Meeting Minutes for February 01, 2010

MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 1, 2010

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Anderson, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; and John Backman, Sergeant.

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

1. Approve the minutes of the January 20, 2010, regular meeting as submitted.

2. 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.

3. To acknowledge the receipts for the period January 16-31, 2010, totaling $202,442.11, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period January 16-31, 2010, totaling $254,612.35, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

The Mayor updated the Council on the following:

 Minnesota Historical Society. He advised the Council that the City was awarded a $48,000 grant for the renovation and updating of Locomotive Park. He said that with the award from IRRR to the Civic Association regarding the $9,500 grant for the construction of a canopy and the $1,000 donation the Civic Association, this park will be nice. He also thanked the Director of Public Works for all his help in obtaining the Minnesota Historical Society grant.
 Wind Energy Project. He clarified some comments that were made in the Mesabi Daily News regarding the project in White Township. He said that all the funds that have been expended have been from grant funding and that no local funds have been spent on the project. He said that the project is to generate revenue for the Economic Development Authority in the future, not to create jobs. He also said that the 39 acre Renewable Energy Park being constructed in Mountain Iron would be a compliment to the Wind Energy Projects.

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich to authorize a contribution of $250 to the Virginia Regional Medical Center Diabetic Center for the Mark “Bush” Prebeg Memorial Snowmobile Ride with the funds being expended from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skalko to authorize the assistance of the Sheriff’s Department for traffic control and the Public Works Department to assist with some snow removal along Highway 169 on February 20, 2010. The motion carried.

It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Skalko to file the Arrowhead Amateur Sports Complex information for future use and reference. The motion carried.

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Skalko to authorize the Municipal Services Secretary to attend the Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association Annual Conference from March 16-19, 2010, at City expense. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to direct City Staff to advertise for the Commercial Building Inspector position. The motion carried.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to award the quote for the hoist repair to Lenci Enterprises at their low quoted price of $10,979.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Utility Advisory Board and authorize the sewer rate increase, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes), with an effective date of January 1, 2010. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, yes; Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, no; and Skalko, yes.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to accept the recommendation of the Utility Advisory Board and authorize the electric utility increase, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes), with an effective date of January 1, 2010. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Skalko to authorize Lease Number 144-012-0204, with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, for the Wacootah Overlook, at a total cost of $1,450 for the ten year lease. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skalko to reschedule the next regular meeting to Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. because of the President’s Day holiday. The motion carried.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skalko to waive the building rental fees for the boys and girls Mountain Iron-Buhl Hoop Club elementary basketball banquets. The motion carried.

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Skalko to authorize a contribution of $200 to the Mountain Iron-Buhl High School Class of 2010, with the expense coming from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Roskoski that being Locomotive Park is a National Registered Historic Landmark of important significance:
1) That the Oliver Iron Mining company, the name that USS operated under for many years, corporate colors of yellow upper, blue lower, be looked at as possible colors for the locomotive canopy and overlook pavilion.
2) That local historian, Marvin Lamppa, Marvin Lamppa, and/or others be contacted to review any signage text for historic accuracy.
3) That Tom Nikolanci be contacted about Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for possible interpretation and educational exhibits.
4) That a sign be erected mentioning major contributors to the overlook project:
a. Minnesota Historical Society
b. IRR/IRRRB
c. United States Steel 
d. City of Mountain Iron
e. Others

The motion died for lack of a second.

At 7:16 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.

Submitted by:

Jill M. Anderson, CMC/MMCA
Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Mountain Iron Senior Citizens, a thank you for the contribution to their Christmas party.

2. Mountain Iron-Buhl Hoop Club, a request to waive the building rental fees for the building. 

3. Mountain Iron-Buhl High School, Class of 2010, a request for a donation for the All Night Chemical Free Graduation Party.

4. Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants, a notice of award of a $48,000 grant for Mountain Iron National Landmark Site Project.

5. Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, an invitation to an Art Exhibit in honor of Veterans on February 11th at the Mesabi Range College in Virginia.