September 20, 2021 City Council Minutes
MINUTES
MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL
September 20, 2021
Mayor Anderson called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30p.m. with the following members present: Councilor Ed Roskoski, Julie Buria, Joe Prebeg Jr. and Mayor Peggy Anderson. Also present were: Craig Wainio, City Administrator; Tim Satrang, Director of Public Works; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Al Johnson, City Engineer; Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney; and Kevin Friebe, Sheriff’s Department. Absent members: Councilor Steve Skogman.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Anderson that the consent agenda be approved as follows:
- Approve the minutes of the September 7, 2021, 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 September 1-15, totaling $215,913.30 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes),
- To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period September 1-15, totaling $466,983.83 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
Councilor Roskoski discussed his opinion that all of the prior communications were not listed and should be, communications such as MN Dept. of Health Mountain Iron Water report, MN Taconite Aid amount, Tri-City Bio-solids 2022 budget, Bio-Solids Authority 2022 Budget, MN Dept. of Education Public Library 2022 Budget, Range Recreations Civics Center 2022 Budget. Discussion regarding the Merritt Days expenditures ensued, with the City Attorney citing his professional opinion on interpreting the expenditures and if they are permissible or not. Councilor Buria states that money spent for Merritt Days is not transparent, and does believe that spending $20,000 is unacceptable, is not justifiable, does not believe a week is acceptable. The motion carried (3:1) with Councilor Buria objecting and Councilor Skogman absent.
Public Forum:
- No one spoke during the forum
The Mayor reported on the following:
- No formal report
City Administrator:
- Building being constructed in Rock Ridge area will house a T-Mobile and an un-named business
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Buria to approve the annual agreement with our energy provider and service provider, Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), for the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) to help assist residents with utility payments for electricity, for the upcoming heating season starting October 1, 2021. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.
Director of Public Works:
- Sand hauling in the coming weeks for use throughout the Winter months
- Sewer jetting to finish soon
Sheriff’s Department:
- No formal report
- New squad vehicle received recently, shipped to Duluth to be outfitted
City Engineer:
- No formal report
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Buria to approve Change Order No. 1 – or the Well Project– Well Number 3, with an increase in the amount of $44,197.00, to Bougalis Inc., due to the rising cost of materials. The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Skogman absent.
City Attorney:
- No formal report
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Buria to accept the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Committee and approve the Conditional Use Permit for Loretta Sanders at 5728 Mineral Ave, Mountain Iron. The property is legally described as follows:
Parcel Code: 175-0030-00040
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: PLAT NAME: MERRITTS 1ST ADDITION TO MOUNTAIN IRON; LOT 0008; BLOCK 024; DESCRIPTION: LOT: 0008 BLOCK: 024
Address: 5728 Mineral Avenue, Mountain Iron, MN 55768
The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.
Liaison:
- No Liaison reports
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Buria to approve the preliminary 2022 Budget as presented. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Buria to approve Resolution #16-21; setting the Economic Development Authority tax levy for 2022. This Resolution reflects a levy of the same amount as last year, which generates approximately $12,000 for the EDA (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Buria to approve Resolution #17-21; approving the Proposed 2021 Tax levy, with a 3% increase, collectable in 2022, which must be certified to the County by September 30th (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried (3:1) with Councilor Roskoski objecting and Councilor Skogman absent.
It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Prebeg to authorize the Soroptimist of Virginia a Temporary On-sale Liquor License, for their “Chick Flick” Fundraiser to be held on October 20, 2021 at the Cinema 6 Movie Theatre. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.
Announcements:
- No announcements
At 7:18p.m., it was moved by Buria and seconded by Roskoski that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman absent.
Submitted by:
Amanda Inmon
Municipal Services Secretary
