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City of Mountain Iron, Minnesota



Resolution Number 09-25

RESOLUTION NUMBER 09-25

APPROVAL OF THE CSAH 102 (PARK RIDGE DRIVE) AND ROCK RIDGE DRIVE SIDEWALK PROJECT

WHEREAS, St. Louis County submitted a funding application to the Minnesota Active Transportation Program to construct sidewalk along CSAH 102 (Park Ridge Dr) and Rock Ridge Dr, located within the corporate limits of Mountain Iron; and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Active Transportation Program awarded $700,000.00 to St. Louis County for this project, which is further identified as CP 0102-833621 and SAP 069-702-014; and

WHEREAS, the project will construct sidewalk along CSAH 102 (Park Ridge Dr) beginning at Rock Ridge Dr and ending at CSAH 109 (Nichols Ave); and

WHEREAS, the project will construct sidewalk along Rock Ridge Dr beginning at US 169 and ending at CSAH 102 (Park Ridge Dr); and

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes §162.02, Subd. 8 states no portion of the county state aid highway system lying within the corporate limits of any city shall be constructed, reconstructed, or improved nor the grade thereof changed without the prior approval of the plans by the governing body of such city and the approval shall be in the manner and form required by the commissioner; and

WHEREAS, the project plan has been presented to the Mountain Iron City Council, copies of which were before the council.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOUNTAIN IRON, MINNESOTA hereby approves of the CSAH 102 (Park Ridge Dr) and Rock Ridge Dr sidewalk project and that this approval will serve as the municipal consent for these improvements to satisfy the requirements of Minnesota Statutes §162.02, Subd. 8.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of Mountain Iron, Minnesota authorizes the City of Mountain Iron engineer to sign the title sheet of the plan identified as CP 0102-833621, SAP 069-702-014.

DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 16th DAY OF JUNE, 2025.

 

 

 

____________________________________

Mayor Peggy Anderson

ATTEST:

 

 

__________________________________

City Administrator

Resolution Number 08-25

RESOLUTION NUMBER 08-25

ORDERING IMPROVEMENT AND PREPARATION OF PLANS

WHEREAS, a certain petition requesting the Enterprise Drive South, as identified the attached exhibit by the installation of infrastructure and the construction of a road, filed with the Council March 17, 2025, and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOUNTAIN IRON, MINNESOTA:

  1. The council finds and determines that said petition was signed by all owners of real property abutting upon the street(s) named as the location of the improvement.
  2. Such improvement is hereby ordered as proposed in the council resolution adopted March 17, 2025.
  3. Such improvement has no relationship to the comprehensive municipal plan.
  4. Bolton and Menk is hereby designated as the engineer for this improvement. They shall prepare plans and specifications for the making of such improvement.

DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 16th DAY OF JUNE, 2025.

____________________________________

                                               Mayor Peggy Anderson

ATTEST:

 

 

__________________________________

City Administrator

June 16, 2025 City Council Agenda

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING

COMMUNITY CENTER

MOUNTAIN IRON ROOM

MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2025 – 6:30 P.M.

A G E N D A

 

  1. Roll Call
  2. Pledge of Allegiance
  3. Consent Agenda
    1. Minutes of the June 2, 2025, Regular Meeting (#1-8)
    2. Receipts
    3. Bills and Payroll
    4. Communications
  4. Public Forum
  5. Committee and Staff Reports
    1. Mayor’s Report
    2. City Administrator’s Report
    3. Director of Public Work’s Report
    4. Library Director/Special Events Coordinator’s Report (#9)
    5. City Engineer’s Report
      1. Pay Request Number 2 – Mineral Avenue Water (#10-11)
    6. Sheriff’s Department Report
    7. City Attorney’s Report
    8. Fire Department’s Report
    9. Planning and Zoning Commission (#12-14)
      1. Conditional Use Permit – Dall
      2. Conditional Use Permit and Variance – Pontinen
    10. Liaison Reports
  6. Unfinished Business
  7. New Business
    1. Resolution Number 08-25 Ordering Plans (#15-21)
    2. Resolution Number 09-25 Municipal Consent (#22-28)
    3. Project Agreement
  8. Communications (#29-31)
  9. Announcements
  10. Adjourn

                                                                                                            # Page Number in Packet

June 2, 2025 City Council Minutes

 MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

June 2, 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: Craig Wainio, City Administrator; Tim Satrang, Director of Public Works; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Sgt. Grant Toma, Sheriff’s Department; and Al Johnson, City Engineer.

It was moved by Buria and seconded by Roskoski the consent agenda be approved as follows:

  1. Approve the minutes of May 19, 2025, regular meeting.
  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 May 16-31, totaling $169,247.69 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
  4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period May 16-31, totaling $308,840.97 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

The motion carried.

Public Forum:

  • No one spoke during the forum

The Mayor reported on the following:

  • Last week visited the Wastewater Treatment plant – observed the ball press in operation

City Administrator:

  • No formal report

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Gustafson to approve the following individual as a summer temporary employee:

Library:                                                          

Devyn Dahl

The motion carried.                                       

Director of Public Works:

  • Ball press reduces truck traffic – help control costs of Enterprise funds
  • Thanks to MIB students – spent last day of school, weeding, painting and picking up trash
  • Large trash started – should be done by end of week

It was moved by Roskoski that the streetlight at Centennial St. and County Road 7, be put back into operation by July 11, 2025. The reason behind the July 11th deadline is due to head Electric lineman retiring after that date. The motion failed due to lack of support.

It was moved by Roskoski that all the potholes on Spruce Drive be filled level by June 13th. If we don’t have any cold patch-mix, I was told that you can either go to Menards and get 50lbs for $8.00 or you can go L&M supply and get the same stuff for around the same price. I checked that it was made for patching asphalt which Spruce Dr. is. The motion failed due to lack of support.

City Engineering:

  • No formal report

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Buria to approve Change Order No. 1 – for the Mineral Avenue Watermain project, with an increase amount of $74,500.00 to 2EZ Inc. DBA: Jola and Sopp Excavating, Inc., Eveleth, MN. The Change Order changes the amount to $392,333.00. The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.

Sheriff’s Department:

  • No formal report

Liaison:

  • Councilor Gustafson updated
  • May 23rd – Leedrick studios filmed at West II Rivers Campground
  • Park & Rec meeting – May 28th
  • Discussed South Grove Rec complex
  • Playground to be updated at West Virginia park

It was moved by Gustafson and seconded by Buria to approve Resolution #05-25; Authorizing the City to make an application to and accept grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.

  • Laura Thro – spoke regarding restorative practices grant on the Iron Range – support pre-existing restorative practices, reduction in crime, healthier communities and strengthening families within the community

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Buria to approve Resolution #06-25; Charitable Gambling (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.

It was moved by Gustafson and seconded by Stanaway to approve Resolution #07-25; Application to the MHFA Greater Minnesota Housing Public Infrastructure Grant program. The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.

Announcements:

  • 2025 Merritt Days Planning Committee
  • Wednesday, June 11th at the Mountain Iron Senior Center at 5:30pm
  • Meet and greet with Councilor Gustafson – looking for input and feedback
  • Tuesday, June 17th at the Mountain Iron Library from 5:00pm – 6:00pm

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

Submitted by:

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com

Communications:

  1. Louis County Planning Commission Public Hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 9:00am, for proposed St. Louis County Zoning Ordinance 62 amendments
  2. Thank you from the MIB Journalism Staff for the yearbook sponsor support

Resolution Number 07-25

RESOLUTION NUMBER 07-25

APPLICATION TO THE MHFA GREATER MINNESOTA HOUSING PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT

BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Mountain Iron is hereby applying to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s (MHFA) Greater Minnesota Housing Public Infrastructure Grant in the amount of $400,000.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Mountain Iron estimates the total cost of the public infrastructure improvements to be $1,000,000.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Mountain Iron will commit the following matching sources and amounts to the project:

Iron Range Resource and Rehabilitation Grant, $400,000

Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority Funds, $200,000

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Mountain Iron has the legal authority to apply for the grant, and the financial, technical, and managerial capacity to financially provide for and ensure proper construction, operation, and maintenance of the project for its design life.      

DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 2nd DAY OF JUNE, 2025.

 

 

____________________________________

Mayor Peggy Anderson

ATTEST:

 

 

 

________________________________

City Administrator

Resolution Number 06-25

RESOLUTION NUMBER 06-25

CHARITABLE GAMBLING

WHEREAS, the Eveleth Elks Lodge 1161, has applied for a new Premises Permit consisting of electronic pull-tabs, electronic linked bingo, tipboards, and pull-tabs at Adventures Restaurant, 8476 Mountain Iron Drive, Virginia, Minnesota, and;

WHEREAS, the Eveleth Elks Lodge 1161, is requesting that their Premises Permit be issued.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL, that the Mountain Iron City Council hereby approves said premises permit.

DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 2nd DAY OF JUNE, 2025.

 

 

 

____________________________________

Mayor Peggy Anderson

ATTEST:

 

 

 

________________________________

City Administrator

Resolution Number 05-25

RESOLUTION NUMBER 05-25

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY TO MAKE APPLICATION TO AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

WHEREAS, the authorizing authority approves of the attached application for the Restorative Practices Initiatives Grant Program project; and

WHEREAS, the authorizing authority agrees to accept funding for the underlying project if approved by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

NOW BE IT RESOLVED that the authorizing authority of the City of Mountain Iron does adopt this resolution.

NOW BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Mountain Iron may take all necessary action to apply for and receive the grant and the Mayor and City Administrator are hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver documents and forms related to the grant including but not limited to a grant agreement.

DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 2nd DAY OF JUNE, 2025.

 

 

 

____________________________________

Mayor Peggy Anderson

ATTEST:

 

 

 

__________________________________

City Administrator

May 19, 2025 City Council Minutes

 MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

May 19, 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: Craig Wainio, City Administrator; Tim Satrang, Director of Public Works; Anna Amundson, Library Director/Special Events Coordinator; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Al Johnson, City Engineer; Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney; and Mark Madden, Fire Department Chief.  

It was moved by Buria and seconded by Stanaway the consent agenda be approved as follows:

  1. Approve the minutes of May 5, 2025, regular meeting.
  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 May 1-15, totaling $302,867.20 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
  4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period May 1-15, totaling $376,401.00 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

The motion carried.

Public Forum:

  • No one spoke during the forum

The Mayor reported on the following:

  • Thank you to the city crew for the work done on the leak on Mountain Ave

City Administrator:

  • Attending IRRRB meeting as representative – City receiving two million dollars for watermain replacement, Wastewater Plant improvements and Enterprise Drive NE extension

Director of Public Works:

  • City acted as fiscal agent for Quad Cities Dewatering project
  • Crew finishing mowing, sweeping, assisting contractor at waterline replacement

It was moved by Gustafson and seconded by Buria to approve Pay Request No. 2 – Quad Cities Dewatering project, in the amount of $18,217.88 to 2EZ Inc. DBA: Jola and Sopp Excavating, Inc., Eveleth, MN. The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.

Library Director/Special Events Coordinator:

  • City-wide garage sale – roughly 32 participants
  • Mountain Iron-Buhl High School students performing community service projects throughout the community

City Attorney:

  • Authorization to attend next P&Z meeting
  • Update on reviewing city’s assessment policy, City’s policy is in line with MN Statute

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Buria to authorize the City Attorney to attend the next P&Z meeting. The motion carried.

It was moved by Roskoski the following information is from the League of MN Cities and the research department of the MN House of Representatives in regard to Minnesota’s Statute Chapter 429 and related. Special Benefit test, that the City Attorney has mentioned, special assessments reflect the influence of a specific local improvement on the value of selected property; no matter what method the City uses to establish the amount of assessment, the real measure of benefit is the increase in market value of the land/property being improved against. Under the Special Benefits test, special benefits are presumptively valid if the land receives a special benefit from the improvement; the assessment does not exceed the special benefit measured by the increase in market value due to the improvement; the assessment must be uniform as applied to the same class of property in assessed area. Because special assessments are appealable in District Court, its important that the City considers the benefit of the property as a result of the specific improvement. Councils  often do this by obtaining a qualified licensed appraiser; at the hearings on the assessment, the appraiser presents a written or oral report on the increase in market value as a result of the improvement. A special assessment that exceeds the Special Benefit, is taking a property without fair compensation and violates the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution and the Minnesota Constitution. As Courts have made clear, the Special Benefit is an increase in market value of the land as a result of an improvement, especially in regard to street improvements. It may be very difficult to demonstrate if there is any significant increase in market value as a result of the resurfacing or restructuring of a street. And going forward, that the City of Mountain Iron and our Economic Development Authority will from March 19, 2025, (today) and into the future follow Minnesota Statute Chapter 429 and all the implacable subdivisions for assessing procedures on City funded projects. Read the information from the League of MN Cities, a lot more pages that get more specific. What Councilor Roskoski is really getting at is that since he has been involved with our government since 1983, Mountain Iron has never “really” followed State procedures, they kind of just “rah a rah” and a lot of people accept it. There have been some people that in recent years that have done more in-depth study than himself, they are the ones that opened his eyes and got his ears going, some people go “what the heck.” That was Councilor Roskoski’s motion, the motion failed due to lack of support.

City Engineering:

  • Mineral Ave watermain project started– possible water shutdown in downtown area

Fire Department:

  • Crews responded to DNR request – staged to help with various recent fires
  • Thank you to those individuals who took time away from their jobs and families to help with the recent fires.

It was moved by Roskoski to accept the Fire Department report as presented. The motion failed due to lack of support.

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Gustafson to approve the Conditional Use Permit for Nous Sommes Mason, LLC, for the construction of brewing, bottling and packaging of beverages, and retail space, for one year. The property is legally described as follows:

PARCEL CODE: 175-71-01218

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Plat Name: MT IRON Section:-; Township: 58; Range: 18; Lot:-; Block: -; Description: PART OF SE1/4 OF NE1/4 COMMENCING AT SE CORNER THENCE W 458.31 FT TO E R/W LINE OF RAILROAD THENCE NW ALONG R/W 804.31 FT THENCE N 80 DEG 22 MIN 1 SEC E 162 FT TO PT OF BEG THENCE CONTINUE SAME BEARING 156.81 FT THENCE N 25 DEG 44 MIN 16 SEC W 121.46 FT THENCE NW ALONG TANGENTAL CURVE, CONCAVE TO SW WITH 25 FT RADIUS, 32.24 FT THENCE S 80 DEG 22 MIN 1 SEC W 92.80 FT THENCE S 6 DEG 59 MIN 9 SEC E 134.96 FT TO PT OF BEG

               Address: 5470 Mountain Iron Drive, Virginia, MN 55792

PARCEL CODE: 175-71-01217

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Plat Name: MT IRON Section: 13; Township:5 8; Range: 18; Lot:-; Block:-; Description: PART OF SE1/4 OF NE1/4 COMMENCING AT SE CORNER THENCE W 458.31 FT TO E R/W LINE OF RAILROAD THENCE NW ALONG R/W 804.31 FT THENCE N 80 DEG 22 MIN 1 SEC E 162 FT TO PT OF BEG THENCE CONTINUE SAME BEARING 156.81 FT THENCE N 25 DEG 44 MIN 16 SEC W 121.46 FT THENCE NW ALONG TANGENTAL CURVE, CONCAVE TO SW WITH 25 FT RADIUS, 32.24 FT THENCE S 80 DEG 22 MIN 1 SEC W 92.80 FT THENCE S 6 DEG 59 MIN 9 SEC E 134.96 FT TO PT OF BEG

               Address: Virginia, MN 55768

The motion carried.

It was moved by Gustafson and seconded by Buria to accept the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and extend an offer to the following individuals for the Laborer position pending physical, drug/alcohol test and background check:

Jesse Jacobsen                          Casey Kintner

The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski abstaining.

Liaison:

  • Councilor Roskoski spoke regarding letter to Representative Warwas regarding J-turn
  • Letter received from Representative Warwas no means to change outcome
  • Councilor Gustafson updated
  • EDA met – seeking funding to extend Woodland Estates Phase II
  • Moving forward with Mountain Iron Drive N and Enterprise Drive N (north of Habitat)

It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Stanaway to approve Ordinance #03-25; Short Term Rentals (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Buria and seconded by Gustafson to approve Resolution #04-25; Accepting Bids for Improvement Number MI22-08, proposed improvement of alleyway between Old Highway 169 and Mineral Avenue all located east of Mineral Avenue by Road Reconstruction, Alignment and Drainage Improvements (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried (No: Roskoski; Yes: Gustafson, Stanaway, Buria and Anderson).

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Buria to accept the resignation of Greg Jarvela from the Lead Journeyman Lineman, effective July 11, 2025. The motion carried.

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Gustafson to post internally for the Lead Journeyman Lineman position, according to the AFSCME 453 Local Bargaining Agreement. The motion carried

Announcement:

  • 2025 Merritt Days Planning Committee
  • Thursday, May 22nd at the Mountain Iron Senior Center at 5:00pm
  • Leedrick Studios filming at West II Rivers Campground
  • Meet and greet with Councilor Gustafson – looking for input and feedback
  • Tuesday, June 17th at the Mountain Iron Library
  • 5:00pm – 7:00pm

At 7:19p.m., it was moved by Buria and seconded by Gustafson the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.

Submitted by:

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com

Communications:

  1. MN Department of Revenue Mineral Hearing on unmined ore assessments will be May 21, 2025.

June 2, 2025 City Council Agenda

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING

COMMUNITY CENTER

MOUNTAIN IRON ROOM

MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2025 – 6:30 P.M.

A G E N D A

 

  1. Roll Call
  2. Pledge of Allegiance
  3. Consent Agenda
    1. Minutes of the May 19, 2025, Regular Meeting (#1-13)
    2. Receipts
    3. Bills and Payroll
    4. Communications
  4. Public Forum
  5. Committee and Staff Reports
    1. Mayor’s Report
    2. City Administrator’s Report
      1. Temporary Seasonal Employee (#14)
    3. Director of Public Work’s Report
    4. City Engineer’s Report
      1. Change Order Number 1 – Mineral Avenue Watermain (#15-16)
    5. Sheriff’s Department Report
    6. Liaison Reports
  6. Unfinished Business
  7. New Business
    1. Resolution Number 05-25 Grant Application (#17-22)
    2. Resolution Number 06-25 Premise Permit (#23-27)
  8. Communications (#28-30)
  9. Announcements
  10. Adjourn

                                                                                                            # Page Number in Packet

 

042225 UAB Munutes

Mountain Iron Utility Advisory Board 22 April 2025 Minutes

Meeting was called to order 4:21PM by Public Works Director Satrang

Members present: Sue Tuomela, Ron Ostman, Bret Renzaglia and Jacob Osell, Others present: Julie Buria, Council Liaison, Tim Satrang, Public Works Director

Members absent: Chairman Renzaglia

Bret Renzaglia made a motion to approve the 10 March 2025 consent agenda Sue Tuomela second the motion. Motion passed unanimously

Communications: None

Public Forum: None

Outage Reports:

 Electrical: Water:

None to report

Ongoing leak near Walgreens on Mountain Iron Drive. Satrang explained the repair started today. Most likely will be a multi-day repair. The crew is being mindful to the local hospitality business along with the restraints of having an extended outage. It is a difficult dig because of the location on the 90-degree curve, fiber optics, and natural gas line.

Unfinished Business:

Electrical System Five Year Plan Review Progress: Working on a federal electrical grant. Satrang explained staff has been working on a multi community electrical grant that would be a that ‘”mild be used to accomplish a significant portion of the Five-year scope.

Satrang updated the Board on the progress of the HWY 169 electrical project. The contractor has indicated a start date. Satrang went over the remaining items on the 169 projects. The supply line was discussed and the effects of tariffs.

EV Charging: Waiting on update from MP contractor. Discussed the possibly of a “super charger.

WWTP Upgrades:

Satrang explained the Council approved an agreement with MSA to put together a facility Plan. A wastewater facility plan outlines the design, operation, and maintenance of wastewater treatment plant to ensure effective and environmentally responsible.

Discussed the thermographic and Airborne ultrasound study. It is the “roadmap to the design” of the system.

New Business

 Large trash Pickup:

Motion made by Bret Renzaglia Supported by Sue Tuomela to recommend the City Council approve a 2025 Large Trash Pickup in the amount of$15.00 dollars. Motion passed unanimously.

Water Rates. Satrang requested this item be postponed until the next meeting. Satrang is

working on a new “water supply charge”. Discussion took place on surrounding community rates.

Open discussion:

Discussion on PFAS in the water supply. The MOH has done some PFAS sampling of our drinking water supply.

Set the next meeting for 20 May 2025 at 4:00 PM

Announcements:

Meeting Adjourned at 5:08 PM

Respect fully submitted, Tim Satrang

Director of Public Works

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