Meeting Minutes for May 18, 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, Curt Piri, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Absent member included: Joe Matanich. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Deputy Clerk; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; and Nick Dragisich, City Engineer.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Approve the minutes of the May 4, 1998, regular meeting as submitted.
2. Approve the minutes of the May 12, 1998, board of review meeting as submitted.
3. 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.
4. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period May 1-15, 1998, totaling $153,868.59, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
5. Acknowledge the receipts for the period May 1-15, 1998, totaling $129,327.85, (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.
During the public forum, Roger Suihkonen, Norwest Bank Minnesota North and Mike Thomas, Damberg, Scott, Gerzina, and Wagner Architects, both representing the Quad Cities Alliance Group, spoke regarding a joint venture with the Quad Cities Alliance for common signage for all four Cities. They distributed a picture showing the proposed concept for the maintenance free signs. They said that the cost would be approximately $15,000 per sign. Mr. Suihkonen said that the Virginia City Council has given their approval for the purchase of one Quad Cities sign. Mr. Suihkonen said they were looking for each of the Quad Cities to purchase one entrance sign and any other signage in the City would be the responsibility of the City and they would like to keep all of the signs consistent with the design. Mr. Suihkonen said that the Alliance would be approaching the IRRRB for a 50% match for the sign purchases. Mr. Suihkonen said that the Alliance is looking for support for the project from the Mountain Iron City Council contingent on the approval of all four of the Quad Cities. Mr. Thomas informed the Council that the City can use in-kind services for the grant match with City crews completing some earthwork for the signs or other work.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Olsen to go on record supporting the Quad Cities Sign Project and to allow the City of Mountain Iron to purchase one of the Quad Cities Signs at a cost of $15,000 contingent on all four cities participating. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Also during the public forum, John Rappuchi spoke with the Council regarding the tractor trailer traffic through his neighborhood. He said that it takes away from the aesthetics of the neighborhood. He said that they are paying taxes in Mountain Iron and they should have something better than tractor trailer traffic by their house. He said that the problem has been getting worse. He recommended several options to have the Council look at to improve the problem: 1) have the trucks enter by driving adjacent to the railroad tracks from Southern Drive; or, 2) construct a new road that would run east and parallel to 19th Street adjoining the rail yard property. He said that he has now presented the problem to the Council and he wants to know what action the Council will take. The Director of Public Works said that Ninth Street is a nine-ton road and is designated as a truck route and 19th Avenue is a five-ton road and is constructed for truck traffic. The Director of Public Works also said that there would be an enormous land acquisition to put in another road parallel to 19th Street.
The Mayor directed the City Administrator and the Director of Public Works to work with the City Engineer, on an as needed basis, to look at the feasibility of rerouting the truck traffic off Ninth Street by looking into the options of a new road or rerouting the truck traffic. He further requested that the City Administrator contact Sergeant Stewart to patrol more in the area of Ninth Avenue and look for traffic violations. The Mayor asked that the City Administrator keep Mr. Rappuchi updated on the progress and to put the truck traffic problem on Ninth Street on the next City Council meeting agenda. The Mayor requested Mr. Rappuchi to attend the June 1st City Council meeting if he were available.
Also during the public forum, Ed Roskoski spoke to the City Council regarding assessing the property owners in Ann’s Acres Addition for the installation of water meters. Mr. Roskoski said that no other property owner in Mountain Iron has been assessed for the installation of water meters.
Also during the public forum, Ed Roskoski advised the Council that he is the Secretary for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and he takes notes at the meetings and prepares the minutes. He said that someone has been changing the minutes as he had written them. He said that this is a serious problem because the context of the minutes is being changed. The Mayor authorized Mr. Roskoski to discuss the minute typing procedure with the Internal Secretary.
The City Attorney reported that the condemnation suit for the 40-acre parcel owner by the State of Minnesota has been started and the court date before Judge Berger is set for June 16, 1998. The City Attorney felt that the suit should go smoothly.
The City Attorney reported that the Harold McGregor situation is being taken care of. Mr. McGregor has said two of the three houses in South Grove have been sold. The Mayor requested the City Attorney to keep the Council updated on the progress of the house moves.
The City Engineer updated the Council on the following projects:
1) Eighth Street Utility Extension Project-preliminary plans have been prepared and left at the City Hall. The City Attorney has prepared the paperwork for the right-of-way and he requested that staff send letters to the owners and taxpayers of the affected area. He said that the plans still have to be sent to the Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
2) 18th Avenue Project-the sidewalks have been placed and the wear course needs to be laid.
3) 16th Avenue Project-he said that the contractor has begun digging out the pavement and inadvertently took out about ten feet more than required. He said that the City is not responsible for payment of their error.
4) Costin Road-Greg French has put together the cost estimates for Costin road and they are in the Council packet.
The Recreation Director brought up the YMCA’s grant proposal of $20,000. The Council asked the Recreation Director where the funds would come from for this proposal. He said that there is no funding approved at this time and the Park and Recreation Board made no recommendation to the Council. The Council took no formal action on the request from the YMCA.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to approve the memorandum from Sergeant Joe Stewart regarding rules and policies for the West II Rivers Campground, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Director of Public Works reported that there was a request for Utility Truck Bids and there were no bidders. The Director of Public Works felt that approximately $10,000 would be spent for the body and $20,000 for truck. He said that the options are to look for a 1998 truck that is on a car lot now or wait for the 1999 trucks to come out and request bids again. The Director of Public Works asked the Council for approval to negotiate on a truck.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to have the Director of Public Works re-bid when the 1999 trucks prices are available and have the bid state a 1998 or 1999 truck. The motion carried.
The Director of Public Works advised the Council that the following quotes were received for the Asphaltic concrete Surface Maintenance Services:
Northwest Asphalt Maintenance, Inc. $0.59/unit price
RR 2, Box 172, Goodridge, MN per lb. installed
Daffinson, Inc. $0.74/unit price
1311 Contract Drive, Green Bay, WI per lb. installed
(Three yr. warranty)
Bergman Companies, Inc. of Wisconsin $0.86/unit price
Box 658, Eau Claire, WI per lb. installed
TNT Sealers $1.00/unit price
1104 West First Street, Eveleth, MN per lb. installed
The Director of Public Works recommended awarding the quotation to Northwest Asphalt Maintenance, Inc. at the unit price of $0.59 per pound installed for approximately $20,000.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to award the crack sealing quotes to Northwest Asphalt Maintenance Incorporated for the unit price of $0.59 per pound installing approximately $20,000 of material with a three-year warranty. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Director of Public Works advised the Council that the Limited Light Duty Personnel Position was filled and that created an open Equipment Operator Position. The Equipment Operator position was filled and now that has created an open Labor Position. The Director of Public Works requested Council authorization to post both internally and externally for the Labor Position. He said that he would obtain a letter from the union to waive the internal posting.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to allow the Director of Public Works to post both externally and internally for a Permanent Full-time Labor Position. The motion carried with Mayor Brunfelt abstaining.
It was moved by Brunfelt and supported by Skogman to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the building permit for L. W. Anderson Properties to remodel the old Pamida building on parcel 175-0071-01217. The motion carried.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the variance from the setback requirements to Arthur C. Ostman on parcel 175-0071-02055. The motion carried.
The Council discussed the options regarding Old Highway 169 through the Costin area.
It was moved by Olsen and supported by Piri to accept Option #3 and overlay Old Highway 169 in Costin at an estimated cost of $40,026.00 and budget in 1999 for the remaining portion of Old Highway 169 to be overlaid to County Road 761. The motion failed on the following roll call vote: Olsen, yes; Skogman, no; Piri, yes; Brunfelt, no.
The Mayor requested the Director of Public Works to have the City Crew put hot mix on Old Highway 169 in Costin to repair the road.
The Mayor said that the City needs a street overlay plan completed with a time table to complete street projects. He felt that a committee should be set up to review the street overlay plan. The Mayor requested that 1) set up a committee for the street overlay plan and 2) Director of Public Works update the Council on the repairs to Old Highway 169 in Costin, be put on the next City Council agenda.
The City Engineer advised the Council that there are state guidelines for road rating.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Brunfelt to adopt Resolution #24-98, Local Government Resolution, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
The Mayor had nothing to report.
At 7:55 p.m., it was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
