Truck knocks out power, council meeting cancelled

A downed power line caused by a semi-tractor trailer had a domino effect. In addition to knocking out power at city hall and parts of Babbitt, the city council had to cancel Tuesday night’s regular meeting.

That caused a special emergency meeting to be held at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday to solve a vehicle problem with the police department.

Two of the police department vehicles had issues including a $4,000 repair for the Dodge Durango. The Chevy Tahoe also wasn’t running right.

Council members present were Glenn Anderson, Paul Hoheisel and Jim Lassi with mayor Duane Lossing and Joe White absent.

Police chief Troy Bissonette spoke to the council in a dark room with the power still out.

“I talked to Sheriff Gordon Ramsey last night, St. Louis County has a squad that they’ll deliver to us today. We can use it for the next three weeks free of charge,” said Bissonette.

The council decided to have the city pay to have the Durango fixed and then sell it.

“The new one is should be here end of the month,” said Bissonette. “Can’t really sell the Durango until we get the new one because we need a backup.”

The council also passed a motion to authorize the use of the sheriff’s department squad car.

Without a meeting the night before, the council also discussed a meetingwithIRRRBcommissioner Ida Rukavina the next day. The meeting in Mt. Iron was hosted by RAMS, the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools.

Council member Glenn Anderson said he was planning to attend and asked that city clerk Robecca Jaeger also be granted authorization to attend.

The meeting was to discuss housing and available funding for potential projects.

The council passed the motion 2-1 with Anderson abstaining from the motion since he was going to be attending the meeting.