011618 City Council Minutes

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

January 16, 2018

 

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Alan Stanaway, Steve Skogman, Susan Tuomela, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Tim Satrang, Director of Public Works; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney and SGT John Backman, Sheriff’s Department.

 

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

 

1. Approve the minutes of the January 2, 2018, regular meeting as submitted.

 

2. That the communications be accepted and placed on file and those requiring further action by the City Council be acted upon during their proper sequence on the agenda.

 

3. To acknowledge the receipts for the period January 1-15, totaling $158,395.84 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period January 1-15, totaling $460,244.29 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

The motion carried.

 

Public Forum:

 

• No one spoke during forum

 

The Mayor reported on the following:

 

• Charitable gambling
  • Criteria for donations, must be one of the following
    • Youth organizations,
    • Non-profit organizations
    • Military veterans, Fire, Police and emergency services

 

1. The City is in excellent financial condition.
2. Reserves are solid.
3. There has been no City tax levy increase for the last nine years.
4. New Housing Development:
   1. Unity II Addition. Two new homes were built, making a total of 18 constructed and 20 lots sold. This development brings in not only new people to the community but adds a tax base of roughly seven million to the community.
5. Economic Development Authority Projects completed in 2017:
   1. South Forest Grove. Total lots sold to six with a total of five new homes in the Addition.
   2. Woodland Estates. Four lots sold with two patio homes built within the addition, construction being done by White Pine Builders, this addition includes all the amenities.
   3. Rock Ridge Development. Total of seven business located within the development, creating roughly 250 jobs within the area. This development brings a tax base of roughly over 29 million to the community. Major expansion and renovation scheduled during 2018 for the Holiday Inn Express which is located within this development.
6. Street Project 2017:
   1. Intersection of 169/County Road 7/Enterprise Drive North, which was a joint collaboration between St. Louis County, The State of Minnesota and the City of Mountain Iron. The cost to the City was $400,000, cost was defrayed due to a Grant received from the State of Minnesota, more work to be completed during 2018 to finish the project.
7. Conclusion:
   2018. Economy on the Range. Due to all of the development and businesses within Mountain Iron when property taxes are collected, 70% of the money comes from businesses, with 30% coming from residential property owners. New Mountain Iron-Buhl High school currently being built next to the Merritt Elementary, scheduled to be open in the fall of 2018. The City of Mountain Iron and Economic Development Authority would like to continue to work with businesses to bring them to areas of Mountain Iron. The goal is to continue to keep working hard and to keep moving forward to make our City the best place possible to live and work.

 

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela to appoint Margaret Ratai to the Public Health and Safety Board for a three year term to expire on December 31, 2020. The motion carried.

 

The City Administrator reported on the following:

 

• Looking for proposals for the shared service agreement with several surrounding Communities and Fire Departments
  • Group reconvening next week to review the proposals, possible recommendation at next meeting or shortly afterwards
• Send off for the USA Curling team, January 25^th at Curl Mesabi, Range Recreation Civic Center, Eveleth, MN from 6-8pm
  • Several of the players and coaches are from the local area, such as Eveleth, Chisholm and Duluth

Director of Public Works:

• Thanks to the City Crews were out plowing snow last week and over the weekend
• City water lines will continue to be monitored, will keep posted in regards to water trickle
  • No water trickle order issued as of Tuesday, January 16^th

 

Sheriff’s Department:

 

• Phone scams continue dealing with TV/Satellite

 

City Attorney:

 

• No formal report

 

City Engineer:

 

• No formal report

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve Final Change Order No. 1 for the South Grove Drainage Improvement project, with an increase in the contract amount of $520.00 to Mesabi Bituminous. The Change order is to compensate the Contractor for work actually completed; the increase in cost is due to an increase in cost to due to the actual amount of materials and labor provided. The motion carried on roll call vote.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skogman to approve Pay Request No. 2, final request, for the South Grove Drainage Improvement project in the amount of $1,921, to Mesabi Bituminous. This amount releases all retainage on the project. The motion carried on roll call vote.

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Skogman to approve the recommendation of the Public Health and Safety Board and appointment Gerry Knapper to Fire Chief, for three year term to expire on December 31, 2020. The motion carried.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve the recommendation of the Public Health and Safety Board and appointment Justin Blazewicz to Captain-Safety Officer, for a three year term to expire on December 31, 2020. The motion carried.

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to approve Resolution Number 01-18; authorizing an application to the IRRRB for a grant for site development of a possible daycare center for $300,000. The proposed daycare center would be located adjacent to the Cinema 8 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skogman to authorize Margie’s Roosevelt Inc. to serve alcohol at the Terrio/Deloria wedding scheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The motion carried.

 

The council reviewed the list of communications.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skogman to donate $500, to the St. Louis County Iron Range Youth in Action program, “Young Leaders Conference,” monies to come out of the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried on a roll call vote. 

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to donate $500 to the Mesabi Family YMCA Dinner & Auction Fundraiser event, Thursday, March 15^th at the Mountain Iron Community Center, monies to come from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried on roll call.

 

At 7:01p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.

 

 

Submitted by:

 

 

 

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com