Meeting Minutes for July 17, 2000
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Brunfelt called the meeting to order at 6:00 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; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; Gary Giroux, City Auditor; and Greg French, City Engineer.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following items to the agenda:
IV. C. 1. Resolution #34-00, Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisements or Bids
2. Change Order #1-Community Center/City Hall Frontage Road & Site Grading Project
2. Approve the minutes of the June 19, 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 July 1-15, 2000, totaling $120,370.48, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period July 1-15, 2000, totaling $625,523.84, (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, Ed Roskoski questioned where the council packets for the audience were. He said normally there were two packets put out for the audience and there were none put out for this meeting. The Mayor said that Staff should continue with the past practice of supplying meeting packets for the audience.
Also during the public forum, Larry Johnson questions regarding the Centennial History Book information. He said that according to the City Attorney, the photos were to be returned to the city hall by June 30, 2000. The City Administrator said that he spoke with Ms. Ostman regarding the photos during the open house and she said that she would return the photos to the owners that requested them personally. The Mayor suggested putting together a list of City owned photos and information to obtain from Velma Ostman.
It was the consensus of the Council to have the Librarian, City Staff, and the City Attorney compile a list of pictures and information to obtain from Velma Ostman.
Mr. Johnson also requested that additional copies of the draft Centennial Book be made.
The City Auditor reviewed the 1999 audit report with the City Council.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to accept the 1999 audit report.
The motion carried.
During the discussion regarding the audit report motion, Councilor Matanich requested the Tax Increment Districts be identified also by businesses in the various districts.
The Council discussed the Hughes Conditional Use Permit for an Off-Site Sign Permit. The Mayor said that he received a letter from Attorney Minton, representing Plaza 53 West, Valvoline and Country Kitchen opposing the sign. The City Administrator said that the Manager of Only Deals called him and withdrew his name from the petition opposing the Off-Site Sign. Councilor Matanich said that Lee Anderson called him and also withdrew his name from the petition opposing the Off-Site Sign.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to table the Hughes Conditional use Permit for an Off-Site Sign Permit to the next regular meeting and have the City Engineer and City Attorney review the situation. The motion carried.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Matanich to adopt Resolution Number 34-00, Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for Street Improvements, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to approve change order number one for the Community Center/City Hall Frontage Road and Site Grading, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council discussed the Conditional Use Permit for Keith Lehman. The Mayor said that he spoke with Ron Lehman and he stated that he had no objection to the Conditional Use Permit being issued, but he would like Keith Lehman to do something about the condition of the home on the property. Werner Herzog was present and he said that the house is an eyesore and requires repairs before a garage should be built. Keith Lehman said that he was not currently living in the house on the property.
It was the consensus of the Council to have the Blight Officer write a letter to Keith Lehman regarding blight problems on the property and consult with the Zoning Administrator and the City Attorney, as needed, and come back to the City Council for further direction.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to deny the Conditional Use Permit for Keith Lehman for an accessory building on parcel 175-0051-00130, based upon the findings of the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the information proposal from THK Associates, Inc. regarding a feasibility analysis and a site selection analysis to determine the potential to develop an 18-hole municipal golf course. Councilor Piri asked if the Land Utilization Committee had looked at other proposals besides a golf course. The Mayor said the Committee looked into developing a central park or developing an off highway motor track. The Mayor said that the location would not be feasible for an off highway track because of the residential areas so close. Councilor Matanich asked the Council if they should wait to look into this project because there are so many projects going on in the City. Councilor Skogman felt that the City should proceed before another city proceeds with a similar project. Councilor Piri felt the $7,880 budget was too high considering they have a lot of the information already completed by working with other cities within the vicinity.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to direct the City Administrator to negotiate with THK Associates, Inc. for the expenses and an estimated business budget associated with the feasibility analysis and site selection analysis and bring the information back to the Council for further consideration. The motion carried.
The City Administrator said that he was collecting information from the State regarding the Historic Preservation for the Downtown Mountain Iron area and would present a formal report for the next regular meeting.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to authorize the payment of $15,600.00 for the Quad Cities Joint Economic Development Authority for one half of the year payment. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Skogman, yes; Matanich, no; Piri, yes; Olsen, yes; and Brunfelt, yes.
The Council discussed the letter received from Tom Oberstar regarding several issues in the City. The Council directed the City Administrator to contact the appropriate people to have the bridge in Costin repainted because of the graffiti, advising them that if they do not take action in two weeks the City will take care of the problem and bill them. The Council also directed the City Administrator to talk to the Working Foreman and have the Summer Labor Workers clean up the Costin area.
The following items were discussed during the open discussion:
1) Councilor Olsen said that the resolution regarding the overlay of Old Highway 169 should be clarified. The Mayor and the City Engineer clarified that the street was covered, but was written down in two separate areas.
2) Councilor Skogman asked how the 9-1-1 addressing update was coming. The City Administrator said that Staff needs to get files completed and put away from the move to the new facility before additional work would be completed on the 9-1-1 addressing.
3) Councilor Olsen asked how the Mesabi Trail was progressing through Mountain Iron. Councilor Piri said that they are still working with the contractor. The City Administrator said that there were problems with the engineer on the trail project. The City Engineer said that the trail through Mountain Iron would not be completed this year.
4) Councilor Matanich commented that the work at Unity Addition was progressing well. The City Administrator said that seven lots have been paid for so far.
5) Mayor Brunfelt asked the City Engineer how the renovations of the old city hall were going to accommodate Benchmark Engineering. The City Engineer said that Mr. Flannigan is planning on having an open house when everything has been completed.
At 7:57 p.m., it was moved by Piri and supported by Matanich that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
