Meeting Minutes for December 06, 2004
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 6, 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; Larry Nanti, Director of Parks and Recreation; Karen Luoma, Librarian; and Rod Flannigan, City Engineer.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
Add/move the following items on the agenda:
VI. B. Law Enforcement Vehicle Quote – Move to III. B.
IV. A. Mayor Report
1. Close-Up Donation
VI. D. Donation to Senior Citizens � Move to IV. 2.
Approve the minutes of the November 22, 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 November 16-30, 2004, totaling $157,308.20, (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, 2004, totaling $266,062.29, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 6:32 p.m., it was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing for Truth-in-Taxation. The motion carried.
No written correspondence was received and no one spoke during the public hearing.
At 6:33 p.m., it was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Irish to allow City Staff to prepare specifications and obtain quotes for a new Four Wheel Drive Law Enforcement Vehicle for the Sheriff�s Department with the funds being expended from the 2004 Capital Outlay budget. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Nelson, yes; Irish, yes; Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; and Skalko, yes.
During the public forum, Bill Luzovich, 5456 Heather Avenue, spoke to the Council regarding the gravel put on Heather Avenue. He said that the Residents have been getting flat tires on Heather Avenue. Mr. Luzovich said that the mill feed placed on the road is not working well, the mill feed is sharp, dirty, and is being plowed into the yards. He requested that the Council consider paving Heather Avenue from Centennial Drive south to the Skinner�s property.
Councilor Roskoski addressed the Heather Avenue mill feed issue and suggested having the City Engineer prepare specifications to have Heather Avenue paved from Centennial Drive south to the Skinner�s property and preparing the proposed special assessments. The Director of Public Works said that usually the street department waits until the frost goes down into the street to plow, but he felt that the mill feed would probably keep coming loose all winter. Councilor Irish commented to possibly add Class 5 on top of the mill feed to address the issue.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to waive the building rental fees for the Close-Up group for their bingo fund raiser on November 21, 2004 at the Senior Center and the rigatoni dinner fund raiser on December 3, 2004 at the Community Center. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to donate $1,000 to the Close-Up group for their trip to Washington, D.C. in the Spring. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Roskoski, yes; Prebeg, yes; Nelson, yes; Irish, abstain; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to donate $100 to the Senior Citizens Group for their annual New Year�s Eve party. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the City Administrator regarding the General Manager of P & H Construction, Eric Oakman, being in the Community Center Building during the Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting. Councilor Roskoski expressed concern with Mr. Oakman hearing the discussion during the EDA meeting regarding incentives being given to P & H Construction. Councilor Roskoski questioned the City Administrator asking if Mr. Oakman was in his office. The Administrator said that Mr. Oakman was not in his office and did not know why he was here. The Administrator suggested that Councilor Roskoski speak with Mr. Oakman.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Prebeg to renew Lease #144-012-0204, North one half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 3, Township 58 North, Range 18 West, with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the Wacootah Overlook at a cost of $714.60 for five years. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to allow City Staff to offer the use of the Community Center to the St. Louis County Board of Commissions to hold a board meeting in 2005. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the City Administrator and the Director of Public Works regarding when the group was meeting with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, various City Staff members, and residents on Grant Street regarding discussing solutions to improve the noise and odor problems at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Director of Public Works said a meeting was not set up yet and he would set a meeting after the first of the year.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 45-04, accepting the offer of the dedication of street right-of-way easements as shown on the final plat and certificate of survey, (a copy of the resolution is attached and made a part of these minutes), contingent if there is any major problems that Taylor Investment agrees to repair any problems. It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to amend the motion to repair any problems that the Director of Public Works and the City Engineer deem as a problem until June 1, 2004. And further, Scott Seeley, representing Taylor Investments, was present and agreed to the motion to repair any problems with the roads in the Mashkenode Lake area. It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to have an additional amendment directing the City Attorney to prepare a written agreement reflecting the discussion for Taylor Investments repairing any problems with the roads in the Mashkenode Lake area and having the agreement signed by both Taylor Investments and the City of Mountain Iron. The amended motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
The City Administrator informed the Council that the Economic Development Authority would be having a JOBZ presentation on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at 5:30 p.m.
At 8:11 p.m., Councilor Roskoski left the meeting.
At 8:12 p.m., Councilor Roskoski returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Prebeg to accept the low bid of Commercial Refrigeration for a walk-in cooler at their low quoted price of $9,125.00 for the Senior Center with funding for the cooler coming from the Northland Foundation in the amount of $3,000.00, an AEOA Nutrition Grant in the amount of $3,062.50, and the City of Mountain Iron building fund in the amount of $3,062.50. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to allow City Staff to prepare specifications and seek quotes for a Four Wheel Drive Pick-up Truck for use in the City Street Department.
At 8:25 p.m., Mayor Skalko left the meeting.
At 8:26 p.m., Mayor Skalko returned to the meeting.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; Nelson, yes; Irish, yes; and Skalko, yes.
At 8:28 p.m., Councilor Prebeg left the meeting.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the Director of Public Works regarding the new recycling area being implemented. The Director of Public Works said that the gate that was installed had a manufacturer�s defect and needed repairing. As soon as the gate is repaired, the recycling site will be put into use.
At 8:30 p.m., Councilor Prebeg returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Skalko to accept the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board and hire the following Temporary Winter Employees:
NAME POSITION
ANTHONY DRAZE RINK ATTENDANT
BARRY ROSIER DAY LABOR
JONATHAN NISKA RINK ATTENDANT
CHARLIE OVERBYE RINK ATTENDANT
GLEN OVERBYE DAY LABOR OR RINK ATTENDANT
ANDY PREBEG RINK ATTENDANT
MATT MAROLT RINK ATTENDANT
JOSHUA ROWE RINK ATTENDANT
The motion carried with Councilor Prebeg abstaining.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Irish to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and authorize payment request number three to Hibbing Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $2,850.00 for the Water Treatment Plant Backflush Tank Project. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the City Engineer regarding the Unity Addition cul-de-sac problem. The City Engineer stated that he observed the cul-de-sac when it had water flowing on it and he said that the driveway and the curb match well. The City Engineer said that there were only two remedies and they would be to overlay the bituminous or remove the curb and gutter and adjust the grade.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the City Engineer regarding the options for Spring Park Road regarding the street upgrade, curb and gutter, sewer extension, and a water extension. The City Engineer said that the City Council looked at upgrading the road and the sewer extension, but the water extension and curb and gutter were not included in the previous estimates. The City Engineer would provide the cost estimates to the City Council.
Councilor Roskoski questioned whether the City Council would look at paving a portion of Heather Avenue. It was the consensus of the Council to not proceed with the project at this time.
The Council reviewed the 2005 proposed budget. Councilor Roskoski said that he would like to hold another Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to discuss the budget further. Councilor Roskoski mentioned again that he would like to see the Ann�s Acres lighting in the 2005 capital outlay budget.
Councilor Roskoski said that when the Street Committee met with the Virginia Street Committee to discuss the 16th Avenue Street Improvement Project, the plowing at the Cemeteries was discussed. It was the consensus of the Street Committees that the plowing be done this winter by Mountain Iron and next winter by Virginia and continue to alternate years.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to direct the Mountain Iron City Attorney, the Virginia City Attorney, the Mountain Iron City Administrator and the Virginia City Administrator to prepare an agreement for snow plowing at Greenwood and Calvary Cemetery with the City of Mountain Iron plowing the first winter (2004-2005) and the City of Virginia taking the next winter (2005-2006) until mutually agreed to change the agreement. It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to amend the motion to remove the City Attorneys from the motion and direct the Administrators to prepare the agreement. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Nelson, yes; Irish, no; Roskoski, yes; Prebeg, yes; and Skalko, yes.
At 9:01 p.m., Councilor Nelson left the meeting.
Councilor Roskoski updated the Council on the 16th Avenue Street Improvement Project with regard to working jointly with the City of Virginia. He said that the City of Virginia originally agreed to pay for 50% of the improvements with Mountain Iron paying for 50% of the improvements. After additional discussion, the Virginia Street Committee agreed to pay for 55% of the improvements with Mountain Iron paying 45%.
At 9:04 p.m., Councilor Nelson returned to the meeting.
The Blight Officer advised the Council that an Administrative Hearing for the LaPatka�s was set for Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council discussed revising the Ordinance Number 02-01, regarding blight issues.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Roskoski to direct City Staff to carry over the $21,000 for the OHV Trail System from the 2004 budget to 2005. The motion carried with Councilor Prebeg and Nelson voting no.
Councilor Irish stated that he wanted to clarify the 2005 budget with regard to the Phase II of the ATV Trail project to the Campground that the grant would be a 35% grant match from the City of Mountain Iron in the amount to $25,497.
At 9:19 p.m., it was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
