Meeting Minutes for February 20, 2007
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 20, 2007
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Paul Cerkvenik, City Attorney; and Rick Feiro, Sergeant.
The Mayor welcomed the audience and the television viewing audience to the meeting.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Zupancich that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
Add the following items to the agenda:
Councilor Roskoski-presentation-article in the Duluth Newspaper on Levies
A. Library-Seek Quotes on Lead Paint
Move: VI. E. Greenwood Cemetery to IV. A. 1.
Approve the minutes of the February 5, 2007, City Council meeting as submitted.
Approve the minutes of the February 7, 2007, Committee-of-the-Whole 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 February 1-15, 2007, totaling $145,267.44, (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, 2007, totaling $266,974.21, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, yes; Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, no; and Skalko, yes.
No one spoke during the public forum.
During the Mayor�s report, the Mayor made a plea to get some First Responders to work in the City of Mountain Iron. The Mayor advised First Responder candidates to come to the City Hall and talk to the City Administrator regarding the positions. He said that the City is paying for the training, books, and a callout fee.
The Mayor advised the Council and those trying to contact him that he would be out of town from February 23rd to March 4th.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Zupancich to allocate $12,500 towards the Greenwood Cemetery Association for capital improvements contingent on the City of Virginia making a contribution. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Stanaway to authorize the purchase of one 2008 Ford 250 truck at a cost of $19,261.77 and one 2008 Ford 350 truck at a cost of $19,903.77 from Lundgren Motors. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, yes; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Zupancich and supported by Prebeg to authorize the purchase of thirty six (36) 300 gallon garbage canisters and twelve (12) canister lids from MacQueen Equipment Incorporated at a cost of $13,632.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to authorize City Staff to advertise for the following summer positions:
A. Summer labor positions for the Public Works Department
B. All Summer Recreation Department Staff positions
C. Fourth of July Celebration
D. Merritt Day�s Celebration
E. Library Summer position
The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Zupancich to have City Staff work with the Personnel Committee and review the Hiring Policy and wages for the Summer Temporary Employees. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupancich to approve the contract with the Friends of Minnesota Conservation Corps (MCC) and proceed with the hiring for the program at a cost of $2,500 per week. After further discussion, Councilor Prebeg amended the motion to add obtaining approval for the program from Local Union #453. Councilor Zupancich supported the amendment. The amended motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
Councilor Prebeg thanked the Sheriff�s Department for assisting the “Bush” Prebeg Memorial Snowmobile Ride with traffic control during the event.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupancich to authorize the purchase of a 2007 Dodge Durango for the Sheriff�s Department from Elk River Dodge, through the State Bid, at a cost of $27,747.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Councilor Roskoski asked the City Engineer if there was anyway to design the streets in Unity Second Addition to have more lots developed. Councilor Prebeg said that the current proposed lot sizes are more marketable.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupancich to authorize a salary adjustment of $400 per month for the City Administrator and $600 per month for Director of Public Works since June 1, 2006, due to the additional work duties being performed since the retirement of the Foreman. And further, for this adjustment to remain in effect until a permanent Foreman is hired. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Zupancich, yes; Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Stanaway and supported by Zupancich to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the Variance for Five Star Living, 8583 Unity Drive, Mountain Iron, for a 26 square foot sign to be placed on parcel 175-0071-00906. The motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and supported by Roskoski to adopt Ordinance Number 01-07, relating to the adoption of an interim ordinance regulating the issuance of any approval or permit for the installation, construction or expansion of, any illuminated flashing, blinking or moving advertising sign containing changeable messages within the City of Mountain Iron, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
During the Liaison Reports, Councilor Zupancich, Planning and Zoning Commission, reported that the Commission is currently working on an ordinance revision to address the fabric structure issue and will be submitting a revision to the City Council sometime soon.
At 7:24 p.m., Councilor Roskoski left the meeting.
It was moved by Stanaway and supported by Skalko to allow the Director of Public Works to seek quotes to obtain a contractor to take care of the lead paint issue at the Library. The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski absent.
At 7:26 p.m., Councilor Roskoski returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Stanaway to donate the old light fixtures from the Senior Center to the American Legion with the stipulation that the City is not responsible for any liability concerning the light fixtures. And further, that the American Legion sign an agreement stating that they are accepting the light fixtures as is and with all faults. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Zupancich to authorize up to $2,000 to be spent towards the Quad Cities Wastewater Study. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to authorize a contribution of $500 to the World Junior Curling Championships to be held at the Range Recreation Center in March, 2007, with the funds disbursed from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Zupancich to modify the Purchasing Policy and authorize Department Heads to purchase items valued up to $5,000; and with items over $5,000 that the Department Heads must come to the City Council for approval prior to making the purchase. And further, that in case of emergencies, that the Department Head may spent from $5,000 to $15,000 with authorization of the Mayor. The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Stanaway to direct City Staff to work with the City Attorney to create a format for an Advisory Board, being called the Public Safety/Health Commission. This Commission would oversee, in an advisory capacity, the Sheriff�s Department, Fire Department, and the First Responders to help develop blight policies. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Zupancich to direct City Staff to have the Economic Development Authority review Resolution Number 25-04, JOBZ Business Subsidy Policy and Criteria, and clarify it for the City Council. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski that since the City of Mountain Iron adopted Resolution Number 25-04 on July 21, 2004, titled JOBZ Business Subsidy Policy and Criteria, with the following specific spelled out on page 1. The Preamble. Whenever the City of Mountain Iron invests public funds or agrees to voluntarily forfeit tax or other revenue that benefit private development projects, those projects should create the greatest number of full time equivalent jobs that pay a living wage possible for the residents of the City of Mountain Iron and the surrounding region. Principles of Business Subsidy Implementation. The City of Mountain Iron shall target its business subsidy assistance to businesses that demonstrate a clear and ongoing commitment to the community by providing living wage jobs to their employees and to Mountain Iron residents, where applicable, by giving priority to those businesses over business that have not traditionally paid living wages. Business Subsidy Requirements. The City of Mountain Iron shall have an overall goal of creating jobs under this policy shall be held by Mountain Iron residents. It is expected that all qualified businesses or recipients shall have a quantified target for the number of residents to be hired. This addendum will be attached and included with Resolution Number 03-07, titled “A Business Subsidy Agreement by and between the City of Mountain Iron and Mountain Timber Wood Products, LLC”, to reflect that 25 percent of all jobs created be offered to and be filled by qualified residents that reside in the City of Mountain Iron. The motion died for lack of support.
The Mayor said that they would not be discussing the L & M Supply expansion.
The Council discussed sponsorship of athletic home games. It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Administrator contact Terry Hartikka to get additional information regarding sponsoring events.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to have the Sergeant work with City Staff and research surveillance systems that could be design for the City of Mountain Iron, what systems are presently available, estimated costs, and bring the information back to the City Council for further consideration. After further discussion, Councilor Roskoski amended the motion to have City Staff update the previous quotations and reports received and bring the information to the next City Council meeting. Councilor Prebeg supported the amendment. The amended motion carried.
The Council reviewed the list of communications. It was the consensus of the Council to accept the Saint Louis County proposed April 10, 2007, from 6:30 � 7:30 p.m., for the Board of Review meeting.
Councilor Prebeg announced that the “Bush” Prebeg Memorial Snowmobile Ride was a success. He stated that there were approximately 112 sleds that completed the ride, with 175 registered riders. He said that they raised around $18,000 this year and they were still receiving donations. Councilor Prebeg thanked everyone for the donations and their involvement in the ride.
Councilor Stanaway questioned whether the sale of surplus equipment could go back to the department that sells the surplus equipment. The City Administrator advised him that the General Fund paid for the equipment or items originally and any revenue received would go back into the General Fund.
Councilor Roskoski referred to an article in the Duluth News Tribune on January 23, 2007, regarding property tax levies. He said that the Governor had singled out 87 Cities to receive less government aid. The Mayor said that he speaks with the Representatives quite frequently and from what he understood that this proposal was a dead issue.
At 8:16 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Saint Louis County, forwarding the tentatively scheduled 2007 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting. The tentative date is April 10, 2007, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
