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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

CITY OF TOWER

Kringstad to oversee city’s COVID-19 response

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 7/3/20

TOWER— In a ten-minute special meeting last Friday, the city council here adopted a COVID-19 preparedness plan and approved a resolution for a demolition grant from the Department of Iron Range …

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CITY OF TOWER

Kringstad to oversee city’s COVID-19 response

Posted

TOWER— In a ten-minute special meeting last Friday, the city council here adopted a COVID-19 preparedness plan and approved a resolution for a demolition grant from the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation.
Clerk-treasurer Victoria Ranua said she tried to build some flexibility into the health preparedness plan so the city’s response could be modified as conditions change, without coming back to the council each time. Under the plan, Mayor Orlyn Kringstad would have primary authority and responsibility for implementing its provisions.
Under a June 5 executive order by Gov. Tim Walz, all cities were required to adopt COVID-19 preparedness plans by June 29.
The council also unanimously approved a resolution to authorize application to the IRRR’s residential redevelopment program on behalf of the Tower Economic Development Authority. The TEDA acquired a blighted, tax-forfeit residence located at 510 S Second St. earlier this year with the intent of redeveloping the site for new housing. The roof on the existing house had leaked badly for several years and the house is now heavily infested with mold and rot, which is why TEDA opted for demolition. Once the house is removed, TEDA officials have discussed either partnering with Habitat for Humanity or contracting for the construction of a new house on the site for eventual sale.
The IRRR grant will fund approximately 75 percent of the $10,778 expense to demolish and remove the structure, with TEDA covering the remainder.
Ranua noted that the city has used the IRRR residential redevelopment program a number of times for the demolition of abandoned residences in the city.