Meeting Minutes for April 02, 2001
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Brunfelt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; and Mel Hintz, St. Louis County Assessor’s Office.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following item to the agenda:
VI. D. Movie Production coming to Mountain Iron
2. Approve the minutes of the March 19, 2001, regular meeting as submitted.
3. That the communications be accepted, placed on file, and those requiring further action by the Council be acted upon during their proper sequence on the agenda.
4. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period March 16-31, 2001, totaling $114,454.74, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period March 16-31, 2001, totaling $176,110.44, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion to adopt the consent agenda carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Councilor Roskoski questioned whether there was a motion regarding the development of Historic Old Town made at the last City Council meeting. The Municipal Services Secretary said that she would check the tape to see if a motion should have been listed.
During the public forum, Mel Hintz, St. Louis County Assessor’s Office, spoke to the Council regarding the Board of Review meeting set for Tuesday, April 24, 2001.
Also during the public forum, Bill Aho and Jim Schrader, owners of the AmericInn, were present and requested that the Council review the railroad regulations regarding blowing of train whistles. They said that they were looking for guidance, information, and an ordinance to please their guests at the motel regarding the blowing of train whistles. The Mayor requested that the Council forward the information to the City Attorney and have him draft an ordinance that would stand to a challenge. Councilors Roskoski and Prebeg expressed concern with the liability to the City. The Mayor said that the City would have immunity from liability if any changes were made. Councilor Skogman said that his first concern was safety and he would like to talk to people to get all of the necessary information to make a decision.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to direct the City Administrator to schedule a meeting with the interested parties concerning the blowing of train whistles, i.e. City Council Representatives, Business Owners, the City Attorney, Law Enforcement Officials, and City Staff. The motion carried.
Bill Lushine, 4704 Majestic Lake Drive, spoke to the Council regarding having Majestic Lake Drive made a City street.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to direct the City Administrator to work with St. Louis County Staff to see who owns Majestic Lake Drive. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to appoint Jason Goehring to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority to fill the term of Michael Lambert with the term expiring on December 31, 2005. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Matanich to set a joint meeting with the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday, April 17, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman voting no.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to approve the payment request to the Tri-Cities Biosolids Disposal Authority in the amount of $5,228.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to sponsor two students from Mountain Iron for the 5th Annual Young Leaders Convention on April 25th at a cost of $100.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Mayor informed the Council that a movie production company had contacted Kathy Muir from the Heart of Virginia looking for a site to film the movie “Two Harbors” at the end of April.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to authorize City Staff to accommodate the production company that will be taping in Mountain Iron at the end of April and advise the Civic Association of what would be going on and advise them that the City Administrator would be the contact person. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to accept the letter from Lyle Vandervort, Fire Chief from the City of Virginia and accommodate Greg Chad and Joe Buria, Mountain Iron Emergency Medical Technicians, for their cooperative efforts in assisting on the March 9, 2001 medical emergency in Parkville. The motion carried.
During the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski asked what action that the Street Committee had made regarding the County Road 7 and Highway 169 intersection. The City Administrator said that the intersection was referred to Saint Louis County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Prebeg ask if there had been any more discussion on the joint fire department issue. Councilor Skogman said that a Committee was formed but there have been no meetings.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Skogman said that the travel policy should to be updated. The Council directed the Personal Committee to look into the matter.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Matanich said that there have been a lot of different groups using the Community Center and the biggest complaint is the lack of signage. The Council also discussed a corner stone be placed on the building with the date of construction. The Council also discussed the possibility of blinds being installed on the doors in the Wacootah and Iroquois Rooms. The Council also discussed having the award given for the construction of the Community Center/City Hall announced at the Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
At 7:45 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Senator Paul Wellstone, a letter acknowledging the City Administrator�s letter concerning steel imports.
2. 2001 PARTNERS Board Members, a letter asking the City to sponsor scholarships for youth from the community to attend the 5th Annual Young Leaders Convention on April 25, 2001 at the Eveleth Inn.
3. Sharon L. Lushine, a letter requesting that the road into her residence be made into a County road.
4. Lyle Vandervort, Fire Chief of Virginia, a letter regarding a medical emergency on March 9, 2001 and commending two Mountain Iron EMT�s for their efforts on the joint response.
