Hibbing City Council approves purchases, architects and a tax‑forfeit land buy in Oct. 16 meeting

The Hibbing City Council on Oct. 16 approved a slate of administrative and capital actions, including technology upgrades for police squads, professional services for a planned public safety building and a tax‑forfeit land purchase.

Purchases and budget notes: the council approved ordering "megafy" mobile kits and 15 FirstNet iPhones for squad cars at $22,533.85 so officers will use city‑issued phones rather than personal devices. Council also approved purchasing 20 Getac vehicle computers with HAVIS docking stations from Insight for $54,240 on a state bid. Finance Director Miss Mulner said the Getac purchase was not in the 2024 budget but could be funded using additional police aid the city received ("approximately $80,000") and proceeds from selling existing equipment; she indicated a budget adjustment to repurpose the excess police aid would be used to cover the purchases.

Professional services and public safety building: City Administrator Miss Brzezinski presented an agreement with Broughton Architects for work on the public safety building; she said the architect's fee is 5.75% of construction costs with reimbursables not to exceed $10,000 and the council authorized execution of the agreement. The council also awarded Hallberg Engineering $71,500 for building‑systems commissioning and approved Lerch Bates for building envelope consulting after discussing that Lerch Bates' quote was higher by $1,450 but favored due to prior working relationships.

Land purchase and planning waiver: City Attorney Mr. Barlow introduced a late resolution to waive Planning Commission review so the city could proceed immediately to purchase parcel ID 140029000619 (just south of Jasper Engineering on 5th Avenue) for the tax‑forfeit bid amount of $26,900; including recording fees and other costs the total was $28,811.38. Council voted to waive the review and approved the purchase.

Other approvals: the council approved a $23,000 proposal from ABDO to create a long‑term financial plan, authorized purchase of conference furniture for $18,047.43, approved public works purchases including a spare 480 pump for $20,014 and web‑based communications for the Mesaba Pines station for $20,803, and granted raffle permits for two community organizations. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- Agenda approval: motion by Councilor Bayless; second by Councilor Swyberger; outcome: approved.
- Consent agenda (payables $1,028,218.55; payroll $592,711.40; hires and promotions listed): approved.
- FirstNet mobile kits and 15 squad iPhones ($22,533.85): approved.
- Getac vehicle computers and HAVIS docking ($54,240): approved; funding to come from additional police aid (~$80,000) and possible equipment sales.
- Purchase parcel ID 140029000619 (tax‑forfeit bid $26,900; total with fees $28,811.38): approved after council waived Planning Commission review.
- Broughton Architects agreement (fee 5.75% of construction costs; reimbursables not to exceed $10,000): approved.
- Hallberg Engineering commissioning ($71,500) and Lerch Bates building envelope consulting (higher quote; approved): approved.

Why this matters: approval of the Broughton agreement and the engineering commissions moves the public safety building procurement and design forward; police vehicle technology purchases change how officers access city systems and were funded by additional state police aid rather than the 2024 operating budget. The land purchase secures a small parcel adjacent to Jasper Engineering for City use.

Next steps: council set its next regular meeting for Nov. 6, 2024 (5 p.m.) and tentatively scheduled a Highland Hills vision review meeting for Nov. 20.