February 4, 2019 City Council Minutes

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

February 4, 2019

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:31pm. with the following members present: Councilor Joe Prebeg Jr., Alan Stanaway, Steve Skogman, Julie Buria, 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 Skogman that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

1. Add the following items to the agenda:
   1. VII.    Mother/Son Dance (Mesabi Family YMCA) Donation   
2. Approve the minutes of the January 22, 2019 regular meeting as submitted.
3. 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.
4. To acknowledge the receipts for the period January 16-31, totaling $468,563.48 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period January 16-31, totaling $144,744.31 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

The motion carried unanimously.

Public Forum:

• No one spoke during the forum

The Mayor reported on the following:

• Huge blessing and miracle that Jayme Closs from Northern Wisconsin was found safe and alive
• Thank you Angie Riebe for the article in the paper about the City of Mountain Iron
• Condolences to the family and friends of Bonnie Nelson
• Condolences to the family and friends of Caroline Barone-Kujala

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Skogman to cap/redirect a portion of the $20,000 monies given for Merritt Days at $7,000 in regards to music & entertainment, $3,000 on live music and $4,000 on a concert audio stage. The motion carried on roll call vote (No: Prebeg; Skogman, Buria Yes: Skalko, Stanaway)

Discussion ensued regarding Merritt Days monies and activities;

• Councilor Prebeg stated there should be a meeting between the Merritt Days Committee and the City Council or at least a representative in regards to the monies that have been spent in the previous years. Would like to get more information and be better educated before a decision is made, in regards to how much money is spent on entertainment, as well as where the money goes from the Raffle and t-shirt sales, what is it used for?
• Mayor Skalko stated that changes should be made, not in regards to how much Merritt Days is receiving, but discussing where the money that Merritt Days Committee receives goes, should not be spending as much as entertainment, should be more family orientated, is not a Music Festival.
• Councilor Skogman stated that Merritt Days Committee is a private committee, and the City has no control over where the money that is received is spent, the Council should appoint the committee, even if it is the same individuals currently on the committee, should have minutes and notices for the meetings, and they should be public. Changes need to be made, there should be more transparency between the Merritt Days Committee and the City of Mountain Iron in regards to money spent not only the City’s portion but the Committee’s portion of money. Would like to see more family-oriented and kid-friendly events during Merritt Days, should not just be focused on music and entertainment. What has Merritt Days given back to the Community, have they bought playground equipment, uniforms, baseballs for the summer kids programs?
• Councilor Buria stated that Merritt Days is a community celebration for business and families, should be family friendly event

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to set up a meeting with the Merritt Days Committee, prior to the March City Council meeting, 6:30pm on Thursday, February 28^th at Mountain Iron City Hall. The motion carried unanimously.

City Administrator:

• West II Rivers Campground reservations opening March 1^st online and at City Hall
• Green Steps –review ordinances and policies, to help encourage Solar development within the City of Mountain Iron

Director of Public Works:

• No formal report
• Water-line break on Garden Drive North, discovered on a Sunday, but repaired on Monday due to negative weather
• Currently the frost depth is at 5ft, still currently being monitored, no trickle order in effect for the City
  • Residents decision if they want to trickle/run their water, will not receive credit from City
  • Residents should take precautions if they are prone to water issues, or have outside pipes

Sheriff’s Department:

• No formal report

City Attorney:

• No formal report

City Engineer:

• No formal report

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and hire Mr. Arin Marks, to the Mountain Iron Fire Department as a firefighter, contingent on physical and background check. The motion carried.

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Skogman to authorize City Staff to internally post for the positions of Assistant Fire Chief, Captain-Training Officer and Assistant EMS Director. The motion carried.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Buria to reschedule the February 18, 2019 meeting due to the President’s Day Holiday to Tuesday, February 19^th at 6:30pm at the Mountain Iron City Hall. The motion carried.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skogman to authorize Sundberg Enterprises, LLC  DBA: The Sawmill Saloon and Restaurant to serve food and alcohol at the YMCA Annual Dinner & Fundraiser scheduled for April 4^th at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The motion carried.

The council reviewed the list of communications.

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Buria to donate $200 to the Mesabi Family YMCA Mother/Son Dance, which was held on January 12, 2019 at the Mountain Iron Community Center, monies to come from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.

At 7:13p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.

Submitted by:

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Thank you from the Mountain Iron Senior Citizens Club for the generous donation to their Annual Christmas Party.