February 18, 2025 City Council Minutes
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
February 18, 2025
Mayor Anderson called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30p.m. with the following members present: Councilor Ed Roskoski, Bradley Gustafson, Al Stanaway, Julie Buria, and Mayor Peggy Anderson. Also, present were: Tim Satrang, Director of Public Works; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Anna Amundson, Library Director/Special Events Coordinator; Sgt. Grant Toma, Sheriff’s Dept.; Al Johnson, City Engineer; and Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney.
It was moved by Buria and seconded by Stanaway the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Approve the minutes of February 3, 2025, regular meeting.
- 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.
- To acknowledge the receipts for the period February 1-15, totaling $315,621.58 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
- To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period February 1-15, totaling $601,172.28 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried.
Public Forum:
- No one spoke during the public forum
The Mayor reported on the following:
- Thank you to the City Crew for the continued snow removal and water repairs
Councilor Roskoski informed the Council that Administrator Wainio has indicated that Senator Farnsworth and Representative Warwas have been contacted regarding the City’s issue with the J-turn at County 103/109 and Highway 169.
Councilor Roskoski stated that the Nichols Town Hall project, the past Council, years ago, was given remodeling plans to review and authorize which was done; the exterior was to remain as original, no window removals, or black siding. The basement, which is not ADA compliant, was going to be used for storage only, the main floor was going to be restored as close as possible to the original, the small second floor which is not ADA compliant was going to be for storage only. At the time a suggestion was made that the 2nd floor office area windows remain, for use for those wanting to take pictures.
Director of Public Works:
- Frost lines not terribly deep – depth roughly mid 70 inches range
- Several water line breaks since the last meeting
- MPCA audit by the EPA – transformer storage area
It was moved by Buria and seconded by Gustafson to approve the Services Agreement for Safety Management Services between the City of Mountain Iron and the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) as presented, in the amount of $15,453.00 The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.
It was moved by Roskoski, following involves the Ann’s Acres public park, there have been requests to get rid of soggy wood chips underneath the swings and replace those woodchips with ground up rubber chips, which he was informed remain more dry, and easier to play with/on. There are two yards on the west side of South Court, that are below Ann’s Acres Park, which gets soggy from heavy rains and every snow melt running into those yards. A drainage swell is suggested, so the water does not go into the backyards, but instead so the rainwater goes towards Tamarack Drive on the South. The motion failed due to lack of support.
Library Director/Special Events Coordinator:
- Replacing several outdated holiday lights and city banners
- Saturday, April 19th “40th Annual Easter Egg Hunt”
- Friday, May 16th and Saturday, May 17th – City Wide Garage Sale
- Working with Hamlin University for Archaeological Services and with the DNR, “Old Pioneer Cemetery” also called the “Wacootah Cemetery” used roughly 1890-1910; archival research and Ground Penetrating Radar Survey and surface mapping, power-point presentation and more information to come
Sheriff’s Dept.
- No formal report
It was moved by Roskoski, at the suggestion of Mary Anderson and Councilor Buria that SGT Toma or his staff contact the Hoover Road/MnDOT Staff and have them evaluate if the speed limit on Highway 169, between the Hoover Road bridge area and Emerald Avenue/Rock Ridge Drive intersection could/should be changed to 45MPH in both directions. The motion failed due to lack of support.
City Engineering:
- No formal report
City Attorney:
- No formal report
It was moved by Buria and seconded by Roskoski to table the South Grove Recreational Complex proposal as presented, until the next Council meeting and to have a Parks & Recreation meeting with public attendance. The motion carried (No: Gustafson, Stanaway; Yes: Roskoski, Anderson, Buria).
- Discussion ensued regarding South Grove Recreational Complex proposal
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Buria to adopt the revised Job Descriptions/Position Analysis for the Fire Department positions as presented, in pages (#18-28) which will include the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department. The motion carried.
Liaison:
- Councilor Gustafson gave update on Age Friendly Initiative
- cofacilitating the initiative with Anna Amundson, submitted an application to the AARP, to designate the city as an Age Friendly Community
It was moved by Gustafson and seconded by Roskoski to appoint Councilor Buria and Councilor Stanaway to serve on the interview committee for the potential hiring of Laborers for the Public Works Department. The motion carried with Mayor Anderson abstaining.
Announcement:
- Merritt Days Committee planning meeting
- Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30 at the Mountain Iron Library
- Annual Library meeting
- Monday, February 24th @ 6:30 at the Mountain Iron Library
At 7:22p.m., it was moved by Buria and seconded by Gustafson the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Amanda Inmon
Municipal Services Secretary
