Meeting Minutes for August 06, 2001
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Brunfelt at 6:30pm with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Edmund Roskoski and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig Wainio, City Administrator; Judy Seurer, Accounting Technician; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Director of Parks & Recreation; Karen Luoma, Librarian and Greg French, City Engineer.
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:
M. New Business – Downtown spruce up for Merritt Days
2. Approve the minutes of the July 16, 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. Acknowledge the receipts for the period July 16-31, 2001, totaling $374,738.64, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period of July 16-31, 2001 in the amount of $106,692.21 (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.
The Ducks Unlimited Committee presented an art print to the City in appreciation of the use of the Community Center. It was the consensus of the Council to have a plaque placed on the print indicating the donation.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing on street vacation. The motion carried.
No written correspondence was received concerning the street vacation.
Councilor Roskoski commented that for vacating anything public involving a street, the City should be getting something for the public infrastructure.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to close the public hearing on street vacation and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing on TIF #13. The motion carried.
There were no comments from the audience concerning TIF #13.
There was no written correspondence concerning TIF #13.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to close the public hearing on TIF #13 and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
During the public forum, Mrs. Allison Wiitala asked when the Marble Avenue street project was going to be completed, if the contractors were going to clean up the rocks and gravel left behind, if the level of the street was going to be higher and if the dip in the road would be corrected. The City Engineer addressed her concerns.
Mrs. Wiitala also asked if the Street Committee had met concerning the parking on the street and if any changes would be made. The Street Committee has not yet met on the issue of parking for the school employees. Matanich indicated that the school superintendent told him the employees would park on the other side of the school during the school year.
Mrs. Wiitala was also concerned on the status of Mott Pit Road and whether any repairs will be made to the road. The Parks & Recreation Director will check on the status of the road.
Mrs. Wiitala asked if something could be done about the overgrown grass and weeds on some of the properties in downtown Mountain Iron. Councilor Roskoski agreed that three properties especially need to be taken care of, the Ruuska property, the Chow Barone house and the former Mike Babbini�s house. He suggested mowing the property and billing the owners on their property taxes. The Parks and Recreation Director stated that the owners must have 10 days notice and some of the property is tax forfeited. Councilor Skogman suggested asking the City Attorney if the nuisance ordinance was unenforceable. The Parks & Recreation Director will have notices to property owners sent out on August 7, 2001 to have their property cleaned up. It was suggested that the public sidewalks that have weeds coming up in the cracks be cleaned up and also that trees hanging over the sidewalks be trimmed. The Director of Public Works stated that everything that can be taken care of before Merritt Days will be.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Prebeg to approve the staff recommendation and award the lift station upgrade to Quality Flow Systems at their quote of $28,657.00. Councilor Roskoski questioned where the funding for this project was coming from. He was informed that it would come out of the capital outlay fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Matanich supported by Prebeg to approve Resolution 25-01 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). Discussion took place concerning the cost of the improvements to the South Grove ball field. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to approve the final payment request by Mesabi Bituminous. Discussion took place concerning grass replacement. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to approve Resolution 26-01 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). Discussion took place concerning grass replacement on Spruce Drive. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; Skogman, yes; Matanich, yes; Brunfelt, yes.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to approve the address changes as presented. Mayor Brunfelt stated that a lot of work went into this project and thanked the citizens, Councilor Skogman and city staff for the work that was done. Councilor Matanich asked what the next step would be. The City Administrator stated that the area Post Offices and the residents would be notified of the changes. Councilor Prebeg asked if a
public hearing would be scheduled to explain the changes. The City Administrator stated that a public hearing is not required. Councilor Roskoski stated that with this numbering system, people still can�t find addresses in the City. Mayor Brunfelt stated that 911 emergency personnel will now be able to find the addresses. The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve Resolution 22-01 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to approve Resolution 23-01 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to approve Resolution 24-01 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve Resolution 27-01 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Roskoski abstaining.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Matanich to approve Resolution 28-01 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to refer the matter of the USX License to the City Attorney for more options. The motion carried.
Discussion took place concerning street resurfacing in the City. The Street Committee is looking at all the streets and 8th street to see how much money will be available to do more overlays as requested by Councilor Roskoski. The City Engineer has costs available for overlays on different streets in the City for Councilor Roskoski to review.
Councilor Roskoski discussed the library staff hours. He asked if any changes had been planned for the library. The City Administrator stated that a status report from the architect and the engineer will be available at the next meeting. The downtown planners will start their work in a few weeks.
No action was taken on the agreement for the sale and purchase of real estate per staff recommendation.
No action was taken on the communications.
During the open discussion the following items were discussed:
Councilor Matanich asked why the Firemen’s Relief Association report was included in the communications. The City Administrator stated that he needs clarification on information in the report before he signed it.
Councilor Roskoski suggested putting a fence around the shovel in the high school yard and putting fabric down and rock on top of it around the shovel.
Councilor Roskoski questioned where the funds came from for the Unity addition ads in paper. He was informed that it comes out of administration.
Councilor Roskoski asked if there is a fee schedule for utility
hookups in the City. He was informed that there is, along with a rate schedule.
Councilor Prebeg asked how the sign for the City Hall/Community Center is progressing. He was informed that a digitized copy of city logo was needed by Mesabi Sign to place in sign. He also asked if an archway label was planned for the Community Center/City Hall. He also asked if there is a plan for shrubbery in front of the building or additional landscaping.
Councilor Skogman suggested for patio furniture for the Community Center, creating a project for an eagle scout. The scouts could build tables and chairs. He suggested contacting the area scout masters. The Parks and Recreation Director was directed in the past to look at concrete furniture.
It was announced that Merritt Days will be on August 10-11, 2001.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Prebeg to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m.. The motion carried.
