Meeting Minutes for April 18, 2016

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

April 18, 2016

 

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. with the following Council members present: Susan Tuomela, Alan Stanaway, Tony Zupancich and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney; Sally Yuccas, Librarian Director/Special Events Director; John Backman Sheriff’s Department and Rod Flannigan, City Engineer. Absent: Council member Joe Prebeg, Jr.

 

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

 

1. Approve the minutes of the April 4, 2016, 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 April 1-15, 2016 totaling $ 266,662.92 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period April 1-15, 2016, totaling $493,014.72 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

The motion carried on a roll call vote with Council member Joe Prebeg, Jr. absent.

 

Public Forum:

 

• Superintendent John Klarich spoke in regards to the building of the new Mountain Iron-Buhl High school. Access approximately 80% of the 29 million dollar school from IRRRB payment from Taconite Taxes along with 5% from Equalization Aid from the State of Minnesota, coming up to roughly 85% of cost for new school, with taxpayers picking up the remaining 15% for the new School building. Small pamphlet was sent to all taxpayers and Council members, with the addition of the Architectural study between the old and new school in the City Council packets.
• Next closest district in regards to cost, if levy passed, is Eveleth-Gilbert. Board Chair Troy Martensen present in addition to, compare favorable to other districts in regards to taxes in surrounding districts within the region. School website has loads of information, which also includes a tax estimate, gives evaluation. Guidelines and codes for new school building are regulated by state of Minnesota; with all classrooms being built to specifications in regards to State of Minnesota regulations. Recommendation is that if it cost 60% or more to remodel a building, it is recommended to just build a new building, no state help in regards to remodeling/fixing old school.
• Old building would be marketed to other businesses, recommended immediately if referendum passes; existing Merritt Gym would be possibly used as an early childhood center, for four-year olds. The new building would offer a couple new gyms, some classes offered every year other year, giving a more diverse classroom schedule, sharing a superintendent as well as other resources, collaborating with Cherry for possible Marching band, fine arts programs, sharing vocational programs. New school would offer more options for more students across the Iron Range.
• Estimation of completion Fall 2018 for new Mountain Iron-Buhl High school, green energy building, with construction possibly starting this year, open meeting at Merritt Elementary, Wednesday April 20^th at 6:00 pm, with representatives from Architect company as well as Finance Company; Ehlers and Associates, Board Members, etc. for questions.  

 

Mayor’s Report:

 

• Condolences to the family of Charlotte Norlinder
• Congratulations and Honors to both the  individual and team, to Chelsea Mason and Archie Winans for receiving Player of the Year
• Congratulations and best wishes to Matt Niskanen, from Mountain Iron who is currently playing with the Washington Capitals
• Care Partners “Swedish Meatball Dinner.” Scheduled for Wednesday April 20^th from 3:30-6:30pm, at the Mountain Iron Community Center

 

City Administrator reported on following:

 

• Consulting Agreement for Jill Clark and Judy Seurer, pulled from agenda
• 3^rd Comprehensive Planning Meeting. Scheduled for Wednesday April 27^th at 6:00 pm, at the Mountain Iron Community Center

 

The Director of Public Works reported on the following:

 

• Friendly reminder “Summer Help” program currently taking applications. Applications due by Friday, May 6^th at 4:00pm

 

Library Director/Special Events Coordinator report:

 

• History of the Minnesota State Fair program. Scheduled for Wednesday, April 20^th at 1:00 pm, at the Mountain Iron Library
• Disc golfers welcome to play course

 

Sheriff’s department:

 

• No formal or informal report

 

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 23-16; authorizing the City of Mountain Iron to enter into contract with Mesabi Bituminous for $53,632.10, for the street improvement to Garden Drive between Arbor Lane and Fairview Lane, by overlay, according to the plans and specifications presented to the City Council (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried on roll call vote with Council member Joe Prebeg, Jr. absent.  

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 24-16; authorizing the City of Mountain Iron to enter into contract with Mesabi Bituminous for $310,241.30, for construction of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Recreational Trail between Quartz Street with an entrance to South Grove, according to the plans and specifications presented to the City Council (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried on roll call vote with Council member Joe Prebeg, Jr. absent.

 

The Council reviewed the list of communications.

 

If there are questions or concerns regarding property assessments, a Representative from the county will be available, Thursday, April 21^st at 6:00 pm at the Mountain Iron Community Center.  

 

At 7:13p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned.  Motion carried with Council Member Joe Prebeg, Jr. absent.

 

Submitted by:                                                               

Amanda Inmon                                                 

Municipal Services Secretary                                         

www.mtniron.com

 

            COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

1. Mediacom will be moving the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries from the Movies and Mysteries tier package to Digital Family TV tier, on or around April 30, 2016.
2. Saint Louis County is in the process of developing an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Ordinance to allow for the operation of ATVs on county roads.
3. Thank you from the Saint Louis County Iron Range Youth in Action, for the generous donation to their program.
4. Local Boards of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE) scheduled for Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 6:00pm until 7:00pm, at the Community Center in the Mountain Iron Room.