[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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",6181271,"mediaKeyId","5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4","parentId",5113450,"title","Virginia City leaders press for short- and long-term fixes after wastewater bypasses and basement flooding","audioSeconds",278,"startMs",856000,"endMs",1134000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4&start=856&end=1134","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4/thumbnail_856000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6181271/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Virginia-City-leaders-press-for-short-and-long-term-fixes-after-wastewater-bypasses-and-basement-flooding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181271-e8f5863762ad61e1f092ddc394109a37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191579&Signature=HXt8pSgEPnkvIhvECfMF732asQI4~Y~fvHMVqY4yGp912P2gqJFG6x6cQvf15M-w6tnrU4eLj9EzflEJjWIplmmfCphMzju87S4frosgnrIjLd1np~e-8JJKbsBHynNHlEMhC79XlvxMNWqxUR~JR8K46xvppKEV1labPt7W2bhGBPhGvRE3xA2uwJBvwBGwL7PMTfMF2GRwMjHrV0iwOYEHXD57q4mvgF5143LQMiXkCdjk-2r3gN5vI7JBmQelclSQ5eDIOg7pThZMFGya9DeBHCZMAb0FFXu6EQA9065jEQbIo~zlFLI00cs4WLnFiGQkFP7lG9X5ejSUnPeGtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Virginia, MN","date","2025-07-02T04:39:39.613Z","article","Paul Christiansen, an operator with PeopleService, told the Virginia City Council’s Committee of the Whole on July 1 that recent rain events produced flows far beyond normal levels at the city’s wastewater plant and that emergency bypasses had been used to protect public health.

“We opened the bypass at 03:20AM on Saturday, June 21,” Paul Christiansen said, describing operator action during the June 20–21 storm. He told the council that normal daily flows are about 800,000–900,000 gallons per day but that flows spiked to about 10,000,000 gallons per day during the June 17 storm and to about 8,000,000 gallons per day on June 21. Christiansen said the plant can handle roughly 3,000 gallons per minute through its treatment process but that the influent pumps and other limiting factors mean operators sometimes must bypass the plant to prevent sewage backing into basements.

Why it matters: councilors and residents said hundreds of homes experienced basement flooding and sewage backups after the storms, and several speakers urged quicker short-term protections while the city pursues longer-term engineering fixes and funding.

Christiansen described the mechanics and limits: the plant has about 3,000,000 gallons of on-site retention and an influent flow meter that reads up to roughly 12,000 gallons per minute before becoming submerged and losing an accurate reading. He also described the bypass device as a roughly 40-inch pipe whose valve requires about 100 turns to open and “takes about 15 minutes to open.” He said operators must notify the Minnesota duty officer and collect bypass samples when bypasses occur. “Property human health has to come first before environmental compliance,” Christiansen said.

Public works director Jim Rosvid told the council the city’s collection system, not PeopleService, makes the call to open bypasses; operators at the plant carry out the physical operation and sampling. Rosvid said the city’s lift stations and aging pumps add operational constraints and that recent inspections show many pumps and casings are old and in need of replacement. He confirmed the city stages and uses portable pumps and that staff are working around the clock during high-flow events. Rosvid said the city has three large portable pumps available (two diesel, one gasoline) and that adding more pumps would be expensive.

Councilors pressed for actionable steps. Councilor Pam Paulson moved — and Councilor Motley supported — a motion directing staff to contact regulatory agencies about the potential to increase sanitary sewer outflow capacity and the distance of the outfall. That motion passed. Council later approved a separate motion authorizing the public works director to stage pumps and take operational actions to mitigate flooding; that motion passed on a 6–1 roll call.

City engineer Matt Reed and PeopleService offered immediate and longer-term ideas at the meeting: additional bypass or relief pumps placed further out in the collection system; targeted retention (holding) basins or ponds like those used in nearby communities; expanded smoke testing and targeted I/I (inflow and infiltration) investigations; homeowner education about sump pump discharge and check valves; and a team-based plan combining city staff, the engineer of record, and PeopleService to develop a prioritized capital plan.

Not all details were resolved at the meeting. Councilors asked for clearer records about whether a plant bypass occurred on June 17; Christiansen said the plant did not bypass on the 17th and that a bypass was opened at 03:20 a.m. on June 21, while members of public works and some councilors reported differing recollections. Christiansen said flow meters and SCADA trends provide detailed time-series data and agreed to share those records with city staff and the engineer of record.

What happens next: Council directed staff to assemble a pathway for action — combining operations, prioritized repairs, and funding options — and to pursue regulatory and permitting conversations. Christiansen and PeopleService told the council they will work with city staff and the engineer of record to provide data and technical input for that pathway. Residents who suffered damage asked the council to seek immediate, demonstrable relief while longer-term projects are funded and scheduled.

Ending: Council members stressed the issue combines aging infrastructure, extreme rainfall, and private-property drainage issues. Staff and councilors said they will return with more detailed recommendations, cost estimates and permitting guidance so the council can weigh short-term emergency measures against longer-term capital investments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Virginia Committee of the Whole | July 1st, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Paul Christiansen, an operator with PeopleService, told the Virginia City Council’s Committee of the Whole on July 1 that recent rain events produced flows far beyond normal levels at the city’s wastewater plant and that emergency bypasses had been used to protect public health.","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":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6181252,"Council weighs temporary golf-barrier nets and tree plantings after repeated ball damage to nearby homes",2144,9599000,11743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4&start=9599&end=11743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4/thumbnail_9599000.jpg","/articles/6181252/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-weighs-temporary-golf-barrier-nets-and-tree-plantings-after-repeated-ball-damage-to-nearby-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181252-72aab6b87d79961103777a797a6d556c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191579&Signature=eSMXA7jbNo~Yrj1yHQ96n88DuKmzROwWyJzEUEtThBswncI5biufiBq2IpjnDAfPXuY46jgTgb0w~F2MuXpFHSy8EvfWLUnLKW8Plm4LJAnAv1SFIDdRiApBOB7xunejtpbkbnod8wx0yVAmM4iuYaBE~kdMsix2~zGrbj-jFmFSlRBOMQi195WmCLrUqOLmeAEeI4sfwQ30JcS22eGOU5E4MJY-yWjx-rauVlDfX4RLlRML6y0lurafkJv8yIOjoLHJyPOimECJWj~lnWWn2s6RyDWFspJFb6ZB2TQWYwqhwgk3COlGb2-ag~zwKyAJiENTJP5WAbhEGnYcL8Z5Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Virginia City councilors and residents discussed short- and long-term ways to reduce stray golf-ball damage near the municipal golf course during the Committee of the Whole meeting on July 1.

Neighbors near Hole 2 reported repeated property damage — broken picture windows, dented siding and safety concerns for children — and said incidents have increased in recent years. One resident told councilors that a broken picture window and repeated strikes had made parts of the home and yard unsafe for family use.

Park and Recreation Director Brian Silver presented two vendor estimates for temporary net systems: a portable-net system with movable bases (12-foot height option) and a higher temporary-pocket-in-the-ground pole-and-net system (20-foot option). The 20-foot removable system was approximately $24,000; the lower portable net option was about $14,000. Silver said taller permanent flagpole-and-net systems are available but significantly more expensive.

Council discussion and next steps: Councilors and staff agreed a single short-term solution might not fully eliminate the problem because some tee shots clear 20 feet, and balls that strike pavement can ricochet unpredictably. Several councilors favored a combined approach: install temporary protection measures while accelerating tree plantings and exploring resident-side screening where practicable. Brian Silver said the city has planted several fast-growing saplings along the corridor this spring and that additional plantings will take years to reach effective height.

Councilor Beyonditch moved — and Councilor Friedlieb seconded — to schedule a Buildings & Grounds meeting and invite affected residents to discuss solutions. The motion passed. Council asked staff to include impacted neighbors, park staff and public works staff for a problem-solving session and to explore grant or donor funding options, including private donations from golf leagues that have expressed interest in helping fund plantings.

Ending: The council will convene a focused meeting with residents and staff to collect specific proposals, review netting options and discuss funding; staff will return with recommended designs and budget implications for council consideration.","Councilors, staff and nearby residents discussed options — temporary netting, fast-growing trees and resident meetings — to reduce stray golf ball damage from the municipal course along 11th Avenue. Council directed staff to schedule a Buildings & Grounds meeting that includes affected residents.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6181257,"Residents ask council to restore sidewalks on 8½ Street; council asks staff for price",273,6558000,6831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4&start=6558&end=6831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4/thumbnail_6558000.jpg","/articles/6181257/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Residents-ask-council-to-restore-sidewalks-on-8-Street-council-asks-staff-for-price","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181257-979e9d5340aeec18c4ef1a4ca0b9e27e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191579&Signature=F8-In~u--YdEdpSkY4bC6WJbZp6ERrmu6sV-QdpE5fe9fyfKmOqvigyiGqYtdvrpV34s-YVy9j9b-eflyZ3llbUsTOUAFJ21YSo0qGcTy0OMwnkkDFRTvZHFLxTmEKQHcUFIcJ7ONUmZdYaAwjT03PNN6dcTIIARseERT0mAMa0muaMXDADaN8P3xBTe50nRN1EfM2dDx5L0sKzjsXf4uwdBIJ0TdPyIIRNmRs~OaqMc2ny0FNJ6f1bqvEdZQYztnLcQyImc03JbBiS-jPqyhdSMScmqCHNuge0FhzW5Iy8FAlJb5OP9z-Y4u6vWYqQBbdHJ4JAcCAauhrJJbqHU6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and council members urged the council on July 1 to restore sidewalk segments on 8½ Street after contractors removed curbs and sidewalk preparation work as part of a pavement reconditioning contract.

Resident Bridal Saboda told the council the sidewalk outside her home was removed without resident notice and that the absence of a paved walkway left families and children without a safe path. “We asked if you guys weren't gonna put sidewalks back in to not take them out because my house sits on the sidewalk,” Saboda said.

Matt Reid, the city’s engineer of record, said council previously voted to remove some sidewalk work from the current bid after public comment. Reid told the council the contractor has moved on and that, if the council chooses to reinstall the sidewalks, staff would ask the contractor for a change-order price; that price could differ from the original bid because subcontractors may have been assigned other work. Reid recommended that if sidewalks are reinstated they be consistent on both sides of the street rather than only on one side.

Councilor Freely moved — with Councilor Johnson supporting — that staff obtain contractor pricing to put sidewalks back where residents request and return to council for a decision. The motion passed. Council asked staff to have pricing available at the next council meeting so work can be scheduled while the contractor is available.

Ending: Councilors said they will weigh the cost to restore the sidewalks against project budgets and that staff will return with a contractor price so the council can decide whether to reinstate the sidewalk segments.","After contractors removed sidewalk segments on 8½ Street during a reconditioning project, residents and councilors pressed to reinstate sidewalks where they serve pedestrian use. Council directed staff to request contractor pricing to reinstall sidewalks and return with costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6181261,"Votes at a glance: Actions taken by Virginia City Council on July 1, 2025",0,3123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4&start=3123&end=3123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4/thumbnail_3123000.jpg","/articles/6181261/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Actions-taken-by-Virginia-City-Council-on-July-1-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181261-531badae34f8e92a1c7fdb4691379081/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191579&Signature=Hg296IUnTELSrGJDx45pP5k7dhN5TSADbJWeMIy3acQS62Wnib~wxYn7yxx9dtBrBemmtcExhzLNKKk61zKaFpd8NqfjYchYF4xfJdLJmuXGbLgmT8fMXewwDxNXw8FgrKNscgodnfiYH6snYcfSiJ8youquPoGB-bPzqDeBPyIrmrB0pJrN4a5~WPw7i7qatwUVIlCsw8cqUpfMZ-ZEBScA9Bdkgxd2EB33FKFTh6K9Z1E1BLPUPqO5UenMzgmzacsHSBtvP5OM6F-bjnLcllsdQVDW3Jg0lGTi3Rbr~KVxKBy7M9Qr4rio1cxM5xpj1KpGRQW-Pdvp-4ijFBXzwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee of the Whole took multiple formal actions on July 1. Below are the motions recorded in the meeting minutes, with the publicly stated outcomes.

- Contact regulatory agencies regarding possible increase/extension of the sanitary sewer outfall (mover: Councilor Pam Paulson; seconder: Councilor Motley). Outcome: approved. Staff directed to contact regulators and return with permitting and cost information.

- Authorize staging of portable pumps and operational authority for Public Works to mitigate backups during high-flow events (mover: Councilor Freely; seconder: Councilor Bach Schneider). Outcome: approved (roll-call recorded 6–1; Councilor Johnson recorded a no vote).

- Approve Change Order No. 1 — 2025 Pavement Reconditioning Project — increase of $9,997.82 (mover: Councilor Johnson). Outcome: approved.

- Approve Change Order No. 1 — Rotary Park Sanitary Sewer & Seventh Street Storm Sewer — increase of $11,739.80. Outcome: approved.

- Approve payment of Mesabi Humane Society invoice for animal services (approx. $37,200) and direct staff to bill St. Louis County for cost recovery (movers: Councilor Paulson and Councilor Motley). Outcome: both motions approved.

- Approve resolution to increase public works equipment rental and shop rates (mover: Councilor Freely). Outcome: approved.

- Approve application to Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) economic development assistance program (approx. $103,000 available funds); Councilor Paulson abstained. Outcome: approved, with one abstention.

- Approve MPCA grant agreement for PFAS pollution minimization plan for the wastewater treatment plant and approve the PeopleService contract for PFAS identification protocol (movers: Councilor Johnson / staff). Outcome: approved.

- Direct staff to obtain contractor pricing and return to council on the question of reinstalling sidewalks on 8½ Street (mover: Councilor Freely; seconder: Councilor Johnson). Outcome: motion approved to seek cost and return with recommendation.

- Appoint interview committee for HR coordinator and finance director applications (members appointed: Councilor Bach Schneider, Councilor Friedlieb, Councilor Johnson). Outcome: approved.

Notes on voting records: most motions passed by voice vote; specific roll-call was taken for some items (not all tallies were recorded in the transcript). Where the transcript recorded explicit roll-call results (e.g., the portable-pump authorization), the count above reflects that record. If exact named tallies were not read aloud, staff follow-up minutes should be consulted for formal roll-call records.

Ending: Staff were assigned follow-up tasks and timelines for the regulatory outreach, cost estimates, and billings to external agencies. Council asked for written reports to support future budget and permitting decisions.","This roundup lists motions, formal votes and structured outcomes recorded during the Committee of the Whole meeting on July 1, 2025.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6181266,"Council approves $37,200 payment to Mesabi Humane Society for hoarding seizure, seeks county reimbursement",26,3180000,3206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4&start=3180&end=3206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113450-5f7d2a30fd8fbf414bb45d54446856b4/thumbnail_3180000.jpg","/articles/6181266/Virginia-City/St-Louis-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-37200-payment-to-Mesabi-Humane-Society-for-hoarding-seizure-seeks-county-reimbursement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181266-2d9fd8466b5b39e139f08502f365c413/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191579&Signature=ew9-JlVR7pxU-pMYZbwPbMw0PyRrbxitNACqbdD-oL6nTXfpMSM~NdLHyoxSAtvwTrEOWcTgsmjezBIac8K2HTv4mK8ElafCNNdZBbk9x5gbGO9RoauhKSLHSGuSQ5jH6hydf25Lb~rzwUo3IplqoK05MgANyjFs9PV4oj9CbGLi1R2zZ-J2aMnjffrC8pIrbZdNE8B4ELXOyBCZgoqyxZ5zuPg-V3KII3QVko2lTTxF41mjjIx2ru4ZwyDn5T8B384oHBieQPQq4ux5AuMW5Hnn8FUAH~IXtfe52jTctYDsEAfDIM5XYfWpHnAIg0TpWjKfwmAkXAGo5Y0y7x4Drg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia City Council on July 1 approved payment of an invoice from Mesabi Humane Society for animal services after the shelter took in a large hoarding case at a St. Louis County tax-forfeit property.

Nancy Andrews, chair of Mesabi Humane Society, told the council the shelter took in roughly 51 cats from a single residence and that the shelter’s costs — roughly $600 per animal on the invoice — reflected intake, veterinary care, staffing, food, litter and extraordinary care for neonates. “We have had employees that take these kittens home. They're syringe feeding them,” Andrews said, describing the intensive care required in a mass-intake situation.

Councilors said they were surprised by the size of the invoice when it arrived. Councilor Paulson moved to pay the invoice; Councilor Motley supported the payment. The motion to pay the shelter’s invoice — reported in the meeting packet as approximately $37,200 — passed. Councilor Motley then moved, and Councilor Paulson supported, a follow-up motion directing staff to submit the paid invoice to St. Louis County for cost recovery; that motion passed.

Shelter and staff context: Mesabi Humane Society said the event overwhelmed its normal operations and required extra staffing and medical care. Shelter representatives noted the case was a tax-forfeit property in St. Louis County and said the county’s property status complicates reimbursement. The shelter also said it follows the city’s contract and intake procedures and that spay/neuter and vetting are customary parts of the shelter’s care protocol.

What happens next: Council approved payment and directed staff to pursue reimbursement from St. Louis County. Councilors asked staff and the shelter to review the contract for clarity on billing and to consider options to minimize future fiscal exposure, including clarifying which types of properties or cases the city will bill the county for directly.

Ending: Council members said they appreciated the shelter's work and asked staff to review the billing and notification protocols so the city and shelter can better anticipate and recover extraordinary costs related to large-scale animal control events.","The council voted to pay a Mesabi Humane Society invoice for care of animals seized from a Saint Louis County tax-forfeit property and to send the bill to the county for cost recovery. The shelter said the case overwhelmed its resources and that per-animal charges reflect intake, care, veterinary and staffing costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Virginia City leaders press for short- and long-term fixes after wastewater bypasses and basement flooding

Council weighs temporary golf-barrier nets and tree plantings after repeated ball damage to nearby homes

Residents ask council to restore sidewalks on 8½ Street; council asks staff for price

Votes at a glance: Actions taken by Virginia City Council on July 1, 2025

Council approves $37,200 payment to Mesabi Humane Society for hoarding seizure, seeks county reimbursement