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The Babbitt city council held an hour-long meeting on Feb. 18 with three council members in attendance. Both Mayor Andrea ZupancichandcouncilmemberJoe White were absent. That left Jim Lassi, Duane Lossing and John Fitzpatrick to take care of business.
The council took up a new ordinance to ban feeding deer in town.
Lassi pushed to have the ordinance take effect in the fall. He said people are already feeding deer and it would be better to start after the winter is over.
Language in the ordinance includes: “Prohibition: It shall be unlawful for any person or group to place or permit to be placed on the ground, or within five feet of the ground surface, either on property owned or controlled by such person or on property owned by other, any grain, fodder, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay, or other edible materials, which may reasonably be expected in a manner that prevents deer from feeding on them. Also prohibited are salt licks and powder or liquid deer attractants, unless legally used for deer management control purposes. Living fruit trees and other live vegetation shall not be considered as deer feeding. The provisions of this division shall apply to the city limits.”
There are some exceptions in the ordinance, including: “Persons feeding birds using self-enclosed feeding devices or containers; or The use of straw, hay, or straw-related materials for erosion control, mulching, gardening or other landscape purposes.”
With only three members present, the issue was tabled.
The council heard a pitch from Jeff Hanson of Clearwater Biologic to support a grant application for a sulfate removal system. The application is being made by WICOLA (White Iron Chain of Lakes Association) which has taken positions against mining including in a current lawsuit involving copper-nickel mining.
Hanson, who has been championing his system for a number of years, appeared by Zoom at the meeting.
“What kind of support have you gotten from Cleveland Cliffs?” asked Lossing.
Hanson said WICOLA has not approached the owner of Northshore Mine on this proposal. He said the company is aware of the process he is proposing.
“Are they aware of what you guys are wanting to do there? I’m talking about on the project you’re talking about now,” said Lossing.
“No, on this grant application, no,” said Hanson.
“I’m very leery about this process right now. First I heard about it. I am always leery of environmentalists and environmental projects when it comes to sulfates and standards and things I know nothing about,” said Lassi. “I would like to table this and do a little investigating on my own and find out where other people come on this. I can not endorse it at this time.”
Lossing said he has questions as well and the “effect on the big picture.”
The issue was tabled. City clerk-treasurer Robecca Jaeger informed the council she added a transfer line item to clear out a balance in the campground funds. This related to the December 2024 city summary of funds that had been questioned by Zupancich and previously tabled.
The three members of the council approved the December report.
There was clarification on the new format of council meetings. Zupancich had requested that a study session be held at 5 p.m. with the council meeting to follow. In effect, the beginning of the council meeting could start at 5 p.m.
if there is nothing on the study session agenda.
City attorney Joel Liewicki recommended the council post that meetings start at 5 p.m.
The council again discussed a dock for the beach area. Street department director Tony Chamberlin said the city has had up to four docks total, with two for boats, one for dogs to jump off of and one for beach access.
Lossing asked that the issue be tabled. The packet included an additional quote from Jimmy Z’s Sales for a six-foot wide dock system for $11,965. Previously the other similar quotes were from Docks on Wheels for $23,960 and Minnesota Department of Corrections for $34,950.
The docks from Jimmy Z’s were made out of aluminum while the other two were made out of steel with wood decking.
At a previous meeting Chamberlin had said he preferred a steel dock system.
The council tabled the decision on the docks.
Jaeger addressed an agenda item on the loading dock area of the Municipal Building. She said the recreation department would like to pursue costs and grants to change that area into a fitness center.
In other business the council:
• Set the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting for April 15 at 5 p.m. with the St. Louis County Assessor’s Office.
• Approved waiving rental fees for the Friends of the Library events on June 6-7 and June 21.
• Tabled increasing the yearly firefighter pension to $1,900 per year of service, an increase of $100. Chamberlin said if there was a shortfall the amount would be reduced but cities are responsible for any financial shortfalls. Lossing asked for something in writing that showed the city wouldn’t be responsible. The last increase was from $1,100 to $1,800 in 2022.
• Approved hiring Alex Herring as a casual laborer for the street department.
• Approved a request to hire on-call ambulance employees who don’t live within the area. The motion was to hire people from Hoyt Lakes and Ely.
“We’re having a hard time filling on-call shifts especially during the daytime hours,” said Jaeger. Those jobs pay $10 an hour between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Heard the city may not get paid back for three loan balances with the Junction properties. The owner passed away and the properties have been taken over by a bank.
