Meeting Minutes for July 26, 2011

MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
JULY 26, 2011

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Tony Zupancich, Susan Tuomela, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Anderson, Municipal Services Secretary; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Karl Sundquist, Attorney from Trenti Law Firm; and John Backman, Sergeant (entering at 6:35 p.m.).

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

1. Add the following item to the agenda:

IV. A. 3. Authorize the City Attorney to work with the Utility Advisory Board to review the power purchase agreement with the Virginia Department of Public Utilities. 

2. Approve the minutes of the July 6, 2011, regular meeting as submitted.

3. Approve the minutes of the July 19, 2011, emergency meeting as submitted.

4. 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.

5. To acknowledge the receipts for the period July 1-15, 2011, totaling $911,018.30, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

6. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period July 1-15, 2011, totaling $440,390.91, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, yes; Tuomela, yes; Roskoski, no; and Skalko, yes.

The Mayor introduced Karl Sundquist, the new attorney working for the Trenti Law Firm.

The following people spoke during the public forum regarding the restroom facility in the South Grove Park:

– Bill Pond. He requested that the City Council act on removing or relocating the facility at this meeting and to not delay the issue by referring it to the Park and Recreation Board for a recommendation.
– Randy Pond. He requested that the facility be placed in the middle of the South Grove Park and have walls put around it. He distributed pictures of enclosures in the area for the Council to review. He also said that he has lived in the City of Mountain Iron for over 40 years and has never had a problem with anyone affiliated with the City.
– Robert Kohler. He said that the color of the facility should be green or tan to look better.
– Bonnie Kohler. Stating that the facility should be located in the center of the South Grove Park.
– Several other parents were present and one of them made a brief statement saying they just wanted the bathroom facility to remain at the park.

It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Roskoski to direct City Staff to contact the Portable John Company to change the color, if possible, relocate the facility to the center of the South Grove Park, and provide them with a key to the Park gate to service the facility; also, refer the issue to the Parks and Recreation Board to review the situation and come up with permanent solutions for all parks in Mountain Iron. The motion carried.

Also during the public forum, Steve Giorgi, 8386 Gardenia Street, addressed the Council regarding a standing water issue on Gardenia Street in Westgate Addition in front of three houses with his house being one of them. He requested that the Council direct City Staff to clear about 70 yards of ditching to start the flow of the water. He said that this is a maintenance issue and should be taken care of quickly to remove the standing water.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to direct City Staff to review the ditching on Gardenia Street, look for a possible solution, and come up with a maintenance report to have either City Staff or a Contractor complete the necessary work as soon as possible and report back to the City Council. The motion carried.

Also during the public forum, Jim Medure, 5465 Bluebell Avenue, discussed the City working on the catch basins and culverts on Bluebell Avenue to eliminate water in his driveway. 

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skalko to refer the ponding problem on Bluebell Avenue and the street overlay projects proposed on Bluebell Avenue and Daffodil Avenue for 2011 to the Streets and Alleys Committee to be discussed further to discuss maintenance issues and make a recommendation to the City Council for further action. The motion carried with Roskoski voting no.

Also during the public forum, Greg Chad, 5493 Daffodil Avenue, asked what the Council would be doing regarding the numerous power outages in the West Virginia area. The Mayor advised him that the Council would be taking action on the concerns regarding the electrical outages later on the agenda.

The Mayor commented on the following:

– Locomotive Park. He thanked the Staff and crew from United States Steel Corporation for clearing brush to view the facility from the Park.
– Wacootah Overlook. Councilor Roskoski asked if the sample box was filled. The Mayor did not know if they refilled the sample box.
– New Business in Mountain Iron. He welcomed “Wild Eyes Pet and Supply Store” to the City, they are located in the Plaza 53 West Facility.