Meeting Minutes for September 21, 2009
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Tony Zupancich, Alan Stanaway, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Jill M. Anderson, Municipal Services Secretary; Don Kleinschmidt, Director of Public Works; Rod Flannigan, City Engineer; Sam Aluni, City Attorney; Tom Cvar, Fire Chief; and John Backman, Sergeant.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Zupancich that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
1. Approve the minutes of the September 9, 2009, regular meeting as submitted.
2. 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.
3. To acknowledge the receipts for the period September 1-15, 2009, totaling $496,939.01, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period September 1-15, 2009, totaling $380,097.79, (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
During the public forum, Tom Cvar, Fire Chief, presented the Council with the hiring recommendations for the Fire Department.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded Prebeg to accept the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and hire Jeremy Waldron for Captain/Training Officer and Gerry Knapper for Captain. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Zupancich to accept the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and hire Eric Malaska as a Volunteer Fireman. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Skalko to authorize the Fire Department to advertise for an additional fireman to have the roster up to 20 members. The motion carried.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to authorize up to three officers to attend the Fire Chiefs’ Conference in Duluth from October 15-17, 2009, at City expense. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
The Mayor updated the Council on the following:
– Perkins Family Restaurant. The franchise had been award and would be opening in Mountain Iron.
– Downtown Streetscape. The work was continuing and the lights would be installed in the next few weeks.
– Mountain Iron-Buhl Athletes. Josh Rowe, Football; and Vanessa Aultman, Volleyball are both playing sports for Mesabi Community College.
– Wedding Certificates. Thanked Judy Seurer for preparing the certificates for newlyweds using the Community Center.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to appoint Gary Skalko and Alan Stanaway to the Buildings and Grounds Committee. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Stanaway, yes; Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, yes; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Skalko to reschedule the next regular city council meeting to Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. The motion carried.
The City Administrator updated the Council on the following:
– Contamination Cleanup. Met with IRR and toured sites for funding for the cleanup plan for the dump sites.
– Economic Development Authority. Received a feasibility report for Phase II of the Energy Park. There is still grant funding available for more grading and infrastructure extensions.
– Unity Second Addition. Another lot was sold, making the total lots sold to 11.
– South Forest Grove Addition. Currently determining covenants and lot prices.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to authorize City Staff to research the State bid prices or seek bids on a All Surface Vehicle for use in the Electrical Department. The motion carried with Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to accept the Parking Code Policy as presented; and, in addition to have the one tier fine system of $15 for all violations and then, if the fine is not paid within 30 days it would increase to $50. The motion carried with Roskoski voting no.
The City Attorney reported on the following:
– Volunteer Recognition Dinner. He stated that this was a valid public expenditure to hold the dinner. The City should adopt a written Wellness Program to recognize the employees.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to authorize payment request number one to Lenci Enterprises Incorporated for the Digestor Building Improvements in the amount of $25,702.25. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Roskoski, no; Prebeg, yes; Zupancich, yes; Stanaway, yes; and Skalko, yes.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to authorize payment request number two to Utility Systems of America Incorporated for the Energy Park Utility Extension in the amount of $163,256.38. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Skalko to approve the Mountain Iron Public Library 2009-2014 Strategic Plan. The motion carried.
Liaison Reports:
– Economic Development Authority. Councilor Zupancich advised the Council that the EDA is still working on their strategic plan. There is still some work needed to complete a retail analysis.
– Civic Association. Councilor Roskoski advised the Council that the Culture and Tourism Grant application for $10,000 toward the construction of a canopy over the locomotive was completed and turned into the IRR by the Civic Association.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Zupancich to adopt Resolution Number 42-09, setting a hearing for proposed assessments, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Roskoski voting no.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 43-09, declaring costs to be assessed on the Sixteenth Avenue Project and ordering preparation of proposed assessments, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Roskoski abstaining.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Roskoski to authorize permission to Mac’s Bar and Grill to serve on-sale liquor at the Mountain Iron Community Center on October 3, 2009 for the Hancock/Bryne wedding. The motion carried.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Stanaway to waive the building rental fees for North Saint Louis County Habitat for Humanity for February 5, 2010. The motion carried.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Skalko to City Staff to prepare a Recognition Certificate to Brad Hanson for winning the points championship for the modified racing class at the Hibbing Raceway. The motion carried.
At 7:35 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Roskoski that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.
Submitted by:
Jill M. Anderson, CMC/MMCA
Municipal Services Secretary
www.mtniron.com
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Carolyn Olsen, a thank you letter for completing the overlay project on Old Highway 169.
2. David Ross, President of Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, an invitation to their annual meeting and dinner of October 14, 2009, with keynote speaker Senator Klobuchar.
3. Saint Louis County, Assessor’s Department, notification of the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization training on November 4, 2009, in Cotton.
