About Us

 City of Tower Charter

The City of Tower Charter, (adopted in 1997) is the constitution governing the City. The Charter defines the powers the citizens agree to give their city government and how the government is to be structured. State laws may pass laws that may preempt the City Charter, but also give cities a wide range of discretion to draft charters that will meet the specific needs of the community and the power to make changes that fit its own needs by amending its charter.

City of Tower Charter

 City Mayor & Council Members

The cornerstone of city government in Minnesota is the elected city council. The council is responsible for fashioning the policies that govern the City for its present and future well-being. Tower, a Home Rule Charter City under the statutes of the State of Minnesota, has a Mayor/Council Plan as its form of government. All elected Council members are residents of and qualified voters in the City of Tower. The Mayor is elected for a four-year term. Each Councilor is also elected for a four-year term, with two elected at each general municipal election.

Mayor

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Dave Setterberg
 david.setterberg@cityoftower.com
 Term Expires: December 31, 2026
Tower Breitung Wastewater Board, Forestry Board, Gundersen Trust Board, Attends Fire and Ambulance Meetings

Council Members

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Robert Anderson
 randerson@cityoftower.com
 Term Expires: December 31, 2026
Gundersen Trust Board, Tower Economic Development Authority, Ambulance Commission





Joe Morin
 (218) 780-7306
 joe.morin@cityoftower.com
 Term Expires: December 31, 2026
Acting Mayor, Tower Economic Development Authority, Planning & Zoning Commission, Forestry Board, Lake Vermilion Area Lodging Tax





Kevin Norby
 (952) 451-3284
 norby@cityoftower.com
 Term Expires: December 31, 2024
Planning/Zoning Commission, Airport Commission





Josh Zika
 Term Expires: December 31, 2024
Tower Breitung Wastewater Board

 Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive planning is an important tool to guide future development of land to ensure a safe, pleasant, and economical environment for residential, commercial, industrial, and public activities. In 2014 the two closely-tied communities of City of Tower and Town of Breitung (Soudan) updated their joint comprehensive plan. This plan is an expression of our community’s vision for the future and a strategic map to reach that vision. The plan addresses goals and objectives for livability, economic development, housing affordability, recreation, public facilities, and intergovernmental cooperation and environmental, historic, and cultural resources.

2015 City of Tower – Breitung Township Joint Comprehensive Plan

 City Ordinances

The City of Tower’s ordinances are municipal laws passed by the City Council that are address the health, public safety, land use, and the general welfare of our citizens.

Ord #	Topic	Notes
01	Regulating Water Systems	Controlling and regulating the water system in the City of Tower.
02	Establishing Sewer Use Regulations
03	Establishing a Sewer Service Charge.
04	Regulating Bids and Contracts	Regulating the making of bids and letting of contracts for the doing of work or for the furnishing of material or property to the City of Tower.
05	Making of Improvements & Levying Assessments	Providing for the making of improvements in the City of Tower prescribing procedure in making such improvements and levying assessments therefore against benefited property.
06	Regulating the Preservation of Peace	An ordinance for the preservation of public peace and for the protection of the public welfare and good order in the City of Tower and providing a penalty for a violation thereof.
07	Adopting the Minnesota State Highway Code	An ordinance adopting the Minnesota Highway Code and repealing ordinance number 21 or any other ordinance inconsistence herewith.
08	Regulating and Controlling Use of Snowmobiles and ATV's	Regulation and control within the corporate limits of the City of Tower.
09	Regulating Public Streets and Alleys	An ordinance regulating the use of public streets and alleys in the City of Tower prohibiting the obstruction of streets and alleys and providing a penalty for violation hereof,
09-A	Regulating Public Streets and Alleys	Amending Ordinance 9
10	Regulating Use of Firearms	Regulation Within the limits of the City of Tower
11	Civil Defense During War Emergencies	Providing for civilian defense and for protection and promotion of public safety, health, and welfare in the City of Tower during war emergencies.
12	Fire Protection and Prevention	Providing for fire protection and fire prevention in the City of Tower.
13	Regulating the use of streets and to facilitate fire department operations	Regulating the use of streets and to facilitate fire department operations in case of fire.
14	Creating City of Tower Tourism Development and Administration Commission	An Ordinance creating a commission to be known as the City of Tower Tourism Development and Administration Commission and establishing its powers and duties.
14-A	Relating to public recreation; amends Ord. 50	Relating to the public recreation system of the City of Tower; Amending Ordinance Number 50.
15	Creation of Clerk/Treasurer position	Section 2. Section `7, Chapter 3, of City Charter be amended to combine the City Treasurer and City Clerk into one position and be called Clerk- Treasurer. This position to be nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the City Council.
16	Regulating Blight and Public Nuisances	An ordinance to prevent, reduce, or eliminate blighting factors and public nuisances within the City of Tower and to provide penalties for the violation thereof
17	Regulating Cleaning of Premise and Sanitary Inspections	Requiring the cleaning of premises and providing for a sanitary inspection, and establishing a penalty for violation thereof.
18	Regulating Open Burning	Prohibiting open burning upon public grounds, regulating open burning and providing a penalty for the violation thereof.
19	Regulating Collection and Disposal of Garbage	Regulating collection and disposal of garbage and rubbish
20	Regulating and Controlling Animals	Regulating and controlling animals
20-A	Regulating and Controlling Animals	An ordinance amending Section 7 of Ordinance 20, Regulating and Controlling Animals
21	Regulating Council Vacancies	Defining a vacancy of an elective office and procedures for the city council to fill that vacancy.
22	Prohibiting Phosphorous Containing Fertilizers	An ordinance prohibiting phosphorous containing fertilizers.
24	Regulating Sewer Laterals
30	Regulating Interference with Radio Reception	Prohibiting the use of apparatus which interferes with radio reception
31	Conveying Electric System to MN Power & Light	Conveying to Minnesota Power & Light Co. the electric transmission and distribution system; and granting MP&L the right to construct and maintain an electric distribution system within City of Tower.
33	Authorizing a television signal license to J Mesojedec	Granting to Joe Mesojedec a franchise to maintain a television signal service and distribution system within the City of Tower
35	Authorizing construction of electrical transmission & distribution system	Granting to Minnesota power the right to construct and maintain an electric distribution and transmission system within the City of Tower, Minnesota.
39	Regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors	An ordinance licensing and regulating the sale consumption of intoxicating liquor, repealing inconsistent ordinances, and providing a penalty of violation.
39-A	Regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors	An ordinance regulating the control and sale of intoxicating liquor on Sunday in the City of Tower. Amending Section 3 of Ordinance 60B.
39-B	Regulating the control and sale of intoxicating liquor on Sunday	Amending Ordinance # 39A An Ordinance regulating the control and sale of intoxicating liquor on Sunday in the City of Tower.
39-C	Regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors	Amending Ordinance # 39A and deleting Ordinance 39B
39-D	Amending Ordinances #39, #39A, #40
40	Regulating the sale of non-intoxicating liquors	Licensing and regulating the sale of non intoxicating malt liquors within the corporate limits of the City of Tower.
40-A	Amending ordinance #40	Amending Ordinance #40 licensing and regulating the sale of non-intoxicating malt liquors
41	Regulating sale of cigarettes	Licensing and regulating the retail sale of cigarettes and cigarette wrappers in the City of Tower.
42	Regulating lawful charitable gambling	regulating lawful charitable gambling activities, the distribution of funds
43	Regulating sale, possession and use of tobacco	Regulating the sale, possession and use of tobacco and tobacco-related devices
44	Regulating lawful gambling	Relating to the regulation of lawful gambling and providing for the expenditures of a portion of its net profits.
47	Regulating sliding on City streets	Regulating coasting and sliding upon the streets, alleys, and sidewalks i
48	Licensing bicycles	Licensing bicycles, regulating their use, and providing a penalty for violation thereof.
49	Curfew hours for children under 18.	Prohibiting children under the age of 18 years from being in or upon the streets, alleys, or public places within the City of Tower during the designated
50	Regulating the Sale of Synthetic Drugs	Ordinance unavailable on web
55	Procedure for vacation of streets and alleys	ordinance describing the procedure to be used in the vacation and discontinuation of streets, alleys, and other highways in the City of Tower.
55-B	Vacation of part of Birch Street	Ordinance to provide for the vacation of that part of birch street which lies between the southerly line of N 3rd Stand the northerly line of N 2nd Stetow
55-C	Vacation of alley in block 18	Vacation of all of the alley in Block 18 in the City of Tower
56	Possession and disposal of unclaimed property	Possession and disposal of unclaimed property in the possession of the City of Tower.
57	Regulating public dances	Regulating and licensing public dances within the City of Tower, defining public dance places and public dances; and repealing Ordinance Number 24 and Ordinance Number 24A.
58	Regulating gas pumps/tanks on public land	An ordinance to prevent the erection and maintenance of gasoline or oil pumps or tanks upon public grounds or highways.
59	Regulating transient merchants and solicitors	Regulating and licensing transient merchants, hawkers, peddlers, and solicitors.
59-A	Amending ordinance #59 transient merchants	amending an ordinance 59 entitled "An ordinance regulating the licensing of transient merchants, hawkers, peddlers, and solicitors."
60	Regulating snow removal	Regulating the removal of snow from the sidewalks within the City of Tower.
60-A	Amending ordinance # 60 sec 1/4 deleting snow clearing on S 2nd St sidewalks	An ordinance amending ordinance #60 section one and deleting section four on north and south sidewalks on 2nd St S.
61-A	Rearrangement and codification of ordinance numbers	Ordinance allowing for the rearrangement and codification of the present ordinances.
62	Establishing a lodging tax within the City of Tower	Establishing a lodging tax within the City of Tower (In accordance with Minnesota State Statute 469.190)
71	Creation of Vermilion Landfill Authority	providing for the creation of the Vermilion Landfill Authority by the Cities of Ely, Tower, Babbitt, and Winton: The Towns of Kugler, Morse, Wassa, Embarrass, Breitung, and Vermilion Lake: and by the County of Saint Louis on behalf of itself, and insofar as it can, on behalf of additional unorganized townships:
72-C	Creating a municipal forest board	Creating a municipal forest board to administer municipal forest lands donated to or otherwise acquired by the City of Tower, and providing for operation of such board.
73	Creating a tree commission regulating plantings	Regulating the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants; and creating a tree commission.
74	Regulating the leasing of City lakeside property for the construction of boathouses	Regulating the leasing of City lakeside property for the construction of boathouses
76	Tower Municipal Airport Zoning Ordinance	Tower Municipal Airport Zoning Ordinance Created by the City of Tower and Saint Louis County Joint Airport Zoning Board
77	Extending the Corporate City Limits	ordinance extending the corporate limits of the City of Tower to include certain unincorporated property owned by and abutting upon the limits of the City
77-A	Amending ordinance #77 (formerly 61) to extend to extend corporate limits	Amending ordinance #77 to extend to extend corporate limits (Formerly Ordinances 61/61A)
78	extending the corporate limits of the City of Tower	An extending the corporate limits of the City of Tower - Annexation
79	Implementing Wetland Conservation Act	Implementing the wetland conservation act of 1991, (Minnesota Laws 1991, Chapter 354, as amended), and the accompanying rules of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (Minnesota Rules Chapter 8420, as amended)
80	Regulating shoreland zoning	Regulates the full array of zoning and subdivision planning of shore land management.
80-A	Regulating shoreland zoning	Ordinance amending Shore Land Ordinance Number 80 for establishing uniform width dimensions, as required by state statutes, for all residential structure within any zoning district
80-B	Regulating shoreland zoning	Ordinance amending Shore Land Ordinance #80 for design criteria for structures
81	Extending the corporate limits	Extending the corporate limits of the city of tower to include certain unincorporated property owned by and abutting upon the city limits
82	Zoning regulations	Establishing comprehensive zoning regulations for the City of Tower (additional regulations apply to shorelands within the City - See Ordinance #80 Shorelands and Ordinance #76 Tower Municipal Airport)
82-A	Regulating a driveway approach	regulating a driveway approach to a private residence and/or abutting properties, a business or other commercial enterprise that provides egress or ingress from a public right-of-way in the City of Tower including shore lands, the City airport and any future developed areas
82-B	Amending Ordinance #82, garages	Regulating the placement of garages
82-C	Amending ordinance #82 non conforming uses	Ordinance deleting Article XIV Non Conforming Uses of Ordinance #82 and superseding it with revised Article XIV Non Conforming Uses and Structures
82-D	Amending ordinance #82 setback from side streets	Amending Ordinance #80 Article VI Section 6.05 Schematic Chart - 1. To include dwellings/structures set back of fifteen (15) feet from side streets.
82-E	Amending #82 for establishing uniform width dimensions for residential structures	Amending Zoning Ordinance #82 for establishing uniform width dimensions, as required by State Statutes, for all residential structures in any zoning district within a city
82-G	Amending 82-F Regulating height of garages	Regulating the height of a garage in any residential district, amending 82-F (vacated)
82-H	Amending Ordinance #82, apartment floor level	Amending Ordinance #82, Apartments permitted in all floor levels excepting Main Street level. Street level space must be use for businesses only
82-I	Replacing Ordinance 82-G, Height of garage	Replacing 82-G, amended to include the height of a garage in any residential district
82-K	Amending Ordinance 82, property survey	Permits that are encroaching on setback or property line must be professionally surveyed
82-L	Amending Ordinance 82, Garage and Storage Buildings	Ordinance replacing 80-B and amending Ordinance 82 and 80 to refer to 82-B for garages as well as superseding any previous conflicting ordinances
82-M	Amending Ordinance 82, Board of Adjustments	Amending Ordinance 82, Establishing the P&Z Commission as the Board of Adjustment if no specific Board of Adjustment exists
82-N	Amending Ordinance 82, Article XIV	An ordinance amending Zoning Ordinance 82, Article XIV City of Tower, Tower Harbor Renaissance (THR) Zoning District Requirements
83	Regulating subdivisions	To provide for orderly economic and safe development of land and urban services and facilities and to assure equitable handling of all subdivision plats.
84	Extending the City Limits	Annexing land located in the Township of Kugler, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, and the Township of Breitung
85	Annexing land located in the township of Kugler,
86	Creation of the Tower Airport Commission	Creation of airport commission advisory to the City Council
88	Regulating nonessential water usage	Establishing water conservation restrictions at any time the governor declares a critical water deficiency
89	An Ordinance Establishing Park Regulations	An ordinance establishing baseline expectations and accountabilities for the management, operation, and occupancy of any Park within the jurisdiction of the City of Tower.
90	Keeping of Chickens	An ordinance allowing for the keeping of chickens within the City limits.
91	Establishing Tower Housing Trust Fund	An ordinance establishing the Tower Housing Trust Fund.
Zoning Map	Zoning Map shows current Zoning Districts of City of Tower

 City Resolutions

Resolutions are an order for a specific action to be taken or a statement of policy by the City Council. A resolution deals with matters of special or temporary character.

Res #	Date Adopted	Topic
2022-011	09/12/2022	IRRR Application - Application Fund Grant
2022-010	08/08/2022	IRRR Application - Tower Train Depot Roof Replacement
2022-009	08/08/2022	Establishing Absentee Ballot Board
2022-008	08/08/2022	Appointing Election Judges 2022 Primary
2022-007	07/11/2022	Ordering Special Election for One Vacated Council Position
2022-006	04/11/2022	Airport Grant Agreement 1049658
2022-005	04/11/2022	Budget Amendment 2022
2022-004	03/14/2022	IRRR Application - Connecting Trails and Trailhead Design
2022-003	03/14/2022	Establishing Precincts and Polling Places
2022-002	02/14/2022	Airport Grant Agreement 1048181
2022-001	01/24/2022	Appointments and Designations
2021-029	12/27/2021	Polling Location Designation
2021-028	12/27/2021	FY2022 Budget
2021-027	12/01/2021	Voting Equipment Grant Approval (VEGA-3)
2021-026	11/08/2021	Airport Contract
2021-025	09/13/2021	Affirm Data Retention Policy
2021-024	08/30/2021	Street Vacation Birch Street Northstar Addition
2021-023	08/23/2021	Approve Conditional Use Permit 10 Marina Drive
2021-022	08/09/2021	IRRR Development Infrastructure Grant - 10 Marina Drive
2021-021	07/12/2021	Authorize ATV MNDot Limited Use Permit
2021-021	07/26/2021	Authorize Vermilion Country School Sign
2021-019	07/12/2021	Accept ARPA Funds
2021-016	06/14/2021	Interfund Loan between General Fund and Ambulance Fund
2021-015	06/14/2021	TBWWB Water Treatment Plant/City Water Main Bonding Bill
2021-013	05/24/2021	MN DNR Ski Trail Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Sponsor 2021-2026
2021-012	05/24/2021	Treasury , Ambulance Capital Code Update (Vehicle Replacement)
2021-011	05/24/2021	IRRR Application - Streetscapes 2021
2021-010	05/24/2021	IRRR Application- Community Infrastructure Historic Fire Hall
2021-009	05/24/2021	MN DOT Airport Reimbursement Agreement 104669, Project A6918-C2
2021-008	05/10/2021	State LRIP Pine Street Funding
2021-007	03/22/2021	Confirm Planning/Zoning Commission Member Terms
2021-006	03/22/2021	Transfer Control Harbor Developer Agreement / Loan to TEDA
2021-005	03/24/2021	IRRR Application - Commerical Redevelopment 615 Main St
2021-004	03/08/2021	CDBG Application COVID Expenses (Ambulance / Public Works)
2021-003	03/08/2021	IRRR Application - Master Trail Planning
2021-002	02/08/2021	Ski Trail Addition
2021-001	02/08/2021	Appointment and Designations
2020-041	12/14/2020	Adopting 2021 Budgets and Certifying Final Tax Levy
2020-040	11/13/2020	Elections Canvassing 2020 City General and Special Election Results
2020-039	11/09/2020	Appointment, Planning/Zoning interim Board of Adjustment
2020-038	11/09/2020	IRRR Application, Pine Street
2020-037	11/09/2020	CDBG Application, Pine Street
2020-036	10/20/2020	Airport MnDOT Agreement 1044881
2020-035	10/12/2020	Election Absentee Ballot Board
2020-034	10/12/2020	Utility, Certify Unpaid Bills Property Tax
2020-033	10/12/2020	Election Judges General Election
2020-032	10/12/2020	Election CARES Act
2020-031	09/14/2020	IRRR Application Fund
2020-031	09/14/2020	IRRR Application Fund
2020-030	08/10/2020	TEDA IRRR Taconite Relief Funds
2020-029	07/13/2020	Order Special Election
2020-028	07/13/2020	Adopt County All Hazards Mitigation Plan
2020-027	06/26/2020	IRRR Residential Rehabilitation Request
2020-026	06/22/2020	Request Release MNDEED Restrictions
2020-025	06/08/2020	Zoning Appointments
2020-024	06/08/2020	Budget_Amendment_Airport
2020-023	06/08/2020	Marina Drive / County Public Works
2020-022	05/11/2020	Ancient Cedar Trail
2020-021	04/13/2020	Airport MnDOT Agreement 1035799
2020-020	03/30/2020	Local Emergency Declaration
2020-019	03/16/2020	Bonding Bill Water Plant and Main
2020-018	03/09/2020	Airport Bank Account
2020-017	03/09/2020	Defining City Money Market Accounts Purpose
2020-016	03/09/2020	Commerical Rehabilitation City to TEDA
2020-015	03/09/2020	Hoodoo Campground Bank Account
2020-014	03/09/2020	Real Estate Conveyance City to TEDA
2020-013	03/09/2020	Ambulance Replacement Fund
2020-012	02/10/2020	TBWWB Interim Financing
2020-011	02/10/2020	Annual Appointments and Designations
2020-010	02/10/2020	TEDA Tax Forfiet Land Acquisition
2020-009	02/10/2020	Joint Powers Agreement, City Police Attorney
2020-008	01/27/2020	Council and Emergency Wages
2020-007	01/27/2020	City Council Schedule
2020-006	01/27/2020	Election Judges, Presidential Primary
2020-005	10/27/2020	Ski Trail, Grant-in-Aid
2020-004	01/27/2020	TEDA Interfund Loan
2020-003	01/13/2020	Plat Approval, Tower Harbor
2020-002	01/13/2020	Website Funding Request
2020-001	01/13/2020	Ski Trail DNR Grant

 County, State, Federal Elected Officials

St. Louis County

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County Commissioner, District 4

Paul McDonald
(218) 365-8200
Contact: mcdonaldp@stlouiscountymn.gov
Term Expires: January 2, 2023

State Elected Officials

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MN House, District 3A

Roger Skraba
(651) 296-2190
Contact: rep.roger.skraba@house.mn.gov
Term Expires: January 1, 2025



MN Senate, District 3

Grant Hauschild
(651) 296-1789
Contact: https://www.senate.mn/members/email-form/1252
Term Expires: January 1, 2027

Federal Elected Officials

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US House, 8th District

Pete Stauber
(202) 225-6211
Contact: stauber.house.gov/contact/email-me
Term Expires: January 3, 2023



US Senate

Amy Klobuchar
(202) 224-3244
Contact: www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Term Expires: January 3, 2025



US Senate

Tina Smith
(202) 224-5641
Contact: www.smith.senate.gov/contact-tina
Term Expires: January 3, 2027

 History

In 1854 prospectors came to Lake Vermilion in search of gold. In the same year, George R. Stuntz discovered iron ore at the site of the Soudan Mine. On July 31, 1884, the first shipment of iron ore left the Soudan Mine. It was the first shipment in history from a Minnesota mine.

Tower, incorporated as a village on October 31, 1884, was named for Charlemagne Tower, Sr., and eastern financier who invested in the Vermilion Range. Mr. Tower was instrumental in opening the Soudan Mine, which activated the mining industry in Minnesota. The town’s name also honors Charlemagne Tower, Jr., one-time president of the Duluth and Iron Range Railway. Before receiving its present name, the community was called Vermilion, referring to Lake Vermilion, “lake of the sunset glow.” Tower was incorporated as a city on April 9, 1889.

The first newspaper of the Mesabi and Vermilion Ranges was founded by C. D. Bingham in Tower in 1884 and was named the Tower Press. After many other changes it received its present name, the Tower News in 1946. Tower has the home of being the first city in the United States to erect a monument to assassinated President William McKinley. On November 19, 1901, two months after McKinley’s death, the monument, made of rock from the Soudan mine, was dedicated.

Soudan, Tower’s neighboring community, is named after the African Sudan, which was much in the news at the time of the naming. Settlers decided that Soudan should be a mining location and that businesses should not be located there.

Besides the iron mining industry, a prosperous lumbering industry was built up in the Tower-Soudan area. The Tower Lumber Company, operating from 1900 to 1909, employed nearly 500 men. Tower-Soudan’s once prosperous iron ore industry has declined since the closing of the Soudan underground mine. Since the mining industry lost its former prominence, the tourist industry has been emphasized.

Mayors

Mayor	Term
David Setterberg	2021-Present
Orlyn Kringstad	2019-2021
Josh Carlson	2015-2019

 Demographics

To view the data from the US Census Bureau, click the link: Visit Census Data