Meeting Minutes for January 29, 2003
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
JANUARY 29, 2003
Mayor Skalko called the meeting to order at 6:02PM with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Allen Nelson, Ed Roskoski, Dale Irish and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Karen Luoma, Librarian; Joe Stewart Sergeant; Tom Cvar, Fire Chief; Greg Chad, Training Officer.
Mayor Skalko stated that this meeting was to discuss the Sump Pump Ordinance and potential budget cuts.
Mr. John Thomas representing the MPCA was introduced. Mr. Thomas provided various background information including diagrams of flows at the wastewater treatment facility. He also explained that non-compliance with the flow limits put forward from the MPCA could result in the denial of sewer extension permits.
Mr. Kleinschmidt further explained the background for the City�s point of view and the time frame that was developed with the MPCA for compliance.
Mayor Skalko requested that the Sump Pump Ordinance be placed upon the Agenda for the second meeting in February.
The Mayor stated that the second item for discussion tonight were potential budget cuts in the 2003 budget due to possible LGA cuts form the state level. He stated that the goal for the meeting was a cut in the budget of $100,000 not the 10% as originally discussed by the City Council.
Upon review of the 2003 Budget, the City Council consensus was not to change any of the salaries for the City Council member. A list of potential cuts was presented by Staff, and is attached to and made a part of these minutes.
Upon the review of the list, the following changes were discussed:
Eliminate All Advertising and Publications not Required by State Law
$2,000.00
Eliminate Support for Merritt Days
$1,000.00
Eliminate Donation to VRMC Foundation ($3000 a year for 5 years)
$0.00
Eliminate Chamber of Commerce Support
$5,000.00
Eliminate Volunteer Recognition Dinner
$5,000.00
Eliminate all Mass Mailings
$3,000.00
Eliminate Support of VFW and Legion Baseball
$1,000.00
Cut all Funding to Cemetery
$0.00
Eliminate AEOA Transportation Assistance
$2,500.00
Eliminate One City Council Meeting A Month
$0.00
Eliminate all Summer Help
$5,000.00
Eliminate all Trail Maintenance
$5,000.00
No Legal Representation at City Council Meeting
$3,000.00
Eliminate all Donations
$0.00
Cancel Accident Insurance
$0.00
Eliminate City Council Salaries
$0.00
Reduce Street Lighting
$5,000.00
Eliminate all Sidewalk Maintenance
$2,500.00
Eliminate Non-Mandated Training and Workshops
$15,000.00
Close Public Library
$0.00
Close Senior Center
$0.00
Close Nichols Town Hall
$0.00
Contract for Fire Protection
$0.00
County Sweeping Agreements
$2,500.00
Cooperative Projects with School District
$1,000.00
Close Campground
$0.00
Close Wolf Park, Locomotive Park and Wacootah Overlook
$0.00
The City Council then proceeded to make the following further recommendations for cuts:
Library $3,000
Fire Department $5,000
Trail Maintenance $5,000
Sheriffs Department $30,000
Street Department $5,000
Buildings Department $5,000
The potential budget cuts will be presented at the next regular City Council meeting.
Mayor Skalko adjourned the meeting at 9:04PM.
