Meeting Minutes for December 15, 2008
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 15, 2008
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Alan Stanaway, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Absent member: Tony Zupancich. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Tom Cvar, Fire Chief; and John Backman, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following item to the agenda:
VI. K. Publishing of City Council Minutes
2. Approve the minutes of the December 3, 2008, City Council meeting as submitted.
3. 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.
4. To acknowledge the receipts for the period December 1-15, 2008, totaling $719,317.06, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried with Councilor Zupancich absent.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skalko to approve the following consent agenda item:
5. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period December 1-15, 2008, totaling $481,948.85, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote: Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, absent; Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, no; and Skalko, yes.
No one spoke during the public forum.
The Mayor updated the Council on the following:
– City Employees. Complimented the City Crew for a job well done with the snow removal from the snow storm.
– UMD Football. Congratulated the UMD Football Team for winning the National Championship for Division 2 and Mountain Iron’s DJ Winfield for playing on the team.
– Christmas Party. Advised the Council that it was nice that the City could participate in providing the facility for the Range Mental Health/U. S. Steel Christmas Party for needy families on December 3rd and 4th. He said that they served dinner to approximately 1,300 people and provided gifts to children that probably would not have received any.
– First Responders. They are still seeking additional first responders to join the group. He said that he was going to attend the Fire Department training session to promote participation with the First Responders.
– Local Government Aid. He advised the Council that the City will once again be faced with a reduction in aid from the State. He advised the Council and audience that the City is financially stable and will adjust for the proposed reductions.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to approve the contract with the Mesabi Humane Society for the period January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, at a cost of $1,500 per month, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Councilor Zupancich absent.
The City Administrator updated the Council on the following:
– Unity Drive Railroad Crossing. He said that he spoke with the Canadian National Officials and they advised him work would begin on the crossing upgrade in the next couple of weeks.
– Mineral Avenue. He said that there was a house fire on Mineral Avenue and that the City received 25% of the settlement funds for cleanup of the fire damaged property if the property owner does not properly clean up the property.
– Federal Projects for Funding. He said that he had been preparing a list of projects to be completed if funding becomes available. He said that the Wastewater Plant, the Energy Park, and another project may qualify for funding if it becomes available.
– Range Recreation Center Plowing. The Mayor said that each City would complete the plowing annually and it would begin with the City of Eveleth.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Skalko to authorize City Staff to donate the two old City boilers to the Range Recreation Center. The motion carried with Zupancich absent.
The Director of Public Works said that the City Crew were working on the hydrant markers so that all of the hydrants are properly marked. He also advised the Council that the hydrants on Jasmine and Bluebell were flushed in 2008.
Sergeant Backman advised the Council that he has had a change of personnel in his office. Deputy Yarick had transferred to Duluth and Deputy Shackman is now serving in the Mountain Iron office.
The following items were discussed during the Liaison Reports:
– Library Board. Councilor Stanaway stated that the Board was looking at some housekeeping items, such as disposing of the piano and other furniture in the basement.
– Safety and Health Board. Councilor Roskoski questioned the hydrant locations to service Aster Avenue. The Fire Chief thought the hydrants were located on the Canadian National property.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to adopt the 2009 Budgets as presented, (copies are attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Roskoski voting no and Zupancich absent.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 61-08, approving 2008 tax levy, collectable 2009, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Zupancich absent.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to adopt Resolution Number 62-08, approving 2009 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 with Zupancich absent.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 63-08, concerning the 2009 Economic Development Authority tax levy, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Roskoski voting no and Zupancich absent.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 64-08, concerning the 2009 Housing and Redevelopment Authority tax levy, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Zupancich absent.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Skalko to approve the specifications and obtain bids on a Quick Attack Wildland Fire Apparatus less the CAFS System option. The motion failed on the following roll call vote: Roskoski, no; Prebeg, no; Stanaway, yes; Skalko, yes; and Zupancich, absent.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Prebeg to approve the specifications and obtain bids on a Quick Attack Wildland Fire Apparatus, as submitted, with the CAFS System to be listed separately. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Prebeg, yes; Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, yes; Skalko, yes; and Zupancich, absent.
Councilor Roskoski requested that any action on the “Minimum Housing Standards” be taken when the City Attorney is present. He requested that this be on the next meeting agenda when the City Attorney is present.
It was moved by Roskoski to direct City Staff to compile all costs associated with running the City Hall/Community Center Facility and the amount of revenues received. And further, to summarize the number of fees that have been waived by the City Council. And further, to have Staff submit this report to the Council when it is prepared. The motion died for lack of a second.
It was moved by Roskoski to direct City Staff to review all costs and revenues associated with operating the West Two Reservoir Recreation Complex, with a report being forwarded to the Parks and Recreation Board for their review and suggestions for an increase in revenues or reduction of expenses. The motion died for lack of a second.
Councilor Prebeg requested that the Council reconsider the publication of the City Council minutes in the Mesabi Daily News. He said that the following is a list of estimated funds spends for publication in the various years: 2006, $5,000; 2007, $5,800; and 2008, $4,800. He said that the minutes are available on the City’s web site and if anyone in the community requests a copy of the minutes, they are sent to them. Also, the meetings are aired on public television.
During the open discussion the following items were discussed:
– Labor/Management Meeting. The Mayor stated that the next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2008.
– Electrical Department purchase. Councilor Roskoski commented on the 5,000 light bulbs purchased by the Electrical Department for the City’s Conservation Improvement Program. He showed some listed sale prices from other vendors.
At 7:50 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried with Zupancich absent.
Submitted by:
Jill M. Anderson, CMC/MMCA
Municipal Services Secretary
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COMMUNICATIONS
1. Iron Range Resources, information regarding instituting a Community Business Partnership Grant Program.
