Meeting Minutes for October 16, 2000
OCTOBER 16, 2000
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Deputy Mayor Matanich called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. with the following members present: Carolyn Olsen, Stephen Skogman, Curt Piri, and Deputy Mayor Joe Matanich. Absent member included: Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Service Secretary; Larry Nanti, Recreation Director; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; Karen Luoma, Librarian; Joe Stewart, Sergeant; and Greg French, City Engineer.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Approve the minutes of the October 2, 2000, regular meeting as submitted.
2. 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.
3. Authorize the payment of the bills and payroll for the period October 1-15, 2000, totaling $163,947.51, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
4. Acknowledge the receipts for the period October 1-15, 2000, totaling $142,153.12, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried.
At 6:33 p.m., it was moved by Olsen and supported by Skogman to recess the regular meeting and open the tax rate hearing. The motion carried.
No one from the public spoke during the public hearing.
The City Administrator advised the City Council that there were no communications received regarding the tax rate hearing.
The City Administrator explained that the hearing was being held to protect the City if the tax rate does increase due to growth in the City. He said that the hearing was mostly a precautionary measure for the City.
At 6:34 p.m., it was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
During the public hearing, Jackie Jenko spoke regarding a concern from the street overlay project by 4 Greenwood Lane. She said that when she leaves the driveway at 4 Greenwood Lane her car bottoms out because the overlay was not brought all the way to the curb.
The City Engineer said that the road surface has been overlaid so many times that if the overlay was brought all the way to the curb this would have filled the gutter and the storm water would have gone into the residents yards. The City Engineer said he would look into the situation further.
Also during the public forum, Larry Johnson said that since the City Attorney was present he wanted to ask about ownership of the pictures for the City History Book. He said that Mrs. Luoma had gone through the History Book and recorded the ownership of the photos listed in the book and he passed out a copy of the list to the City Council. The City Attorney said that Ms Ostman had not contacted City Administration as of this date. The City Attorney said that the pictures owned by the City can be recovered, but the other people who have ownership of pictures in the book the City cannot obtain them for those people. Councilor Olsen said that when she spoke with Ms. Ostman, she said that if anyone approached her and requested their pictures back she would give them back to the person who owns them. The City Attorney suggested that the City notify the people or relatives of the deceased people who have ownership of some of the pictures for the History Book and advised them of the City action regarding obtaining the photos.
The City Attorney advised the Council that the The Trenti Law Firm was preparing a formal report regarding a potential claim regarding the Taconite Tax Distribution. The Attorney said that an estimated cost to prepare a formal report would cost approximately $2,000 to $4,000.
The City Attorney reported on the Lasky�s problem with their neighbor. He said that Staff had taken care of the fencing issue regarding a violation of the Zoning Ordinance. The City Attorney advised Mr. Lasky that the lights shining on his property would have to be taken care of as a private nuisance problem and proceeds through a civil action. The City Attorney said that the City was not in a position to pursue any type of action with regard to the lights.
The Council discussed the Berglund Conditional Use Permit. The City Council requested that the City Attorney update his opinion on the matter and the City Council can review the Berglund Conditional Use Permit at the next regular meeting.
The City Council reviewed the Sheriff�s Department monthly report.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen approve the final payment request to Louis Leustek and Sons for the Community Center/City Hall Frontage Road and Site Plan in the amount of $16,806.43. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to approve the final payment request to Hammerlund Construction for the Residential Housing Development Street and Utility Construction Project in the amount of $25,846.33. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Council reviewed the Park Ordinance. The Recreation Director said that the Park Ordinance was informational and would be acted on at the next regular meeting.
Michael Thomas, Architect from Damberg, Scott, Gerzina, Wagner Architects, was present and reviewed the proposed plans for the ADA upgrades to the Library Building. Councilor Skogman requested that the options list square footage gained or lost with the proposed improvements.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to adopt Resolution Number 48-00, Appointment of Data Practices Official, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to adopt Resolution Number 49-00, Authorizing Tax Rate Increase, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to adopt Resolution Number 50-00, Accepting Work, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to adopt Resolution Number 51-00, Accepting Work, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Olsen to accept the petition for annexation received from Craig Salo and set a public hearing for November 20, 2000 at 6:30 p.m. The motion carried.
The Council discussed the proposed street vacation of a portion of Mesabi Avenue located adjacent to Tom Cvar�s property. It was the consensus of the Council to have the Planning and Zoning Commission review the request and make a recommendation to the City Council.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman to approve the IRRRB Final Accounting Report for work completed in Unity Addition, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.
It was moved by Piri and supported by Olsen that the Council appoints the following to serve as election judges for the November 7, 2000, General Election:
Precinct #1 � Community Center Precinct #2 � Community Center
Jan Stefanich, Marilyn Perpich, Debbie Klander, Linda Strukel, Margaret Florip
The motion carried with Councilor Skogman voting no.
During the open discussion, Councilor Matanich said that the blinds in the building look great and Councilor Skogman said that the background sheet for the agenda was helpful.
It was moved by Skogman and supported by Piri to have City Staff contact the people on the list of people contributing pictures for use in the City History Book and explain to them what the city is doing and advise them what they can do on their own or with the City, to have their pictures returned. The motion carried.
The City Administrator advised the Council that as part of the marketing plan for promoting Unity Addition a billboard would be put up by the end of the month. He also advised the Council that eight lots have been purchased and there are three houses being constructed this year.
Councilor Piri asked if City Staff could have a card printed that would fit in a wallet with the new city hall phone numbers.
At 7:30 p.m., it was moved by Piri and supported by Skogman that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
