February 1, 2021 City Council Minutes

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

February 1, 2021

Mayor Anderson called the City Council meeting to order at 6:32p.m. with the following members present: Councilor Steve Skogman, Joe Prebeg Jr., Ed Roskoski, 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; and SGT Kevin Friebe, Sheriff’s Department. Absent members: Julie Buria.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skogman that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

1. Approve the minutes of the January 19, 2021, 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 16-31, totaling $97,875.20 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes),
4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period January 16-31, totaling $230,716.41 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

To amend the January 19, 2021 City Council minutes, to include “At 8:09pm, it was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned.” The motion carried with Councilor Buria absent.

Public Forum:

• Beth Pierce, Iron Range Tourism, in collaboration with Megan Christianson, Visit Grand Rapids and Sara Carling, CEDA (Community & Economic Development Associates), presented a NE Regional Mine Tour power-point presentation.
• Mine Tour is promoting the Iron Range and upper Minnesota communities, roughly 22 communities, promotion for tourism and attract new visitors.
• The goal would be to generate positive economic impact through travel and tourism while highlighting interesting geological sites that contain history and culture of the NE Minnesota area.
• Asking for possible monetary donations as well as a letter of community support to help with the startup of this plan/project.

The Mayor reported on the following:

• Meeting US Steel/MINTAC representatives – no plans to permanently close Parkville road or 169 to Kinross, or to buy properties in the downtown Mountain Iron, Parkville, Kinross
• Due to road being blocked, weekly blasting schedule sent to City Hall
• Blasting schedule to be posted on City Facebook and Website
• For concerns or questions regarding blasting, or to report an exceptional or forceful shaking/tremors or aftershock call 749-7299 – 24 hours
• Please have day, date and time before calling

City Administrator:

• EDA completed Grant Program for the Liquor License Renewal Emergency Funding, checks sent to those applicants who applied

Director of Public Works:

• 2 Water line breaks simultaneously in South Grove – both isolated and fixed that day
• Water Plant filter project started recently and is underway
• Well Project started recently

Library Director/Special Events Coordinator:

• Winter Reading program, Monday, January 4^th – Friday, February 26^th
• It is “National Library Lovers month,” and “I Love to Read” month
• Blind date with a book or movie

Sheriff’s Department:

• No formal report

City Engineer:

• Water plant filter replacement project under construction, demo in full swing
• Well project will have more activity as the weather warms up

Liaison:

• No formal report, P&Z and Public Health and Safety have not had a recent meeting to report
• P&Z next meeting is February 22^nd, will have a report next council meeting

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skogman to approve Resolution #03-21: Adopt recent edition of General Records Retention Schedule for Minnesota Cities (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Councilor Buria absent.

Councilor Roskoski stated that more sidewalks are needed throughout the City, especially in certain areas. Sidewalks are a needed as an alternative to recommended trails. Requested sidewalks starting at MIB school area across 169 to Rock Ridge drive continuing by the shopping retail stores to Comfort Inn and then to Park Place/Raintree area. Additionally from the Highway 169/Highway 7 sidewalk crossing, west up Enterprise Drive North to Nicholas Avenue, running along Short Stop to Nicholas Town Hall. Discussion ensued about recommended/requested sidewalks. 

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Prebeg to recommend the proposed sidewalk construction to the Streets and Alleys committee for further discussion. The motion carried with Council Buria absent.

It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Skogman to accept the letter of resignation of Matt Cerkvenik from the position as a Journeyman Lineman, with an effective date of Monday, January 26, 2021. The motion carried with Councilor Buria absent.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Roskoski to send a letter to Mr. Matt Cerkvenik thanking him for his time at the City. The motion carried with Councilor Buria absent.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skogman to reschedule the Monday, February 15, 2021 meeting due to the President’s Day Holiday to Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 6:30pm in the Iroquois Room, at the Mountain Iron City Hall. The motion carried with Councilor Buria absent.

At 7:46p.m., it was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Roskoski that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried with Councilor Buria absent.

Submitted by:

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

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