Meeting Minutes for February 04, 2002
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 4, 2002
Deputy Mayor Prebeg called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Stephen Skogman and Ed Roskoski. Absent members included: Joe Matanich and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Judy Seurer, Accounting Technician; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Parks and Recreation Director and Greg French, City Engineer.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Approve the minutes of the January 22, 2002, regular meeting as submitted.
2. 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.
3. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period January 16-31, 2002, totaling $ 169,784.40, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
4. Acknowledge the receipts for the period January 16-31, 2002, totaling $ 108,423.67, (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.
During the public forum, Mary Laskey addressed the Council concerning the Laskey and Bussey variances. She discussed reasons for allowing the variance on her mother-in-law�s property and reasons to deny the variance requested by Fred Bussey.
Discussion took place concerning the Laskey variance. The City Administrator stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Laskey variance to allow a four-foot setback for the addition on their home. It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to approve the Laskey variance. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion took place concerning the Bussey variance. The City Administrator stated the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Bussey variance to allow the height of his fence to exceed 6 feet. Roskoski noted that Bussey’s request for a variance mentioned that a temporary variance could be suitable until he finishes remodeling.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to follow the Planning and Zoning Commission�s recommendation and grant the Bussey variance. Further discussion on granting a temporary variance took place and it was determined that more information from the Planning and Zoning Commission was needed. Skogman withdrew the motion for approval of the Bussey variance and Prebeg withdrew support.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to table the Bussey variance request until more information is received from the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Administrator on the condition of the fence and property. Discussion on the sequence of events concerning the fence construction took place. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to approve Ordinance 01-02, Amending Chapter 22 of the Mountain Iron City Code, Zoning Ordinance, by amending the official zoning map in and for the City of Mountain Iron (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion took place concerning the quote received for directional signs. The Public Works Director stated that this was not a formal quote, only an estimate from a local company on the cost of the signs, to give the Council an idea on the amount of funding required for this project. He stated that the price was for a 4′ x 4′ sign, green with white printing, aluminum, conforming to what is in use now. Further discussion on the use of and location of the signs took place.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to refer the directional sign project to the Streets Committee for review and recommendation. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to accept the low bid from United Electric in the amount of $16,740.00 for the purchase of three transformers and box pads. The Director of Public Works explained that the equipment was needed for upgrading the electrical system for the Raintree Apartments. The project is being done to prevent any potential problems from occurring The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Council discussed the access road onto Main Street in the Costin area. The Public Works Director reported that the road is intended for long-term use and sizeable amounts of fill material will be hauled over it. It was suggested that the hauling route be redirected to Mining Avenue, off of Main Street.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to refer this matter to the Streets Committee for review and recommendations. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion took place concerning the request to add $15,000 to the Capital Outlay Budget for a front mower tractor and aerator/fertilizing spreader. The Parks and Recreation Director explained that the item was inadvertently omitted from budget. The Parks and Recreation Commission approved this request at their last meeting. The equipment is needed to better keep up with the mowing and to follow the maintenance schedule recommended by the contractors that installed the fields. The Public Works Director stated that the equipment would be used for City grounds keeping as well as the Parks and Recreation Department. It would eliminate some of the smaller mowers and use less labor. This item is included in the 5-year capital outlay plan. Discussion took place concerning any potential budget cuts from the State legislature. The City Administrator stated that funding is available in the capital outlay plan.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skogman to add $15,000 to the Capital Outlay
Budget for a front mower tractor and aerator/fertilizing spreader. Further discussion took place, concerning the contractor agreement being upheld only if the ball fields are maintained according to their schedule. The motion carried unanimously.
Dick Grams, Bob Haapala and Rey Herzog from the Iron Range Retriever Club were present to explain their request to discuss the acquisition of land on Butler Road and the Wolf Park. Bob Haapala, Club President, explained that they are losing their present lease from US Steel, and must move their buildings and equipment to a suitable area. One of the properties they could move to includes the Butler Road property. The fields have a lot of potential for their use. However, there may be a conflict with Wolf Park for safety and noise. The Club wants to know if it would be possible to acquire the 10-acre parcel known as Wolf Park. The price of land where they currently are is out of their range. Dick Grams, the Grounds Chairman, explained what the group does. They have generated $75,000/yr in tourism dollars. When the National Trials were held here, it generated $500,000/yr. The group pays the property taxes for USS as part of their current lease. The Club hires local youth to help at events, instilling values in youth. They have trained hunting dogs since 1951 and developed ponds & wetlands for conservation. Developing the property on Butler Road would create more wetlands in the City. Skogman questioned the use of live ammunition in a residential area. Skogman asked if the Club�s proposal was for the City Council to give them Wolf Park or for the Club to acquire the park or to move the park to another location. The Club members said they were open to discussions. Skogman suggested the matter be referred to the Parks and Recreation Board for a recommendation. The City Administrator suggested getting input from more City organizations.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to form a new committee, comprised of a member from the Parks and Recreation Board, the HRA, and the Planning and Zoning Commission, along with the City Administrator and the Parks and Recreation Director, to study this proposal and issues involved. The motion carried unanimously.
It was reported by the City Administrator that a donation to the VRMC Foundation from the City would be legal. Discussion took place on whether or not a donation should be made. It was the consensus of the Council that no specific request for a donation was received and therefore no action was necessary.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to approve Resolution 06-02, Bank Authorization (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to approve Resolution 07-02, Ordering the Preparation of Plans and Specifications (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes).
Discussion took place concerning the spur of the Mesabi Trail that is to run down Main Street. The City Engineer reported that no preliminary work has been done yet. Skogman left the meeting at 8:01 p.m. Roskoski asked if the street and trail would coexist or be side by side. Skogman re-entered the meeting at 8:03 p.m. It was explained that the resolution is to make a plan for the trail.
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to reschedule the next regular City Council meeting to February 19, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
The communications were noted for the record.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to accept the date set by Saint Louis County for the Board of Appeal and Equalization for Tuesday, April 23, 2002 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the City Hall. The motion carried unanimously.
The City was notified from Insurance Services Office, Inc. that the Fire Department has now been rated at class 6 instead of class 7.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to have the City Administrator contact Insurance Services Office, Inc. and inquire on how the Fire Department can achieve a lower rating. The motion carried unanimously.
At 8:14 p.m., it was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried unanimously.
