Meeting Minutes for July 05, 2000
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 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, Municipal Service Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Karen Luoma, Librarian; Greg French, City Engineer; Tom Cvar, Fire Chief; Steve Norvitch, Assistant Fire Chief; Tom Autio, Volunteer Fireman; and Greg Chad, Training Officer.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following item to the agenda:
VIII. Open Discussion A. Library
2. Approve the minutes of the June 5, 2000, 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 June 16-30, 2000, totaling $311,570.41, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period June 16-30, 2000, totaling $80,369.77, (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, the Mayor asked if there was any input from the audience regarding the Marion Drive and 24th Avenue Street Improvement Project. Robert Strukel spoke and advised the Council that he took the Council�s comments seriously regarding having the project done with a large project rather than a stand alone project and he said everyone wants to have a good street. He advised the Council that he had someone look at the road and this person�s opinion was that the road could be made to last a few more years before an overlay would be necessary. This person also thought the engineering estimate was high. The majority of the residents still felt that the road just needed to be repaired and crack sealed. The Mayor asked Mr. Strukel for the name of the person that reviewed the street. He also asked what the person�s educational background was. Mr. Strukel would not release the name of the person, but he did say that the person works for the County and completes estimating and repairing projects for the County. The City Engineer looked back on the cost of the Parkville overlay project that was completed as a stand-alone project. He said that the bituminous prices came in at $10 per ton more than when work was completed on a combination of projects. The Engineer said that the cost would be approximately $9,000 more if completed as a stand-alone project for just an overlay and $85,000 for a complete street reconstruction project.
The Mayor felt that it would be in the best interest of the residents to have Marion Drive and 24th Avenue reconstructed. He entertained a motion to adopt Resolution #26-00. Councilor Skogman said that those streets are a 90% assessment and the majority of the residents do not want the street completed. Councilor Skogman said he felt that the Council should honor their request. The Council took no action on Resolution #26-00.
Also during the public forum, Sue Tuomela, representing the East Range Hospice Partners, presented information regarding the program. She said that they need community support for the project. The Council had no questions regarding her presentation.
Also during the public forum, Frank Hughes was present to discuss his application for the Conditional Use Permit application for the off-site sign. The Mayor said that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Conditional Use Application. Mr. Hughes said there would be minimal obstruction by the sign and he would not own the sign, but would be renting the property to Lamar Outdoor Signs. The Mayor acknowledged a petition received from renters at the Plaza 53 West and a hand written note from Edward Turenne from Country Kitchen opposing the sign. The Mayor said that the petition and the note would be made a part of the record. Alan Korpi, Owner of Valvoline and Dave Skalbeck, renter at Plaza 53 West, were also present and expressed opposition to the proposed sign.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen to refer the Conditional Use Application of Frank Hughes for an off-site sign to the City Attorney for a legal opinion. The motion carried.
Also during the public forum, Ed Roskoski was present and presented a diagram and photo of North Court showing various problems in the area. The Mayor said that the diagram and photo of North Court would be made part of the record.
It was moved Piri and supported by Skogman to approve payment request number three to Charles Jacobsen Construction for work completed on the South Grove Recreation Area in the amount of $37,576.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the discussion for the motion regarding the payment request for Jacobsen Construction, Councilor Matanich asked the Engineer if he was sure that the project amounts were right. The City Engineer said that Jacobsen Construction did reach some soft soil, but the payment request was for exactly the work that Jacobsen Construction had completed.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve the Certificates of Substantial Completion for the Community Center/City Hall project as follows:
Door Service, Inc.
Harbor City Masonry
Anderson Glass Company
The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to authorize the following payment requests for work completed on the Community Center/City Hall Project:
Harbor City Masonry $ 7,299.75
Lenci Enterprises $ 9,631.70
Northern Door & Hardware $ 971.00
Dwayne Young $ 2,000.00
Hecimovich $13,395.00
Tromco Electric $ 6,261.45
TOTAL $39,558.90
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Piri to approve payment to Kraus-Anderson in the amount of $21,053.00 for work completed on the Community Center/City Hall project. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the discussion on the motion for the payment to Kraus-Anderson, Councilor Matanich said that the previous project manager was now gone and he questioned the 98 hours of work completed. The Administrator said that a new project manager was appointed. Councilor Olsen said that she wanted to voice an objection to the way that the fees are determined for Kraus-Anderson, she said that their own costs are put in as invoices and they are being paid an additional 3.5% additional on their own invoices. She requested that this be looked at closer in the future.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to accept the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and approve the management contracts for Craig J. Wainio, Don Kleinschmidt, Larry Nanti, and Karen Luoma. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the discussion on the motion for the approval of the management contracts, Councilor Olsen said that the Council should have been supplied with present salary amounts and Mayor Brunfelt said that comparative data would have been helpful too.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to prepare specifications and call for quotes for playground equipment for the West II Rivers Recreation Area. The motion carried.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen to approve the street blocking plan and list of events for the Merritt Days Celebration, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to call for bids on a fire truck as outlined by the Fire Department Personnel. The motion carried.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Olsen to call for applications for one volunteer fireman position. The motion carried.
The City Administrator updated the Council regarding the acquisition of utilities from the Virginia Department of Public Utilities.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to adopt Resolution Number 25-00, approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to adopt Resolution Number 27-00, receiving report and calling hearing on improvement, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Matanich to adopt Resolution Number 28-00, MN/DoT Agreement, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to adopt the following resolutions:
Resolution Number 29-00, IRRRB Grant Application-Infrastructure,
Resolution Number 30-00, IRRRB Grant Application-Infrastructure,
Resolution Number 31-00, IRRRB Grant Application-Infrastructure,
Resolution Number 32-00, IRRRB Grant Application-Infrastructure, and
Resolution Number 33-00, IRRRB Grant Application-Infrastructure.
The motion carried.
The following items were discussed during the open discussion:
1) The Council discussed the Mountain Iron Library renovations and promotion of the Downtown area has an historic site. The Council discussed the need to start by applying for historic designation before any work is completed. The Administrator advised the Council that he, the Librarian and the Library Board have reviewed the preliminary plans for the library improvements.
The Council directed the City Administrator to look into and research the issue of what it takes to obtain an historic designation for the library and area buildings and report back to the City Council for further direction.
2) Councilor Piri thanked the Recreation Director and City Staff for planning and working at the 4th of July Celebration.
3) Mayor Brunfelt said that the Open House for the Community Center/City Hall went very well.
4) Councilor Olsen suggested having a time capsule installed in the patio when it is completed.
The Council directed the Recreation Director to begin working on the time capsule.
5) Councilor Matanich and Mayor Brunfelt asked if Staff was going to put the clock, awards, and wall hangings that were in the previous Council Chambers in the new Council Chambers. Staff said that they were working on it. The Recreation Director was working on the Civic Association afghan hanging.
6) Councilor Matanich expressed concern that the Hughes Off-Site Sign Application doesn�t become a problem in the business area. He said he would like to see the businesses working together to come to an agreeable solution. Mayor Brunfelt expressed the same concern.
At 8:10 p.m., it was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
