Meeting Minutes for February 16, 1999
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Brunfelt with the following members present: Carolyn Olsen, Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Curt Piri, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Deputy Clerk; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; and Joe Stewart, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Approve the minutes of the February 1, 1999, 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 February 1-15, 1999, totaling $154,774.67, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
4. Acknowledge the receipts for the period February 1-15, 1999, totaling $88,361.13, (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, the Mayor noted that there were no Youth Partners present for the Town Meeting for Kids. It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Administrator contact the Northern St. Louis County Partners and invite them to the next meeting.
Also during the public forum, Ed Roskoski made some comments regarding the correspondence received from the Mountain Iron-Buhl School District regarding the old “steam” shovel located on school property. Mr. Roskoski said that the shovel was insured through the City along with the playground equipment.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Matanich to deny the variance and conditional use permit for George Ramondo, 28 Fairview Lane, South Grove, parcel 175-0055-00620, to operate a home business. The motion carried.
The Council discussed the home occupation issue regarding the Ramondo’s. It was the consensus of the Council to direct the City Administrator to advise the Planning and Zoning Commission to clarify their minutes by changing the word home business to home occupation with regard to the Ramondo�s. The Ramondo�s were present and said that they would comply with the home occupation portion of the ordinance to continue operating Grove Studio from their home.
The Council directed the Zoning Administrator and City Attorney to draft a letter to the Ramondo’s outlining what they can and can not do to remain in compliance for the home occupation.
It was moved by Olsen and supported by Piri to re-appoint Stephen Skogman and Larry Nanti to the Quad City Recreational Authority and re-appoint Armiida “Ozzie” Rudlong as an alternate to the Authority until such time that the board changes how the appointments are made. The motion carried.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Olsen to approve the waterline and sewerline crossing agreement with the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the list of calls for service for January 1999 submitted by Sergeant Stewart.
Robert Manzoline, Director of the Regional Rail Authority was present to answer the Council�s questions regarding the letter dated January 14, 1999 regarding the plan sheet and the estimated cost for changes to the Mesabi Trail in the Parkville area. The Council requested clarification on the request for a contribution by the City. Mr. Manzoline said that the grant funds received from the State were on a dollar for dollar match and that anything that the City could contribute to the project would be matched by the grant funds.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to approve the plan concept, as submitted, for the portion of the Mesabi Trail from Third Street along the Parkville Road to Highway 53, and have Mr. Manzoline coordinate the matching funds by seeking funds from the IRRRB and St. Louis County. The motion carried.
The City Administrator updated the Council regarding the Community Center Building Site for the acquisition of land.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Matanich to approve Resolution #04-99, Charitable Gambling at Harry�s Bon Air Bar, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Councilor Skogman abstaining.
Councilor Matanich said that when he attended the League of Minnesota Cities Newly Elected Conference he said that they advised him that the City could collect up to 10% of the total charitable gambling funds generated in the City. The City Attorney said that the City would have to adopt an ordinance to collect the local charitable gambling funds. It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Staff put together some sample ordinances regarding the local charitable gambling contribution and have the Ordinance Review Committee consider them.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
The Council discussed the letter received from the Mountain Iron-Buhl School regarding the old “steam” shovel located on their property. The City Administrator recommended that the City Council follow the recommendations of the insurance company regarding adding fencing or to move it to another location. The City Administrator said that the hold harmless agreement with the school only covers the playground equipment. It was the consensus of the Council to have staff look into re-locating the shovel to the Downtown Historic Park and take further action at the next regular meeting.
During the Mayor�s report, he commended the facilitator and the City Administrator for the good job that was done for the work on planning and holding the Visioning Task Force meetings.
During the open discussion the following Council members spoke:
Councilor Skogman – asked how the 9-1-1 re-addressing system is coming. The Deputy Clerk advised the Council that the preliminary list of changes is being prepared and is very time consuming. She said that the committee needs to develop street names for the streets that they desire to have the name changed. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Committee work with the Deputy Clerk and continue the process.
Councilor Piri – commented that the newspaper only comes to the City Council meetings when there is controversy. He said that the newspaper staff should come to more meetings.
Councilor Piri – made some comments and had some questions regarding the demolition of the South Grove water tower.
Councilor Matanich – updated the Council on the Newly Elected meeting held by the League of Minnesota Cities. He said that it is a very informative meeting and everyone should attend.
At 7:52 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
