Meeting Minutes for August 16, 2004
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 16, 2004
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 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; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; and Joe Stewart, Sheriff Sergeant.
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. 3. Library-Seek Bids on Tuck Pointing
4. Payment Request � Com-Con for the Library Roof
V. B. Locomotive Park Pavement Information
VI. D. Resignation as Liaison on Planning and Zoning Commission
Approve the minutes of the August 2, 2004, City Council meeting 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, 2004, totaling $146,166.55, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
To authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period August 1-15, 2004, totaling $231,429.29, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 6:31 p.m., it was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing on the Missabe Avenue street vacation. The motion carried.
Marion Bubash, 5723 Mill Avenue, Parcel Code 175-0020-00030, Lot 3, Block 1, Merritt�s 1st Addition, was present and questioned the Council�s intentions with regard to the street vacation. Ms. Bubash was concerned with the egress out for her mobile home should she decide to move it.
At 6:34 p.m., Karen Luoma, the Librarian, entered the meeting.
Roberta Scinto, 5719 Mill Avenue, Parcel Code 175-0020-00050, Lots 4, 5, 6, Block 1, Merritt�s 1st Addition, questioned the Council whether the property was for sale. The Council advised her that if the portion of Missabe Avenue was vacated that the property would revert to the adjoining property owner at no cost.
The Mayor spoke and expressed concern with the City retaining Outlot A for use for the skating rink and sliding hill. Councilor Roskoski stated that he would only agree to sell Outlot A in Merritt�s 1st Addition if an alternate site was found for the skating rink and sliding hill.
At 6:43 p.m., it was moved by Irish and supported by Prebeg to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
During the public forum, Wilbert Johnson, 5621 Nichols Avenue, Mountain Iron, advised the Council that he had his property surveyed and his neighbor has his belongings on his property.
It was moved by Prebeg to direct City Staff, upon receiving a survey certification from Wilbert Johnson, to send a letter to Dave Nordlund, 5619 Nichols Avenue, Mountain Iron, regarding removing his property that is on Mr. Johnson�s property. After further discussion, Councilor Prebeg withdrew his motion.
The Sergeant advised the Council that they would be setting a precident regarding the property encroachment issue with Mr. Johnson. The Sergeant suggested that Mr. Johnson send a letter to Mr. Nordlund advising him that a survey was completed and that Mr. Nordlund�s property is encroaching on his property. The City Attorney advised the Council that there are probably many property encroachments in the City and the City Council should not be stepping in to resolve these issues.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to direct the City Administrator to apply for the TEA-21 grant for lighting in the Downtown Area and have the City Administrator attend the grant workshop on September 15, 2004 at 1 p.m. at the Virginia Highway Department. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to direct City Staff to purchase additional Christmas lighting for the tree and the fencing in the library yard and have them installed by Thanksgiving and taken down by January 10, 2005. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Nelson, no; Irish, yes; Roskoski, yes; Prebeg, no; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to direct the City Administrator and the Director of Public Works to review the specifications for the tuck pointing of the library and call for bids and have the bid process completed in 30 days. The motion carried with Councilors Prebeg and Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to authorize payment request number one to Com-Con in the amount of $46,379.95 for the Library Roofing Project. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 7:11 p.m., Councilor Roskoski left the meeting.
The Mayor advised the Council that there would be an open house at the Mountain Manor on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
At 7:12 p.m., Councilor Roskoski returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to set a public hearing for the USDA Loan for September 20, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. The motion carried with Councilor Nelson voting no.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the City Administrator regarding the assessments for road work in the Park Ridge Development area. The City Administrator said that the assessment process will be started when the project is closed out.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of City Staff and table the bid received on the electrical substation. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski expressed his compliments to the City Staff that completed the work on the handicapped ramps by the crosswalks.
Councilor Irish advised the Director of Public Works that there was brush and trees hanging over the Parkville Road between Eagle Avenue and Falcon Avenue that need to be trimmed.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to ratify the motion made at the August 2, 2004, City Council meeting regarding the Parkville School lower level being secured. The motion carried.
The City Attorney advised the Council that the St. Louis County Health Department does not have jurisdiction regarding the Parkville School.
The Council reviewed the Sheriff�s Department report.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to authorize up to ten volunteer firemen to attend the Minnesota State Fire/EMS Rescue School in Virginia on September 18 & 19, 2004 with the City paying the registration fees. And further, direct the Fire Department to submit a report back to the City Council on who attended the training and what classes were taken. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to authorize the Fire Chief to attend the Fire Chief�s Annual Conference/Training in St. Cloud with the City paying for the registration fee of $150, for hotel costs at $89 per night plus tax for three to four nights, mileage, meals and per diem. The motion failed on the following roll call vote: Prebeg, no; Nelson, no; Irish, no; Roskoski, yes; and Skalko, yes.
It was the consensus of the Council to have the Personnel Committee make a recommendation for City Staff to attend non-mandatory training.
The Council discussed the request of the Library Board regarding the adjustment to the hourly wage for the substitute library worker. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Personnel Committee review the matter and make a recommendation to the Council.
At 7:53 p.m., Councilor Prebeg left the meeting.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to table Resolution Number 30-04, Authorizing the Acceptance of Certain Property, until the City receives the land use study from Benchmark Engineering.
At 7:55 p.m., Councilor Prebeg returned to the meeting.
The motion carried with Councilor Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to direct the Street and Alley Committee to meet with the Director of Public Works and the City Engineer and make a recommendation regarding the Locomotive Park improvements. The motion carried with Councilor Nelson voting no.
The Council discussed the agreement between the City of Mountain Iron and the Mountain Iron-Buhl School District regarding the land exchange. It was the consensus of the Council to have City Staff meet with the school district representatives prior to the next School Board meeting.
The Council discussed the 2005 Budget. It was the consensus of the Council to discuss the 2005 budget further at the next regular meeting.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to reschedule the next regular meeting to Tuesday, September 7, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. because of the Labor Day holiday. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to accept the resignation of Councilor Irish and appoint Councilor Nelson as Liaison on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to appoint Councilor Irish and Roskoski to be Liaisons and work with the City Administrator and Minnesota Department of Transportation Officials to work on the historic sites designation signage project for the Downtown area. The motion carried with Councilor Nelson voting no.
Councilor Irish said that he would need a letter and brief outline of the historic aspects of Downtown Mountain Iron for the Minnesota Department of Transportation to have a “Historic Downtown Mountain Iron” sign placed.
During the open discussion, Councilor Irish questioned the Director of Public Works about the signs that were placed on the County Roads to further designate directions in Mountain Iron from the State Highway. The Director of Public Works said that he would look into the matter.
Also during the open discussion, Mayor Skalko questioned the Director of Public Works regarding the gate and fence for the new recycling area. The Director of Public Works said that the gate had been installed, but the gate controller had not been received. The Director of Public Works said that the brushing work had been completed, signs were being prepared, and the remaining fencing or barricades would be taken care of soon.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski questioned the Director of Public Works regarding a right turn lane being striped on Emerald Avenue going to State Highway 169. The Director of Public Works said that he would check into the matter.
At 8:41 p.m., it was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
JOBZ News, Issue 5 � August, 2004.
