Meeting Minutes for January 18, 1999
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Brunfelt with the following members present: Carolyn Olsen, Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Curt Piri, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Deputy Clerk; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; and Joe Stewart, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Approve the minutes of the January 4, 1999, regular meeting as submitted.
2. That the communications be accepted, placed on file, and those requiring further action by the Council be acted upon during their proper sequence on the agenda.
3. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period January 1-15, 1999, totaling $327,122.15, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
4. Acknowledge the receipts for the period January 1-15, 1999, totaling $73,672.37, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion to adopt the consent agenda carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to authorize staff to prepare specifications and call for bids for one side loading garbage truck. The motion carried.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to refer the variance and conditional use permit applications from George Ramondo back to the Planning and Zoning Commission and direct them to make specific written findings based on the public hearing that was held and to hold another hearing, if necessary. And further, to have the City Attorney review the variance and conditional use applications as they pertain to the City�s Zoning Ordinance and provide a legal opinion. The motion carried.
The Mayor informed the Council that Rusty Knuti would not be able to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission any longer because of work and family commitments.
The Mayor informed the Council that he did not have a recommendation for the Planning and Zoning Commission vacancy at this time.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to approve the contract for the Fire Department grant with the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, for a $1000 grant with a city match of $1000 to purchase radios and a drop tank. The motion carried.
Sergeant Stewart distributed the list of calls for service for December 1998.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to adopt Resolution #1-99, authorizing the sale of certain property, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Matanich, as per the recommendation of the City Staff, that the City Council direct the City Staff to focus their efforts on the Mountain Iron Community Center, Option I, and work further with the Architect. And further, to review the city budget for additional funding sources for the community building construction. And further, to set a special meeting to discuss the community center options on Monday, January 25, 1999, at 6:30 p.m. and have the City Staff report their findings to the City Council at the special meeting so further action can be taken. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to approve the Contract for Services with the Mesabi Humane Society to provide services for the period February 1, 1999 to January 31, 2000, pending clarification of the charges, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve the Pay Equity Implementation Report as submitted. The motion carried.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to contribute a total of $10,000 to the Virginia-Mountain Iron Chamber of Commerce with $8,000 for the 1999 annual contribution and $2,000 set aside for the Mineview Road improvements. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The City Council reviewed the list of communications.
The Council discussed the letter received from the United States Department of Agriculture regarding the Spirit Lake Sewer Project. The Council directed the City Administrator to forward a copy of the letter to Ron Wiire.
During the Mayor’s report, he apologized for not being able to attend the Virginia-Mountain Iron Chamber of Commerce dinner because he was not feeling well. The Mayor thanked Deputy Mayor Piri for speaking on behalf of the City at the dinner.
During the open discussion, the Mayor informed the Council that an invitation to two meetings was received from the Quad Cities Area Alliance. The first meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 29, 1999, at 10:30 a.m. at the Northern Lights Steak & Grill to participate in an open discussion on the potential for building a training/community center in the area. And the second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, 1999 at the Range Recreation Civic Center at 6:30 p.m. to participate in a roundtable style discussion of joint projects for 1999-2000.
At 7:20 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
