Meeting Minutes for September 03, 2013
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Clark, Municipal Services Secretary; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Sally Peterangelo, Library Director/Special Events Director; and John Backman, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Add the following item to the agenda:
- VI. I. Request to serve alcohol at the Community Center
- Move Item IV. G. Planning & Zoning Commission to the first items on IV.
- Approve the minutes of the August 19, 2013, regular meeting as submitted.
- That the communications be accepted and 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 August 16-31, 2013, totaling $2,283,335.57, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
- To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period August 16-31, 2013, totaling $491,882.88, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Deneen Gunderson spoke regarding issues they were experiencing with the lot they purchased in South Forest Grove. She also asked what could be done to allow her husband to come to the City Hall without an escort. She also covered several issues with regard to their purchase of Lot 18 in South Forest Grove. She said that the cost for the electrical hook-up was more than they were advised when they purchased the lot, there were no street lights installed, the corner pin was missing from their lot, and the gas lines have not been put in yet.
Councilor Zupancich suggested that City Staff develop a welcome package for new residents moving in to Mountain Iron and for those that have purchased lots in the City owned additions.
Daniel Schultz, retired from Minnesota Power, now working for JDI Contracts Incorporated, said he was able to work with the Director of Public Works on the proposal for the substation.
At 6:53 p.m., it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing on the vacation of Commerce Street and a portion of Park Ridge Drive pursuant to Minnesota Statute 412.851. The motion carried.
Councilor Zupancich said that this public hearing was for the relocation of County Road 102 for the new U. S. Steel entrance. He also said that there would be no City money spent on this road.
No one spoke during the public hearing and no communications were received.
At 6:54 p.m., it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adjourn the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and authorize the variance for Pentti Mahonen, 4929 Spirit Lake Road, Mountain Iron, parcel 175-0058-00080, for the installation of a septic system with a 75 foot setback from the lake. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and authorize the variance for Ben and Marilyn West, 4919 Spirit Lake Road, Mountain Iron, parcel 175-0058-0090, for the installation of a septic system with a 75 foot setback from the lake. The motion carried unanimously.
The Mayor reported on the following:
- Condolences to the following families. Gladys Smith, Norman Niskanen, and George Teska.
- Fall Sports. He wished all the fall boys and girls sport activities a successful season.
- Sale of Lots. He advised the Council that another lot was sold in Unity Second Addition, making a total of 15 lots sold. He said that South Forest Grove has four lots sold.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to approve the agreement with the AEOA Energy Assistance Program, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to accept the recommendation of the Public Health and Safety Board and begin condemnation proceedings for a residence at 5472 Bluebell Avenue, Mountain Iron. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to authorize the gas service agreement with Minnesota Energy Resources to install gas service to South Forest Grove with the cost not to exceed $8,000. It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to amend the motion to include seeking reimbursement from the Economic Development Authority for the expenses. The amended motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to award the quote for the hazardous substance removal and demolition of the following properties:
8863 Quartz Avenue
5681 Mineral Avenue
8786 Arbor Lane
5620 Falcon Avenue
to Grivette Environmental Management, LLC for the hazardous substance removal in the amount of $12,000 and G-Men from Ely for the demolition for $33,247. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to approve the agreement with the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC) to provide a residential Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) for the City of Mountain Iron. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to approve the bid for the construction of a substation, in accordance with the City’s voltage modification plan and due to the relocation of County Road 102, to Minnesota Power in the amount of $486,000. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Director of Public Works thanked Daniel Schultz for assisting with the planning and design of the voltage modification plan.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to direct Benchmark Engineering to proceed with the sanitary lift station study at a cost not to exceed $11,869, plus reimbursable expenses not to exceed $600. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Director of Public Works informed the Council that City Staff would begin installing the street lights in the South Forest Grove Addition now that houses were being constructed in the area.
The Library Director/Special Events Coordinator reported on the following:
- Monthly Report. She submitted her August, 2013 Library report to the Council.
- Winter Hours. She reminded everyone that the Library had now switched to their winter hours with the Library now closed on Fridays and open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Pre-School Story Time. Would be starting soon.
- Tea on Tuesday. Would be starting soon.
- On-Line. They are starting an on-line book club.
- Old Pictures. City Staff has hung up some of the old antique pictures in the Library.
- Merritt Days. She submitted information regarding the celebration to the City Council. She said the event was a total success and she thanked the City for their support of the event.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to authorize payment request number one to Ulland Brothers Incorporated for the County Road 102 Utility Extension Project in the amount of $293,444.84. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to authorize payment request number one to Hibbing Excavating Incorporated for the Unity Drive Improvement Project in the amount of $25,299.45. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to authorize the first and final payment request to AAA Striping Service Company for the 2013 Striping Improvement Project in the amount of $9,844.00. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the liaison reports, Councilor Zupancich, representing the Planning and Zoning Commission, informed the Council that a citation was issued, for a violation to the Zoning Ordinance, for operating a commercial business off of the Vern’s Greenhouse property. The City is working with the individual to assist him in relocating.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to adopt Resolution Number 24-13, accepting work for the Bluebell and Daffodil paving project, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). And further, to stipulate that the City Engineer work with Mesabi Bituminous to complete the necessary repairs. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich to approve Resolution Number 30-13, vacating Commerce Street and part of Park Ridge Drive in the Rock Ridge Development. After further discussion, Zupancich withdrew his motion.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to table Resolution Number 30-13, vacating Commerce Street and part of Park Ridge Drive in the Rock Ridge Development. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 31-13, approving the proposed 2013 tax levy, collectable in 2014, representing a zero percent levy increase, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to adopt Resolution Number 32-13, adopting the 2014 market rate based referendum levy for the General Obligation Community Center bonds and interest, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 33-13, concerning the 2013 Economic Development Authority Tax Levy, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 34-13, calling a hearing on proposed assessments for the County Road 7 Water Main Extension Project, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to set a public hearing for Monday, December 2, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. for public input on the 2014 budget and levy. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to adopt the Master Road Agreement between the City, the Economic Development Authority, and U. S. Steel Corporation, as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Tuomela to approve the release of access agreement between the City of Mountain Iron and the Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority, as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela to authorize Mac’s Bar, Inc., dba: Mac’s Bar, to serve alcohol at the Sopp Wedding Reception on September 14, 2013, at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The motion carried unanimously.
The Council reviewed the list of communications. The City Administrator announced that the Greater Minnesota Agency informed the City that the 2014 Blue Cross/Blue Shield renewal would have a small increase of 1.5%.
At 7:46 p.m., it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to recess the regular meeting and enter into a closed meeting to discuss negotiation with management personnel, following a 10 minutes recess. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Mayor Skalko called the closed meeting to order at 7:57 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator.
The Council discussed the management contract negotiations for Sally Peterangelo.
At 8:34 p.m., it was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela that the closed meeting be adjourned and reconvene the regular meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to approve the management contract for Sally Peterangelo, Library Director/Special Events Coordinator, as presented. The motion carried with Prebeg and Tuomela voting no.
At 8:38 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried unanimously.
Submitted by:
Jill M. Clark, MMC
Municipal Services Secretary
COMMUNICATIONS
1. The Greater Minnesota Agency, forward the health insurance renewal information.
2. Tri-Cities Biosolids Disposal Authority, forwarding the 2014 budget information.
3. Biosolids Disposal Site Authority, forwarding the 2014 budget information.
4. Minnesota Department of Health, forward the sanitary survey report for the Mountain Iron Public Water System.
