Meeting Minutes for June 06, 2005
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 6, 2005
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Allen Nelson, Dale Irish, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director or Public Works; Larry Nanti, Director of Parks and Recreation; Karen Luoma, Librarian; and Rod Flannigan, City Engineer (entering at 6:45 p.m.).
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
Add the following items to the agenda:
VII. A. Thank you
IV. D. 4. West Two Rivers Campground Partitions Quote
Approve the minutes of the May 16, 2005, City Council meeting as submitted.
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.
To acknowledge the receipts for the period May 16-31, 2005, totaling $281,147.73, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period May 16-31, 2005, totaling $262,460.46, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Karen Luoma announced that the Library Board would be hosting an Open House in honor of Darlene Anderson on Thursday, June 20, 2005 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Irish to accept the recommendation of the Library Board and hire Jenessa Knuti to work as the Library Temporary Summer Worker beginning June 13, 2005 at a rate of $6.00 per hour for a period of six weeks. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to waive the building rental fee for the benefit for the Rachel Nyberg Benefit to be held on June 22, 2005 at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The motion carried.
During the Mayor�s report, the Mayor commented on the editorial in the June 5, 2005 Mesabi Daily News regarding the Excelsior Energy Project. He said that the newspaper article was very disappointing in how it depicted Mountain Iron with regard to this project. He explained that the City Council was given a Development Agreement with Excelsior Energy on February 4, 2005 and expected the City Council to vote on the agreement on February 7, 2005. The Mayor said that if the City would have accepted the Development Agreement as it was written, the City could not have afforded it. The Mayor also said that the location was initially to be by Manganika (3-Mile) Lake and then the project was moved to the Parkville area and the remaining residents in Parkville would have to move. The Mayor said that Excelsior Energy also had never contact U. S. Steel Corporation regarding the project being located in their blast zone. Councilor Irish agreed with the Mayor. Councilor Prebeg reiterated the issues regarding the Excelsior Energy Project as they relate to U. S. Steel Corporation.
The Mayor updated the Council regarding the new site for the Recycling Center. He said that the site should be operational by July 1, 2005. The Recycling Center would be operational with a magnetic key entry and would be in a lighted area. The Director of Public Works said the Recycling Center Plan is in place, but the work needs to be completed on the electrical substation in that area prior to the Recycling Center opening. The Director of Public Works said that when the City has a street overlay project completed in the area then the overlay would be completed for the Recycling Center with the street being paved from County Road 102 to the recycling area.
George Erickson, Representing Quad Cities Tennis for All, outlined a project for the Quad Cities area to construct an insulated steel building to accommodate four tennis courts in the Virginia area at a cost of approximately $400,000. He said that there has been $144,000 pledged for the project to date. He advised the Council that the facility would be run similar to the Mesabi Family YMCA as a non-profit organization.
The City Administrator reviewed the 2006 capital budget requests for the next legislative session for projects that are publicly owned and provide a public purpose. The City Administrator also updated the Council regarding the Costin Creek. He said that Minntac is no longer pumping water into the creek and the city water lines leakage is no longer flowing into the creek, so the water levels are down.
Councilor Roskoski asked City Staff if the Valspar paint had arrived. The City Administrator said that the paint was delivered.
Councilor Roskoski asked if City Staff had checked with the Architect regarding the crack in the Community Center building. The City Administrator said that Architectural Resources were looking into the matter.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to authorize the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the 16th Avenue Project. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to authorize the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the drainage options on the south end of Mountain Iron Drive. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski asked how many applications were received for the part-time summer staff positions. The Director of Public Works said that the summer employees were hired using the criteria as established by the City Council.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to have Benchmark Engineering prepare specifications for the installation of three metal streetlights, of the style that are located on County Road 7, for installation on Aspen Lane. And further, Staff will seek quotes for labor and materials for installation and the quotes will be ready for the June 20, 2005, City Council meeting. The motion carried with Councilors Prebeg and Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to have City Staff calculate what it would cost the City if the City Crew installed the lights in the Ann�s Acres area. The motion carried with Councilors Prebeg and Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to accept the recommendation of the Utility Advisory and direct the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications, in the most cost effective way, for the demolition of the Ann�s Acres water building, the removal of the water storage tank, and the abandonment of the two wells. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Irish to adopt Resolution Number 12-05, ordering preparation of report on improvements, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to authorize the Recreation Director to advertise in the Mesabi Daily News and the Manney Shopper for the 4th of July activities at an approximate cost of $500. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to authorize the Recreation Director to advertise on the Mesabi Trail website as an enhanced listing for $100. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to award the quote for the new bathroom partitions at the West Two Rivers Campground to the Floor to Ceiling Store in the amount of $6,300.00 for five stalls including installation. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to direct City Staff to have metal signs placed on the locomotive and shovels that say, “look, enjoy, but please don�t climb on” with City Staff asking the insurance company�s advise regarding the signage. After further discussion Mayor Skalko amended his motion to include implementing items b and d of the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance trust letter dated May 24, 2005. Councilor Roskoski supported the amendment. The amended motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to award the quote for the Heather Avenue Class 6 overlay project to Mesabi Bituminous for the amount of $5,750.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the Liaison reports, Councilor Roskoski advised the Council that the Library Board met and made a recommendation for the part-time summer worker, worked on the advertisement for the Assistant Librarian position, and discussed how much authority the Board has to hire employees.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to recommend that the word “preferred” be added to the requirements for the position description for the Assistant Librarian.
At 8:32 p.m., Councilor Roskoski left the meeting.
At 8:34 p.m., Councilor Roskoski returned to the meeting.
The motion carried with Councilors Roskoski and Irish voting no.
At 8:40 p.m., Councilors Prebeg and Nelson left the meeting.
At 8:42 p.m., Councilors Prebeg and Nelson returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to direct the City Administrator to contact U. S. Steel Corporation, as soon as possible, to see if the roundhouse building in Downtown Mountain Iron would be for sale and what the price would be. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to direct the Recreation Director to work with Representatives of the Parks and Recreation Board and the Downtown Committee, if necessary, to seek quotes for electrical work, a heating system, insulation and the completion of the interior for the Downtown Skating Building. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski stated that the City Administrator and the Director of Public Works had a meeting with the Virginia Street and Alley Committee and ask them to report on the drainage area by Plaza 53 and 16th Avenue. The Director of Public Works said that there was nothing additional to report.
At 8:52 p.m., Mayor Skalko left the meeting.
At 8:54 p.m., Mayor Skalko returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to direct City Staff to obtain some street and sidewalk assessment policies from Virginia, Buhl, Gilbert, Hermantown and any other communities that they feel would be necessary for the Street and Alley Committee can review the policies. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski said that he was contacted by a resident and they were requesting that the lift station facilities be painted with earth-tone colors. The Council requested that the Director of Public Works make a recommendation to the City Council.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to direct City Staff to contact Minntac, as soon as possible, and request that the historic site marker, on the north side of the Mountain Iron Mine, which is now grey, to be repainted white. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski discussed the entrance monument at the intersection of Highway 53 and Old Highway 169. The City Administrator said that City Staff would review the situation and make a recommendation.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to direct City Staff to obtain the sump pump ordinances from the Cities of Virginia, Buhl, Eveleth and Gilbert for the June 20, 2005 City Council meeting. The motion failed with Councilor Nelson, Councilor Prebeg, and Mayor Skalko voting no.
Councilor Roskoski outlined a development policy to the City Council. No further action was taken.
Councilor Roskoski had questions regarding a new development proposed for the Brunt Dump area.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to direct City Staff to contact the Zoning Administrator and request him to put immediately put a halt to the illegal construction at the Nordlund property at 5619 Nichols Avenue and the Paul property at 5620 Oriole Avenue. And further, if there is no results from the Zoning Administrator that the Sheriff�s Department become involved. The motion carried.
During the open discussion, Councilor Irish asked if the Wastewater Treatment Plant sound barrier had been installed. The Director of Public Works said that it has not been completed yet, but the materials for the project have been purchased and the City Crew will be completing the work soon.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to acknowledge and thank the following East Range Secondary Technical Center Students of the Construction 1 and 2 classes for school year 2004-2005 that erected the Downtown Skating building:
Lead Crew Members: Brian Pelletier Class of 2005
Nicholas Gigliotti Class of 2006
Lee Bruun Class of 2006
Jacob Grahowski Class of 2006
Second Crew Members: Joshua Anderson Class of 2005
Ryan Towner Class of 2005
Andrew Johnson Class of 2005
Blair Marden Class of 2006
and the Instructor Ed Roskoski. The motion carried.
During the open discussion, Councilor Prebeg asked where the tire stand from U. S. Steel for Locomotive Park was currently located. The City Administrator said that he would check into the matter.
At 9:38 p.m., it was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Minnesota Clerks and Finance Officers Association, a letter encouraging participation in training through the Association.
MediaCom, a letter advising the City of channel changes and additions.
Minnesota Department of Transportation, a letter advising the City that the grant application for funding through the Local Improvement Program was not funded.
