Meeting Minutes for May 04, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt with the following members present: Carolyn Olsen, Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Curt Piri, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Deputy Clerk; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; and Greg French, City Engineer.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Brunfelt that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Add the following items to the agenda:
VII. Unfinished Business
C. City Hall ADA issue-Set one or two public meetings
X. Open Discussion
A. Costin Hill
2. Approve the minutes of the April 20, 1998, regular meeting as submitted.
3. Approve the minutes of the April 28, 1998, Committee-of-the-Whole meeting as submitted.
4. 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.
5. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period April 16-30, 1998, totaling $123,926.49, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
6. Acknowledge the receipts for the period April 16-30, 1998, totaling $95,485.26, (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.
At 6:32 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to recess the regular meeting and convene the public hearing on the Cable Television Franchise. The motion carried.
The City Administrator gave a brief synopsis of the legal procedures that the City must follow to allow another cable franchisee in the City of Mountain Iron. He informed the Council that Range TV Cable has applied to work in the City of Mountain Iron. The City Administrator said that he has requested the City Attorney to review and comment on the application.
The Mayor said that the public hearing was set to seek public input on the cable TV application.
During the public hearing, Ozzie Rudlong spoke and said that she would like to see another cable company come into Mountain Iron.
Staff said that there was no written correspondence received regarding the hearing.
Councilor Matanich asked who bears the cost of the cable company working in Mountain Iron. The City Administrator said that there is no cost to the City for the cable company to come into Mountain Iron.
At 6:35 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and seconded by Brunfelt to adjourn the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
Councilor Olsen asked if the information on the proposed Range TV Cable application has been provided to the Cable Commission. The Mayor said that the City Council has to follow formal steps as advised by legal counsel for the process of allowing another cable company to come into Mountain Iron.
During the public forum, the Mayor reviewed a suggestion box letter from Virginia Saari regarding the power shovel located on the Mountain Iron-Buhl School’s property. Ed Roskoski informed the Council that the power shovel was purchased with IRRRB funds that were available to promote tourism and volunteers refurbished the power shovel. He said that a rock was brought there for the bucket to rest on so the school maintenance staff could easily trim around the bucket of the shovel.
The City Engineer recommended approval of the bid award for the 16th Avenue Improvement contract with Mesabi Bituminous.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to approve the notice of award with Mesabi Bituminous for the 16th Avenue improvement project for $122,904.85. The motion carried.
The Director of Public Works reported that a meeting was held with the Personnel Committee to create a Limited/Light Duty Personnel position posting. He further said that this position was created to place Michael Vidmar into and was discussed with Local Union #453, Workers Compensation Personnel, and the Personnel Committee. He requested that the Council authorize the posting of the equipment operator’s position, internally.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to accept the job description for the Limited/Light Duty Personnel, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes) and place Michael Vidmar into the position. The motion carried with Mayor Brunfelt abstaining.
At 6:47 p.m., Larry Nanti, the Recreation Director, entered the meeting.
At 6:47 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Brunfelt to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing on the Eighth Street improvements. The motion carried.
The Mayor explained that the public hearing was required for improvements on Eighth Street between County Road 102 and County Road 103 (Mud Lake Road) for the installation of water and sewer lines. He said that the City could possibly assess the adjacent property owners for part of the project.
During the Public hearing, Joseph Holt, 8557 South 8th Street, asked what portion of Eighth Street would be affected. The Mayor said that the work being completed would be between the Merritt Elementary School west to South Grove.
Staff advised the Mayor that no written correspondence was received regarding the public hearing.
At 6:50 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Brunfelt to adjourn the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
The Recreation Director said that the Park and Recreation Board recommended hiring Caroline Kujala to fill the Part-time Secretary position.
It was moved by Matanich and supported by Skogman to accept the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board and hire Caroline Kujala for the Part-time Recreation Department Secretary position. The motion carried with Mayor Brunfelt abstaining.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Piri to offer the contract for the plate for the Merritt statue to Britt Monument at an estimated cost of $1100.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to post internally for the Equipment Operator position. The motion carried with Mayor Brunfelt abstaining.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to authorize the Director of Public Works to seek quotes for dust control material. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 6:57 p.m., the Mayor declared a recess.
At 6:59 p.m., the Mayor reopened the meeting.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to accept the recommendation of the Safety Committee and approve the safety incentive program, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Mayor Brunfelt abstaining.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to approve the Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Mayor Brunfelt abstaining.
The Council discussed the Mountain Iron addressing system. It was the consensus of the Council to direct the Addressing Committee to proceed with plans and bring the information back to the City Council for further review. Councilor Skogman said that the Committee is considering changing addresses throughout the City, all at one time, with the primary concern being safety by conforming to the 9-1-1 system.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Matanich to set another public hearing to discuss the City Hall issue for Tuesday, May 26, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. at the Nichols Town Hall contingent on Staff contacting Barb Nelson, who has the Nichols Hall reserved for that day, to ask her if she would allow the Council to use the building that night. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to adopt Resolution #23-98, Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans for Eighth Street, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Mayor reported that he had an opportunity to go out to the 40-acre site in Parkville that is being proposed for a housing development and look around.
Also during the open discussion, Councilor Olsen requested that the Council come to some decision on the road through Costin. She said that the pot holes are very big. She said that the weight of the dump is causing the road to deteriorate faster than it would normally. The Director of Public Works said that the road can be patched after road restrictions are removed, which would be about May 11, 1998. The Director of Public Works said that the patching is not going to help and an overlay would only last a few years. It was the consensus of the Council that the options for the road in Costin are as follows: 1) patch; 2) overlay; or 3) use Mining Avenue only.
The Mayor requested City Staff to review the City’s options for the road through Costin, contact U.S. Steel Corporation to discuss the options, and come back to the next City Council meeting with the information.
The Mayor advised the City Council that U. S. Steel Corporation was very receptive to donating land for the St. Louis County Fair to relocate on.
Councilor Matanich said that he and the City Administrator attended the Quad Cities Alliance meeting. He said that the only negative part of the meeting was that Commissioner Gustafson only talked about Biwabik and then left the meeting. He said that the positive aspects of the meeting were the joint ventures regarding the fair grounds locating in the Quad Cities area, transportation for the area, the survey taken in the area, etc.
Councilor Piri questioned the Engineer on how the trail system is coming. The Engineer said that the plans for the Chisholm to Kinney segment have been completed and the Parkville to Gilbert segment is waiting for further instructions from Mr. Manzoline.
The Mayor informed the Council that he would not be able to attend the Board of Review meeting on May 12, 1998.
At 7:52 p.m., it was moved by Piri and supported by Matanich that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
