[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6223754,"mediaKeyId","3563920-7e0afb01116e126bd61efd4cfad49050","parentId",3563920,"title","Council approves SEH agreement to develop 30% plans for Sixth Avenue overhaul","audioSeconds",267,"startMs",1710000,"endMs",1977000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563920-7e0afb01116e126bd61efd4cfad49050&start=1710&end=1977","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563920-7e0afb01116e126bd61efd4cfad49050/thumbnail_1710000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6223754/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-SEH-agreement-to-develop-30-plans-for-Sixth-Avenue-overhaul","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223754-910de7b28f815d09fb061834e9fe67a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185421&Signature=cDMnbsVnHjMKt8DaOcxbrM36PzxB2J9WTJjn8TwUTOdt6CQSQXRpAyVmw-fcYBhasjtX8snnc8SxihXP0KdTQRklwVluW3Q568rv2VHhYITJJ0vO-49tqqriJi8w7-08C6EWu1hVmWbY7eiHbD1MSdpYKa5vi96k-3vdR-WTOg3sRiU3KGzozyndorIn1pB4tdUekTS35Hr-SbfIbTZXqy-aZZegNhxqlztjj4VrnrfirvVAsLBjVdFFbSnMUeb18yg~B5UghQCDTwPIXNR8KuVr1QCNv5oTxT30onTTRxyPDdVZ7cpy4thjnXJMbZjvMa1FZF000ml8nb02-UlbHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Virginia, MN","date","2025-05-28T11:26:11Z","article","The Virginia City Council approved a professional services agreement with SEH to produce 30 percent design plans and cost estimates for the Sixth Avenue reconstruction project, a major infrastructure undertaking that city staff said will require extensive utility remediation.

Why it matters: Sixth Avenue runs through much of the city and staff described its infrastructure as “crumbling,” requiring repairs to road and underlying public-utility systems. Producing 30 percent plans is the next step to secure funding and set a project schedule and budget.

Project description and council action: Matt Reid of SEH (professional services presenter) discussed the work and its purpose: to get to 30 percent plans and an accurate cost estimate so the city can pursue funding. Councilors moved and supported a resolution to approve a professional services agreement with SEH for the 2026 Sixth Avenue Construction Project.

Scope and timing: Councilors and staff said the project will require remediation of the Department of Public Utilities infrastructure under Sixth Avenue and will be extensive and costly. The council described the corridor as the city’s main arterial and said the request to SEH is to develop the best-case estimate at the 30 percent design stage. No final construction contract or funding package was approved at this meeting; the action authorized the next phase of engineering work.

Ending: With SEH engaged to complete the 30 percent plans and cost estimate, councilors said staff will use that information to seek grants, bond financing or other funding and return to council with schedule and budget recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Virginia City Council | May 28th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a professional services agreement to develop 30% plans and cost estimates for the Sixth Avenue reconstruction project, which staff described as an extensive, multi-utility effort requiring remediation and phased work.","taxTitle","Virginia City, St. Louis County, Minnesota","taxId",71108,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223759,"Council heads into closed session on clinic negotiations after public criticism of health system tactics",0,1174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563920-7e0afb01116e126bd61efd4cfad49050&start=1174&end=1174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563920-7e0afb01116e126bd61efd4cfad49050/thumbnail_1174000.jpg","/articles/6223759/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-heads-into-closed-session-on-clinic-negotiations-after-public-criticism-of-health-system-tactics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223759-6da7323524ab48bf47b0f692c2f24edc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185421&Signature=HT81QhSQ5Hx~yj1zjgM60DdtmfMEWui2B~malh2kQDNF7OzVthUw67~09joo-3klkKcQlB7kr6yd8YGyP4f50G-Yl-w~o6hymzKyVLGIc35wpEt9~hkJQDDxFfXXiqOnPr4KqnvC~dM5NyJVmcr5tFtI2XnST0TtJTBRjgcYBixFN2vNEoo4jee~1muYVqKYhkxfJYbIXcFylXllRthaaz41nWznY8nJuExyaFg20~LJNZiAuwYa2kMtQLDBRbFy~a3Ioe4RpE3PbK59KeaRJuu3j21ghVbnpYkBoeYa~z-vaHODFZQCoUL-wf9zN2cFsEGBPIsKWHA48bcSRh6egw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia City Council moved into a closed session on May 27 to discuss preliminary property negotiations for the possible sale of land tied to a clinic, and later directed staff to proceed with negotiations as discussed in the closed session.

Legal counsel Brian Lindsey told the council that, since the prior meeting, he and city staff had reached out to a health system (named in meeting discussion) and had “had some very positive meetings since then,” and that additional information would be presented in the closed session.

Why it matters: The clinic lease and potential property sale touch on the city’s efforts to preserve local health services and involve negotiations with a health-system partner. The council invoked Minnesota Statute 13D.05, subdivision 3, paragraph 1, to close the meeting for preliminary property negotiations.

Public and council remarks: During public forum, Councilor Johnson and several residents criticized tactics they said were used by the health system’s representatives. Johnson said the city had been negotiating for years and described outreach from the health system as “heavy handed,” saying staff had received private calls and that the system’s contacts had implied services would be withdrawn if the city did not agree. Johnson said she asked a health-system representative who left a voicemail to speak publicly in the council chamber and that the representative declined.

Council action and staff direction: After a motion and second, the council moved into closed session pursuant to Minnesota statute to discuss parcel ID 090-0030-0369960. When the council reconvened, a motion was carried directing staff to proceed with the property negotiations as discussed in closed session. Councilors later thanked negotiators named by the council—Brian Lindsey and city staff member Bridal Cibenez—for their work on the issue.

Ending: The council’s public materials indicate continued negotiations; the council’s closed-session direction authorizes staff to continue talks and return to council with further results. The city did not disclose negotiation details in open session consistent with the statutory exception for preliminary property negotiations.","The council moved to a closed session under Minnesota statute to discuss preliminary property negotiations for a health clinic; councilors and residents criticized the negotiating behavior of a health system during public comment and in council remarks.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223764,"Residents warn of mounting debt as council advances bond and redevelopment measures",1112,489000,1601000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563920-7e0afb01116e126bd61efd4cfad49050&start=489&end=1601","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563920-7e0afb01116e126bd61efd4cfad49050/thumbnail_489000.jpg","/articles/6223764/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Residents-warn-of-mounting-debt-as-council-advances-bond-and-redevelopment-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223764-c224805bd45a54515c9cacafbffe3526/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185421&Signature=BZ2OtsVZH09xoUC4cysM3b~3-pnqh5yTQIFNOdEtwSwZ8sWNst9nwtn9sANszm9aIpkAoPkGfbBAmfLk6uDQLoNG1uFT4dXWjCORV46tCqViH3M0Rkt~Y4JqHgMZ1UUfGTtyIEjsHB0UUDg7qUVLDVDgLxhJX9993TkfTgI9aGoqRUUVLISPn3Swq8MixifXUIrXijGeB7m5-idrcQrzhTJp6NKGUvfdNMwunMT515vG0QvWE7GWQoQb3ZLIiDj7PCt-xhVp5pbHBR5YjTvMHVS7w6~CCyYJa8rq4EAW9TjMVjEziwvfQchEyoe0A6CEm~MD~D099l-SB3lZ2cDM2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public commenters told the Virginia City Council on May 27 that the city’s long-term debt position is precarious and urged immediate cuts and outside help, as councilors moved forward with multiple financing resolutions and redevelopment agreements.

Greg Lindsey, a resident, told the council the city’s combined long-term debt was $119,000,000 in the city’s 2023 audit and outlined additional near-term financing needs, saying: “We’re bonding for Southern Drive for $10,000,000 … We need a bond for $5,000,000 for roof repairs … and 10 months from now, we’re gonna need a minimum of $10,000,000 to tear up Sixth Avenue.” He said those items, plus other spending, could push total debt toward “about a hundred and 44 to a hundred and $50,000,000.”

Why it matters: Council action this month included approval of resolutions to issue general obligation bonds and to pursue a taxable general-obligation tax-increment-financing (TIF) bond for an Eptown Mall project, steps that affect the city’s borrowing and future debt service. City staff and councilors repeatedly described the Sixth Avenue infrastructure work and other capital needs as large and expensive, making financing choices consequential for taxpayers and future budgets.

Council votes and measures: At the May 20 committee meeting and in the May 27 council meeting packet, the council approved a resolution regarding issuance of general obligation bonds, series 2025A, and later approved a separate resolution for a taxable general obligation TIF bond, series 2025B, for TIF District 7-1. During the committee discussion council staff said the 2025B issuance was not to exceed $600,000 with an interest rate not to exceed 7.5 percent; the council moved and supported both resolutions.

Related actions included approval of an agreement with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to reimburse payment in lieu of taxes and an assessment agreement with the city’s Public Utilities Commission tied to Washington Manor redevelopment. Councilors described that sale and HRA involvement as a step to reduce city costs by transferring specialized housing assets to the HRA.

Public and council comments: Resident Kathy Katie told the council she agreed with Lindsey and urged the council to “reach out for help from citizens that know stuff,” saying the city needs expertise on finances and building management. Councilor Motley told the audience she heard the concerns and acknowledged the city is coping with “a monstrosity of things that are falling apart right now, infrastructure and everything else,” and that some issues predate current council members.

Next steps and context: City staff said the bond sale timeline had been adjusted in late May, with sale ratification dates discussed at committee of the whole meetings. Councilors said the engineering and planning stages (for example, for Sixth Avenue) will produce 30 percent plans and cost estimates the city will use to seek funding. Councilors also authorized staff to pursue agreements and further actions tied to redevelopment and utility assessments.

Ending: Residents’ public comments framed the financing debate as urgent; council actions this month authorized specific borrowing steps and HRA agreements but left broader fiscal choices—spending cuts, long-term debt strategy, and rate or tax implications—for future council consideration.","Public commenters urged the City of Virginia to curb rising long-term debt after a presentation on bond ratings; the council approved several financing resolutions and HRA agreements tied to redevelopment and tax-increment financing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves SEH agreement to develop 30% plans for Sixth Avenue overhaul

Council heads into closed session on clinic negotiations after public criticism of health system tactics

Residents warn of mounting debt as council advances bond and redevelopment measures