Meeting Minutes for February 19, 2002
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 19, 2002
Deputy Mayor Prebeg, Jr. called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. with the following members present: Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Ed Roskoski, and Deputy Mayor Joe Prebeg, Jr. Absent member included: Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; and Joe Stewart, Sergeant.
Councilor Roskoski requested that the “Address Change Mailing” be placed on the agenda under unfinished business.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2002, regular meeting as submitted. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period February 1-15, 2002, totaling $356,864.20, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to acknowledge the receipts for the period February 1-15, 2002, totaling $192,468.44, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
During the public forum, Mary Lasky spoke regarding the variance application for Fred Bussey. She said that his eight (8) foot high fencing blocks the view from the Lasky’s residence. She said that she submitted pictures for the Council to review. She said that the Lasky�s object to the height of the fence, not the fence.
Also during the public forum, Jeannie Schechinger said that she did not receive any notification regarding the Eighth Street right-of-way issues.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to direct the City Administrator to supply Ms. Schechinger with a copy of the letter that was sent regarding the Eighth Street right-of-way issue and indicate whom it was sent to. And further, direct Staff to set up a meeting with Jeannie Schechinger and Tom Nikolanci to discuss the Eighth Street right-of-way issues. The motion carried.
Greg Chad, Mountain Iron Fire Department, informed the Council that there will be a drill on September 7, 2002, to conduct training on hazardous spills.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to authorize the First Responders to prepare specifications to call for quotes on the defibulators. The motion carried.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to approve the variance for Fred Bussey to allow two eight foot privacy fences on parcel 175-0051-00645 with the stipulation that Mr. Bussey be limited to the two eight foot high fences. (Note: Mr. Bussey was in attendance and did verbally agree to comply with the agreement.) The motion carried.
The Council discussed the Street Lighting Policy.
At 7:17 p.m., Councilor Skogman left the meeting.
At 7:20 p.m., Councilor Skogman returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Matanich to table the Street Lighting Policy until the next regular meeting and direct City Staff to reword and resubmit the policy. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve the payment to the City of Virginia in the amount of $68,167.58 for the Parkville and Silver Creek Drainage Improvement Project. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to authorize the purchase of floor building equipment from Hillyard Products in the amount of $10,084.86. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Matanich, yes; Roskoski, no; Skogman, yes; and Prebeg, yes.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to authorize Staff to prepare specifications and bids on one flail mower for use in the Street Department. The motion carried.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Prebeg to authorize the Recreation Director to prepare specifications and seek quotes for a front mounted mower/tractor, spreader and aerator for use in the Recreation Department. The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the Sheriff’s Department January, 2002 Activity Report.
It was moved by Roskoski that, being inclement weather may hinder citizens from complying with the 45 day limited on changing address numbers, that another mailing go out with the date of compliance being December 31, 2002, for change of address numbers. The motion failed for lack of support.
The Council took no action on Resolution #08-02.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to adopt Resolution Number 09-02, Charitable Gambling, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to adopt Resolution Number 10-02, Charitable Gambling, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to approve Resolution Number 11-02, accepting work, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to adopt Resolution Number 12-02, authorizing the issuance of bonds, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Roskoski to commend Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator and George Eilertson, Juran and Moody, for researching and finding the cost savings to refinance the tax increment bonds. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to waive the community center fees for the Quad City Wrestling Banquet on March 18, 2002 and the Mountain Iron-Buhl Girls Basketball Banquet on March 25, 2002 and have City Staff make a recommendation regarding the fees for the VRMC Foundation, Festival of Trees, on November 18-25, 2002. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skogman to direct City Staff to investigate and report back to the City Council concerning the quality of the water in the Manganika Lake by contacting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and seek information regarding the source of the pollution to the lake. The motion carried.
The Council discussed the blight ordinance procedure. Councilor Matanich said that the City Attorney has issued seven legal notices on blight problems. The Recreation Director advised the Council that a draft nuisance ordinance went to the Planning and Zoning Commission and they rejected the first draft of this ordinance.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Roskoski to waive the fees for the Community Center for the Annual All-Night Chemical Free Graduation Party and donate $100 to the Mountain Iron-Buhl Class of 2002. The motion carried.
The Council discussed the letter received from St. Louis County regarding the City Council�s request for the County to overlay County Road 102.
It was the consensus of the Council to refer the communication received from Mediacom to City Staff for an explanation and opinion.
At 8:37 p.m., it was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
