Meeting Minutes for June 02, 2008
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 2, 2008
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:33 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; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; and John Backman, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following items to the agenda:
VI. G. Merritt Elementary PTA-Request to Waive Building Rental Fees
H. West Two Rivers Campground-Elec. Improvement-Payment Request
I. Tourism Brochure
J. Volunteer Fire Fighters Hiring
2. Approve the minutes of the May 19, 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 May 16-31, 2008, totaling $181,596.57, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried with Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve the following:
5. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period May 16-31, 2008, totaling $149,428.97, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, yes; Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, no; and Skalko, yes.
No one spoke during the public forum.
The Mayor reported and updated the Council on the following items:
– Matt Niskanen. He said that he just completed his first year playing professional hockey for the Dallas Stars. He wanted to recognize him because he grew up in Mountain Iron and he is very proud of him.
– Planning and Zoning Letter. He advised the Council that the second mass mailing of the Building Permit requirements would be sent out within a week.
– Street Projects. The projects are progressing.
– Lake Country Power. The development agreement with Lake Country Power had been finalized and the construction work has begun.
– Thank you to the Legislators. He said that he once again wanted to thank the Range Delegation of Legislators for the local government aid increases for the City of Mountain Iron.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to direct City Staff to obtain the salary/benefits information for area cities including Virginia, Gilbert, Eveleth, Ely, Hoyt Lakes, and Chisholm. The motion carried with Roskoski voting no.
The City Administrator updated the Council on the following:
– Morgan Park Estates. The bids were opened last week and should be on the next City Council agenda.
– Schools Out. Drive safely and watch for children.
– Pavilions. The pavilions are being installed this week in South Grove and the Downtown Parks.
Sergeant Backman advised the Council that on the morning of May 29th, Deputy Yarick stopped a vehicle and noticed some suspicious items in the car and later in the day those items were reported stolen and she was able to obtain confessions to the crime. The Mayor directed Sergeant Backman to send a special thank you to Deputy Yarick from the City Council.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Zupancich to have the City Engineer complete a change order to add curbing to the north side of Enterprise Drive North at the intersection with Nichols Avenue, if the Engineer feels that it can be worked into the Project. After further discussion, Roskoski amended the motion to proceed with a cost not to exceed $5,000. Councilor Zupancich seconded the amendment. The amended motion failed with Prebeg, Stanaway, and Skalko voting no.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Roskoski to authorize the agreement with Architectural Resources for the Mountain Manor Project Number 08-068. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation from the Commercial Building Inspector and adopt the 1997 Uniform Building Code, Table Number 1-A, Building Permit Fees. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Stanaway to authorize a contribution to the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce for the operation of the Mineview in the Sky in the amount of $5,000. After further discussion, Skalko amended the amount to $2,500. Stanaway seconded the amendment. After additional discussion, Skalko withdrew the motion and Stanaway withdrew his support.
It was the consensus of the Council to have City Staff contact Jim Currie, President of the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce, to attend a future Council meeting regarding his funding request and bring some financial information with regard to the expenses to run the Mineview in the Sky and bring the items that are advertising Mountain Iron with him to show to the Council.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Stanaway that City Staff put together and submit a grant to Iron Range Resources for $350,000 for Unity Second Addition infrastructure work by June 30, 2008. The grant application will state the fact that Mountain Iron is losing residential area because of continued mining expansion and has to replace what has being lost. The motion failed with Prebeg, Zupancich, Stanaway, and Skalko voting no.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Skalko to direct City Staff to seek specifics on a Culture and Tourism Grant application from Marianne Bouska, Strategic Results Management, and seek out the amount of funding available, what to apply for, and the types of historic grants that are available. The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the communications.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to waive the facility rental fee for the Merritt Elementary PTA Bingo Fund Raiser to be held on November 9, 2008, at the Community Center. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to authorize payment request number two to Lanyk Electric for the West Two Rivers Electrical Improvements in the amount of $14,445.57. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Council discussed the Mountain Iron tourism brochures. It was the consensus of the Council to have City Staff look to see if there are brochures available and have the Parks and Recreation Board look at updating the present brochures.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to authorize the appointment of the following Fire Fighters:
Don Dahl
Keith Altobelli
Dave Mazio
After further discussion, Prebeg amended his motion contingent on passing a physical. Zupancich supported the amendment. The amended motion carried unanimously.
During the open discussion the following items were discussed:
– Management Employee Reviews. The City Administrator, the Director of Public Works, and the Librarian are due for their annual reviews. The Foreman would not be included in the reviews because he just began his position.
– Dumpster at AmericInn. Councilor Stanaway expressed his concern with the dumpster blocking the sidewalk by the AmericInn. The City Administrator said that he would check on the situation.
At 7:46 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Jill M. Anderson, CMC/MMCA
Municipal Services Secretary
www.mtniron.com
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Mesabi Family YMCA, a thank you for the use of the Community Center for their Auction.
