January 22, 2019 City Council Minutes

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

January 22, 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; Anna Amundson, Library Director/Special Events Director; and Al Johnson, City Engineer.

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

1. Approve the minutes of the January 07, 2019 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 1-15, totaling $390,075.41 (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 1-15, totaling $488,292.27 (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 Rebie for the article in the paper about the City of Mountain Iron

1. The City is in excellent financial condition.
2. Reserves are solid.
3. First City tax levy increase of 3% in December 2018, in the last nine years
4. New Housing Development:
   1. Unity II Addition. Three new homes were built, making a total of 22 constructed. This development brings in not only new people to the community but adds a tax base of roughly seven million to the community
5. Economic Development Authority Projects completed in 2018:
   1. South Forest Grove. One house built, bringing the total to six new homes in the Addition.
   2. Woodland Estates. Three lots sold with two patio homes built within the addition, construction being done by White Pine Builders, Roughly 30 acre area, with this addition including all the amenities.
   3. Rock Ridge Development. Total of seven business located within the development, creating roughly 200 jobs within the area. This development brings a tax base of roughly over 29 million to the community.
6. Economy projects in 2018:
   1. New Mountain Iron-Buhl High school and Sports complex opened in September 2018, built next to Merritt Elementary
   2. Fairview Clinic, started a 3,000 sq. ft. expansion of project, with completion in 2019
   3. Heliene, USA opened doors, only Solar plant within the State of Minnesota producing solar panels
   4. Iron Range Tykes Learning Center, 8,500 sq. ft. childcare facility opened its doors
7. Street Project 2018:
   1. Intersection of 169/County Road 7/Enterprise Drive North, which was a joint collaboration between St. Louis County, The State of Minnesota and the City of Mountain Iron. The cost to the City was $400,000, cost was defrayed due to a Grant received from the State of Minnesota
8. Projects proposed for 2019:
   1. 70-unit Market-rate Apartment Complex, located west of Lake Country Power in the Rock Ridge area
   2. 250-seat Convention/Conference Center with an attached Brewery & Pub, located in Rock Ridge area
   3. New Holiday Inn Express located in the Rock Ridge area
   4. County Road 103 (Mud Lake Road), complete overlay, starting mid-to-later July
   5. South Grove recreation complex updates/improvements
9. Conclusion:
   1. Economy on the Range. Due to all of the development and businesses within Mountain Iron when property taxes are collected, 70% of the money comes from businesses, with 30% coming from residential property owners. The City of Mountain Iron and Economic Development Authority would like to continue to work with businesses to bring them to areas of Mountain Iron. The goal is to continue to keep working hard and to keep moving forward to make our City the best place possible to live and work.

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to appoint Jacob Osell to the Utility Advisory Board, with his term expiring on December 31, 2021. The motion carried.

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to appoint Brett Renzaglia to the Utility Advisory Board, with his term expiring on December 31, 2021. The motion carried.

City Administrator:

• CDBG Board Presentation and process at the Community Center –recommended for a grant to complete another section of slip-lining sewers in Downtown Mountain Iron

Director of Public Works

• Discussed the results of the section of sewers that had the slip-lining process completed (Cured in Place Pipe, CIPP) used to help protect pipelines from corrosion, restore structural integrity, reduce infiltration, help eliminate leaking joints, improve water quality and increase pipeline flow capacity
• Tri-Cities and Bio-solids employee, John Seurer is retiring- big thank you for his years of service

Library Director/Special Events Coordinator:

• January 2^nd – March 31^st Winter Reading program for Adults and children
  • Goal of 20,000 reading minutes for City of Mountain Iron
• Family Reading time in full swing
• Working on April Easter Egg Hunt
  • Taking ideas and suggestions for Easter Egg Hunt

City Engineer:

• No formal report

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Buria to approve the authorization of Benchmark Engineering and KLM Engineering to prepare plans and specifications, which will be sent to the Department of Health for review for the Water Tower project. The motion carried. 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to authorize Flaimer’s Bar to serve alcohol at Wedding Receptions scheduled for February 2^nd and February 16^th at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The motion carried.

The council reviewed the list of communications.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to donate $500 to the Mesabi Family YMCA Dinner & Auction Fundraiser event, Thursday, April 4^th at the Mountain Iron Community Center, monies to come from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on roll call.

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Skogman to donate $500, to the St. Louis County Iron Range Youth in Action program, “24^th Annual Young Leaders Conference,” monies to come out of the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.

At 7:14pm., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.

Submitted by:

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

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