Meeting Minutes for January 13, 2004
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE MEETING
JANUARY 13, 2004
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Dale Irish, Ed Roskoski and Mayor Gary Skalko. Absent member included: Allen Nelson. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Director of Parks and Recreation; and Joe Stewart, Sheriff�s Sergeant.
Also present: Alan Stanaway, Library Board; Larry P. Johnson, Housing and Redevelopment Authority member; Michael Lambert, Housing and Redevelopment Authority member; and Gary Giroux, 2003 City Auditor.
The Mayor stated the he felt that the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority should actually become an Economic Development Authority (EDA). He reviewed the proposal with the City Council members. He said that section Section 2.02, Members; Appointment; Terms�..Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for six-year terms. The remaining portion of this section should be eliminated.
There was discussion with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority members present and the City Council regarding if the Council changed to an HRA/EDA, what the HRA (EDA) could do without Council approval.
The Mayor stated that the proposed changes from the HRA to the EDA would be very little. Councilor Roskoski stated that he would like to see more City Council control over the Economic Development Authority finances.
The Mayor requested that the Council reviewed and critique the proposed resolutions for changing the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority to the Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority for further action by the City Council.
At 6:25 p.m., Councilor Nelson entered the meeting.
Councilor Irish stated that if the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority were dissolved, would the Economic Development Authority still be responsible for the loan on the Mountain Manor if it defaulted.
The City Council requested that the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority members review the proposed resolution for the HRA/EDA and make recommendations to the City Council.
At 6:45 p.m., Ray Saari, Planning and Zoning Commission member, entered the meeting.
The Council reviewed the following requests for proposals:
AUDITING SERVICES
Walker, Giroux, and Hahne, LTD
Larson, Allen, Weishair & Company, LLP
Virchow, Krause and Company, LLP
LEGAL SERVICES
The Trenti Law Firm
Larry C. Minton, Ltd.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
Benchmark Engineering, Inc.
Short, Elliott, Hendrickson, Inc.
LHB Engineers & Architects
TKDA Engineers, Architects, Planners
RLK Kuusisto, Ltd.
Gary Giroux, representative from Walker, Giroux, and Hahne, Ltd. presented a letter to the City Council regarding the auditing firm implementing GASB 34 requirements in the City for 2003. He stated that the City is not required to have this completed until December 31, 2004, but if the Council would like this completed their firm could complete it for $3,000 additional on their proposal with a total proposal of $18,200.
At 7:15 p.m., Rod Flannigan, Benchmark Engineering, entered the meeting.
The Council discussed the engineering fees with Mr. Flannigan being at a not to exceed amount of 16% with Benchmark Engineering.
At 7:23 p.m., Councilor Roskoski left the meeting.
At 7:25 p.m., Councilor Roskoski returned to the meeting.
The Council discussed the appointment of the City Attorney. Councilor Roskoski recommended appointing both because the Trenti Law Firm were unable to offer assistance to the City Council regarding personnel issues.
The Council briefly reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan for 2004-2008.
The City Administrator outlined the approved 2004 Capital Outlay Budget for the Council.
Councilor Irish requested a copy of the Capital Improvement Plan and the 2004 Approved Capital Outlay budget.
At 8:09 p.m. the Mayor adjourned the meeting.
