Meeting Minutes for June 04, 2007
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 4, 2007
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. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Rick Feiro, Sergeant; and Gary Giroux, City Auditor.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following items to the agenda:
IV. A. 2. Set Meeting Date for the Public Safety and Health Board
V. B. Personnel Committee/Park and Recreation Board
VI. D. Conditional Use Permit for Warren Eddy
VI. E. Mineral Avenue South Speed Limit Sign
VI. F. Highway 169 West Speed Limit Sign
2. Approve the minutes of the May 16, 2007, Special City Council meeting as submitted.
3. Approve the minutes of the May 21, 2007, Regular City Council meeting as submitted.
4. 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.
5. To acknowledge the receipts for the period May 16-31, 2007, totaling $181,523.25, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
6. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period May 16-31, 2007, totaling $144,683.81, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Dale Irish, President for the Wacootah Wheelers Group, was present and discussed the proposed ATV trail through the City of Mountain Iron. He said he would like the authorization to proceed with plans and specifications for the trail.
Councilor Prebeg stated that the Parks and Recreation Board have the following three concerns with regard to the ATV trail:
1. The trail going along Highway 169, from 5537 Nichols Avenue to the west where it crosses and enters Park Ridge Development, to get approval to cross the right-of-way.
2. Sheriffs Department concern regarding the trail going under the bridge in Downtown Mountain Iron.
3. The property to cross after going under the bridge in the Costin area by Downtown Mountain Iron, being owned by U. S. Steel.
Mr. Irish said that the concern along Highway 169 had been addressed and eliminated from the trail. Mr. Irish also said that the location of the trail on Mining Avenue is not an issue because the street had never been vacated.
The Sergeant addressed the issues regarding the trails. He said that because of the bridge, there is no other way but to go on the roadway under the bridge, but once the ATV passes under the bridge they would have to be off of the road.
The Council considered the liability issue with regard to the ATV trail. It was the consensus of the Council to contact the City Attorney and the Insurance Agent regarding the City’s liability with regard to the ATV trail. Mr. Irish said that the insurance should not be an issue because the entire trail is located on City property and would be a City ATV trail with minimal maintenance.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Stanaway to have the Mr. Irish work with the Department of Natural Resources, the Mountain Iron Sergeant, the Director of Public Works and anyone else involved with the ATV Trail, refine the ATV route and when completed, bring it back to City Council for further consideration. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Zupancich, yes; Stanaway, no; Roskoski, yes; Prebeg, yes; and Skalko, no.
Also during the public forum, Allen Nelson spoke and said that he did not really care about the ATV trail, but he is concerned with the entrance to the trail, the ATVs should stay off of the streets because of the noise issues. He commented that the City should not participate in the ATV trail as a City trail.
Gary Giroux, City Auditor, reviewed the 2006 audit with the City Council.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Zupancich to accept the 2006 City audit report as presented. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the Conditional Use Permit for Warren Eddy, 8558 Mud Lake Road, Mountain Iron on parcel 175-0071-01680 to construct 30 foot by 48 foot accessory building. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to accept the recommendation of the Deputy Mayor and appoint Mayor Gary Skalko to serve on the Mountain Iron Public Safety and Health Board with the term expiring on December 31, 2008. The motion carried with Mayor Skalko abstaining.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Mayor and appoint Councilor Alan Stanaway to serve on the Mountain Iron Public Safety and Health Board with the term expiring on December 31, 2010. The motion carried with Councilor Stanaway abstaining.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Mayor and appoint Stephen Skogman to serve on the Mountain Iron Public Safety and Health Board with the term expiring on December 31, 2007. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich to accept the recommendation of the Mayor and appoint Holly Holmes to serve on the Mountain Iron Public Safety and Health Board with the term expiring on December 31, 2008. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Mayor and appoint Allen Nelson to serve on the Mountain Iron Public Safety and Health Board with the term expiring on December 31, 2009. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, yes; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to set the first meeting of the Mountain Iron Public Safety and Health Board for Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. The motion carried.
The City Administrator updated the Council on the following:
1. Unity Drive Reconstruction Project
2. Unity Second Addition Plat; Plans and Specifications
3. Bonding for Unity Second Addition
4. Various Street Improvement Projects
5. A Resolution for an amendment to the Park Ridge Plat
6. Locomotive Park-lead paint on the bulldozer and other equipment
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich to adopt Resolution Number 28-07, approving actions necessary to provide access to the former Park Ridge Plat area, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to award the center office flooring quote, Option A, in the City Hall to Dorholt Tile and Home Center in the amount of $8,725.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to authorize the Library Director to spend $300.00 for the Summer Reading Program from the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 7:49 p.m., Councilor Prebeg left the meeting.
It was moved by Stanaway and supported by Skalko to seek quotes for carpeting for the main level of the Library. The motion carried with Councilor Prebeg absent.
At 7:51 p.m., Councilor Prebeg returned to the meeting.
The Council briefly discussed the Saint Louis County Deputies assisting out of the Mountain Iron City limits. The Sergeant suggested that if there are specific situations regarding the response time to calls in the City of Mountain Iron to come and speak with him personally, Monday through Friday, during the day, to better answer their questions.
Councilor Roskoski said that he had a request for the City Engineer to provide a map of Locomotive Park from Mountain Avenue east to 50 feet past Marble Avenue.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Zupancich that because of recent garbage, graffiti, and vandalism problems occurring at the Mountain Iron overlooks, parks, playgrounds, and ball fields that our City should make every effort to make sure these places are repaired, safe, clean, and inviting. Staff will review the past policy about checking on the sites mentioned for problems and repairs, at least once or twice per week. Law enforcement will develop an appropriate schedule to patrol the various sites mentioned, at least once per day. The Park and Recreation Board will look into the availability of fire proof, non-spill trash receptacles for all City areas as to price and installation costs. This request will also be forwarded to the Mountain Iron Public Safety and Health Board for review and speedy implementation. The motion failed with Prebeg, Stanaway, Zupancich, and Skalko voting no.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupancich to accept the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and direct City Staff to handle the short term transition, due to the retirement of the Recreation Director, of the Recreation Director position until a replacement is determined. The duties will be shared as follows:
– Recreation programs, campground management and blight issues will be handled by the City Administrator.
– Park maintenance and campground maintenance will be handled by the Director of Public Works.
– Special events will be handled by the Library Director. Her hours will be increased to full time during the transition.
– Other duties will be handled by the management team as they arise.
The motion carried.
At 8:14 p.m., Councilor Roskoski left the meeting.
It was moved by Zupancich and supported by Prebeg to authorize the purchase of the Mesabi Trail advertisement in the amount of $100. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Zupancich, yes; Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, absent; Prebeg, yes; and Skalko, yes.
At 8:16 p.m., Councilor Roskoski returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to authorize a donation of $50 to the Mountain Iron Hoop Club to assist in the expenses for David Winfield to attend the All-Star Basketball game. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Mayor recommended that all Councilors review the memorandum with regard to personal financial interest in contracts made in the City.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to direct City Staff to contact Saint Louis County and request that they review the speed limit signage on Mineral Avenue between Downtown Mountain Iron and South Grove for possible action. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski to direct City Staff to contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation and request that the speed limit signage requirements be reviewed for the corridor of Highway 169 from the Highway 53 and Highway 169 interchange westward, with specific concern at the County Road 109 and Highway 169 intersection. The motion failed for lack of a second.
The Mayor suggested that the signage issues go to the Street and Alley Committee for a recommendation before they are acted upon by the City Council. The Director of Public Works said that they would be having a Street and Alley Committee meeting on June 6, 2007.
During the open discussion, Councilor Prebeg requested that the Mountain Iron Public Safety and Health Board review the blight situations in Downtown Mountain Iron.
During the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski informed the Council on the legal requirements for items that should be included in the Council meeting minutes.
At 8:34 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Jill M. Forseen, CMC/MMCA
Municipal Services Secretary
www.mtniron.com
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Sam Aluni, The Trenti Law Firm, a memorandum regarding personal financial interest in contracts made by the City Council.
