th at 1:00. The special meeting may be shifted to the regular City Council meeting that is scheduled for September 18th. Residents who are interested in attending this meeting should stay informed about this possible change in scheduling.
