Meeting Minutes for December 09, 2003
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING
DECEMBER 9, 2003
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 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, Library Director; Tom Cvar, Fire Chief; Greg Chad, Training Officer; and Joe Stewart, Sheriff�s Sergeant.
The Mayor stated that the purpose of the meeting was to review the 2004 budget before the December 15, 2003, City Council meeting.
Councilor Roskoski stated that he would like to have a zero percent increase in all departments to not have to increase the City levy.
The Council discussed the $14,000 increase in the Street Department from 2003 to 2004. The Director of Public Works addressed the Council regarding the proposed increase. He stated that the 2004 budget did not reflect the budget cuts that were made in 2001 and 2002.
Councilor Prebeg reminded the Council that the Library renovation costs would be coming out of the City�s reserve funds. The Administrator said that there would be approximately $80,000 to $90,000 coming out of the reserves. Councilor Prebeg also said that additional funds would have to be allocated for the library roof and additional handicap accessibility renovations.
The City Administrator advised the Council that there was approximately $275,000 left in street bonds for the 2004 projects.
At 6:31 p.m., Larry Nanti, the Director of Parks and Recreation, entered the meeting.
The Council reviewed the 2004-2008 Capital Improvement Plan.
The Mayor stated that the Council still has to consider the Mountain Iron-Buhl School District land exchange. The Administrator said that the appraisals for the school property were $54,000 and $60,000.
The Mayor stated that he would like to see some funds budgeted for landscaping around the community center building in 2004. The Mayor also said he would like to see the old South Grove Park in the interior of South Grove to be developed in housing lots and have the playground equipment put in the southern park area of South Grove.
The Director of Parks and Recreation said that he the Downtown Committee requested that $25,000 be reserve for the Downtown Park for playground equipment.
The Fire Chief said that the Council would need to allocate approximately $24,950 for matching funds for grants.
At 7:28 p.m. the Mayor adjourned the meeting.
