Meeting Minutes for July 20, 2015
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
JULY 20, 2015
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Sally Yuccas, Librarian Director/Special Events Director; Greg Chad, Fire Chief; and John Backman, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Approve the minutes of the July 6, 2015, regular meeting as submitted.
- That the communications be accepted and placed on file and those requiring further action by the City Council be acted upon during their proper sequence on the agenda.
- To acknowledge the receipts for the period July 1-15, 2015 totaling $1,003,648.53, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
- To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period July 1-15, 2015, totaling $494,552.80, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
No one wished to speak at the public forum.
The Mayor reported on the following:
- Condolences to the families of Leroy Strumbell, long-time barber and resident of Mountain Iron, John Takala, long-time resident of Mountain Iron, Dick Lundquist, former Mountain Iron teacher, Lillian Edstrom, former Mountain Iron elementary teacher and Mae Gunnerson, long-time resident.
- Congratulations to Darlene Anderson on her 80th birthday and to Bill Riccio on his 96th birthday.
- Recommendation to enjoy the West II Rivers Campground. This year’s caretakers are doing a wonderful job. Reservations taken through the third week in September at 218-735-8831.
The City Administrator reported that construction season has started. Ulland Brothers has started construction on the Co. Rd. 102 project for the Minntac entrance gate and there will be lane closures. The Mountain Iron Drive project will begin soon and there will also be lane closures there, but there will always be access to the businesses along the street. The storm sewer project in the downtown area will also start soon.
Minutes – City Council
July 20, 2015
Page 2
The Director of Public Works reported that work has progressed on the street lights along Enterprise Drive North. The cable and bases are in and the lights will be next.
The Library Director/Special Events Coordinator reported that the summer reading program at the library is wrapping up, with an awards program scheduled. She also reported that plans for the 125th City Celebration/Merritt Days are progressing well. There will be extensive coverage of the events in the Hometown Focus. The Gin Blossoms are scheduled to be the headliners for the street dance on August 8th.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to grant the Merritt Day’s Committee’s request to block Main Street from Marble Avenue to Mesabi Avenue and extend the Mountain Avenue blocking north to Locomotive Street beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2015 until Sunday, August 9, 2015. The motion carried.
Discussion took place concerning the fire department’s request to purchase a pick-up truck. Chief Chad stated the new truck would replace the 1985 blue Chevrolet truck currently being used. Stanaway stated that there had been many discussions on this purchase and the fire department is recommending it.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to purchase a 2016 Ford F-350 Crew Cab pick-up truck from Lundgrens at the quoted price of $29,050.24, with the Slide In unit from Heiman at a price of $12,468.90, lighting package from Vehicle Systems, LLC at a price of $5,930.00 and accessories package from Z-Tech at a price of $902.00, total purchase price of $48,351.14, for the fire department. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Under Liaison Reports, Stanaway stated that a road closed sign was posted on County Road #102 near the Minntac entrance gate. Prebeg stated that the road will be closed from the entrance gate to the old downtown area of Mountain Iron.
Also as a liaison report, Stanaway stated that interviews were conducted for additional firefighters, but it was decided not to hire any until this fall.
Zupancich requested the Council’s support in opposing the closure of the Duluth Mail Processing and Distribution Plant because of the delays in mail delivery. He stated that a resolution sent to Representative Nolan, Senator Klobuchar and Senator Franken may help in restoring the plant.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution #15-15, Opposing the Closure of the Duluth Mail Processing and Distribution Plant, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
Minutes – City Council
July 20, 2015
Page 3
The City Administrator stated that the Parks and Recreation Board have recommended the purchase of a pavilion to be located at the South Grove Recreation Complex and that the item is in the budget for 2015.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Tuomela to purchase a 30’ x 40’ pavilion to be located at the South Grove Recreation Complex from Midwest Playscapes, Inc. for the quoted price of $25,322.50. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Zupancich and supported by Tuomela to purchase the automatic metering equipment needed to proceed with the next phase of the automatic metering infrastructure plan from HD Supply at the quoted price of $100,000.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupancich to approve the Fireworks Permit from the State Fire Marshal, Application for Permit, Display of Outdoor Fireworks, for the fireworks display for the City’s 125th Celebration/Merritt Days on August 8, 2015. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and supported by Stanaway to donate $100 to the MIB Quarterback Club for the MIB football program, the funds to come from the charitable gambling fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 6:58 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Judy Seurer
Accounting Technician
COMMUNICATIONS
1. MIB Quarterback Club, a letter requesting a donation to the MIB Football Program.
