Meeting Minutes for November 22, 2004
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 22, 2004
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:31 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; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Joe Stewart, Sheriff�s Sergeant; Karen Luoma, Librarian; and Sam Aluni, City Attorney.
The Mayor congratulated Councilor Prebeg and Councilor Roskoski on being elected to the City Council for another term.
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. 1. Greenwood Cemetery Association
2. Resolution allowing Staff to work with a potential developer
3. Heather Avenue Update
4. Thank you to a City Employee
V. A. 1. Submit 2005 budget requests to the City Administrator
VI. H. Snow Plowing issue
Approve the minutes of the November 1, 2004, City Council meeting as submitted.
Approve the minutes of the November 4, 2004, Special 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 November 1-15, 2004, totaling $162,341.03, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period November 1-15, 2004, totaling $332,332.04, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Richard Jedlicki, 5195 Springer Drive (Mashkenode Lake area) was present and expressed concerned with the plowing of the roads by Mashkenode Lake. Councilor Roskoski said that he was part of the Street and Alley Committee and he advised Mr. Jedlicki that the situation was being reviewed by the City Engineer with regard to the road being up to grade before the City Council would accept the streets.
At 6:39 p.m., Larry Nanti, the Recreation Director, entered the meeting.
The Director of Public Works said that the road had to be brought up to specifications and then the City Council could accept them. He stated that the road would need to be 24 feet wide and 12 inches deep. Mr. Jedlicki said that Springer Drive (the road to Perch Lake) would need to have a cul-de-sac put in because the road does not have any way for a plow or school bus to turn around. The Director of Public Works said that the developer would have to put that in.
Also during the public forum, Frank Oberstar, 8937 Mud Lake Road, said that he has 20 acres of property and he would want to raise 2-3 beef cattle. He said that he would get them in the Spring and sell then in the Fall. Barb Fivecoate, a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said that the P & Z discussed this and it was determined that this would be a non-conforming use and the residents on Mud Lake Road who are farming, were grandfathered in. The City Attorney said that if other resident who were grandfathered in, decide to discontinue farming for one year, they could not start farming again. The City Attorney said that this area would have to be rezoned in order for Mr. Oberstar to have cattle on his property. The City Council referred Mr. Oberstar to the Planning and Zoning Commission to review the request further.
Wilbert Johnson, 5621 Nichols Avenue, said that he was still having blight problems with his neighbor at 5619 Nichols Avenue. Mr. Johnson said that there was no tarp on Mr. Nordlund�s truck. The Blight Officer said that every time that he has checked into the issue there has been a tarp on the vehicle.
At 7:07 p.m., it was moved by Prebeg and supported by Irish to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing on the Redevelopment Plan. The motion carried.
The City Attorney reviewed the procedure with the City Council regarding the Redevelopment Plan.
At 7:09 p.m., it was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
During the Mayor�s report, the Mayor said that Greenwood Cemetery Association would like consideration for a contribution in the 2005 budget.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Roskoski to request financial information from the Greenwood and Calvary Cemetery Association for consideration of an allocation in the 2005 budget. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to allow City Staff to work with a potential developer on a development agreement. The motion carried with Irish and Roskoski voting no.
Councilor Irish and Roskoski said, for the record, that they voted against the previous motion because it is allowing City Staff to draft a development agreement.
The Mayor reported that had received a phone call from Thomas Seitz, 5435 Heather Avenue, saying that he has had two flat tires in the last couple months from the mill feed on Heather Avenue. The Mayor advised Mr. Seitz that the mill feed was placed on the road in the last two weeks. Councilor Roskoski also stated that Mr. Seitz has mill feed in his driveway. The Mayor said that if there are additional complaints with the mill feed, maybe the City will have to add some Class 5 to the road.
During the Mayor�s report, the Mayor said that he wanted to give a special thank you to Terry Niska regarding his work at the Community Center during the “Festival of Trees” event.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Irish that the liquor and cigarette license applications for the period January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005, be approved and issued to the following individuals and business establishments pursuant to the approval, where necessary, of the Liquor Control Commission and pursuant to the payment of all outstanding license fees and charges:
Jeff & Greg Properties, Inc. On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
DBA: B. G.�s Saloon Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
5494 Highway 7 Off-Sale Non-Intoxicating Liquor
Mountain Iron, MN 55792 Cigarette
Mike Lambert Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
DBA: Silver Creek Liquor Company Cigarette
5489 Highway 7
Mountain Iron, MN 55792
Commander Club On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
American Legion Post #220 Off-Sale Non-Intoxicating Liquor
5748 Mountain Avenue, PO Box 361 Cigarette
Mountain Iron, MN 55768
Mac�s Bar, Inc. Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
DBA: Mac�s Bar On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
8881 Main Street, PO Box 313 Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
Mountain Iron, MN 55768 Cigarette
Bruce A. Carlsen Cigarette
Corner Spur
5499 Highway 7, Box 1207
Mountain Iron, MN 55792
Mrs. Joseph Giru Off-Sale Non-Intoxicating Liquor
Little Joe�s Cigarette
5537 Nichols Avenue, PO Box 356
Mountain Iron, MN 55768
Jay Ryan Moehlenbrock Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
Jay Ryan Enterprise, Inc. On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
DBA: Sawmill Saloon & Restaurant Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
5478 Mountain Iron Drive Cigarette
Mountain Iron, MN 55792
Rezavor, Inc. Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
John Gorsha On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
5235 Campground Road Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
Mountain Iron MN 55768 Cigarette
Adventures, Va., Inc. Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
Greg Hartnett On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
5475 Mountain Iron Drive Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
Mountain Iron MN 55792
The motion carried.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Prebeg to accept the 2005 City curbside recyclable materials processing agreement with Saint Louis County. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski questioned why the new recycling area was not ready for the public to use and paved. The Director of Public Works stated that the initial plan did not include paving. He also stated that the project was slowed down by the installation of the gate and slide cards door opening system.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to direct City Staff to seek cost estimates to include paving for the recycling roll off containers and lighting in the plan for the garbage/recycling/trash area. The motion carried.
The Blight Officer requested that an Administrative Hearing be set for the Lapatka complaint.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to set up an Administrative Hearing Board consisting of the Mayor Skalko, Councilor Prebeg, Councilor Roskoski and the City Administrator. And further, to request that the City Attorney attend the meeting. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to direct the Blight Officer to set up a meeting date and time for the Administrative Hearing for the Lapatka complaint. The motion carried.
The Recreation Director advised the City Council that the Park and Recreation Board would be meeting on December 1, 2004 regarding hiring winter employees.
Councilor Roskoski said there is a concern with residents in the Downtown Mountain Iron area regarding some petty thefts occurring. Councilor Roskoski asked if they could set up a neighborhood watch. Sergeant Stewart said that there are additional calls for service and they are patrolling more in the Downtown are. The Sergeant said he would provide some Neighborhood Watch information to the Downtown Committee.
Councilor Prebeg questioned hunting problems in the area. The Sergeant said that the Sheriffs Department Staff have spoken with various people regarding the hunting regulations.
Councilor Irish questioned whether there is hunting allowed on the bike trail. The Sergeant said that a lot of the trail is located in areas that permit hunting.
It was moved by Irish and supported by Nelson to authorize payment request number one to Jola and Sopp Excavating for the Emergency Waterline Connection Project in the amount of $37,170.65. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Nelson and supported by Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the Pearson Variance application, 9232 Old Highway 169, Parcel 175-0071-02055 to place a shed 70 feet from the centerline of Old Highway 169 contingent on the Zoning Administrator checking the measurements. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Irish to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the Pearson Conditional Use Permit application, 9232 Old Highway 169, Parcel 175-0071-02055 to allow two horses on their property contingent that the Zoning Administrator checking to see that the animals are kept at least 150 feet away from the water well. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to set a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting for Wednesday, December 1, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the 2005 Budget. And further, to invite all of the City Department Heads to submit input for the proposed capital outlay items and have City Staff prepare a proposed five year capital outlay plan. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to hereby appoint Councilor Irish to the Board of Commissioners for the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority for a term to expire on December 31, 2005. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to hereby appoint Councilor Nelson to the Board of Commissioners for the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority for a term to expire on December 31, 2006. The motion carried with Councilor Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Irish to hereby appoint Mayor Skalko to the Board of Commissioners for the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority for a term to expire on December 31, 2007 or until the expiration of his serving as Mayor, whichever is sooner. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Nelson to hereby appoint Councilor Prebeg to the Board of Commissioners for the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority for a term to expire on December 31, 2008. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to hereby appoint Councilor Roskoski to the Board of Commissioners for the Mountain Iron Housing and Redevelopment Authority for a term to expire on December 31, 2009, or until the expiration of his serving as Councilor, whichever is sooner. The motion carried with Councilor Roskoski abstaining.
Councilor Roskoski questioned the naming of the roads in Mountain Iron, he commented that they don�t make sense.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to adopt Resolution 44-04, Approving establishment of a Redevelopment Project and approving a Redevelopment Plan therefore and approving establishment of a Development District and approving a Development Program therefore as proposed by the Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
The Mayor stated that he would like to see the Economic Development Authority meeting regularly and aggressively marketing the City.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to direct City Staff to submit a letter and application to the Board and Commission members that have a term expiring at the end of 2004 and request that they submit their application if they are interested in serving another term. The motion carried.
It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to direct City Staff to advertise the openings on the Boards and Commissions in the newspaper, so that the public is aware of the openings and can apply for positions if they are interested. The motion carried.
At 8:34 p.m., Councilor Prebeg left the meeting.
It was moved by Roskoski to have a policy that at all regular meetings or special meetings where the Director of Public Works would not be attending the meeting that the Foreman attends the City Council meetings. After further discussion, Councilor Roskoski rescinded his motion.
At 8:37 p.m., Councilor Prebeg returned to the meeting.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to have the Personnel Committee review the position description for the Foreman and the Director of Public Works with regard to attending City Council meetings and have a recommendation back to the City Council within two months. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to contact Minnesota Power and Lake Country Power regarding the City�s potential street lighting project in the Ann�s Acres area. And further, have the Director of Public Works obtain prices for a standard design light pole (similar to the ones placed in Unity Addition) and have the City Engineer review where the wires should be pulled from and how deep the wire should be buried and have the Utility Advisory Board review this project and make a recommendation to the Council. The motion carried.
Councilor Roskoski advised the Council that the Recreation Building for the Downtown area is being worked on by the ERSTC Construction classes that he teaches in Virginia.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to direct City Staff to write a thank you letter from the City Council to Joe Buria and the Mountain Iron Fire Department for obtaining another FEMA Grant for over $88,000. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Irish to have the Director of Public Works instruct all plow operators assigned to Ann�s Acres that the following be adhered to with regard to the plowing on North Court:
plow as close as possible to the curbs in North Court,
pile any necessary snow that may accumulate in front of the vacant lot, but not on the lot, and
if the snow pile gets so big that it gets in the way of the mail boxes and driveways on North Court, that the snow be hauled away.
The motion carried with Councilor Prebeg and Nelson voting no.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to authorize a contribution to the Mountain Iron-Buhl Comprehensive Arts Planning Program in the amount of $100. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Irish, yes; Roskoski, yes; Prebeg, yes; Nelson, no; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to authorize the City Crew to continue plowing the Calvary and Greenwood Cemeteries as they have in the past, until something is resolved with the City of Virginia. And further, direct City Staff to contact the City of Virginia to develop an agreement for plowing the cemeteries. The motion carried.
At 9:18 p.m., it was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Nancy Larson, Manager, Community Development Division, Saint Louis County, a letter concerning the CDBG Grant for the Library elevator.
Bryan Anderson, Enhancements Program, a memo concerning the Federal Enhancement Funding.
Tim Flaherty, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, a memo concerning meetings with legislators
Minnesota Association of Small Cities, the Small Cities Update.
Comprehensive Arts Planning Program, a letter requesting a donation.
