Meeting Minutes for August 02, 1999
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Brunfelt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Carolyn Olsen, Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Curt Piri, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Deputy Clerk; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; and Greg French, City Engineer.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following item to the agenda:
VI. E. Emil Johnson-charge for easement
2. Approve the minutes of the July 19, 1999, 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 July 16-31, 1999, totaling $136,886.99, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes). Note: The Emil Johnson bill will be held and considered later in the meeting.
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period July 16-31, 1999, totaling $307,953.64, (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.
No one spoke during the public forum.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Mattila to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and approve the payment to Mesabi Bituminous for the Sixteenth Avenue Reconstruction Project in the amount of $2,787.50. During the discussion, the Engineer said that some of the trees looked like they would die and if they do, the Contractor will replace them in the Spring. Councilor Olsen said that there was some broken curbing behind the Country Kitchen. The Engineer said that he would have the Inspector check the curbing. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the building permit for the Mountain Iron-Buhl School addition and auditorium contingent on the Building Inspector�s approval. During the discussion, Councilor Skogman asked why they are just obtaining a permit when a portion of the construction is already completed. Councilor Olsen questioned whether the school has to pay for a building permit. She said that she was told that they only have to submit plans to the City for the project. The City Administrator said that City Staff pursued obtaining a building permit application from the school from the start of the project and he understood that the Zoning Administrator was supposed to shut the project at the school down until a permit was approved. The City Administrator said that he understood that the school had to apply for permit like any other business in town. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman voting no.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the building permit for B. G.’s Bar and Grill, Jeff and Greg Peterson, to construct a deck on parcel 175-0014-00035. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to approve the contract with Kraus-Anderson Construction for the construction of the City Hall/Community Center facility. During the discussion, Councilor Olsen questioned Exhibit 1, regarding additional charges for wages of construction workers and equipment rental for the construction of the project. The City Administrator said that Kraus-Anderson could not hire additional workers at their discretion, they could only be hired with the City’s approval. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Matanich, yes, Piri, yes, Olsen, no, Skogman, yes, and Brunfelt, yes.
It was the consensus of the Council to have Councilor Matanich attend the weekly construction meetings for the construction progress of the City Hall/Community Center facility.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to approve Resolution 33-99, Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to authorize the City Administrator to resubmit the City�s IRRRB Grant Application changing the City�s first priority to the construction of a frontage road and intersection by Merritt Elementary for a total grant request of $500,000. The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the Fire Department Schedules I-II for Lump Sum Pension Plans for the reporting year 1999.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve the land transfer of the City owned 40 acres north of Highway 169 from the City to the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority to focus on commercial development of the property. The motion carried.
Steve Giorgi, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z), was present to say that the P & Z would like to be involved with the development of plans for housing development in the City in the future. He said that the City Council proceeded with the development of a new residential plan without the input of the P & Z Commission.
The Council directed the City Administrator to begin the process of preparing an application to the Planning and Zoning Commission to rezone the 40 acre parcel north of Highway 169 that the City transferred to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
The Council discussed the construction easement to cross the Mr. & Mrs. Emil Johnson�s property for the development for the City Hall/Community Center facility. The City Administrator felt that it would be beneficial to the City to obtain a construction easement from the Johnson family. Councilor Matanich said that a few months ago Mrs. Johnson had contacted him regarding trees being cut on their property for a survey. He said that Mrs. Johnson said that their bill for a survey from Mr. Sprague was $1100. Councilor Matanich said that Rod Flannigan had paid the Johnson family $450 for the trees that were cut. The Director of Public Works and the City Administrator said that they had spoke with the Johnson�s and they were receptive to having the City pay them $1100 for the construction easement. Councilor Piri asked if the City was paying for the mistake of Benchmark Engineering. Councilor Matanich said that if the City is paying for the mistake of Benchmark Engineering, they should not be working for the City. The Mayor said that the City needs the construction easement and the City must compensate them for that easement. City Staff recommends payment of the $1,100 for the construction easement.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to approve the temporary construction easement agreement with the Johnson�s for the valuable consideration of $1,100, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried on a roll call vote.
The Council advised the City Engineer that Benchmark Engineering is a vendor in the City and they must realize they are working with citizens of the City and they should conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Engineer, Rod Flannigan of Benchmark Engineering, Architectural Resources, the City Administrator and Mr. & Mrs. Johnson get together and settle the matter. Councilor Matanich felt that there should be additional consideration due to the Johnson family from Benchmark Engineering and/or Architectural Resources.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to authorize Arrowhead Transit to continue transportation services to the City of Mountain Iron for an additional three (3) month. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the open discussion, Councilor Olsen said that no one from the City of Mountain Iron was at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the trail. The Council discussed the maintenance of the trail. The City Administrator said that for the first section of the trail the contract is in place for the maintenance, but he does not know how the maintenance was set up for the second section. The Council directed the City Administrator to research the maintenance issue further. Councilor Matanich said that when the City of Virginia approved their contract they took out the portion that the Trail Authority can hire and bill the city for the expenses.
At 7:42 p.m., it was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
