Meeting Minutes for February 06, 2017
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
February 6, 2017
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:31p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Alan Stanaway, Susan Tuomela, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Sally Yuccas, Librarian Director/Special Events Director; Alan Johnson, City Engineer; and John Backman, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Approve the minutes of the January 17, 2017, regular meeting as submitted.
- That the communications be accepted and 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, 2017, totaling $242,124.22 (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, 2017, totaling $502,101.80 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried on roll call vote.
Public Forum:
- Ed Roskoski spoke during the Public Forum, questioned the vacant seat on the City Council, how many applied and who they were? Mayor Skalko stated that six individuals applied for the vacant seat-, three men and three women: Steve Skogman, Ed Roskoski, Dennis Benz, Jeanne Debeltz, Peggy Anderson and Terri Lemke.
- Ed Roskoski talked briefly about the Comprehensive plan that was to be adopted, keying in on certain committees that he would like to be part of:
- “Overlook, “ any discussion or plans on new Overlooks to replace Wacootah overlook which was closed
- “Mountain Iron history walk,” Ed stated that one was put together in 1992 by himself and Larry Nanti, former Parks & Rec Director, if a committee is formed he would like to be a part of it when forming “Mountain Iron History Walk”
- Ed Roskoski questioned the City Administrator in regards to the Mountain Iron Pioneer Cemetery and where the City stood. City Administrator spoke that the City is not allowed to do anything at the Cemetery, been turned over to the Minnesota DNR and Historical Preservation Office. Mr. Roskoski stated that he contacted an agency which has “final” say in project, he was told that in order for the project to work, that himself and others involved needed to touch basis with the City of Mountain Iron, since the cemetery is within city limits. As stated the City Administrator stated that the City of Mountain Iron did approach the Minnesota DNR, but was told that nothing was going to be done there and that no one needs to be out there, due to the severe erosion. Mayor Skalko stated that the City of Mountain Iron was instructed not to have anyone on the property due to the dangerous bank, safety reasons and severe erosion problems. Discussion ensued, stated that all information contacts should be made through the City of Mountain Iron, any conversation with MN DNR should be at the City level not at the volunteer level, the City’s plan is to have the City Administrator work with DNR for a solution.
The Mayor reported on the following:
- Condolences to the family and friends of George Kosevich
- Condolences to the family and friends of Dale Peterson
Labor Management Meeting set for Tuesday, February 21st at 2:00pm, Councilor Tuomela will be Council participant.
The City Administrator reported on the following:
- Friday, February 17th, Broadband Forum and visioning session, from 9am-noon at the Mountain Iron Community Center, all encouraged to attend
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela that the City Council adopt the Pay Equity Report as presented so it may be submitted to the State. The motion carried.
The Director of Public Works reported on the following:
- Five broken water lines throughout the winter, any water spotted please call City Hall
Library Director/Special Events Coordinator:
- Friday, February 17th, Old McDonald had a farm at 6pm
- February 6th, “Blind date with a book”
- Mountain Iron Library open from 10am-6pm (trial hours) instead of 11am-6pm
Sheriff’s Department:
- No formal or informal report
City Engineer’s report:
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve Final Change Order No. 1 for the Mountain Iron Drive Street Improvement project, with a decrease in the contract amount of $52,247.45 to Mesabi Bituminous. The Change order is to compensate the Contractor for work actually completed; the decrease in cost is due to the actual amount of materials and labor provided. The motion carried on roll call vote.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to approve Pay Request No. 6 for the Mountain Iron Drive Street Improvement project in the amount of $42,553.36, to Mesabi Bituminous. This pay request releases all of the retainage for this project. The motion carried on roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to approve Pay Request No. 4 for Woodland Estates Residential Development Phase 1 project in the amount of $18,620.00, to Mesabi Bituminous. This amount includes withholding 5% retainage on work completed to date. The motion carried on roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve Pay Request No. 1 for the Mountain Iron South Grove Drainage Improvement project in the amount of $11,799.00, to Mesabi Bituminous. This amount includes withholding 5% retainage on work completed to date. The motion carried on roll call vote.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the Conditional Use Permit for Sliver Spur. The motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Public Health and Safety Board and authorize the purchase of a 2017 Fleet Dodge Charger Police AWDLDEE48 from Mike Motors, Ely, MN as stated in bid for $24,476. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Public Health and Safety Board and authorize the purchase a SVE Bauer Unicus III Compressor for the Fire Department from Alex Air Apparatus for the price of $10,800. The motion carried on roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to authorize the recommendation made by the Personnel Committee and authorize external advertising for the Laborer position due to no internal applications being received; applications being accepted until Friday, February 24th at 4pm. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko seconded by Prebeg to approve Resolution #01-17; approving Mr. Stephen Skogman to the Mountain Iron City Council to fill out the remainder of the term created by Councilor Tony Zupancich’s resignation. The motion carried 2; 1 with Councilor Tuomela opposing and Councilor Stanaway abstaining.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve Resolution #02-17; accepting the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and adopting the updated Comprehensive Plan as presented. The motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to approve Resolution #03-17; supporting Mesabi Metallics and its new leadership and completion of this much needed mining project on the Western Iron Range that will open new markets for Range steel and reduce our dependence on foreign steel imports while providing a long lasting and significant economic impact to our region and the State of Minnesota. The motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to approve Resolution #04-17; that the City Council supports the regional rail initiative also known as the “West Range Connector Project” and the “Central & East Range Industrial User Access Project” and that associated grant and legislative funding request that are necessary to bring these projects forth so that all businesses may experience better, affordable, rail access from multiple suppliers. The motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to approve Resolution #05-17; immediate withdrawal and formally request immediate reversal and rescind the BLM-USFS proposal to withdraw 240,000 acres of land in NE Minnesota from future leasing, exploration, and potential development and withdraw the BLM’s Federal Register notice announcing the proposal. Furthermore that federal agencies return to their responsibility of accepting mineral development projects, review them under the existing NEPA and scientific, multi-agency requirements of the Environmental EIS process and restore opportunity for economic development and investment in Minnesota. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to reschedule the City Council meeting from Monday, February 20th to Tuesday, February 21st at 6:30pm. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skalko to donate the $70 building rental fee plus $200 to the family of little girl within the Mountain Iron community who recently had heart surgery, donated monies from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried on roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to donate $100 to the 9th Annual Dustin Damm Memorial Walk for Mental Health Fundraising Event on May 18, 2017, at 4pm, at Olcott Park in Virginia. Monies to come from the Chartable Gambling Fund. The motion carried on roll call vote.
At 7:34p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Amanda Inmon
Municipal Services Secretary
COMMUNICATIONS
- St Louis County Fair Board would like to send a thank you for the support and donation to their “The Five Best Days of Summer” Event.
- Broadband Community Visioning Meeting scheduled for Friday, February 17th from 9:00am-12pm at the Mountain Iron Community Center.
