Meeting Minutes for August 03, 1998
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 3, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Brunfelt 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 Olsen and supported by Piri that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following items to the agenda:
IV. A. 1) Planning & Zoning Commission-Zoning Map
2) Payment Request #2-18th Avenue West Reconstruction
3) Payment Request #3-16th Avenue West Reconstruction
IV. B. 2) Civic Association
IV. C. 1) Situation with Women’s Bathroom at City Hall
2. Approve the minutes of the July 20, 1998, 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, 1998, totaling $154,499.93, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period July 16-31, 1998, totaling $ 313,887.10, (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.
The Council discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission zoning map amendments. The City Administrator said that the Planning and Zoning Commission must first hold a public hearing and then bring a recommendation to the City Council. The City Engineer advised the Council that there are still some minor changes to be made to the zoning map. The Council members requested that the zoning map be put on the City Council agenda when a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission is received.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and approve payment request number two for the 18th Avenue West Reconstruction Project to Mesabi Bituminous in the amount of $14,338.16. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Council requested the City Engineer to review the striping on the north end of 18th Avenue.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Piri to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and approve payment request number three for the 16th Avenue West Reconstruction Project to Mesabi Bituminous in the amount of $15,086.61, but to hold the payment until the rocks are removed by the north end of 16th Avenue. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The City Engineer informed the City Council that Nick Dragisich has left Benchmark Engineering and is now working in Spokane, Washington and now he, Greg French, will be representing Benchmark Engineering at the City Council meetings. The Council requested the Mayor and the City Administrator to send a note to Mr. Dragisich wishing him well in his new endeavor.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to authorize the designated streets to be blocked off for the Merritt Days Celebration, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
Councilor Olsen said that the Civic Association had requested to have the entire area of Locomotive Park to be mowed. She also said that the Association said that there is graffiti inside the cab of locomotive that needs work and the bulldozer should be finished being painted. The Recreation Director said that he would review the situation and have Summer Staff work the projects.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve the Heat Share agreement with the Salvation Army, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council discussed the repairs needed in the women’s bathroom in City Hall. The Director of Public Works suggested that the City Council remodel the bathroom because the damage in the room looks extensive. He said that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance should be completed in the remodeling of the bathroom. The Council requested that staff look at the problem and develop different plans and costs estimates to make repairs and bring them back to the City Council for further consideration.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to have Mountain Iron join with Virginia to make a joint Chamber of Commerce and make a contribution of $4,000 for the 1998 appropriation. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Constance Jones, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, suggested preparing a press release for the newspaper and an appearance to announce Mountain Iron joining Virginia to create a joint Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor asked Ms. Jones to work with the City Administrator on an announcement.
The City Administrator updated the Council on the Building Inspections issue. He said that he spoke with Jerry Kujala regarding the issues raised and he said that he has had residents not giving the appropriate notices to obtain the inspections when they need them. The Council requested the City Administrator to look into other options for residential inspections if the Building Inspector is not available.
The Mayor updated the Council regarding the Messiah Lutheran Church using the Senior Center. He said that the Church Council was going to meet and make a decision on where to locate.
Ed Roskoski updated the Council regarding the history of the Civic Association. He said that the Civic Association was currently working on two fund raisers/promotions. The first is selling advertisements and producing placemats to be distributed to local restaurants. The second one would be making a historic afghan to sell. Mr. Roskoski said that the Civic Association would like to request a contribution from the City of Mountain Iron in the amount of $2,000-$3,000 per year.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to authorize a contribution of $2,500 to the Civic Association. After further discussion, Councilor Skogman withdrew his motion and Councilor Olsen withdrew her support.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to have the City Attorney review the situation with the current status of the Mountain Iron Civic Association and make a recommendation to the City Council for what action they can take and what contribution could be made. The motion carried.
Councilor Skogman requested the City Council to approach St. Louis County Officials and request to have County Road 102 from Mineral Avenue to Highway 53 be resurfaced. The Mayor asked that, without objection, to have City Staff approach the County Officials to request that the road be resurfaced.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve the three easements with Independent School District #712 for Eighth Street water and sewer utility extensions, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
The Mayor announced that the Art rain will be coming to Virginia behind the Mesabi Daily News building and there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, August 12, 1998, at 6:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at the Coates Hotel.
During the open discussion, Councilor Olsen said that a West Virginia resident had contacted her and advised her that the train whistles were really loud. Councilor Olsen asked if the Council could contact the railroad regarding all of the complaints received with the additional noise. The Council directed the City Administrator to contact the railroad regarding the noise and speed of the trains through Mountain Iron.
At 7:34 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
