Meeting Minutes for 08-21-17

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

August 21, 2017

 

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:35p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Alan Stanaway, Susan Tuomela, 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. Absent members: Councilor Steve Skogman.

 

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

 

1. Add the following items to the agenda:
2. A. 1. Change City Council meeting due to Labor Day Holiday

 

2. Approve the minutes of the August 7, 2017, special meeting as submitted.

 

3. Approve the minutes of the August 7, 2017, regular meeting as submitted.

 

4. 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.

 

5. To acknowledge the receipts for the period August 1-15, 2017, totaling $187,941.74 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

6. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period August 1-15, 2017, totaling $183,676.25 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.

 

Public Forum:

 

• Nick Provoceno from Nick Signs, looking to purchase land, already have sign permits, located near County Road 102 and Road 169, near solar plant, asking to build road for land easement-access across the City of Mountain Iron property, access would be from County Road 102.
  • Discussion ensued regarding property ownership before approving any type of easement
  • Councilors would like information and details forwarded to Rod Flannigan and Tim Satrang for recommendations at September 5^th meeting
• Ed Roskoski spoke regarding update on Pioneer Cemetery
  • Latest information regarding cemetery, possibility that it could cave into the Wacootah mine complex as it is slowly deteriorating
  • Collaborative effort between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Hibbing office; the Minnesota Department of Archeologists, Staff from Hamline University; St. Louis County Mine Inspector’s Office; determine what will be done with the cemetery since it is located on Minnesota State property
  • The number of individuals interned there would be determined and the individuals’ next of kin would be notified if available, thus giving them the decision on where to relocate them. However if no next of kin can be identified, the State would determine location of final burial for those individuals

 

 

 

The Mayor reported on the following:

 

• Condolences to the family and friends of Hollum Silcox
• Condolences to the family and friends of Yvonne Robillard

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to change the City Council meeting from September 4^th to September 5^th, due to the Labor Day Holiday. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.

 

The City Administrator reported on the following:

 

• Commend and thank the City of Mountain Iron Crew for their hard work last Thursday, August 17^th during the big rainstorm

Director of Public Works:

• City employees worked extremely hard last Thursday during the big rainstorm to help prevent major flooding and damage to residents and businesses located in Mountain Iron

 

Sheriff’s Department:

 

• Change in personnel, Deputy Hirsch put in resignation, last day August 25^th, accepted a job as a Financial Fraud Investigator at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office
  • Wish Deputy Hirsch and his family the best of luck in his new endeavor
  • Running short on personnel within the Sherriff’s Department for a while, no hiring anytime soon

 

City Engineer:

 

• No formal report

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to accept the recommendation of Benchmark Engineering and award the Nichols Pond Decommissioning project to the Veit Company of Duluth, MN, with a base bid of $593,330.84. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.

 

City Attorney:

 

• No formal report

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to enter into an agreement with our energy provider and service provider, Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), for the energy assistance program to help assist residents with utility payments. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to authorize maternity leave for Lisa Stevens under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), for a period of up to but not to exceed 12 weeks. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.

 

The council reviewed the list of communications.

 

The MIB Quarterback Club requests contribution for their 2017 Ranger Football Season, for assistance in purchasing safety equipment, other football equipment as well as for defraying traveling expenses. It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to donate $100 to the MIB Quarterback Club to help with the purchase of equipment for their 2017 Football Season out of the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Skogman absent.

 

At 7:09p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.

 

 

Submitted by:

 

 

 

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com