Welcome to the first edition of Range Facts by Iron Range Today, a collection of briefs and notes from city governments and school boards from throughout the previous week. 

If the name rings a bell, it should. It pays tribute to an earlier Iron Range newspaper published in Aurora. While this feature is entirely new, it shares the same goal of collecting the everyday decisions, announcements and developments that shape communities across the Range.

Range Facts is launching as a recurring piece as Iron Range Today expands its coverage of local government.

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Gilbert City Council met on June 23 and began with a lengthy discussion on how the city’s public works department is reporting its time and activity. 

Councilor Rudy Vertachnik questioned Marion DeLage, administrative assistant for the city, on the reports given to the council that night. DeLage was filling in for Interim City Clerk Lynn Lorey. He said the information presented was the same and did not provide accountability on how long the employees spent on a project. 

“Our staff is so stressed out and you’re trying to put a time frame on everything they’ve done,” DeLage said. “I mean, that’s a little beyond micromanaging.”

The clerk said the report typed out by her staff was given to her earlier that day. She also told the councilor to “spit it out” about what he wanted.

“I need to know how much time they spend on each one of these projects that they’re doing,” Vertachnik added.

DeLage responded: “They are moving forward on projects, they’re just never moving fast enough for you.”

His concerns centered on two employees logging nine hours a day on mowing, gaining overtime. He considered a motion to deny overtime for public works and office employees, prompting a scoff from DeLage. 

“Do you want my opinion or should I just not say anything here?” she asked. “I would love to not work overtime … we can’t get the work done.”

Mayor Karl Oberstar Jr. suggested a motion for Lorey to fix the problem, saying “she can address that problem on her own.”

The council ultimately approved both motions, putting a moratorium on overtime for public works and city office staff unless there is an emergency, and directing the interim clerk to fix scheduling in the city office. 

Lorey was recently-hired deputy clerk, is serving in an interim capacity after Gilbert investigated its former full-time clerk, who resigned late this spring. The full-time clerk job is posted on the city’s website.

Correction/clarification: This story was corrected on Monday, July 6, to reflect Marion DeLage as the speaker at the meeting, not Lynn Lorey. The video was from Gilbert was unclear who was filling the clerk’s role that night.

In other actions:

• The council set a 4:30 p.m. special meeting on Tuesday, June 30, to discuss blight concerns with Gilbert Police Chief Ty Techar. 

Accessing the Gilbert City Council

Gilbert City Council agendas and minutes can generally be found on the city’s website. Recordings of the meetings can be found through Mesabi Community TV’s Vimeo account. Editor’s note: Gilbert’s current interim clerk situation has caused a lag in agendas being posted. Agendas should be available at city hall prior to meetings.

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The Virginia City Council has a special meeting set for 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, with four items on the agenda. 

Chief among them is reviewing the requests for proposals (RFPs) for a forensic audit concerning the $3.7 million in misappropriated sales tax funds. The RFP will ask auditing firms to look at the financial activity of the fund from its inception in 2021 through June 1 this year.

In addition the city is asking auditors to examine entries, review bond documents as related to authorized uses of the fund; analyze transactions for accordance with city laws, state statutes and bond rules; identify any irregularities; recommend corrective actions; and present a final report in a public meeting.

An estimated timeline for completion of a forensic audit is unknown, but the council’s selection timeline to choose a possible firm is July 28. 

In addition, Virginia councilors will be assigning two members to a task force on the audit, and authorizing an extension of the regular 2025 audit.

Iron Range Today recently analyzed the last four city audits, finding a budget that grew more complex without oversight measures that tracked with it. 

Accessing the Virginia City Council

Virginia City Council agendas, minutes and packets can be found on the city’s website. Recordings of the meetings can be found on YouTube.

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Hoyt Lakes held its latest city council meeting on June 23, wrapping up matters in under 19 minutes, approving minor items on new business. 

One fire/EMS resignation was tabled until the next meeting as two members are in the fire department and would need to abstain. A quorum was not otherwise available for the vote.

Councilor David Jarvela, during reports, said he attended a planning meeting and heard from Northshore Development about seeking an apartment project in Hoyt Lakes.

One possible location is near the assisted living facility. Northshore did not recommend the old school grounds, as it would be better for other use. Jarvela said the current mobile home park was brought up, but there was no response from the owner. “It’s still a big mess out there,” Jarvela said. 

Councilor Jill Eckman toured the incoming grocery store in Aurora. The owner said the structure has been turned into a cooperative that consumers can buy shares in. She said the co-op expects to be open before July 4, but may open without a deli and butcher shop as they await final inspection.

Eckman also said the owner plans to be in Hoyt Lakes early July to start work on the city’s bowling alley. 

Accessing the Hoyt Lakes City Council

Hoyt Lakes City Council agendas, minutes and packets can be found on the city’s website. Recordings of the meetings can be found on YouTube.