March 4, 2019 City Council Minutes

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

March 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; Anna Amundson, Library Director/Special Events Coordinator; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer 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. Approve the minutes of the February 19, 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 February 16-28, totaling $539,438.16 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period February 16-28, totaling $440,610.26 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

The motion carried unanimously.

Public Forum:

• Jason Gellerdstedt spoke regarding Merritt Days
  • Spoke about Merritt Days regarding cap, will attend next meeting, March 18^th, discuss more with the Merritt Days Committee before the next meeting
  • Majority of money received/generated at end of Merritt Days by raffle ticket sales, half of money for Head-liner band is due up-front, with cap on music and stage, there would be no possible way to have a Head-liner band this year
  • Mayor Skalko stated that at next meeting a cap on music/band and stage will be brought forth again, if it does pass then they would discuss accordingly repayment or possible line of credit, as mentioned by Councilor Prebeg. Mayor Skalko stated that he requested several times at the Committee of the Whole meeting with the Merritt Days Committee the amount of money which was within their accounts, with no amount ever given.

The Mayor reported on the following:

• Sexual Assault Awareness month is intended to bring awareness to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and is a public health concern for individuals, families, community members and communities as a whole.
  • Child sexual abuse/exploitation, rape and sexual harassment impact all communities as seen by the national statistics
  • Within the past year, our local Sexual Assault Program has worked with more than 1,000 crime victims of sexual violence who reside in our communities. The Program has provided more than 32,200 trauma and victim-focused advocacy services with these crime victims.
  • The Sexual Assault Program of Northern St. Louis County encourages every person to speak out when witnessing acts of violence, however small; and to help survivors connect with community allies.

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Buria to proclaim April 2019 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and publish proclamation in the Hometown Focus and post on social media. The motion carried.

City Administrator:

• West II Rivers Campground reservations opened Friday, March 1^st online and at City Hall
• West II Rivers Campground is advertising for a new Caretaker for the summer, mid-May to mid-September
• Development lots available at Unity II Addition, South Forest Grove and Woodland Estates

Director of Public Works:

• Residents who service lines coming from water-mains that are not property insulated/adequate amount of dirt/earth or are not properly covered, can take the precaution/have the decision to trickle water, will not receive credit from City
  • The City is not in jeopardy of freezing its water-line mains
  • The City has not issued a trickle-order at this time
• Power outage in West Virginia area – crew was working in area
• Repairing water line break near Spring Creek Outfitters and old Anderson Chevrolet building
• City Crews out hauling and moving snow, please pay attention to parking ordinances
• Receiving Wastewater Operator Award for 2^nd year in a row from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Library Director/Special Events Coordinator:

• Winter reading program started in January
• Tuesday, March 12^th at 3:30pm, “Colors of Minnesota” Ryan J. Schroeder
• Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 20^th at noon at Merritt Elementary

Sheriff’s Department:

• No formal report

City Engineer:

• No formal report

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Stanaway to table the hiring/appointment of Fire Department Officers, until after meeting with Fire Department on Tuesday, March 5^th, due to information received last minute from Fire Chief.

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Buria to approve Resolution #03-19; Authorizing the City of Mountain Iron to Finance $322,237 for the purchase of a Fire Truck. The motion carried.

Councilor Prebeg requested that all Councilor receive a copy of the agenda/packet prior to the meetings from the Merritt Days Committee.

Merritt Elementary PTA requests donation for 6^th Annual “KID Fit” Carnival. It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to donate $250 to the Merritt Elementary PTA’s 6^th Annual “KID Fit” Carnival, monies to come out of the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Buria to donate $200 to the Mesabi Family YMCA “Father-Daughter Dance,” Fundraiser, which was held Saturday, February 23^rd at the Mountain Iron Community Center, monies to come from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried on roll call vote.

At 7:02p.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. Committee of the Whole Meeting with City Council, Mountain Iron Fire Department and Public Health and Safety, Tuesday, March 5^th at 6:30pm at the Mountain Iron Community Center
2. Salvation Army hosting “Chili Feed” on Saturday, March 9^th from 12:00 – 3:00pm, at the Salvation Army in Virginia, looking to raise money to expand food shelf storage
3. “3^rd Annual Broadband Day pm the Hill,” on Wednesday, April 3^rd, $25 fee per person, meet with Representatives to promote Broadband in the area
4. “Ranger Party,” by Local Representatives in honor of the late Tom Rukavina, Tuesday, April 9^th at 6:30pm, at Mancini’s Char House, tickets available
5. 2019 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization is scheduled for April 16, 2019 from 5:00-6:00pm at the Mountain Iron Community Center.