Meeting Minutes for April 06, 2015
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 6, 2015
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Clark, Municipal Services Secretary; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Sally Yuccas, Library Director/Special Event Director; and John Backman, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Approve the minutes of the March 16, 2015, regular meeting as submitted.
- 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.
- To acknowledge the receipts for the period March 16-31, 2015, totaling $235,390.50, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
- To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period March 16-31, 2015, totaling $161,955.62, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried on a roll call vote.
No one spoke during the public forum.
The Mayor reported on the following:
- Minntac, U. S. Steel Corporation. He said that the Corporation had announced that there would be approximately 700 layoffs in Mountain Iron in June, 2015. He said that the layoffs would affect the whole region. Thoughts are with those that are being affected.
- Mesabi Daily News, Onions. The Mayor clarified that the Summer Work Outreach Program (SWOP) and was established in 1997 as a non-profit organization. He said that they partner with public entities and various churches, but are not a part of Messiah Lutheran as stated in the onion.
- Anderson Auto. Congratulations on their move to their new location on Enterprise Drive North.
- Acknowledgement. Informed the Council that Jane Serrano, manager of the Holiday Inn Express, nominated Locomotive Park and Overlook, the Merritt Days Celebration, and the West Two Rivers Campground to the Heart of the Continent, and received recognition. Additional information is at: www.traveltheheart.org
- Condolences. To the families of Charles Bianchi and Judith Kilen.
- Trails. The Mayor advised residents that they could walk on paved trails/sidewalks from South Grove to Ann’s Acres in Mountain Iron.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to direct the City Administrator to send a thank you to Jane Serrano, Manager of the Holiday Inn Express, for submitting the City information to Heart of the Continent. The motion carried.
The City Administrator reported on the following:
- Summer Recreation Programs. The programs would be beginning soon. Registration forms are at the City Hall.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to advertise for temporary seasonal employees for the summer months. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to allow the expiration of the probationary period and establish David Mazzeo, Timothy Bianchi-Rossi, and Andrew Pocket as permanent full-time employees. The motion carried.
The Director of Public Works read a statement regarding water pressure issues that were raised during a recent house fire.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to direct the City Administrator to publish in the Hometown Focus and Mesabi Daily News, the report that the Director of Public Works gave to the City Council regarding the water conditions during a recent fire. The motion carried.
The Library Director/Special Events Coordinator reported on the following:
- Special Event. The 30th Annual Easter Egg hunt was held on April 4th. She gave a special thank you to the Fire Department, Pam Marana and Family, Mark Yuccas, Natalie Leff, and Nicole Pankratz for their assistance at the event.
- Library Report for March. The Council reviewed the March report.
- Merritt Days. The Committees continue to meet and plan the events.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to authorize City Staff to advertise for the summer recreation coaches. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to accept the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board and approve the contract with Mr. Bill Haapala as the West Two Rivers Campground Caretaker for the 2015 season, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Ordinance Number 04-15, amending Chapter 154 of the Mountain Iron City Code, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to accept the recommendation of the Utility Advisory Board and increase the refuse rates by increasing the current tipping fees by 14% and the current collection fees by 20%. After further discussion, Prebeg amended the motion and it was seconded by Tuomela to have an effective date of May 1, 2015. The amended motion carried unanimously.
During the liaison reports, Councilor Zupancich updated the Council on the activities of the Economic Development Authority regarding the patio home development. He said that construction could possibly be started in 2016.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 05-15, approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Safety Committee and adopt the Protective Eyewear Policy, Policy Number 2015-02, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to authorize Jeff and Greg Properties, Inc., dba: B.G.’s Saloon, to serve alcohol in the Mountain Iron Community Center for a wedding reception on April 25, 2015. The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Zupancich to direct the City Administrator to correspond with Representative Metsa regarding the potential closing of the County Road 102 roadway, bike trail, and snowmobile trail in Parkville. After further discussion, it was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Zupancich to amend the motion and also add Senator Tomassoni and Representative Melin. The amended motion carried.
At 7:24 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Jill M. Clark, MMC
Municipal Services Secretary
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Saint Louis County Deputy Auditor, forwarding information regarding a proposed tax abatement on parcel code 176-0071-00872.
2. Minnesota Department of Health, forwarding the Sanitary Survey Report for the Mountain Iron Public Water System.
3. Minnesota Department of Transportation, a thank you letter for expressing traffic concerns at the signalized intersection of Highway 169 and County Road 7.
4. MediaCom, forwarding an update on the cable television service.
5. Saint Louis County, forwarding the draft Aquatic Invasive Species Plan.
6. Saint Louis County, forwarding information on several events scheduled for the Heroin Community Forum.
