Meeting Minutes for March 15, 2004
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 15, 2004
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 of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Director of Parks and Recreation; Joe Stewart, Sergeant; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; and Rod Flannigan, City Engineer.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
Approve the minutes of the March 1, 2004, 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 March 1-15, 2004, totaling $489,303.45, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
To authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period March 1-15, 2004, totaling $272,210.48, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Dani Raze was present and spoke to the Council regarding establishing a Train Whistle blowing Quiet Zone in the City of Mountain Iron. The Council requested that the City Administrator research establishing a Quiet Zone for the Council to review at the next regular council meeting.
Also during the public forum, several parents from the Downtown Mountain Iron area were present regarding the Level 3 Sex Offender living in the Downtown area of Mountain Iron. The Sergeant announced that a public hearing was scheduled for March 22, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mountain Iron Community Center to discuss the issue.
The Council reviewed the sample ordinance regarding charges for fire calls. It was the consensus of the Council to not act on this issue at this time.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to direct the City Administrator to advertisement for bids for the sale of the 1975 Chevrolet C65 Luverne Pumper and the 1979 Chevrolet C70 Tanker. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski asked the City Administrator who the Library Aid working at the Library was. The Council was informed that the Library Aid was Laura Nieters.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to accept the recommendation of the Utility Advisory Board and adopt the water rates effective immediately upon notification, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to allow City Staff to advertise in the Mesabi Daily News for summer staff and laborers. The motion carried.
The following bids were received on the Eagle Avenue sanitary sewer replacement project:
Jola and Sopp Excavating. Inc. $12,040.00
Utility Systems of America, Inc. $15,860.00
Nick Bougalis Construction $17,431.00
Mesabi Bituminous, Inc. $25,000.00
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to award the contract for the Eagle Avenue sanitary sewer replacement project to Jola and Sopp Excavating, Inc. for their low bid of $12,040.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The City Council reviewed the 2004 Street Improvement Plan as submitted by the City Engineer.
The City Council reviewed the Sheriff�s Department February 2004 Activity Report.
Councilor Prebeg publicly thanked Sergeant Stewart and the Sheriff�s Department for assisting the Memorial Snowmobile Rally held a few weeks ago.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to direct the City Administrator to notify all area Funeral Homes located in Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, and Gilbert to advise them that the Mountain Iron Sheriff�s Department will assist, if available, with funeral processions in Mountain Iron. The motion carried.
Councilor Irish stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission would like the City Attorney to prepare a report on the Tim Anderson situation on Heather Avenue regarding employees bartering for a wage and the business hours with regard to being part-time or full-time operation. The City Attorney stated that he would review the situation and report back to the Council. The Mayor stated that there are several home businesses in Mountain Iron and that he had not heard of any other complaints regarding any of the businesses.
At 7:55 p.m., Councilor Prebeg left the meeting.
The City Attorney stated that he reviewed the FEMA Grant for the fire truck and everything was in order.
The City Attorney stated that he reviewed the application for Board and Commission members and the application looked appropriate.
At 7:58 p.m., Councilor Prebeg returned to the meeting.
Councilor Irish said that the Planning and Zoning Commission would like to know when the City Council is referring someone to speak to the Planning and Zoning Commission to advise the Zoning Administrator of this action and add the item to the agenda.
It was moved by Nelson and supported Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the Conditional Use Permit for James Kerntz, 8522 Dottie Lane, Mountain Iron, to construct an addition to an accessory building on parcel 175-0061-00100. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to set a public hearing for April 19, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. creating an Economic Development Authority based on the resolution that was in front of the City Council. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to set a public hearing for April 19, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. to dissolve the current Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski requested that the Council reconsider removing the recycling bin at Nichols Town Hall in Parkville. No further action was taken.
The Council discussed Ordinance 03-04, amending to Chapter 22 of the City Ordinance. It was the consensus of the Council to send this back to the Planning and Zoning Commission to get clarification on action that they have taken.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 07-04, accepting work on the Unity Drive graveling project, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 08-04, preparation of assessment role, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to adopt Resolution Number 09-04, approving plans and specifications for the 2004 Street Improvement Project, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to adopt Resolution Number 10-04, authorizing the grant application for a public library accessibility grant, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Councilor Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 11-04, declaring adequacy of petition and ordering preparation of report for the installation of water and sewer mains on Spring Park Road, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Nelson to adopt Resolution Number 12-04, to renew the Charitable Gambling Premise Permit for Crane Lake Voyageurs Snowmobile Club at Jay Ryan�s Sawmill, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to authorize payment number three to Lenci Enterprises in the amount of $9,480.90 for the Phase II-Library Interior Renovations. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Prebeg, yes; Nelson, no; Irish, yes; Roskoski, yes; and Skalko, yes.
The Council discussed the Community Center Landscaping. The Mayor stated that this is not a budgeted item, but he would like to see that it is added to the 2005 budget.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to direct the Recreation Director along with other City Staff to formulate a plan to keep the following public parks and spaces free of litter, on a weekly basis between the final Spring melt and snow cover in the Fall: West II Rivers Campground, Locomotive Park, Mott Pit access area, the Downtown School yard playground area, the Wacootah Overlook, the Wolf Park, the South Grove Central Park, the South Grove Recreation Area, the Library yard, the City Hall/Community Center area, the Nichols Town Hall area, the Parkville baseball field area, the Ann�s Acres Playground, the West Virginia Recreation area, the West Virginia baseball field, Highway 53/Old Highway 169 entrance taconite monument site, the City Garage area, and the lift station areas, with a deadline for this request being May 1, 2004 or sooner. The motion carried.
During the open discussion, the Council discussed the ambulance services provided by Virginia.
The Council discussed the Library renovations. Councilor Roskoski stated that there have been some discrepancies on what the Library Board wants completed during the renovation and what the architect is having completed.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Skalko to accept the donation from the Parkville Community Club of $895.49 to be used for the upgrade of the Nichols Town Hall to include the purchase an outdoor bench, card tables and chairs, and sound absorbing materials for the walls. The motion carried.
At 9:11 p.m., it was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
League of Minnesota Cities, forwarding the State of the Cities Report 2004.
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, forwarding a summary of activities.
League of Minnesota Cities, the Friday Fax.
Kari Thurlow, Flaherty & Hood, P. A., an e-mail regarding two different lobbying opportunities.
