Meeting Minutes for January 22, 2002
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 22, 2002
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; and Sam Aluni, City Attorney.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following items to the agenda:
V. C. Merritt Ballfield-City/School Project
VI. H. Water Tower Lease Agreement
2. Approve the minutes of the January 7, 2002, regular meeting as submitted.
3. 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.
4. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period January 1-15, 2002, totaling $233,083.21, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period January 1-15, 2002, totaling $79,192.75, (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.
During the public forum, Kathleen Murray, Kyle Hopstad, and Claudia Skalko spoke representing the Virginia Regional Medical Center (VRMC) Foundation. Ms. Murray expressed thanks to the City Administrator and City Staff for their assistance during their “Festival of Trees” event held at the Mountain Iron Community Center. Ms. Murray said that they raised $35,000 from that event. Ms. Murray had a power point presentation to present to the Council with information regarding the current trends in health care, current financial help for the hospital, future hospital improvements and the mission of the VRMC Foundation.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Roskoski to approve Resolution #05-02, supporting the Capital Campaign for the Virginia Regional Medical Center Foundation, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Matanich to direct City Staff to review possible funding sources to make a donation to the Virginia Regional Medical Center Foundation and place the item on the next City Council agenda for consideration by the City Council. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to reduce the special assessment by 50% on the following parcels owned by Larry P. Johnson:
PARCEL CODE AMOUNT TO BE REMOVED REMAINING BALANCE
175-0012-00840 $318.48 $318.47
175-0012-00850 $886.26 $886.26
with the understanding that Mr. Johnson signs a settlement agreement with regard to the situation. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Skogman, yes; Matanich, yes; Roskoski, yes; Prebeg, yes and Brunfelt, no.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to authorize City Staff to write a letter to the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation, requesting that a speed zone change occur to the west of the new Merritt intersection on Highway 169. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to authorize City Staff to write a letter requesting that St. Louis County Public Works Department to overlay Old Highway 169 and Mineral Avenue from Highway 53 west to the school garage. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to direct City Staff to meet with U. S. Steel officials to discuss the access road onto Main Street that was installed last year. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to direct City Staff to set a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to discuss and review the Old Town Study. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Matanich to appoint Alan Stanaway to the Library Board with his term expiring on December 31, 2004. The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to refer the Merritt Ballfield concept to the Finance Committee for further discussions. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to adopt Resolution Number 02-02, appointing the City of Mountain Iron�s Representative to the Quad Cities Economic Development Authority, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 03-02, ordering improvements and preparation of plans, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 04-02, authorizing the termination of assessment agreements relating to Tax Increment Financing District no. 7 in Redevelopment Project No. 1, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to authorize the Director of Public Works to prepare quotes on building maintenance equipment. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to approve the contract between the City of Mountain Iron and the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Transportation Department, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Administrator check with Arrowhead Transit as to how many riders are using the transportation.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to approve the contract between the City of Mountain Iron and Mesabi Humane Society Contract, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council discussed the letter received from Representative Oberstar regarding the United States Postal Service zip code request. It was the consensus of the Council to have Attorney Paul Cerkvenik review and research the post office information.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to authorize a reservation of a Corporate Table at the Virginia/Mountain Iron/Gilbert Area Chamber of Commerce 80th Annual Banquet for Friday, January 25, 2002 at a cost of $310.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to approve the Lease Agreement between the City of Mountain Iron and Access Equipment and Communications, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
At 7:48 p.m., Mayor Brunfelt left the meeting and Deputy Mayor Prebeg now chaired the meeting.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Roskoski to send a letter of accommodation to the Mountain Iron Emergency Medical Technicians, the Mountain Iron Sheriff�s Department and the Virginia Ambulance workers for assisting in the incident at the January 14th Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. The motion carried.
Councilor Matanich said that he would bring up the Comprehensive Plan at the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
At 7:55 p.m., it was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
