Meeting Minutes for August 17, 1998
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 17, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 6:31 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; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; and Rod Flannigan, City Engineer.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following items to the agenda.
V. C. Discussion on Messiah Lutheran Church using the Senior Citizen’s Center
VI. G. Discussion on the Iron Range Veteran’s Memorial Park
III. A. Proclamation signing of the Joint Virginia-Mountain Iron Chamber of Commerce
VI. H. 1) Communications
4. Nick Dragisich, a letter dated August 13, 1998.
2. Approve the minutes of the August 3, 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 August 1-15, 1998, totaling $204,193.47, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period August 1-15, 1998, totaling $148,631.28, (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.
During the public forum, the Mayor signed the proclamation supporting the joint Virginia-Mountain Iron Chamber of Commerce and dedicating funds to that purpose, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). Frank Hughes was present and commended the Mountain Iron City Council for the proactive support for the Joint Chamber of Commerce because it brings business to the area. Mayor Brunfelt thanked Mr. Hughes and other business owners in the City of Mountain Iron for helping the City Council take this step forward. The Mayor officially signed the proclamation.
Also during the public forum, Mr. Jason Goehring was present and informed the City Council that he was looking for land in Mountain Iron to build a single family dwelling on and he was interested in purchasing the property next to the water tower in South Grove. The Director of Public Works said that the Utility Advisory Board will be considering removing the South Grove Water Tank in the future.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Olsen to allow the Career Development Program to place a tent in the Downtown Park, on the corner of Main Street and Marble Avenue, pending the proper underground locates being completed before the tent being placed. The motion carried.
The Council discussed the request from Mary Karakash, Coordinator of the USWA/U.S. Steel Career Development Program, regarding changing the vehicle parking situation on Marble Avenue. It was the consensus of the Council to have the request referred to the Transportation Committee for a recommendation. The Mayor requested that this item be placed on the next City Council agenda.
Also during the public forum, Ed Roskoski advised the Council that some Downtown Business Owners had contacted him and wanted to know the status of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The Administrator advised him that the status was the grant was denied and a comprehensive plan was being completed before reapplying for another grant. Mr. Roskoski also questioned the route the Mesabi Trail would be taking through Parkville. He said that he thought the trail was to be running next to Third Street and not on Third Street.
Also during the public forum, Rory King was present and said that the roof on the fire hall needs to be looked at because it leaks. The Director of Public Works said that he would look at the situation and make a recommendation for repairs.
The City Engineer said that the bids were opened at 10:00 a.m. on August 17, 1998 for the Centennial Drive Culvert Replacement Project. The following bids were received:
Alternate 1, Concrete Box Culvert
Leustek & Sons $ 72,090.00
Jola & Sopp $ 72,775.00
Ulland Brothers $ 73,033.50
Hoover Construction $ 83,800.00
Utility Systems $ 87,425.00
KGM Construction $ 92,570.00
Hammerlund Construction $101,773.00
Alternate 2, CS Span Arch Culvert
Jola & Sopp $ 45,155.00
Ulland Brothers $ 48,739.70
Leustek & Sons $ 49,592.00
Hoover Construction $ 56,200.00
KGM Construction $ 60,110.00
Utility Systems $ 68,375.00
Hammerlund Construction $ 73,473.00
The City Engineer recommended awarding the bid to Leustek & Sons for Alternate 1, Concrete Box Culvert, for a bid price of $72,090.00.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and award the bid for the Centennial Drive Culverts to Leustek & Sons for Alternate 1, Concrete Box Culvert, for a total bid price of $72,090.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to approve final payment to Hammerlund Construction, Inc. for the Ann’s Acres Watermain Extension in the amount of $11,017.05. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Director of Public Works said that he reviewed the 16th Avenue striping project. He said that the striping should have faded to the east instead of staying in line with the rest. He recommended leave the striping the way it is and let the paint wear off and re-paint the lines next Spring. It was the consensus of the Council to accept the recommendation of the Director of Public Works and proceed to re-paint the lines on 16th Avenue in the Spring.
The Director of Public Works informed the Council of the City Hall repairs that need to be done when the women’s bathroom is remodeled. He said that the wall can be patched and sealed now and the Council can consider further action when remodeling is completed. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Director of Public Works have the women’s bathroom repaired.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to approve Resolution #34-98, calling for a public hearing for tax increment financing district #10, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council discussed the Housing and Redevelopment Authority’s proposal to have a new access road constructed to Merritt Industrial Park. It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Administrator work with the Director of Public Works and the City Engineer to prepare a preliminary plan for a new access road.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the Conditional Use Permit for Jeremy LaMourea contingent on the ownership issue being taken care of. The motion carried.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to have the City Attorney and the City Administrator work with Larry P. Johnson and Ed Roskoski to have the Mountain Iron Civic Association established as a legal entity. The motion carried.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Piri to allow the Messiah Lutheran Church to use the Senior Center to hold their worship services and various other activities, every Sunday and on an as needed basis, to have access to the entire facility with no charges being collected for the use of the building, and to have the City Administrator work as a liaison between the Senior Citizen’s Club and the Messiah Lutheran Church and have City Staff work out issues for scheduling, keys, and storage space for the church. The motion carried with Council Skogman voting no.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Matanich that the Council appoint the following to serve as election judges for the September 15, 1998, Primary Election and the November 3, 1998, General Election:
Precinct #1 – City Hall Precinct #2-Nichols Town Hall
Caroline Kujala Rose Irish
Gertrude Buria Gladys Bergquist
Dorothy Anderson Phyllis Yelenich
Lorraine Buffetta Ellen Nelson
Alternate
Sheri Johnson
The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve Resolution #32-98, relating to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to change the September 7, 1998, City Council meeting to September 8, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mountain Iron City Hall Council Chambers. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported Olsen to approve Resolution #33-98, approving special legislation, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the requests of the Regional Rail Authority for the Mesabi Trail. The Council requested that Bob Manzoline attend the next regular City Council meeting.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to set a special meeting with the Councils of the Quad Cities for September 2, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. at the Range Recreation and Civic Center in Eveleth and to direct Staff to post the necessary notices with regard to the open meeting law. The motion carried.
The Mayor informed the Council that he received a letter from Nick Dragisich thanking the Mayor for the letter that he sent with regard to his previous work with the City.
Councilor Matanich updated the Council on the Iron Range Veteran’s Memorial Park being proposed for the City of Virginia. Councilor Matanich said that he spoke with Dick Edstrom, Vice-Chairman of the Iron Range Veteran’s Memorial Park, and he said the project will cost approximately $500,000 to construct. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Administrative Staff keep updated on the progress of the park and, if there is a need, to have Staff have other options for available land for the Iron Range Veteran’s Memorial Park to locate on in Mountain Iron.
During the open discussion, Councilor Olsen said that she would like to commend the Merritt Days Committee for a job well done and to thank the City Crew for cleaning up the City so efficiently during the celebration.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Skogman said that the City should once again consider buying the Jindra property on 18th Avenue to control what kind of development goes on that site. The Mayor felt that the contaminated soil issue and the price for the land was too high. Councilor Olsen asked where the funds would come from to purchase the property. The Council felt that the City should seek input from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority regarding the purchase of the Jindra property.
At 8:00 p.m., it was moved by Olsen and supported by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
