Meeting Minutes for February 06, 2006
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2006
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Allen Nelson, Dale Irish, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Tom Cvar, Fire Chief; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer (entering at 6:35 p.m.); and Wade Rasch, Sheriffs Sergeant (entering at 6:38 p.m.)
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:
Approve the minutes of the January 23, 2006, 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, 2006, totaling $232,914.28, (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, 2006, totaling $378,046.68, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Terry Hartikka, a Representative from Public Television, stated that the City may want to purchase longer VHS tapes for recording the City Council meetings. He stated that the tapes could be returned to the City if the Council chooses to keep an archive of the video taped City Council meetings. Mr. Hartikka also stated that they have found a videographer to record the Mountain Iron-Buhl boys and girls basketball games. He stated that there are ten events scheduled to be recorded, i.e. band concert, choir concert, sporting games, and graduation at a cost of approximately $1200.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Nelson to allow a maximum of $500 for the broadcasting of Mountain Iron events. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Councilor Prebeg asked Mr. Hartikka if they would be advertising the days and times of the broadcasts. Mr. Hartikka said that they have contacted the Mesabi Daily News to have a weekly list of events on Channel 5 and 12 published.
The Mayor read a letter he received from Vi Newberg regarding Locomotive Park and adding to and maintaining the equipment displayed at the park.
The Mayor also reported on a letter he received from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) regarding the City�s Wastewater Treatment Plant. He informed the Council that the MPCA said that the report that was submitted by the City of Mountain Iron for wastewater plant was received and well done. The Mayor thanked the Director of Public Works for completing the necessary report.
The Mayor advised the Council that they are invited to a meeting regarding the “Quiet Zone” on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at the AmericInn beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The Mayor informed the Council that he had attended the grinder demonstration in Meadowland on February 2, 2006. The Mayor updated the Council regarding the noise effects from the grinders because they would be operating in Mountain Iron at the new sight and he also distributed wood chip samples to the Council.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to hire the Russo Consulting Firm to work with the Personnel Committee on contract negotiations with AFSCME Union #453 and other contract related matters at a cost of $75.00 per hour, not to exceed a total cost of $4,000. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Irish, no; Roskoski, yes; Prebeg, yes; Nelson, yes; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Nelson to direct City Staff to apply for the 2006 Saint Louis County Recreation Grant for painting the locomotive, bulldozer and seek quotes to move the shovel from the Mountain Iron-Buhl School Park to Locomotive Park. It was moved by Irish and supported by Skalko to amend the motion to include seeking quotes for painting the locomotive, dozer, and shovels. The amendment to the motion carried with Roskoski voting no. The amended motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to support the grant application to the IRRRA for the Quad Cities Tennis for All facility. The motion carried.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Skalko to direct the City Administrator to set a meeting with the Mountain Iron Street and Alley Committee with the City of Virginia to discuss the 16th Avenue Improvement Project. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to authorize City Staff to purchase the following decorations from Display Sales:
6 – 60″ candle wreathes at $342 = $2,052.00
7 – 6 foot Noel trees at $202 = $1,414.00
7 – 6 foot Noel candles at $202 = $1,414.00
7 – 6 foot candy canes at $172 = $1,204.00
7 – 6 foot stockings at $272 = $1,904.00
6 – 6 foot Christmas bells at $335 = $2,010.00
40 TOTAL DECORATIONS = $9,998.00 + tax and shipping
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko authorize the purchase of up to 10 pairs of warm pants for the Quad Cities Gymnastics Team at a cost of $270 with the funds being expended from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Councilor Roskoski requested, Contribution to Schools” be placed on the next City Council meeting agenda to discuss further.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Roskoski to table the issue regarding the clarification of the involvement of the Parks and Recreation Board with the improvements to Locomotive Park until additional information is submitted to the Council. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to authorize City Staff to purchase an advertisement in the Mesabi Daily News for the 2006 Special Edition at a cost of $378.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to accept the recommendation of the Sheriffs Department and authorize the purchase of a 2006 Police Interceptor at a cost of $20,668.00 going through the Saint Louis County bid with Lundgren Motors. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The City Engineer reported that the plans for 16th Avenue were about 90% complete. Councilor Roskoski stated that there is only approximately $300,000 left in the street improvement budget and the 16th Avenue Project would deplete the budget. The City Engineer said that the 16th Avenue cost estimate is $370,000 for the street and storm sewer improvements; and $202,000 for the utility improvements. The City Engineer thought that the street and storm sewer improvements would be split between the City of Virginia and the City of Mountain Iron and the utility improvements would be paid for by the City of Virginia.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to approve the following fire department pay adjustments effective February 6, 2006:
Current Approved
Fire Chief $150.00 $300.00
Assistant Fire Chief $75.00 $150.00
Captain/Training Officer $100.00 $100.00
Captain One No Position $50.00
Captain Two No Position $50.00
Secretary $50.00 $50.00
Treasurer $50.00 Eliminate Position
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to authorize the Fire Chief to attend the IAAI Training in St. Cloud from March 29-31, 2006 at a total cost of $878.35. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Council discussed the mutual aid fires that the City of Mountain Iron has responded to over the past several years.
The Council reviewed the Library Director Position classified advertisement.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Skalko to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved the rezoning request and rezone the following property from Urban Residential-Sewered (UR-S) to Multi Family 2 (MF-2):
Westerly 440 feet of the Southeast Quarter (SE �) of the Southwest (SW �) of the Southeast Quarter (SE �) of the of Sections 11, Township 58 North, Range 18 West
Parcel Code: 175-0071-00901
Acres: 4.2
The motion carried.
Richard Matyska, 5495 Coral Lane, Mountain Iron, was present and stated that he was not opposed to the assisted living project that was proposed for the area rezoned. Mr. Matyska said that his only concern with the project would be if the proposed project did not proceed and then an apartment complex or something similar could be constructed in that area with the area now rezoned.
During the liaison reports, Councilor Roskoski stated that at the last Parks and Recreation Board meeting they was discussion regarding the status of the Merritt Days Celebration. Councilor Roskoski said that he thought it sounded like the Park and Recreation Board would be taking over the plans for the Merritt Days Celebration. Councilor Roskoski said that the Merritt Days Committee did not want the Park and Recreation Board to take over the celebration planning but would like to invite other Boards and Commissions to become involved with the Merritt Days Committee.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to authorize payment request number six to Lenci Enterprises for the Library Renovation Project in the amount of $41,600.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to donate $100 to Virginia Regional Medical Center (VRMC) Diabetes Center and authorize City Staff to provide assistance with snow removal for Prebeg Memorial Snowmobile Ride fundraiser for the VRMC Diabetes Center. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 8:28 p.m., the Mayor called a recess.
At 8:33 p.m., the Council reconvened the meeting.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to have City Staff contact the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Mineral Division, as soon as possible, to set a joint meeting, preferably on a non-council meeting night, between the DNR representatives and the entire City Council. The program/itinerary would include inviting as many Parkville residents as possible and possibly informing the rest of the community about the meeting. The motion failed with Prebeg, Nelson and Skalko voting no.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Skalko to direct the City Administrator to send a letter to the Department of Natural Resources and United States Steel Corporation to find out if there are any new plans developing for the Parkville area. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to direct City Staff to contact the IRRRA to seed information regarding the recent public works grants program. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to direct City Staff members to send out meeting notices and list of agenda items for every regular and special City Board, Committee meetings to any City Councilor who requests them. This policy would go into effect on February 7, 2006, and stay in effect until rescinded by specific Council motion. After further discussion, Councilor Roskoski withdrew his motion and Irish withdrew his support.
Councilor Roskoski and Councilor Irish requested that they be sent all meeting notices and agenda items for all Board and Commission meetings.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to change the next regular meeting to Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. because of the President�s Day holiday. The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the list of communications. The Council questioned whether a donation had been made to the Sand Lake Shuffle fundraiser in the past. The Council requested that this item be on the next meeting agenda and to check the City records to see if a donation had been made in the past.
The Mayor reminded the Council of the special closed meeting set for Wednesday, February 8, 2006.
During the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski referenced the City�s December 31, 2005, financial statements that were submitted to the Council. Councilor Roskoski briefly reviewed the Enterprise Funds and referenced the balances reflecting a loss. Councilor Roskoski asked if the Utility Advisory Board would be reviewing the financial statements and making a recommendation for adjustments. The Director of Public Works stated that the Utility Advisory Board would be meeting to review the financial information for the Enterprise Funds.
At 8:58 p.m., it was moved by Nelson and supported by Roskoski that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Sand Lake Shuffle Committee, a request for a donation for the 15th Annual Sand Lake Shuffle.
League of Minnesota Cities, forwarding information regarding the 2007-2008 Policy Committee Membership.
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, forwarding the January 26, 2006 brief.
AARP, a thank you for letting them use the Community Center for training the tax aide volunteers.
