Meeting Minutes for August 15, 2005
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2005
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Allen Nelson, Dale Irish, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Karen Luoma, Librarian; Paul Cerkvenik, City Attorney; and Rod Flannigan, City Engineer.
The Mayor reviewed the last meeting with the Council and he stated that he was frustrated and embarrassed by the last City Council meeting. He said that he would be following “Robert�s Rules of Order” more closely. He informed the Council that, according to “Robert�s Rules of Order”, when an item is placed on the agenda, a Councilmember must first make a motion/resolution regarding the item and then there must be support for the motion and then the Council can discuss the motion, and then the Mayor will call for a vote. He further stated that whether the motion/resolution passes or fails, the issue is done and there will be no further discussion on the issue.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
Add the following items to the agenda:
IV. A. 4. Mountain Iron-Buhl Sports Calendar
5. Anysoldiers.com benefit
VI. L. Merritt Day Committee
VII. 1. Backup Information
2. Map/Information regarding the land purchase from USX
Approve the minutes of the August 1, 2005, as submitted.
That the communications be accepted, 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 August 1-15 2005, totaling $234,138.13, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period August 1-15, 2005, totaling $234,770.12, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 6:37 p.m., it was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant application. The motion carried.
The Council discussed the proposed improvements for the Mountain Manor facility. The proposed improvements would include carpeting and a gazebo. After further discussion, the Council considered having the City Administrator add outlets for engine heaters.
At 6:42 p.m., it was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
During the public forum, Wilbert Johnson, 5621 Nichols Avenue, spoke and thanked the Mayor for coming to his house and reviewing the blight problem he is having regarding his neighbor. Mr. Johnson requested that the City contact Mr. Nordlund and his girlfriend, the Council, the Zoning Administrator, the Sheriff and the Attorney to meet and discuss the blight issue further. Mr. Johnson requested that the Sheriff go to the Nordlund�s property tomorrow and request them to remove the beer cans and moldy dog food that they threw in their yard because it is attracting flies and smells. The Council requested the Blight Officer to look into the matter further.
It was moved Skalko and supported by Irish to direct City Staff to send out a letter of thanks to all of the Merritt Days Committee Volunteers. The motion carried.
The Mayor also wanted to thank Vic and Lorraine Buffetta for serving as Grand Marshalls for the Merritt Days Parade.
The Mayor also wanted to thank the City Staff for all of the work that was completed to upgrade Locomotive Park.
The Mayor pointed out to the Council that the City of Mountain Iron�s electrical rates are the 38th lowest rate in Minnesota according to a publication from the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association.
The Mayor informed the City Council that a luncheon was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2005, with several State Legislators regarding the State Bonding Bill.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Nelson to request the Director of Public Works to coordinate, along with City Street Employees, a general maintenance inspection of Spring Park Road. After the inspection is conducted, if deemed necessary, any general maintenance road work would be completed during the current 2005 road work season. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Mayor advised the Council that the first Labor-Management Meeting would be held on September 13, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. Councilor Irish said that he would attend the first meeting with Mayor Skalko.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to authorize the publication of an advertisement for the annual High School Sports/Academic Sections in the Mesabi Daily News at a cost of $111. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to authorize the purchase of an advertisement from the MIB Hoop Club for the 2005-2006 sports calendar as a cost of $95.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to authorize the Director of Public Works to seek quotes for a one ton 4 x 4 pickup truck. The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
Councilor Irish questioned the Director of Public Works regarding a large amount of gravel on the intersection of Nichols Avenue and Old Highway 169. The Director of Public Works said that he would look into the matter.
Councilor Prebeg question the Director of Public Works regarding the street markings being worn off at the intersection of 13th Street and Highway 53. The Director of Public Works said that he would look into the matter.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the Director of Public Works regarding the newly repaving area by the new recycling area. He said that someone had dragged clay on the new tar surface by the recycling area. Councilor Roskoski asked the Director of Public Works to take the street sweeper to the area and clean up the clay.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to accept the recommendation of the Library Board and hire Sally Peterangelo as the Assistant Librarian. After further discussion, Councilor Prebeg amended his motion to include a contingency of passing a pre-employment physical and drug and alcohol screening. Councilor Nelson supported the amendment. The amended motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to authorize the Fire Chief to purchase upgrades for the 2001 E-1 F550 SuperDuty Pumper for the installation of a manual crank or electric actuated discharge valve and a pressure governor for a cost not to exceed $7,900. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to authorize the Fire Chief to attend the Fire Chief�s Annual Conference in October 19-21, 2005 for a cost not to exceed $900. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the City Attorney regarding the City�s liability while mowing grass on County or State property. The City Attorney stated that City would be adequately covered through the City�s insurance.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the variance for Norri Distributing Company to construct an accessory building one foot from the property line, contingent on whether it is legal to build within one foot of the property line, on parcel 175-0032-00140. The motion carried with Councilor Irish and Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to direct City Staff to set up a meeting to discuss the P & H MinePro issues with the affected property owners, city staff, legal representative, and representatives from P & H MinePro. After further discussion, Councilor Roskoski withdrew his motion and Councilor Irish withdrew his support.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Irish to adopt Resolution Number 20-05, Community Development Block Grant, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes), with the addition of the outside electric outlets for engine heaters to the grant application. The motion carried.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 21-05, declaring cost to be assessed, and ordering preparation of proposed assessments, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 22-05, accepting work on the Park Ridge Project, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Nelson to adopt Resolution Number 23-05, setting preliminary levy, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes).
At 8:25 p.m., Councilor Prebeg left the meeting.
At 8:27 p.m., Councilor Prebeg returned to the meeting.
The motion carried.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 24-05, approving the proposed 2006 market rate based referendum levy for the general obligation community center bonds and interest, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to adopt Resolution Number 25-05, setting the dates for the public hearings on the proposed budget and tax levy, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to direct City Staff to follow the recommendation of the Northland Consulting Engineers regarding the crack by the expansion joint in the Community Center building and have the crack caulked. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to direct Councilor Roskoski, and anyone else who is interested, to work with Bob Manzoline to determine what type of signs should be posted, where they should be located, and who would pay for the signs to be posted on the Mesabi Trail. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to send a letter to Commissioner Nelson, with a copy submitted to the entire County Board, and the St. Louis County Engineering Staff for the fine work that they did regarding the paving at the intersection of County Road 761 in Kinross and County Road 102 through Parkville, Downtown Mountain Iron, and South Grove. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to reschedule the next regular meeting for Tuesday, September 6, 2005, at 6:30 p.m. due to Labor Day holiday. The motion carried.
During the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski questioned why backup information for the agenda item for the Assistant Librarian position was not in the packet. The Mayor stated that the Library Board met after the Council packets were put together.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Nelson stated that items should not be added to the agenda during the meeting unless it is an emergency.
Also during the open discussion, Mayor Skalko stated that he was very pleased at how the meeting was conducted and he hopes this will continue to improve in future meetings.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Nelson thanked the Mayor for running the meeting in such a professional manner.
At 8:41 p.m., it was moved by Roskoski and supported Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Minnesota Association of Small Cities, forwarding the August 9, 2005 update.
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, forwarding a committee sign-up sheet.
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, forwarding the 2005 legislative update.
Tiffany Anderson, forwarding a notice of a Mesabi Station Design Meeting to be held on Tuesday, August 30th in Eveleth.
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, forwarding information and a participation form regarding the Labor and Employee Relations Committee.
League of Minnesota Cities, forwarding applications for the C. C. Ludwig Award and the Leadership Award.
