Meeting Minutes for February 16, 2016
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
February 16, 2016
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Alan Stanaway, Tony Zupancich and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney; Sally Yuccas, Librarian Director/Special Events Director; John Backman Sheriff’s Department; and Al Johnson, Benchmark Engineering Representative.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Approve the minutes of the February 1, 2016, 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 February 1-15, 2016 totaling $436,088.55 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
- To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period February 1-15, 2016, totaling $451,685.81 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried on a roll call vote with all members present.
Public Forum:
- Pastor Kristin Foster, chairperson of the Summer Work Outreach Program board, spoke on behalf of the non-profit organization. Thanked the City of Mountain Iron for being the most consist city of the 4-quad cities.
- Summer Work Outreach Program celebrating 20th anniversary on July 21st at Mountain Iron Community Center for the cities of Chisholm, Mountain Iron, Buhl, and Virginia. The program puts kids to work for their communities, has roughly affected the lives of roughly 550-600 kids, with roughly 325 kids ages 11-14 being from the City of Mountain Iron. This program alone gave roughly 200 volunteer hours to the surrounding community.
Mayor’s Report:
- Mayor spoke about Summer Work Outreach Program, has been a part of the program for many years
- Condolences, to the family of Melba Niska
- No outstanding news to report or discuss
The City Administrator reported the following:
- Economic Development Authority Project will be starting soon on County Road 7, clearing of the area for the housing project
- 24th February Hosting Table Top Emergency Management Program, thanked Public Health and Safety Board for putting the program together
- Comprehensive plan will be conducting a Community Survey, online through Arrowhead Regional Development Commission
The Director of Public Works reported on the following:
- After previous announcement of Automated Meters installations, roughly down to 150 left to be installed in the West Virginia area, progress is being made
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to authorize the purchase of the John Deere Gator TX for the State bid price of $6,135.00, from Five Seasons Sports, the funding approved in the 2016 capital improvement fund. This vehicle would be for the caretakers to use for maintenance and oversight of the West Two Rivers Campground (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Library Director/Special Events Coordinator report.
- Merritt Day committee meeting. 3rd Thursdays of the month at 6:00 p.m., at the Mountain Iron Library
- Stress Management class. Scheduled for February 23rd, at the Mountain Iron Library, given by two local Physicians
- Minnesota Gangsters Program on February 11, was successful, can be seen at another libraries
Sheriff’s department:
- No formal or informal report at this time
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to authorize an increase in residential monthly service fees for water to $17.00 and commercial fees to $28.00 per month, with use fee for both to $2.50 per 1000 gallons water used. Motion carried with effective date immediately. As recommended by the City Accountant, so the City does not lose any money, Prebeg stated that the city looks at ways to reduce cost. Rates were raised roughly 6 years ago for the water and 5 years ago for the wastewater (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to authorize an increase in both residential and commercial monthly service fee for wastewater by $5.00 per month as of March 1, 2016. As well as to also increase residential and commercial use for wastewater to $4.00 per every 1000 gallons used as of January 1, 2017 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to authorize the elimination of required meter deposits at Mountain Manor provided that the City goes into a contract/agreement with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority as well as D.W. Jones Management, Inc. for the guaranteeing of payment on tenant’s utility accounts (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
Director of Public Works spoke in regards to some “A” based meters cannot be changed, therefore establishing an incentive for residents to receive $500 towards meter base upgrade. Roughly 20 “A” based meters that are about 60-80 years old, in West Virginia and the Downtown Mountain Iron area. If meter is not upgraded within a year, to charge a $25.00 monthly with the program only being offered the remainder of 2016.
Ed Roskoski inquired why incentive was being proposed, with older homes having the metes built into the fuse box, was this ultimately to separate? Director of Public Works explained that the incentive was so the meter would be upgraded thus compatible with the new Automated Meter Reading System. Discussion in-sued, Zupancich and Prebeg discussed the incentive and the monthly charge, Prebeg expressed that it was a good incentive, fair way to get this accomplished. Zupancich says instead of a fine, but perhaps a payment plan to pay the City of Mountain Iron back, to get the meter changed. Mayor Skalko suggested that after the 10 months, The Utility Advisory Board to re-asses and discuss the progress.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to establish a program for electric customers with “A” meter bases to receive $500 incentive payment when their meter base is upgraded, and to charge a $25.00 monthly fine to those not upgrading their service within one year. This program is to only be offered in 2016, only (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to appoint Julie Hansen to the position of Assistant Librarian. Ms. Hansen is currently the Substitute Librarian, would bump into the Assistant Librarian position, both covered under the collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to post internally for all AFSCME Local 453 Members, the Library Substitute Position for a minimum of seven days. And further, it was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway that if there are no applications received internally for the positions, that Staff be authorized to advertise externally in The Home Town Focus Classified Ads on February 19th, 26th and March 4th, plus approve the position analysis for the Library Substitute Position (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 07-16; authorizing The City of Mountain Iron to submit a grant application to and receive funds from the IRRRB for the new municipal well construction project (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to adopt Resolution Number 08-16; authorizing The City of Mountain Iron to submit a grant application to and receive funds from the IRRRB for the Garden Grove project (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 09-16; authorizing The City of Mountain Iron to submit a grant application to and receive funds from the IRRRB for the biking and walking trail from Old Town to South Grove project (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 10-16; to set a public hearing for a possible Tax Increment Financing District which would be located in the Rock Ridge Development. This proposed district would be used to assist with site preparation and infrastructure (strip mall) west of Holiday Inn, work to help develop the area. Public hearing would be set for March 21st at the Regular City Council meeting (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 11-16; sanctioning Benchmark Engineering to develop plans and specifications for the Garden Drive Improvement Project, plans and specifications would be presented to City Council for approval prior to soliciting any bids (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Zupancich to adopt Resolution Number 12-16; reallocating $300,000 from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to extend the Accounting Technician to Ms. Lisa Stevens pending a physical, drug test and background check. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to extend the position of Captain to Ms. Julie Nyman, for the position to expire December 31, 2018. Expressed that this was the First woman to be appointed as the Fire Department Captain of City of Mountain Iron. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to approve temporary Liquor License for St. Raphael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center’s event “Frosty in February,” Friday, February 19, 2016, being held at City of Mountain Iron’s Community Center. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway for The Director of Public Works to work with The City of Eveleth to come with up with options to dispose of or recycle the Old Recycling Trailer. New Recycling Trailer in service, either dispose of Recycling Trailer by means of selling as a complete trailer, for parts or scrap. Motion carried unanimously.
At 7:28p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried with all members present.
Submitted by:
Amanda Inmon
Municipal Services Secretary
