Meeting Minutes for July 07, 2008
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
JULY 7, 2008
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Anderson, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; John Backman, Sergeant; Tom Cvar, Fire Chief; and Steve Norvitch, Assistant Fire Chief.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following item to the agenda:
IV. H. 1. Park Ridge Development Agreement Amendment
Delete the following item from the agenda
IV. F. 1. Variance-Grahek
Move the following item on the agenda:
IV. D. 1. to III. C. Off Road Vehicle Usage
VI. F. to IV. A. 3. Downtown Park Toilet
2. Approve the minutes of the June 16, 2008, City Council meeting as submitted.
3. That the communications be accepted, placed on file, and those requiring further action by the City Council be acted upon during their proper sequence on the agenda.
4. To acknowledge the receipts for the period June 15-30, 2008, totaling $134,445.70, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period June 15-30, 2008, totaling $309,822.00, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Matt Fericks, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Representative, outlined the off road vehicle rules for the Council. The Council requested that Mr. Fericks leave information booklets with ATV and boating requirements at the City Hall.
Jim Currie, President of the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce, was present and made a presentation and requested a funding contribution for the “Mineview in the Sky” Visitor’s Center.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Stanaway to contribute $2,500 to the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce for the “Mineview in the Sky” Visitor’s Center. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Zupancich, abstain; Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, yes; Prebeg, yes; and Skalko, yes.
During the public forum, Jerry Nemanich, Owner of Mesabi Bituminous, requested Council consideration for the bituminous price increase for the Unity Second Addition Project.
It was the consensus of the Council to get the City Attorney’s opinion with regard to the request made by Mr. Nemanich and considered the request at the next regular City Council meeting.
During the public forum, Matthew Kishel, 5483 Bluebell Avenue, Mountain Iron, was present and asked the Council Members if P & H MinePro leaves the City because of the harassment caused by Councilor Roskoski would the City be liable.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Zupancich to ask the City Attorney if the City could be held liable for the actions of Councilor Roskoski with regard to P & H MinePro. The motion carried with Roskoski abstaining.
The Fire Chief informed the Council Members that the there has been a turbo charger failure on the 2004 Fire Truck. The Assistant Fire Chief said that hopefully the repairs would be covered under warranty because of the low miles.
The Mayor updated the Council on the following:
– Lake Country Power. On June 24th there was a groundbreaking ceremony held for the Lake Country Power facility. He said that the facility would be 36,000 square foot and they hope to be in the building by the end of 2008.
– Park Ridge Development. The Mayor asked Council Zupancich to update the Council regarding the project. He said that there were some issues regarding the the location of the retention ponds and those have been resolved so both the Lake Country Power Project and the Park Ridge Development Project are able to proceed with their projects.
– Northern Community Credit Union. There will be a groundbreaking ceremony at their property on 16th Avenue on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. and the City Council and Economic Development Authority Members were invited to attend.
– Unity Second Addition. The Mayor complimented the City Engineer and his Staff for the nice layout of Unity Second Addition.
– Fourth of July Celebration. Thanked the Librarian, City Staff, the VFW Representatives, and Volunteers for all of their help on the Celebration.
– Sergeant Stewart. He expressed condolences to the family of Joseph Stewart.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Zupancich to direct City Staff to prepare a certificate of recognition for newlyweds that use the Community Center for their wedding reception wishing them “the very best” and a “long and happy marriage” and have the Mayor and City Administrator sign the certificate. After further discussion, the motion was amended to include all Council members signing the certificate and have all employees and citizens of Mountain Iron congratulating them. The amended motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich to set a Labor Management meeting for Thursday, July 17th at 2:00 p.m. with Councilor Stanaway and Mayor Skalko representing the Council. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to place a portable toilet at the Downtown Park location. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Stanaway, no; Roskoski, yes; Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, yes; and Skalko, yes.
The City Administrator updated the Council on the following:
– Culture and Tourism Grant. He advised the Council that the City could not apply for a grant for the canopy over locomotive, but that the application would need to come from a non-profit organization.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Zupancich to authorize that all necessary information on this Culture and Tourism Grant Program be gathered together and forwarded to the Mountain Iron Civic Association, if they wish, and the Civic Association will work with Benchmark Engineering, if necessary, and City Staff, if necessary, to put together a grant application for a canopy over Locomotive 806. After further discussion, Roskoski withdrew his motion and Zupancich withdrew his support.
It was moved by Roskoski to forward the Culture and Tourism Grant information for the canopy over Locomotive 806 to the Civic Association for their review. After further discussion, Roskoski withdrew the motion.
The City Administrator updated the Council on the following:
– Unity Drive Railroad Crossing. He advised the Council that the Canadian Northern Railroad would be upgrading the Unity Drive crossing this year.
– Laurentian Energy Authority (LEA). He forwarded the information received from LEA regarding household brush processing.
– CDBG. He said that the grant on Agate Street was due on August 1, 2008.
– Mountain Manor. He said that he is currently working with CDBG on the project.
– Mountain Timber Wood Projects. He said that they currently have hearings scheduled in St. Paul on July 22nd for their air permit. Once the air permit is issued, the project should be progressing.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Utility Advisory Board and approve the Minnesota Power Wholesale Electric Contract. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to accept the recommendation of the Utility Advisory Board and approve the Street Lighting Rate Structures, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). After further discussion, Prebeg amended his motion to include that this would be effective with the next billing cycle. Stanaway supported the amendment. The amended motion carried with Roskoski voting no.
Councilor Roskoski said that at the Special Meeting on June 30, 2008, the Mountain Iron-Buhl School Officials were questioning whether the football practice field was built the same size as the old one. The City Engineer said that they duplicated what was mowed and maintain by the school, but he did not have the exact dimensions.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to authorize payment request number one to Mesabi Bituminous for the Locomotive Park Fence Construction Project in the amount of $25,184.50. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 8:20 p.m. Councilor Roskoski left the meeting.
At 8:22 p.m., Councilor Roskoski returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Roskoski to allow the Fire Department to seek specifications and quotes for a new four wheel drive brush rig. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to authorize the Mountain Iron Sheriff’s Department to purchase a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor at the State Bid Price of $21,462.32. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to adopt the City-wide Smoking Ordinance using the Golden Valley Ordinance as a guideline. The motion failed with all voting no.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skalko to refer the Smoking Ordinance back to the Public Safety and Health Commission to further address the Council’s concerns with the proposed Ordinance and make a new recommendation. The motion carried.
During the Liaison Reports the following report was made:
– Library Board. Councilor Stanaway gave a report to the Council regarding the Library circulation in June, Wacky Wednesday Activities and the 4th of July Celebration.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Zupancich to adopt Resolution Number 31-08, to make a grant application to the Iron Range Resources Commercial Community Redevelopment Grant Program for the demolition of the former Wayne Motors building, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to accept the recommendation of the City Attorney and approve the settlement concerning the Library roof as presented in the June 18, 2008 correspondence from Great American Insurance Company. The motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to award the Library Roof Repair Contract to Nelson Roofing in the amount of $14,950.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich to appoint Gary Skalko and Ed Roskoski to serve on the Saint Louis County Water Management Plan Task Force. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skalko to waive the building rental fee for the Mountain Iron-Buhl Quarterback Club to hold a Spaghetti Fundraiser at the Senior Center on August 13 and 14, 2008. The motion carried.
The Council discussed the proposal from Minnesota Energy Resources for the gas line extension contract in the amount of $16,261 to complete the gas line extension for Unity Second Addition. The Council took no action on the matter.
The Council discussed the Mesabi Trail Signage. The Council requested that Councilor Roskoski prepare a list of signs that he is proposing for the Mesabi Trail to the Council for further consideration.
During the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski made a presentation regarding the historic aspect of the City of Mountain Iron. The Mayor said the Council has to address the maintenance and upkeeps expenses for the equipment located in Locomotive Park. Councilor Prebeg said that the Park and Recreation Board would be reviewing and discussing the issues and developing a plan to present to the Council.
At 9:17 p.m., it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Skalko to recess the regular meeting and open the closed meeting. The motion carried.
At 9:17 p.m., the Mayor recessed the meeting.
At 9:40 p.m., the Council went into a closed meeting with all Council Members present and Louis Russo, Negotiating Consultant.
The Council discussed the annual evaluations of three management employees: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Donald Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; and Sally Peterangelo, Librarian.
At 11:25 p.m., it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to adjourn the closed session and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
At 11:26 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Stanaway that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Jill M. Anderson, CMC/MMCA
Municipal Services Secretary
www.mtniron.com
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Messiah Lutheran Church, an invitation to the Day of Remembering the fire that destroyed Messiah’s building on July 14, 1998.
