Meeting Minutes for February 05, 2007
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 5, 2007
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. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Tom Cvar, Fire Chief; Rick Feiro, Sergeant. and Sally Peterangelo, Librarian.
The Mayor welcomed the audience and the television viewing audience to the meeting.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
Add the following items to the agenda:
IV. A. 1. Waive Rental Fee for MIB All Night Graduation Party
V. D. Sheriff�s Department SUV Purchase Presentation
VI. H. Personnel Committee-Hiring for the Lineman Position
Approve the minutes of the January 17, 2007, City Council meeting as submitted.
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.
To acknowledge the receipts for the period January 16-31, 2007, totaling $320,016.24, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period January 16-31, 2007, totaling $294,239.20, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Mark Forte and Jim Newman, representing Curl Mesabi, were present and advised the Council the World Juniors Curling Championships would be held at the Range Recreation Civic Center (RRCC) from March 3-11, 2007. They invited the Council to an Open House on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at the RRCC at 5:00 p.m. They stated that there is additional information available on their web site: www.wjcc07.com. They stated that they were looking for a number of volunteers to assist in running the event; they anticipated needing 40 volunteers each day. They said that there are Men�s teams coming from Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States and Women�s teams from Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Russia, Scotland, Switzerland and the United States.
During the Mayor�s report, the Mayor commented on a couple of issues from the last meeting. He said that there were four resolution passed at the last meeting regarding economic development. The Mayor said that the future impact of economic development in Mountain Iron is tremendous. The Mayor said that small communities are really limited in the incentives they have to attract developers. The City only has tax increment financing, tax abatement and State JOBZ tax zones. The Mayor said that Mountain Iron should be a growing progressive community, not a stagnant community.
The Mayor advised the City Council that he was advised by Dave Paakkonen, Boys Scouts, that a Boy Scout Silver Beaver award had been given to John Lindquist, a Mountain Iron resident. The Mayor said that only three other Mountain Iron residents have received this award since it started 76 years ago. They are Skip Murray in 1995, John Rioux in 1985, and Fred Mix in 1942.
The Mayor commented on the Orchids and Onions column written in the Mesabi Daily News. He said that the onions that have been written are basically unsigned and not creditable. He commented regarding an onion that was made regarding a secret road extension to South Grove that the Council is trying to sneak through. The Mayor said that this road extension had been talked about for the past 20-25 years. The Mayor suggested that residents contact Council members or Staff Members to get the correct information regarding matters in the City.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Zupancich to waive the building rental fees for the Mountain Iron-Buhl All Night Graduation party in 2007. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski asked the City Administrator if there had been any response to the advertisement in the Mesabi Daily News regarding interest in serving as an Emergency Medical Technician in Mountain Iron. The City Administrator said that there was one response received.
Councilor Roskoski asked the City Administrator what the status of the grant application regarding the upgrade to Old Highway 169 in Kinross was. The City Administrator said that the Minnesota Department of Transportation was currently reviewing the grant application.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Stanaway to change the On-Call Policy to allow more than one person to be on-call at a time, which would be determined by the Management Personnel, when needed. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Zupancich to request Saint Louis County to conduct a traffic study on Mud Lake Road/County Road 103. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and supported by Stanaway to authorize the purchase of 42 power poles from Bell Lumber & Pole Company at their quoted price of $13,077.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 7:14 p.m., Councilor Roskoski left the meeting.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupanich to authorize the Recreation Director to purchase an advertisement in the Mesabi Daily News for the February Special Edition at a cost of $381.10. The motion carried on a roll call vote with Councilor Roskoski absent.
At 7:15 p.m., Councilor Roskoski returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Stanaway to authorize the Library Director to seek quotes for furniture for the Library. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and supported by Stanaway to adopt Resolution Number 11-07, Regional Public Library System Basic Support, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski asked the Library Director regarding looking for a part-time employee to work at the library. The Library Director said that they were no longer looking at that option. Councilor Stanaway said that the Library would be using City Employees to fill in at the Library, where necessary.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Zupancich to approve the following slate of officers for the Mountain Iron Fire Department.
Fire Chief: Tom Cvar
Assistant Fire Chief: Steve Norvitch
Training Officer/Captain: Justin Kochar
Captain: Joe Buria
Captain: Gerry Knapper
Secretary: Joe Buria
The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Stanaway to authorize up to two firemen to attend the Arson Class in St. Cloud on March 28-31, 2007, at City expense. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Zupancich to allow the firefighters to sell the Fire Department�s 1990 Ford Van through the firefighter network and if they are unable to sell it, to come back to the City Council for further direction. The motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and supported by Zupancich to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the Conditional Use Permit for Ed Klimek, 5366 Mineral Avenue, Mountain Iron, to construct a 28 foot by 38 foot accessory building on parcel 175-0070-01644. The motion carried with Mayor Skalko abstaining.
During the liaison reports, Councilor Zupancich updated the Council regarding the Planning and Zoning Commission, and he said that Arrowhead Regional Development Center is currently working on the Comprehensive Plan for the City. They are looking at the goals of the City with population growth and they are setting a public meeting sometime during the end of February and he encouraged everyone to attend the public hearing.
Councilor Roskoski said that there are still some issues of concern at the Library. He said that the grout in the bathrooms still had not been fixed appropriately. He suggested that the City contact the contractors to fix the grout in the bathrooms. The Mayor asked the Director of Public Works to contact Lenci to see if the problem could be corrected. The Director of Public Works said that he contacted Lenci previously regarding the issue and the time frame for the warranty had now expired on that and the City Council had already approved the final payment request on the project.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg that City Staff contact a library architect or anyone deemed necessary and come up with a plan for the installation of an elevator rear lobby entrance door being open warning light at the Librarian�s workstation. Said plan, and associated costs, would be available to the City Council, hopefully by the second meeting in March. The motion failed with Councilor Prebeg, Zupancich, Stanaway, and Mayor Skalko voting no.
Mayor Skalko said that there would be no discussing on Item B. Wood Pellet Plant Employment Criteria, and Item C. L & M Expansion Employment Criteria, because these items were not unfinished business and were voted on at the last City Council meeting.
The Sheriff�s Department Sergeant distributed some quotes from local business for the purchase of an SUV for the Sheriff�s Department and reviewed the information with the Council. Councilor Roskoski asked if the purchase authorization for the SUV could wait until the next regular meeting because it was an additional item added to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting and involves a purchase. It was the consensus of the Council that this item be placed on the next regular meeting agenda for action.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupancich to adopt Resolution Number 10-07, ordering preparation of a report on improvements for overlaying or reconstruction of various streets in Mountain Iron, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Stanaway to authorize a donation of $100 to the “Bush” Prebeg Memorial Snowmobile Ride/Virginia Regional Medical Center Diabetes Center with the funds coming from the Charitable Gambling Account. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to adopt the U. S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupancich to waive the building rental fees for the Tim Rossi Benefit on March 17, 2007, at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to allow Mac�s Bar to serve on-sale intoxicating liquor license at the Tim Rossi Benefit on March 17, 2007 at the Mountain Iron Community Center under Minnesota Statute 340A.404, Subdivision 4. The motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and supported by Zupancich to allow the Municipal Services Secretary to attend the Municipal Clerks and Finance Officer�s Annual Conference on March 6-9, 2007, in Alexandria, at City expense. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Stanaway to reschedule the next regular City Council meeting to Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. because of the President�s Day holiday. The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the list of communications. The Mayor noted that the American and Minnesota flags were improperly placed at the meeting. The Mayor stated that this would be corrected for the next meeting.
Councilor Roskoski asked the Recreation Director about the grant for the playground equipment for the Mountain Manor. The Recreation Director said that Park and Recreation Board would be looking into the equipment.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupancich to authorize City Staff to offer the position of Lineman to Brent Henkel. After further discussion, Councilor Prebeg amended his motion to include supplying the City with his journeyman certification prior to his six month probation period ending. Councilor Zupancich supported the amendment. The amended motion carried.
During the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski said that in the January 24, 2007, Library Board minutes they referred to the painting at the Library. The Director of Public Works advised the Council that the Library painting project had been scheduled, but was delayed because the paint had not been tested for lead yet. The Director of Public Works said the project will progress once the paint testing has been completed.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski asked Councilor Zupancich about the status of the Park Ridge Development Project. Councilor Zupancich said that the Economic Development Authority is still waiting to hear from the Developer to see what is going to be constructed.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski asked when the access road to Park Ridge Development behind Babich Automotive was going to be completed. Councilor Zupancich said that the access road would not be completed until a complete plan is submitted by the developer and then they would work with the Developer to have the appropriate access road built.
The Mayor announced that the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. It was the consensus of the Council to have the meeting in either the Wacootah or Iroquois Room.
At 8:16 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mountain Iron Senior Citizen�s Club, a thank you for the donation to their New Year�s Eve party.
Saint Louis County, a letter advising the City of a grant workshop and notification of CDBG award for the Mountain Manor Playground Project in the amount of $10,000.
Merton Sedgeman, V.F.W. 9th District Commander, a letter advising the City that the flags are placed incorrectly in the Mountain Iron Room.
