Meeting Minutes for December 02, 2013
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 2, 2013
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Clark, Municipal Services Secretary; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; and Sally Peterangelo, Librarian.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Approve the minutes of the November 18, 2013, regular meeting as submitted.
- That the communications be accepted and 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 November 16-30, 2013, totaling $152,642.93, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
- To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period November 16-30. 2013, totaling $139,725.52, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 6:33 p.m., it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to recess the regular meeting and open the truth in taxation meeting. The motion carried.
The City Administrator mentioned the following items during the truth in taxation meeting:
1) the Council had adopted a preliminary levy with a zero percent increase,
2) there was an increase of local government aid, and
3) sales tax would be eliminated in 2014 and should save the City approximately $36,000.
At 6:35 p.m., it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to recess the public meeting and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
The Mayor reported on the following:
- Condolences. He offered condolences to the family of Joyce Hanson of Parkville.
- Mesabi Daily News. He once again wanted to correct information listed in an unsigned “onion” in the newspaper regarding the special assessments on Daffodil Avenue and Bluebell Avenue. He said that the assessments would be assessed over ten years at a rate of 5.25%.
- Hometown Focus. He complemented the newspaper for allowing the City to submit an article once a month updating our residents on what is happening in the City of Mountain Iron.
- Mesabi Daily News. He also addressed an unsigned “onion” regarding a personal attack on him. He said that he did in fact receive a seatbelt violation, but the column was not the place to print this. He said he was guilty and paid his fine. Also, it stated that he had a stop sign citation; he said that the only citation he had received for a stop sign was in 1965.
The City Administrator reported on the following:
- Public Safety and Health Board. He said that the Board would be reviewing the synthetic drug ordinance and making a recommendation to the Council.
- Mountain Iron-Buhl School District. The Council would be presented with a power purchase agreement with the district to purchase their solar power.
- Rink Attendants. Applications are still being accepted until Friday, December 6, 2013.
The Director of Public Works reported on the following:
- Streets. He cautioned residents to watch for the flashing lights on the plow trucks and to be sure and give them room.
- Electric Department. The Electric Department had begun changing out transformers for the voltage upgrade. He said that the apartments would be worked on in the next few weeks and the residents would be notified.
The Library Director/Special Events Coordinator reported on the following:
- Library. She reviewed the statistics for November 2013.
- Mountain Iron-Buhl Drama Club. The Club performed an interactive play in the basement of the Library and it was very well received. She said that they would like to host more events such as this.
- Library Events. Still have Tea on Tuesday and the Wee Ones Wednesday.
- Unity Drive. Said she was the biggest fan of the extended Unity Drive, she drives on the road every day.
- Special Events. There were no special events scheduled for December. She said she would like to try and get music at the rinks in Mountain Iron.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich and adopt Resolution Number 41-13, denying the vacation of a portion of Garden Drive upon a petition of a majority of abutting landowners, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt the 2014 budgets as presented, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 42-13, approving the 2013 tax levy, collectable 2014, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 43-13, approving the 2014 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 Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 44-13, concerning the 2014 Economic Development Authority Tax Levy, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
At 6:59 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Jill M. Clark, MMC
Municipal Services Secretary
