Meeting Minutes for January 17, 2017

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

JANUARY 17, 2017

 

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30p.m. with the following members present: Alan Stanaway, Susan Tuomela, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary;

Sally Yuccas, Librarian Director/Special Events Director; Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney; and John Backman, Sergeant. Following Council members absent: Joe Prebeg, Jr.

 

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

 

1. Approve the minutes of the January 3, 2017, regular meeting as submitted.

 

1. 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.

 

1. To acknowledge the receipts for the period January 1-15, 2017, totaling $145,772.10 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

1. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period January 1-15, 2017, totaling $471,125.07 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Prebeg absent.

 

Public Forum:

 

• Ed Roskoski spoke during the Public Forum, inquiring when the council is going to appoint someone for the vacant City Council seat. Mayor Skalko stated that he wanted a full Council so it would be put on February 6^th City Council agenda.

 

The Mayor reported on the following:

 

• Condolences to the family and friends of the Hanka Family

• Condolences to the family and friends of Emil Stimac, former teacher in Mountain Iron
• Big help if there is a fire hydrant in your neighborhood, to keep it shoveled and cleared of snow, saves time if and when the Fire Department is called
• Nominating appointment for City Council at meeting February 6^th when all Councilors are present

 

The Mayor gave his “State of the City” address.  The following is a summary:

 

1. The City is in excellent financial condition.          

1. Reserves are solid.
2. There has been no City tax levy increase for the last seven years.

1. New Housing Development:
   1. Unity Addition.  Three new homes were built, making a total of 19 constructed. This development brings a tax base of roughly seven million to the community. 
2. 2016 City Projects:
   1. County Road 102 opened with a joint effort between St. Louis County and U. S. Steel Corporation financing the project; the road will be maintained and owned by the County. 
3. Economic Development Authority Projects completed in 2016:
   1. South Forest Grove. One new lot was purchased; bringing total lots sold to six with a total of five new homes in the Addition.
   2. Woodland Estates. Phase I of the Townhouse project started in the Fall of 2016, development contracted to White Pine Builders, 30 acre development with all amenities included. Phase I cost roughly $750,000, with $300,000 of cost defrayed with an IRRRB Grant. Three lots have sold, with two homes constructed.
   3. Rock Ridge Development. Three new businesses relocated to the area, Maurice’s, Great Clips and Famous Footwear, bringing the total number of business to seven. Roughly 250 jobs have been brought to the region by the combination of these businesses. This development brings a tax base of roughly over 29 million to the community. 
4. Street Project 2016:
   1. South Garden Drive.  There was a partial reconstruct and overlay. An IRRRB Grant was received, paying for $300,000 of this project.
   2. Paved Hiking/Bike Trail connecting Old Downtown to South Grove with a grant funding through the Minnesota Department of Transportation, with 80% was providing by a MnDot Grant.
5. Economic Development Authority Projects:
   1. 2016 Projects, 30 acre housing project called Woodland Estates, will be on the west side of Highway 7, about half a mile south of Ann’s Acres. Capacity of a total of 29 Townhomes/Patio homes when Phase I and Phase II complete.
6. City Projects 2017:
   1. The Minnesota Department of Transportation and St. Louis County on Highway 169, from the intersection of Hoover road to Wal-Mart. The intersection of Highway 169 and County Road 7, the City’s portion will be to pay for Enterprise Drive North which will be roughly $500,000. The City is seeking funding through IRRRB as well as from the State.
7. Conclusion:
   1. Economy on the Range.  Due to all of the development and businesses within Mountain Iron when property taxes are collected, 70% of the money comes from businesses, with 30% coming from residential property owners. The City of Mountain Iron and Economic Development Authority would like to continue to work with businesses to bring them to areas of Mountain Iron. The City of Mountain Iron obtained the second level of the Green Step Program, marking the City’s work in green renewable energy.
   2. In a better place than last year with Mines and Loggers returning to work, continue to make the City a better place to work, be progress, and live.

 

The City Administrator reported on the following:

 

• Meeting with the Steering committee for Broadband Grant, to look at Broadband within communities and School District
• Broadband Public Event,  Friday,  February 17^th, time not known, project funded by IRRRB and Blanden
• Comprehensive plan set for final approval at next City Council meeting, schedule to be on Planning and Zoning Agenda on January 23^rd  for approval

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to authorize AbateTec to remove the asbestos from the properties 5760 and 5762 Mesabi Avenue, for the low quote of $18,500. The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Prebeg absent.

 

The Director of Public Works reported on the following:

 

• Meters are currently being read by hand-held device, which was over whelmed by large amount of readings in November, thus residents were charged for six-weeks instead of normal four weeks. Problem has since been remedied.

 

It was moved by Tuomela and seconded by Stanaway to authorize the purchase of a Bucket Truck from Altec Industries for the State-bid of $151,374. The purchase is budgeted in the 2017 Electrical Capital Improvement Budget. The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Prebeg absent.

 

It was moved by Tuomela and seconded by Stanaway to authorize the final phase of the Automatic Meter Reading program from HD Supply Waterworks, in the budgeted amount of $100,375. The final phase is the installation and integration of the towers to remotely read the meters. The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Prebeg absent.

 

It was moved by and seconded by to authorize the purchase of a Dump Truck, for the Street Department from Skubic Brothers for the State Bid price of $176,717.21. The purchase is budgeted for in the 2017 Capital Improvement budget. The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Prebeg absent.

 

Sheriff’s Department:

• No formal or informal report

City Attorney:

• No formal or informal report

It was moved by Tuomela and seconded by Stanaway to the recommendation of the Personal Committee and hire Andrew Pocket for the position of the Equipment Operator. The motion carried with Councilor Prebeg absent.

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to post internally for all AFSCME Local 453 Members, for the Laborer position for a minimum of ten days as presented, until January 11^th at 4pm. If there are no applications received internally for the positions, that Staff be authorized to advertise externally. The motion carried with Councilor Prebeg absent.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to reschedule the January 16, 2017 meeting due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday to Tuesday, January 17^th at 6:30pm. The motion carried.

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to donate $500 to the Mesabi Family YMCA Dinner & Auction Fundraiser event, Thursday, March 16^th at the Mountain Iron Community Center, monies to come from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Prebeg absent.

 

At 7:02p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion carried.

 

Submitted by:

 

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com

 

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Benchmark Engineering, Inc. would like to thank the City for the opportunity to provide engineering and land surveying services throughout 2016 and looks forward to continued participation in upcoming projects.