Meeting Minutes for January 20, 2016

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

JANUARY 20, 2016

 

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:28 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Alan Stanaway, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Absent member: Tony Zupancich. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Clark, Municipal Services Secretary; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Sally Yuccas, Librarian Director/Special Events Director; and Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney; and John Backman, Sergeant (entered at 6:42pm).

 

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

 

1. Approve the minutes of the January 4, 2016, regular meeting as submitted.

 

2. 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.

 

3. To acknowledge the receipts for the period January 1-15, 2016 totaling $175,741.67, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period January 1-15, 2016, totaling $730,844.47, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 

The motion carried on a roll call vote with Zupancich absent.

 

During the public forum, Steve Skogman spoke to the Council regarding the property transfer issue.  He said Habitat for Humanity was requesting the City to have the City as a pass through, for them to purchase three lots. He does not want Habitat to have the property, instead would like to buy for the same deal, paying the attorney fees and transfer expenses. He also said George Bekkala was interested. Mr. Bekkala was present and said he was interested and would like the same deal. 

 

The Mayor reported on the following:

 

• Condolences.  To the family of Wallace Lakosky.  

 

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 had been no tax levy increase for the last seven years.

2. New Housing Development:
   1. Unity Addition.  Two new homes were built, making a total of 19 constructed. This development brings a tax base of roughly seven million to the community. 
3. Miscellaneous Information:
   1. City of Mountain Iron celebrated 125 years during the annual Merritt Days celebration. To help celebrate, special activities were added to the event such as: a pickle ball tournament, a community picnic, history displays, ethnic food night, and fireworks.
4. 2016 City Projects:
   1. County Road 102 opened. U. S. Steel Corporation financed the project; the road will be maintained and owned by the County.  
   2. South Grove Addition.  South Garden Drive will be overlayed.
5. Economic Development Authority Projects completed in 2015:
   1. South Forest Grove.  One new home was constructed for a total of five new homes in the Addition.
   2. AT&T store opened in October 2015.  The Rock Ridge Development now has four businesses, with roughly 250 jobs added to the region and an annual estimated tax base of $29 million.
6. Street Project 2015:
   1. Mountain Iron Drive.  There was a partial reconstruct and overlay from the railroad crossing to Highway 53. An IRRRB Grant was received, paying for $300,000 of this project.
7. 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.  Phase I will begin this spring, with roughly 10-15 adult-based patio homes. A $300,000 grant from IRRRB has been applied for.
   2. Hiking/Bike Trail connecting Old Downtown to South Grove with a grant funding through the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
   3. The City and EDA are working with IRRRB and Developers on the Sweetwater Energy Project.
   4. The Economic Development Authority and Rock Ridge Development hope to announce more new development in that area in 2016.
8. City Projects 2017:
   1. The Minnesota Department of Transportation Project on Highway 169 from Hoover Road to west of Wal-Mart, including the bridge and a complete overlay of the highway. The City would be involved at the intersection of Enterprise Drive North and County Road 7.  The City is seeking funding through IRRRB as well as from the State.
9. Conclusion:
   1. Economy on the Range.  The Mayor hopes the miners and the loggers are able to get back to work.  In the meantime, please continue to make the City a better place to work and live.

 

The City Administrator reported the following:

• Mountain Manor. There are affordable housing vacancies.
• Comprehensive Plan.  There will be a visioning session and associated survey on February 10, 2016.
• Sporting Events.  The City Administrator announced his son Bryce won the Junior Bonspiel with his team and Blayne and his team won the Cambridge Basketball tournament.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to authorize the purchase of the Caterpillar Model 312EL Hydraulic Excavator for the State bid price of $191,530 less than the trade in of our current excavator for a total of $106,530, the funding approved in the 2016 capital improvement fund.  The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Zupancich absent.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to authorize the purchase of two Ford pickup trucks: 2016 Ford F-250 totaling $24,594.70 and 2016 Ford F-350 totaling $25,797.70 with the F-350 receiving a utility body from Crysteel Truck Equipment for $15,097.64 off the State contract.  The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Zupancich absent.

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to authorize the purchase of 250 electric water meters and 630 water meters from HD Supply for a total of $98,050.  The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Zupancich absent.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to approve the AWAIR program, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes).  The motion carried with Zupancich absent

 

Library Director/Special Events Coordinator report. 

1. Adult Reading Program.  Welcome adult community members to join.
2. Minnesota Gangsters Program.  Scheduled for February 11^th at 1:00 p.m., at the Mountain Iron Library, with funding by the Legacy Grant Program.
3. Mish Mash Mush.  Scheduled for March 5^th at the South Grove Rink, pending approval.
4. Easter Egg Hunt.  Scheduled for March 26^th

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to authorize payment number five for the Mountain Iron Drive project for a total of $14,924.69, to Mesabi Bituminous.  The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Zupancich absent.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to appoint Rhonda McConnell to move from the Assistant Librarian position to the Secretary position at City Hall. The motion carried unanimously with Zupancich absent.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded Stanaway to re-appoint Jerry Knapper as the Assistant Fire Chief with the term expiring on December 31, 2018. The motion carried unanimously with Zupancich absent.

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to authorize the purchase of four sets of turnout gear equipment from Grand Forks Equipment not to exceed $8,000. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Zupancich absent.

 

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to adopt Resolution Number 02-16, for the special assessment for the improvements of Silicon Drive, Rick Ridge Drive and Fairview Lane, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously with Zupancich absent.

 

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 03-16, support for relocation of Highway 5 via Highway 84 via State Highway 73, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes).  The motion carried unanimously with Zupancich absent.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 04-16, receiving report and calling hearing on Garden Drive improvement, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes).  The motion carried unanimously with Zupancich absent.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to table Resolution 05-16, authorizing the acquisition of certain property.  The motion carried with Zupancich absent.

 

Gary Cerkvenik, spoke in regards to the Work Force Housing Project.  Mr. Cerkvenik thanked Jill Clark for all the work she had completed for him while working with the Economic Development Authority.

 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to adopt Resolution Number 06-16, authorizing the City of Mountain Iron to make an application and to accept funds from the IRRRB Grant Program, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes).  The motion carried unanimously with Zupancich absent.

 

The Mayor announced that the City Administrator and Gary Cerkvenik have been working with the State for bonding funds for the improvements to the intersection of Enterprise Drive North/Highway 169/County Road 7. 

 

The Mayor also thanked Jill Clark, the current Municipal Services Secretary, for all of her work during her time working for the City of Mountain Iron.

 

At 7:25 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion carried with Zupancich absent.

 

Submitted by:                                                              Submitted by:

 

Jill M. Clark, MMC                                                    Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary                                     Municipal Services Secretary

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