December 21, 2020 City Council Minutes

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

December 21, 2020

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:31p.m. with the following members present: Councilor Joe Prebeg Jr., Al Stanaway, Steve Skogman, Julie Buria and Gary Skalko. 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 SGT John Backman,  Sheriff’s Department.

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

1. Approve the minutes of the December 7, 2020, 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 December 1-15, totaling $275,179.98 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes),
4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period December 1-15, totaling $466,595.23 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

The motion carried with Skogman abstaining.

Public Forum:

• Martha Hartnett, Adventures Restaurant, spoke regarding Liquor Licenses, which was previously spoke about at the December 7^th Council meeting, revenue has been down due to the COVID restrictions implemented by the State
• Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney, spoke regarding the best practices around reduction or discount in Liquor License renewal fees for surrounding businesses, instead of doing reductions, recommends the EDA to possibly help in means of a Small Business Grant Fund to help.
• Kenny Adams spoke during the public forum.

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Stanaway to expedite a Small Business Grant Fund program through the EDA for local businesses affect by the COVID crisis to seek assistance. The Grant program would be based on certain criteria/guidelines established by the EDA, but would be aimed to help due to current restrictions imposed by the State of Minnesota. The motion carried.

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to set up a closed meeting/session before or after the next City Council meeting, so the new Council and Mayor be updated regarding the information Kenny Adams presented at the Council meeting. The motion carried.

The Mayor reported on the following:

• Condolences to the family and friends of Eloise Anderson Reigstad
• Condolences to the family and friends of Robert Olsen
• Condolences to the family and friends of Marion Vranicar  
• Condolences to the family and friends of Gladys Johnson
• Condolences to the family and friends of Steve Norvitch
• Condolences to the family and friends of Tom Kochevar
• Thank you to all those who are keeping this Country moving forward!
• Big Thank you to the City Crew for not only fixing the recent water line break, which affected Downtown residents but for snow plowing/cleanup during the same time frame

City Administrator:

• Working on next step/phase of CDBG Grant Application for slip-lining project
• Working on Enhancement Grant Application for trail
• Trail from County 7 to Parkville to Mesabi Bike Trail

Director of Public Works:

• Water-line breaks – Highway 7, Mineral/County 102

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Prebeg to approve the purchase a SNOGO Model WK Loader Mounted Snow Blower, in the amount of $56,500 from Macqueen; item is budgeted in 2021 Capital Improvement Budget. The motion carried on roll call vote.  

Library Director/Special Events Coordinator:

• Winter Reading program, January 4^th – February 26^th
• Curbside pickup hours increasing January 4^th, Thursday 10am-6pm and Fridays, 10am-2pm
• City of Mountain Iron “2020 Holiday Lighting Contest”
• “The WOW Factor” category winner – 8377 Spruce Drive
• “Traditional Spirit of Christmas” category winner – 8765 Merritt Place
• “Elegance of Design” category winner – 8730 Fairview Lane
• Wild Card winners (not entered but definitely noticed)
• 5469 Aster Avenue and 8386 Spruce Drive
• Beautiful Christmas decorations at Diamond Willow as well

Sheriff’s Department:

• No formal report

City Attorney:

• No formal report

City Engineer:

• No formal report

Fire Department:

• No formal report

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve the recommendation of the Fire Department and hire Mr. Alek Thro, as a volunteer Fire Fighter, contingent on passing a background check, physical, as well as drug and alcohol test. The motion carried.

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Skogman to accept the first reading of the ordinance as presented. The motion carried.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Buria to adopt, Policy # 2020-01, Personal Device Use Policy as presented. The motion carried.

Council members and Staff want to give a big thank you, congratulations and best wishes to Mayor Skalko for his 18 years of dedicated service to the City of Mountain Iron as Mayor.

Council members and Staff want to send a big thank you, congratulations and best wishes to Councilor Stanaway for his dedicated service to the City of Mountain Iron as a Council Member.

Mayor Skalko wanted to thank those individuals, which helped him throughout the years, which include not only his wife and family, but also the City Crew, Public Works Director, Office Staff, the City Administrator, Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department and City Attorney, including current and past personnel. Additionally all those volunteers which are on the City’s Boards, Advisories and Committees, as well as the other Mayors and members of the Communities. It was an honor and privilege to serve as Mayor these past 18 years.

At 7:53.m. it was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skogman to recess the regular meeting and enter into a closed meeting. The motion carried.

At 8:35p.m. it was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Buria to adjourn the closed meeting and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.

The performance evaluations and salary employment agreements were discussed along with proposed wage increases for the Director of Public Works, the Library Director/Special Events Coordinator, and the City Administrator.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve the following salary increases for the management staff:

            Craig J. Wainio             2.0%

            Tim Satrang                 2.0%

            Anna Amundson           2.0%

With the increase being effective January 1, 2021, and another 2% increase starting on January 01, 2022. All other benefits will be remain the same, with the understanding the agreements can be re-opened when more information is available, with another closed session to discuss it further with the City Attorney if needed. The motion carried.  

From all of the City of Mountain Iron City Council, Staff and Crew, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

At 8:39.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Stanaway that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.

Submitted by:

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com

Communications:

1. Thank you for the support of the RAMS (Range Association of Municipalities and Schools) organization.