Meeting Minutes for June 05, 2000
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Brunfelt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Carolyn Olsen, Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Curt Piri, and Mayor Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Service Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; and Greg French, City Engineer. George Eilertson, Financial Consultant.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Matanich that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Approve the minutes of the May 15, 2000, regular meeting as submitted.
2. Approve the minutes of the May 18, 2000, special 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 May 16-31, 2000, totaling $333,635.35, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period May 16-31, 2000, totaling $83,053.91, (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.
At 6:32 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing on the street overlay program. The motion carried.
Approximately 26 property owners were present for the hearing.
The Administrator explained that the Council is considering overlay and reconstruction projects for various streets throughout the town and assessing for a portion of the costs. The affected property owners were notified of the hearing. He also said that this portion of the project will cost approximately $700,000.00 and the Council would like to proceed with the projects. The City Engineer explained that the Street Committee met and determined through a rating system what streets would be considered for the Street Overlay Program for 2000. George Eilertson, Representative from Juran and Moody, gave an overview of the financing and the tax impacts to the taxpayers for the Street Overlay Program.
The Mayor asked if anyone wanted to speak during the public hearing.
The following residents spoke during the public hearing:
Ed Roskoski, 17th Avenue, said that he was not personally affected by any of the assessments, but asked why there was no category for the major streets with a 10% assessment similar to the 17th Avenue reconstruction project.
Larry Lee, Centennial Drive, said that he couldn�t justify having an overlay completed because the last overlay project was completed six years ago. The City Engineer said that the project would be from the new patch south to S curve.
Earl Wilkins, 2408 Dottie Lane, (corner lot on Dottie Lane and Centennial Drive), said that he noticed that all of the streets had a rating system for the street improvements proposed. The City Engineer and the Director of Public Works said that the street was just in need of an overlay.
Wayne Pohia, 926 West 21st Avenue, said that he agrees that the road needs to be fixed, but he has been experiencing a sewer problem by his property and was wondering if this could be repaired at the same time. He also commented that the speed limits on the road need to be posted better because there are a lot of children playing in the area.
The City Engineer said that Mr. Pohia should coordinate his sewer line repair with the street improvement project. The Director of Public Works said that the speed problem on 21st Avenue should be turned over to the Sheriff�s Department.
Robert Strukel, 24th Avenue West, said that he just finished paying the original assessment of $2,000 on 24th Avenue over a 10-year assessment. Mr. Strukel asked what type of maintenance program the City implements so the streets do not require paving so soon. The Director of Public Works said that the City does complete a crack filling program annually to avoid some of the problems with the street deterioration.
Elmer Johnson, 318 2nd Street, Parkville, he said that the new city hall/community center building is a nice building. Mr. Johnson questioned what portion of Second Street would be completed. The City Engineer advised him that the portion from Parkville Road south to the new overlay would be completed.
Paul Yelenich, 235 2nd Street, Parkville, said that Parkville Road needs trees to be cut and ditching work completed. The Director of Public Works will look into the problem.
Doug Blake, 5729 Mesabi Avenue, said that the Parkville Road is in need of a lot of patching.
Lloyd Stanaway, 312 2nd Street, Parkville, asked whether there were weight restrictions on 2nd Street. He said that there are semi trucks traveling on the street at least once a week. The Mayor said that the Sheriffs would be notified. Mrs. Stanaway said that the trucks are usually in the area on Tuesdays around 1:00 p.m.
Bob Bailey, 24th Avenue West, said it appears that the proposed street projects are pretty much said and done. He questioned whether the Council was going to proceed by the consensus of the residents or just do the projects. The Mayor said that if a majority of the residents were against the street repairs, the City would not proceed. The Mayor said that he would like to proceed with the entire project. Mr. Bailey said that he does not believe that 24th Avenue needs to be overlaid at this time.
Robert Strukel, 904 West 24th Avenue, said that he polled six of the twelve neighbors and six have no interest in having the street resurfaced. Mr. Strukel said that he could provide the names for the record. The Mayor would not permit the names of the residents to be listed. The Mayor said that if residents have objections, they should call, write letters, or attend the meetings.
Robert Kvas, 8410 South 8th Street, asked what a collector street with a 50% assessment was? The City Administrator said that the type of street is determined by the amount of traffic on the road.
John Kohlhase, 2414 Dottie Lane, said that he has an empty lot on Centennial Drive and asked if he would be assessed on this lot. The Mayor advised him that he would be assessed as a property owner for the street front footage of all property he owns.
Dean Niska, 5485 West 25th Avenue, said that he has a lot of property that is adjacent to 8th Street. He asked if 8th Street was an arterial street and if they are going to install curb and gutter on 8th Street. He said that the assessments and taxes would force him off his property.
The Mayor advised the residents that 8th Street is listed as a collector street according to the City policy.
The Council said that most of the arterial streets are county and state roads.
The Mayor asked the City Administrator what the Council has to do to change the street from a collector to an arterial street. The Administrator said that the Council could change the classification on the street prior to the assessments being charged.
Doug Blake, 5729 Mesabi Avenue, asked when the last time the road was repaired or redone. The City Engineer advised him that it was completed in 1978. He said that there are two spots where there is metal sticking out of the street that needs to taken care of before the road is overlaid.
Earl Wilkins, 2408 Dottie Lane (corner lot adjacent to Centennial Drive), asked if there was a plan to have a shoulder added to the road. He said that 4-wheelers drive by and kick up a lot of rocks and he does a lot of sweeping of the street.
Russ Blake, 321 2nd Street, Parkville, asked if the Parkville School had sold. The City Administrator said that a private individual bought the building to teach Karate and Judo classes.
Elmer Johnson, 318 2nd Street, asked what other streets are going to be completed with the bonding money. The City Administrator said that the remaining balance would be used for the intersection of Highway 169 by Merritt Elementary School and addition of a frontage road, extending 8th Street to South Grove, and other streets that are being reviewed.
Bob Bailey asked how the payment for assessment could be handled. The Mayor said that the assessment can be paid in full initially to avoid interest or they can be extended over a number of years with interest added to them.
At 7:43 p.m., it was moved by Matanich and supported by Piri that the public hearing be adjourned and the regular meeting be reconvened. The motion carried.
During the public forum, Elmer Johnson spoke and asked if the house that is tax forfeit on 2nd Street in Parkville, sells, would the Fire Department burn the house down. The Mayor said no. He said that the IRRRB Demolition might be available, if the new owner desires, to demolish the house.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the variance for Koski-Wilson for the setback to five feet and the lot depth to 135 feet on parcel code 175-0065-00270 & 00330 & 00340. The motion carried.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the Conditional Use Permit for a personal storage building, 32� x 40�, for Roger L. Berglund to be constructed on parcel 175-0070-01510. The motion carried.
The Council discussed Roger L. Berglund�s application for the Conditional Use Permit for a home business and an oversized accessory building. The recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission was to deny the conditional use permits for the home business and oversized business building. Mr. Berglund advised the Council that he would be utilizing a total of ten acres and has an option on ten additional acres for his home and home business, which is an automotive repair garage. Mr. Berglund said that everything would be kept off the road so that the building would not be noticeable. The Council discussed the differences between a home occupation and a home business.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to request the City Attorney to review the Berglund business conditional use permits applications and submit a written opinion to the Council. The motion carried.
It was the consensus of the Council to consider the conditional use permit applications again at the June 19, 2000 meeting.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Matanich to approve the following payment requests for work completed on the City Hall/Community Center building:
Duncan Concrete (Concrete Work) $ 4,987.00
Structural Wood (Laminated Timber) 1,436.00
H. G. Harvey (General Construction) 36,034.00
Dwayne Young (Drywall) 3,378.20
Sorlie Acoustics (Acoustical Treatment) 17,204.00
Contract Tile (Flooring) 13,113.80
Swanson & Youngdale (Painting) 3,759.51
Hecimovich (Mechanical) 28,145.00
TOTAL $108,057.51
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to approve payment to Kraus-Anderson Construction Company in the amount of $27,956.00. After some discussion, Councilor Piri withdrew his motion and Councilor Skogman withdrew his support. It was the consensus of the Council to reconsider the bill at the next regular meeting.
The Council reviewed the Kinross Ditch Culvert Replacement bids. The City Engineer recommended that the City Council proceed with the concrete pipe bid with Jola & Sopp Excavating in the amount of $29,393.00.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and award the Kinross Ditch Culvert Replacement bid to Jola & Sopp Excavating with a 42″ reinforced concrete pipe in the amount of $29,393.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Blight Officer requested that the City Council refer the Archibald and Ostman blight cases to the City Attorney. It was the consensus of the Council to refer the two blight cases to the City Attorney for further action.
The City Administrator updated the Council on the Virginia Public Utilities acquisition. He felt that the City might be able to acquire the water utilities by July.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to adopt Resolution number 20-00, Carriage Home Planned Unit Development, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to adopt Resolution number 21-00, Ordering Improvements and Preparation of Plans, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes) and have 24th Avenue and Marion Drive, Centennial Drive, and Dottie Lane put on hold to allow the property owners to respond at the next regular meeting. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to allow input from the property owners on 24th Avenue and Marion drive, Centennial Drive, and Dottie Lane and the Council will reconsider these street improvements at the next regular meeting. The motion carried.
The following bids were received on the 1997 Squad Car:
Babich Automotive $1114.00
Buria Auto Salvage $ 586.00
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to award the bid on the 1997 Squad Car to Babich Automotive in the amount of $1,114.00. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to replace Councilor Piri on the Personnel Committee because of a conflict of interest he has and appoint Councilor Matanich to the Personnel Committee. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to approve the Software Purchase Agreement for the Cash Receipting Software at a cost of $3,700.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Mayor Brunfelt turned the meeting over to Deputy Mayor Matanich for consideration of the contribution to the Virginia/Gilbert/Mountain Iron Chamber of Commerce because he serves on the Board.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to authorize payment of the annual contribution of $10,000 to the Virginia/Gilbert/Mountain Iron Chamber of Commerce. The motion carried on a roll call vote with Mayor Brunfelt abstaining.
Deputy Matanich turned the meeting back over to Mayor Brunfelt.
During the Mayor’s Report, the Mayor asked if there was going to be some sort of Grand Opening for the new City Hall/Community Center. The City Administrator said that the last two weeks of June the chairs should be available, but the kitchen equipment would not be completed by then. The Mayor requested that a sign be placed in front of the building and direction signs be placed for people to find the new City Hall/Community Center building. The Mayor requested the City Administrator to give a report at the next meeting regarding a Grand Opening and signage for the new building.
The following items were brought up during the open discussion portion of the meeting:
Councilor Piri said that he brought in a map of the Mesabi Trail.
Councilor Matanich asked what the status of the sale of lots at Unity Addition was. The City Administrator said that 17 potential buyers have received notification that they now have 30 days to pay for the lots that are reserved for them.
Councilor Skogman asked what the status of the street light on the intersection of County Road 101 and County Road 7 was. The Director of Public Works said that the light has been installed.
At 8:37 p.m., it was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
