Meeting Minutes for March 02, 2015
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 2, 2015
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Clark, Municipal Services Secretary; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Sally Yuccas, Librarian/Special Events Director; and John Backman, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Approve the minutes of the February 17, 2015, regular meeting with the following correction: “Page 1, paragraph 10, “Birthday. Congratulations to Burrell (Schur) Kubacki who turned 100 101.…
- To acknowledge the receipts for the period February 16-28, 2015 totaling $641,936.16, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
- To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period February 16-28, 2015, totaling $157,474.87, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Charlie Baribeau gave a presentation seeking the City of Mountain Iron’s vote on his election for President of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS).
The Mayor reported on the following:
- Condolences. To the family of Dennis Nikolanci.
- Mountain Iron-Buhl Basketball Playoffs. He wished good luck to the Boys and Girls Basketball in their season playoffs.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to set a Labor/Management meeting for Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Mayor Skalko and Councilor Stanaway representing the Council. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to authorize a contribution of $1,000 to the Summer Work Outreach Project (SWOP) with the funds being expended from the Charitable Gambling Fund. After further discussion, it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to amend the motion to send a letter to the other participating cities encouraging them to participate, at the same level, for their contribution to the program. The amended motion carried on the following roll call vote: Zupancich, yes; Stanaway, yes; Tuomela, yes; Prebeg, no; and Skalko, yes.
The City Administrator reported on the following:
- Campground Reservations. The City has begun taking reservations for the 2015 camping season.
- Ice Rinks. Staff was hoping to keep the rinks open until mid-March, depending on the weather. He advised the residents to follow the City on Twitter to get further updates on the rinks.
The Director of Public Works reported on the following:
- Water Trickling. He informed the Council and public that frost was down over six (6) feet and he encouraged residents to trickle their water to avoid freezing lines and to contact the City Hall to advise if they are doing this.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to authorize City Staff to seek quotes on the purchase of seven (7) transformers. The motion carried.
The Library Director/Special Events Director reported on the following:
- Library Report. Submitted the February 2015 report.
- Mish Mash Mush Festival. The event was scheduled for March 7, 2015 at the South Grove Recreation Facility.
- Library Facebook Page. She advised everyone to check the page for updates from the Library and Special Events.
- 125th Celebration Subcommittee meeting. She encouraged residents to attend the planning meeting on March 5, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Library.
Councilor Prebeg questioned the City Engineer regarding the reconstruction of Mountain Iron Drive. He asked when the project was anticipated being started and how long the project would take to be completed. The Engineer informed the Council that the Project would be started when road restrictions were lifted, approximately mid-May, and the work would take approximately 90 days to complete. He also said that they were working with the business on Mountain Iron Drive to try to establish a temporary frontage road in the Highway 53 right of way for local traffic to use. The City Administrator also said that a meeting was set for March 10, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the City Hall for the Mountain Iron Drive Businesses, City Staff, and the City Engineer.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Public Health and Safety Board and authorize a contract with Hundrieser Consulting LLC, to update the City’s Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) at a cost of $20,000. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to accept the Fire Department Policies and Procedures, Policy Number 2015-01, changing Article 6, Section 1, Attendance, to be modified by removal and replacement with the information in Article 4, Section 6, Attendance. After further discussion, Prebeg amended his motion and Zupancich seconded it be contingent on a favorable review by the City Attorney, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The amended motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to accept the recommendation of the Utility Advisory Board and authorize the purchase of 50 water meters at a cost of $110 per meter from HD Waterworks Supply. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to accept the recommendation of the Streets and Alley Committee and direct City Staff to write a letter to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to review, for the addition of turn signals and turning lanes, the intersection of County Road 7 and Highway 169 to alleviate the congestion. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela to direct City Staff to write to Saint Louis County and Canadian National Railroad and request that the railroad crossing on County Road 102, east of Parkville, be kept open, so it can be utilized by the residents of Parkville, the Mesabi Trail, and the snowmobile crossing. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Stanaway to adopt Ordinance Number 01-15, Amending Chapter 70, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). After further discussion, it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Stanaway to amend the motion to the ordinance changing Section 2, Subdivision 1, to “There shall be no parking on east side of Marble Street from 50 200 feet south of Main Street ..”. The amended motion carried.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Zupancich to adopt Ordinance Number 02-15, regulating, the possession, sale and consumption of intoxicating and 3.2 percent malt liquor within the City of Mountain Iron, Minnesota, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 02-15, supporting dedicated state funding for city streets, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to approve the Temporary On-Sale Liquor Licenses for the Soroptimist of Virginia for a “Chick Flick Movie Night” on April 8, 2015, at Cinema 6, subject to the final approval of the State. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to set the Board of Review Meeting for Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The motion carried.
During the announcements, Councilor Stanaway announced that beginning March 17, 2015, there would be a Minnesota Firearms Safety Class held at the Mountain Iron Library.
At 7:36 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Jill M. Clark, MMC
Municipal Services Secretary
