Meeting Minutes for May 02, 2016
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
May 2, 2016
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:35p.m. with the following Council members present: Susan Tuomela, Alan Stanaway, Tony Zupancich, Joe Prebeg, Jr. and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator Michael Downs, Director of Public Works Sally Yuccas, Librarian Director/Special Events Director; John Backman, Sheriff’s Department and Rod Flannigan, City Engineer.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Approve the minutes of the April 18, 2016, regular meeting as submitted.
- That the communications be accepted and 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 April 16-30, 2016 totaling $271,763.69 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
- To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period April 16-30, 2016, totaling $279,654.36 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried on a roll call vote.
Public Forum:
- Gary Cerkverick from the City of Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority spoke in regards to a proposal for Rock Ridge Workforce Housing Project.
- Becky Landon, from the Project Group, spoke about proposal for support from the City of Mountain Iron for the Rock Ridge Workforce Housing Project, thus creating affordable housing on different levels. New construction for roughly a 50 unit Rental Housing, funding would hopefully be through the Low Income Tax Credit Program, which would come from a competitive application process from the IRS. Financing would be from mortgage against the property, the Low Income Tax Credit Program and the development of a Tax Increment Financing District. Becky mentioned that they would work with the City to ensure that the standards are met in regards to Criminal background and financial history checks prior to Property Management Staff allowing qualification for housing at this location.
- David Strier, from Newport Partners and DOMUS Development, introduced himself and gave information about DOMUS which hails from the West Coast, mentioned that he would be the contact along with Becky Landon out of Minneapolis, MN.
- Gary Cerkverick mentioned this project was not a guarantee; the City of Mountain Iron would be in competition with surrounding area projects the State of Minnesota would be the ones to allocate Tax credits.
- Rocky Kavajecz stated that this development would possibly spur more development with the area. Mayor Skalko and Councilor Zupancich thanked Rocky from the City of Mountain Iron for all of his help and development within the Rock Ridge area.
Mayor’s Report:
- Condolences to the family of Robert “Bob” Vidmar.
- Happy Birthday to Paul Fisher, 96 on April 26nd, Gladys Johnson, 97 on May 5th
- Thank you to those volunteers that served as Guardians for the 9th Honor Flight on April 30th, taking Veterans to Washington D.C. for the day
- Several comments and complaints, Mayor Skalko asked that the City of Mountain Iron contact Owners of Plaza 53 in regards to fixing parking lot, since it is a private parking lot.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to draft and send a letter to the Owners of Plaza 53 West asking them to possibly fix their parking lot.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to approve the attached Cooperative Agreement; authorizing the City of Mountain Iron to into enter a Cooperative Agreement with Saint Louis County, thus receiving funds through the Minnesota State Transportation Improvement Program (STP) for construction of a pedestrian and bicycle trail (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.
City Administrator reported on following:
- Comprehensive Plan Survey is still available for public input, information and link on the City’s website, hard copies can be obtained from City Hall or Mountain Iron Library.
At 7:25pm it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to recess the regular City Council meeting, so the City Administrator could meet with Gary Cerkverick, Becky Landon and Rocky for questions in regards to technical question for timeline in application due in June.
At 7:30pm it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to reconvene the regular City Council meeting.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve the quote for Concrete work presented by Cone Construction. This project includes the batting cage and pavilion at South Grove for the amount of $15,735.00 as well as sidewalk replacement at the Community Center and the concrete for the new area for the garbage cans at the Community Center for the amount of $13,191.08 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried on roll call vote.
Director of Public Works reported on the following:
- Summer help applications are still being taken at City Hall until May 6th at 4pm, very few applications have been received.
Library Director/Special Events Coordinator report:
- May 12th at 1pm, Norwegian Author
- May 16th at 1pm, Theatrical Character Design program
- May 24th at 10:30 am, Anything you wanted to know about American Indians
- June 8th at 1pm, Pushing Chain Music Program
Sheriff’s department:
- No formal or informal report
City Engineer:
- Cracking to be expected due to cracks being in the sub-base, rule of thumb is cracking to be seen a year after overlay completed. Thus sealing is necessary to help mitigate these cracks from enlarging.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to authorize the City of Mountain Iron staff to seek quotes for up to $20,000 worth of crack sealing for various recently paved City Streets. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to authorize the City of Mountain Iron staff to contact Saint Louis County concerning the condition of Spirit Lake Road, especially North of Residents. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 25-16; stating the City of Mountain Iron whole heartedly supports Saint Louis County’s efforts in developing and approving an ordinance allowing for the operation of ATVs on County Roads (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 26-16; the City of Mountain Iron consenting to the process for the creation of a Tax Increment Financing District in support of proposed Rock Ridge Multifamily Housing Project as presented to the City Council (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela for a motion, supporting the proposed housing development at Rock Ridge stating that this development aligns with the City of Mountain Iron’s Comprehensive Plan (2008), Economic Development Strategy (2010); and that they development will meet locally identified housing needs; and that the proposed housing is in short supply in the local housing market. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Stanaway to adopt Resolution Number 27-16; stating the City of Mountain Iron emphatically endorses S.F. 3582 and stands united in their support to retain local control over the utilization of the taconite revenue entrusted to the IRRRB (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to adopt enclosed proposal QTB033414 with Braun Intertec Corporation and Benchmark Engineering for the decommissioning of the Nichols Township ponds and soil borings to be completed within that area. MPCA approval has been received on all preconstruction submittals and required grant agreement has been entered (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Zupancich to adopt and implement the newly revised Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy for the City of Mountain Iron (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to approve the City of Mountain Iron to enter into an agreement with the Payment Services Network, thus offering residents the option to pay City bills online; Payment Services Network is a partner of Civic Systems which supplies all of the City’s accounting and billing software (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
At 8:08p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried with all members present.
Submitted by:
Amanda Inmon
Municipal Services Secretary
COMMUNICATIONS
- Strong Towns to Host Community Conversations on Economics in the Iron Range, additional smaller luncheon panel discussions, with guest speaker Strong Towns President Charles Marohn. Schedule for events:
Monday, May 16th at 6pm, Grand Rapids, Timberlake Lodge
Tuesday, May 17th at 4pm, Hibbing, Barr Engineering
Wednesday, May 18th at 6pm, Aurora, Mesabi East School-Large Commons
Thursday, May 18th at 6pm, Virginia, Mesabi Range College-Virginia Campus
- Thank you from the Mesabi Family YMCA, for the generous donation to the 2016 Mesabi Family YMCA Dinner & Auction Fundraiser.
