Meeting Minutes for May 16, 2005
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
MAY 16, 2005
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:32 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 or Public Works; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; and Karen Luoma, Librarian.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Irish that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
Add the following items to the agenda:
IV. A. 2. Accept Rural Development Loan
3. Seek Bids on the Library Project
V. D. Costin Creek
E. Personnel Committee
F. Economic Development Authority Director
G. City Maps
H. ATV Trail Routing
Approve the minutes of the May 2, 2005, City Council meeting with the following addition:
Page 4, Paragraph 3, add: “Councilor Roskoski said that he felt that some of the discussion items that he asks City Staff at the Council meeting should be heard by all of the Council members.”
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 May 1-15 2005, totaling $121,052.26, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period May 1-15, 2005, totaling $170,896.65, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Joe Buria, Mountain Iron Volunteer Fireman, updated the Council regarding the FEMA grant. He reported that the Fire Department had received 20 SCBA breathing apparatus and they are now in service. He said that there is $7633.00 remaining in the FEMA grant and the fireman felt that the money should expended on an upgrade to the cascade trailer. He said that he spoke with the FEMA Director and they have approved of the expenditure for the cascade trailer. He said that the cost for the new trailer would be $2,750 for the new 6 foot by 10 foot trailer.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Skalko to authorize the Mountain Iron Fire Department to expend the remaining FEMA grant funds to be used toward the purchase of a new cascade trailer. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the Mayor�s report, the Mayor spoke on a tragic accident involving a 22 month old girl in Mountain Iron. He thanked the personnel that assisted in the recovery of the girl. He also said that his thoughts and prayers are with the girl and her family as she is recovering.
The Mayor advised the Council that he spoke with Maureen Sauter, U. S. Steel Corporation, regarding the Minntac Tours in Mountain Iron. Ms. Sauter advised him that the tours will begin the 3rd or 4th Friday in June and continue through August having two tours per day on Fridays.
The Mayor also updated the Council regarding Locomotive Park. He said that the fountain had been ordered and two old fashioned lights had also been ordered.
The Mayor also said that he had some inquiries regarding developing Townhomes in Mountain Iron. He said that he would like to see the Economic Development Authority and the City Council work together using the 20 acres south of South Grove for a possible development.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg that the City contribute $200.00 towards the Presidential Freedom Scholarship to the Mountain Iron-Buhl High School using Charitable Gambling Funds. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to adopt Resolution Number 10-05, authorizing and providing for the incurrence of indebtedness for the purpose of providing a portion of the cost of acquiring, constructing, enlarging, improving, and/or extending its public library facility to serve an area lawfully within its jurisdiction to serve, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). After further discussion, Mayor Skalko amended the motion to have it contingent on the City Attorney�s review and approval of the resolution. Councilor Roskoski supported the amendment. The amended motion carried with Councilor Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to adopt Resolution Number 11-05, approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Prebeg to award the Mountain Manor door openers quote to Northern Door and Hardware for their quoted price of $6,100.00 plus tax. After further discussion Councilor Irish amended to add using the Community Development Block Grant funds for the project. Councilor Prebeg supported the amendment. The amended motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board and approve the following 2005 temporary summer employees:
Summer Staff Summer Staff Maintenance
Andy Prebeg Gage Rautio Jonathan Benz
Samantha Lakosky Brendon Salo
Matthew Mosenthin Jim Bialczak
Jennifer Golobich
With the 2005 temporary summer employees being paid $6.00 per hour. And further, to authorize a contract with Dave Taus to work as the Summer Girls Softball Coach for a total expense of $1,000 for the 2005 summer. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; Nelson, yes; Irish, no; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to appropriate up to $1,000 for City Staff to purchase picnic tables. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The City Engineer reported that the Heather Avenue quotes were set to be opened on May 23, 2005.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and accept the two proposed turn around designs for the roads in the Mashkenode Lake area with the work to be completed by Taylor Investments. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the City Engineer regarding the Enterprise Drive North and Unity Drive street improvement projects. The City Engineer said he was waiting for the Street and Alley Committee to meet to discuss the projects further.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to authorize the Library Staff to dispose of the discarded library books appropriately. The motion carried.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Skalko to adopt Resolution Number 09-05, authorizing the sale of certain property, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council discussed the Mountain Iron Drive curb improvements. The City Administrator said that at this time there is a development proposed for the area and they are now waiting to see how the proposed development progresses before the City proceeds with any improvements.
Councilor Roskoski said that he put the blight ordinance review board back on the agenda for possible consideration of the City Council by holding a Committee of the Whole meeting to further discuss the issue.
The Recreation Director advised the Council that the Blight Ordinance Committee will be meeting on June 20, 2005 at 4:00 p.m.
Councilor Irish said that some of the residents in town had contact him regarding the water level in the Costin Creek and the effects of the water quality in the West Two Rivers Reservoir. City Staff would review the situation.
Councilor Irish questioned the set up for the members of the Personnel Committee. He said that with three of the five members being City Staff members, he felt that this was a conflict of interest. The City Attorney said that the make up of the Committee is similar to other Cities. Councilor Irish felt that there should be an open seat on the Personnel Committee for a Department Head.
Councilor Irish questioned if the Economic Development Authority (EDA) have appointed an Executive Director yet for purposes of calling meetings. The City Attorney said that the Chairman or any two EDA members can call a meeting.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko that the Economic Development Authority (EDA) Chairperson or any two EDA members be allowed to contact the City Administrator and request Office Staff, or anyone else�s help that is necessary, to assist in setting up agendas for EDA meetings in the interim until an official Executive Director is hired. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to authorize the City Administrator to serve as the Executive Director of the Economic Development Authority. The motion carried.
Councilor Irish reviewed the quotation for the printing of a new City map with the City Council. Councilor Irish said that he would review the map printing matter further.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Roskoski to secure the City land required for the proposed ATV Trail that has been presented to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant in aid program along with various other grants. The motion carried with Councilors Prebeg and Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Nelson that a requirement for the job description for the Assistant Librarian position include holding a two year post secondary education AA degree, or equivalent, or that the applicant must be certified through the Minnesota Voluntary Library Certification program. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Nelson, yes; Irish, no; Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; and Skalko, yes.
The Librarian questioned the Council regarding the hiring procedure and the Minnesota Statutes pertaining to the Library Board hiring the employees rather than the Personnel Committee. The City Attorney said he would review the statute regarding if the City Council or the Library Board have the authority to change the job description. The City Administrator said that the City would have to repost the Assistant Librarian position internally because of the job description change.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to allow the MIB Ace Club, which supports the volleyball team, use of the Senior Center kitchen, at no cost, for a fund raiser on September 11, 2005, and to direct them to contact the Senior Citizen�s Club for use of the bingo equipment. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to allow John Morin, ShoreRyders Hydrobike Rental and Services, to obtain a vendor license to operate an equipment rental service at the West Two Rivers Campground. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski advised the City Council that with school closing shortly, the City will have to have the skating building moved from the Virginia High School to the Downtown Mountain Iron area. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Recreation Director seek quotes to have the building moved.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to direct City Staff to contact Architectural Resources to review the crack in the wall in the City Hall/Community Center building for further study and a recommendation. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the Council regarding possible use of the Downtown U. S. Steel Corporation round house in the Downtown Mountain Iron area. The City Administrator said that U. S. Steel Corporation is planning on tearing the building down.
The City Council reviewed the list of communications.
During the announcements, Councilor Irish advised the City Council that Brittany Aultman, a student at Mountain Iron-Buhl High School, had placed first in the Twin Ports Idol contest.
During the open discussion, Councilor Roskoski questioned whether the Economic Development Authority (EDA) had a potential developer that would be purchasing the tailing pond and 40 acres of land by the Brunt Dump. He said that it appears to be a business that would create a lot of activity utilizing 18-wheeler trucks, wood chippers, planers, and other activities. He said that he had a list of concerns that he would like to express to the EDA regarding how utilities would be brought to this sight, Planning and Zoning Commission issues, and possible wetland issues.
At 9:03 p.m., it was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, forwarding the May 5, 2005 brief.
League of Minnesota Cities, forwarding the May 6, 2005 Friday fax.
