Meeting Minutes for December 18, 2000
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Carolyn Olsen, Stephen Skogman, Curt Piri, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Absent member included: Joe Matanich. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Service Secretary; Joe Stewart, Sergeant; Greg French, City Engineer; Tom Cvar, Fire Chief; and several members of the Mountain Iron Volunteer Fire Department.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following item to the agenda:
VI. E. Appointment to the Personnel Committee.
2. Approve the minutes of the December 4, 2000, regular meeting as submitted.
3. Approve the minutes of the December 11, 2000, Committee-of-the-Whole meeting as submitted.
4. 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.
5. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period December 1-15, 2000, totaling $143,401.71, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
6. Acknowledge the receipts for the period December 1-15, 2000, totaling $515,859.63, (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.
At 6:37 p.m, it was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to recess the regular meeting and open the Budget Adoption Hearing. The motion carried.
During the public hearing, Joel Haataja was present and asked the City Council why his taxes keep increasing. The Mayor said that the major portion of the increase is not what the City Council is doing, but that the market value of his property was increasing and thus increasing his taxes.
There was no other public comment and no written correspondence was received.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to adopt Resolution 54-00, approving 2000 levy, collectable in 2001, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to adopt Resolution 55-00, approving market based referendum levy, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen that the 2001 budgets be approved as presented, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
At 6:42 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to close the budget adoption hearing and reopen the regular meeting. The motion carried.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to adopt Ordinance number 04-00, Emergency Management, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The City Council discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission rezoning issues. The Mayor requested that a map be provided. It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to table the rezoning issues until the first regular City Council meeting of 2001. The motion carried.
Sergeant Stewart submitted the Sheriff Department�s monthly reported to the City Council. Councilor Skogman asked that the parking by USX Career Development Center be reviewed. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Sergeant visit the Career Development Center and advise them that the parking will now be more strictly enforced. The Council also suggested that the City Administrator and the Sergeant write them a letter concerning the matter.
The Council discussed various street improvement projects. It was the consensus of the Council to discuss the matter further at the first regular City Council meeting of 2001.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to authorize payment of $1,500 to the Greenwood Cemetery Association. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to authorize the Fire Chief to order the Fire Department Pumper Truck before December 31, 2000 to obtain the best price. The motion carried.
The Fire Chief asked the City Council how he should proceed regarding bunker gear that was damaged at a fire at General Electric. He advised them that the fire department explored the possibility of having the gear cleaned, but the cleaning made the gear no longer flame resistant. The Fire Chief said that there were about four to six sets of bunker gear damaged at an approximate cost of $1,000 per set. It was the consensus of the Council to have a claim submitted to the City�s insurance company and General Electric. The Mayor said that this is a safety issue and the Council should deal with it immediately.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to authorize the fire department to purchase and replace gear that was damaged at the fire because of the safety issue. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The City Council discussed the blight issues. It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Administrator update Chapter Number 52, Nuisances, and present the revised ordinance to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their input and then to the City Council for formal approval.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to adopt Ordinance Number 05-00, amending Chapter 22 of the Mountain Iron City Code. After further discussion, Councilor Skogman withdrew his motion and Councilor Olsen withdrew her support. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Planning and Zoning Commission review Ordinance Number 05-00 and make a recommendation to the City Council.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to change the next regular meeting to Tuesday, January 2, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. because of the New Year�s Day holiday. The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the list of communications. The Administrator said that he would need to know which Council members would be attending the Range Association of Municipality and School meeting. He said that he would ask at the next regular meeting who would be attending.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen to appoint Councilor Matanich to the Personnel Committee effective January 1, 2001. The motion carried.
During the Mayor’s report, the Mayor said that it has been a pleasure and honor serving on the Council with Councilors Olsen and Piri over the last four years and he wished them the best. The Mayor also welcomed Councilor Elect Joe Prebeg and Ed Roskoski.
During the open discussion, Councilor Skogman asked if a phone was installed in the kitchen. The City Administrator said that the City is in the process of changing phone lines and a dedicated line would be available possibly in two weeks.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Skogman asked when the 9-1-1 updates would be completed. Councilor Skogman felt that a deadline of February 28, 2001 for the 9-1-1 numbering be set.
The Mayor asked the Administrator how the negotiations with the postal service going. The City Administrator said that the Postal Service is currently beginning to complete a survey of the area and they gave no timetable for when the work would be completed.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Skogman asked when the City Hall would be decorated. Councilor Olsen said that she would like to see the Civic Association afghan hung up. Councilor Skogman said that Ironworld has a lot of pictures that the city could display. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Recreation Director and Councilor Skogman collect and display some pictures in the Community Center.
At 7:37 p.m., it was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
