Meeting Minutes for June 18, 2001
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Greg French, Engineer; Karen Luoma, Librarian; and Gary Giroux, Auditor.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following items to the agenda:
V. B. Mountain Iron Addressing Situation
IV. C. 2. Mud Lake Lift Station
IV. D. Resolution #17-01
V. C. Broadcasting City Council Meetings
VI. G. Water Line Break
IV. A. 2. Deficit on Enterprise Funds
2. Approve the minutes of the June 4, 2001, regular 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 June 1-15, 2001, totaling $231,498.87, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period June 1-15, 2001, totaling $117,157.23, (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.
During the public forum, KPA Design reviewed the Old Town Proposal with the Council. The following firms were represented during the presentation: Kisers, Powers & Associates, Architectural Resources, Carduus Consulting, and Benchmark Engineering.
Also during the public forum, Alison Wiitala spoke representing several of the residents on Marble Avenue. She questioned why the Marble Avenue Project went from an overlay to complete reconstruction. She also asked what percentage of the project the residents on that street would be paying for the assessment, when the school traffic amounts to about 85% of the traffic. She requested that the Council advise her of the approximate amount of the assessment. She also said that parking in front of the houses on Marble Avenue is a problem even with the residents parking signs. The Council referred the problems with parking on Marble Avenue to the Street Committee to meet with Sergeant Stewart to discuss the matter.
The City Auditor reviewed the 2000 audit report with City Council.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to refer the utility rate issue for the Water Treatment Plant, Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Electric Utility to the Utility Advisory Board. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to authorize Staff to purchase 1,000 yards of Class 5 from R & M Mesabi, Inc. at $4.00 per yard with option #3 and purchase 2,000 yards of Class 5 from Seppi Brothers at $3.95 per yard with option #2. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to direct Staff to seek quotes for the rebuilding of the Ann�s Acres Lift Station. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to accept the 2000 Audit Report as submitted. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to authorize Staff to proceed with the reconstruction of the Mud Lake Lift Station by Quality Control System at an estimated cost of $23,780.00 plus tax with the funds coming from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Reserves. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to authorize payment request number one in the amount of $26,047.10 to Mesabi Bituminous, Inc. for the West Two Rivers Campground Overlay Project. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Matanich to approve the Drainage Channel as presented by the City Engineer for drainage improvements in the area of the softball fields located along Highway 53. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to adopt Resolution #17-01, Mountain Iron Drive Drainage Improvements, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
At 7:48 p.m., Jeff Lackner, Quad Cities Economic Development Director entered the meeting.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 14-01, calling for a public hearing, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the Sheriff Department May activity report.
The Council discussed the recommendation of the Library Board to construct a new library. Councilor Prebeg said that the Council needs to prioritize the larger projects, i.e. Library, Water Tanks, Downtown Renovation, Golf Course, etc.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to have Staff meet with the Architect, study possible locations, site acquisition costs, building sizes, and get an estimate of construction costs for a new library. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to request the City Attorney to research a possible appeal to the U. S. Postal Services survey that was completed regarding the Mountain Iron address going through the Virginia Post Office. The motion carried.
The Council discussed broadcasting City Council meetings versus publishing in the Official Newspaper. Councilor Skogman said that broadcasting would be cheaper than publishing. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Recreation Director have interested parties that would like to tape the meetings to make a presentation to the City Council.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to approve the temporary liquor license for Ducks Unlimited-Mesabi Chapter for August 9, 2001. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Roskoski to approve the Regional Railroad Authority Vendor Agreement for the Mesabi Trail Wheel passes. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman voting no.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to adopt Resolution number 15-01, setting a hearing on vacation, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman to approve the Quad City Economic Development Authority request for funding in the amount of $15,600 with the funds coming from the Mining Effect Tax. The motion died for lack of support.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to make a motion to reconsider the Quad City Economic Development Authority. The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski and Councilor Matanich voting no.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to approve the Quad City Economic Development Authority request for funding in the amount of $15,600 with the funds coming from the Mining Effect Tax. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Prebeg, yes; Skogman, yes; Matanich, no; Roskoski, no; and Brunfelt, yes.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Matanich to approve Resolution number 16-01, declaring adequacy of petition and ordering preparation report, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
At 8:45 p.m., Councilor Skogman left the meeting.
At 8:48 p.m., Councilor Skogman returned to the meeting.
The Director of Public Works advised the Council that Hoover Construction is a sub-contractor to Mesabi Bituminous and they hit a water line on the corner of Marble Avenue and Granite Street.
The Mayor advised the Council that he would not be at the July 2, 2001, City Council meeting.
During the open discussion, Councilor Skogman questioned why the Planning and Zoning Commission voted against the comprehensive plan.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Prebeg asked why the air conditioning in the Senior Center wasn�t working yet. Also, he said that the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) said that there is some maintenance that needs to be completed in the kitchen. It was the consensus of the Council to review the agreement with AEOA.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to direct Staff to speak to the Senior Citizens Club regarding having a pop and candy machine put into the Senior Center. The motion carried.
At 8:58 p.m., it was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
