Tower moves forward on charter school security and marina demo

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018 — School safety has now become a priority in America and the Tower City Council addressed concerns raised by the Vermilion Country Charter School by showing its unanimous support to secure the school building. Vermilion Country School officials again asked the city to upgrade the building it leases to the school with electronic door locks and other safety features following the February 14, mass shooting committed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Last year Tower rejected a previous request for similar upgrades by the charter school, but now has paying for a video door station and electronic lock system expected to cost an estimated $3,700 at Perpich TV & Appliance. Alderman Kevin Fitton, (also the head administrator of the charter school), presented two quotes for consideration to the city council. Tyco Integrated Security, a Boca Raton, Florida company provided a quote nearly $1,000 less than Perpich did, however Fitton reported that he asked Chief of Police Dan Nyland to review the proposals and he favored the equipment sold by Perpich and was looking at a similar system for the Breitung Police station.

Mayor Josh Carlson asked Fitton if the school would be willing to pitch in some of the costs of the security system. “Would the school take up the installation costs?” Carlson said. The Perpich quote reflects a $600 installation charge. Fitton said that he would take the issue up with his board as soon as he can. Fire Chief Steve Altenberg said that he would check to see if funds from the department’s charitable gambling can help pay some expenses. The city council approved the Perpich TV & Appliance quote and the project is expected to move forward through the cooperation of the city, charter school and fire department.

Five bids, ranging from a low of $89,944 to a high of $186,500 were received in the second round of bidding on a demolition project slated for Your Boat Club (Tower Marina). Following a review of all the bids, Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc., the city’s engineering firm, recommended the low bid submitted by Low Impact Excavators, Inc., Ely. The city council unanimously voted to accept the Low Impact Excavating bid, contingent upon receiving a demolition grant fully funding the demolition project from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

The city council reviewed and approved job descriptions for the Maintenance Working Forman and Maintenance Assistant. The city is seeking applications for Maintenance Assistant following the retirement of Randy Johnson, this spring, and the simultaneous promotion of Dave Bjorgo to forman.