September 7, 2021 City Council Minutes

MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

September 7, 2021

Mayor Anderson called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30p.m. with the following members present: Councilor Ed Roskoski, Julie Buria and Mayor Peggy Anderson. Also present were: Craig Wainio, City Administrator; Tim Satrang, Director of Public Works; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Anna Amundson, Library Director/Special Events Coordinator; Al Johnson, City Engineer; Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney; and Kevin Friebe, Sheriff’s Department. Absent members: Councilor Steve Skogman and Councilor Joe Prebeg Jr.

It was moved by Buria and seconded by to table the expenditures related to Merritt Days, until the Council can meet with the City Attorney, to determine what is and what is not permissible for money spent during Merritt Days and consent the rest of the agenda. The motion failed due to late of support from a second, with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Anderson that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

1. Approve the minutes of the August 16, 2021, regular meeting as submitted.
2. 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.
3. To acknowledge the receipts for the period August 16-31, totaling $223,284.67 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes),
4. To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period August 16-31, totaling $571,292.12 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

Discussion ensued between Council members and Mayor regarding Merritt days spending. Councilor Buria stated that she would approve the bills for the City, only if the expenditures regarding Merritt Days were removed.

Councilor Roskoski asked that “MN Power contractor,” be added to acknowledge that they will be working with City on Mountain Iron’s electrical distribution system upgrades. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

Public Forum:

• No one spoke during the forum

The Mayor reported on the following:

• Commend the Mountain Iron Fire Department on their success with the Department’ First Annual “Community Steps” event, which helps children from lower-income families by providing shoes to K-12 Iron Range students

It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Buria to proclaim September 20^th to September 26^th 2021, National Rail Safety Week, encourage all citizens to recognize the importance of rail safety education. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

City Administrator:

• No formal report

It was moved by Buria and seconded by Roskoski to approve the included agreement with the Salvation Army for their Heat Share program for the 2021-2022 winter season. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

Director of Public Works:

• No formal report

It was moved by Buria and seconded by Roskoski to approve the recommendation of the Safety Committee and approve the contract for employee training with the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) for the 2021-2022 year in the amount of $12,050. The motion carried on a roll call vote with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

Library Director/Special Events Coordinator:

• No formal report
• Summer reading program participants read 99,450 minutes

Sheriff’s Department:

• No formal report

City Engineer:

• No formal report

It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Buria to approve Pay Request No. 6 – for the Water Filter Replacement Project – Water Treatment Plant, in the amount of $184,543.18, to Magney Construction, Inc. Chanhassen, MN. This amount includes a 5% retainage. The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent (3:0).

It was moved by Buria and seconded by Roskoski to approve Pay Request No. 7 – for the Water Filter Replacement Project – Water Treatment Plant, in the amount of $44,182.60, to Magney Construction, Inc. Chanhassen, MN. This amount includes a 5% retainage. The motion carried on roll call vote with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent (3:0).

Fire Department:

• Fire Prevention week coming up with MIB School
• “Trucks & Treats,” Halloween event

It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by to approve the Fire Department report as presented. The motion failed due to lack of support, with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

It was moved by Buria and seconded by Anderson to approve the recommendation from the Fire Department and establish a committee to explore the building of a new Fire Hall in addition to a possible location in the future. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

Liaison:

• Councilor Roskoski spoke regarding the last Planning & Zoning, progress on canvas storage structures, may require a Variance permit in platted areas

It was moved by Buria and seconded by Anderson to authorize B.G.’s Bar & Grill to serve alcohol at the Brian Ellis wedding on September 11, 2021 to be held at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent. 

It was moved by Roskoski and seconded by Buria to reluctantly accept the retirement of Dennis Riccio, effective October 8, 2021. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

It was moved by Buria and seconded by Roskoski to approve the upgrade order from Schindler Elevator Corporation for the amount of $17,146, plus applicable taxes at the Mountain Iron Library. The motion carried with Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

Announcements:

• Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Merritt Day’s Car Show
• Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Merritt Day’s Treasure Hunt

At 7:18p.m., it was moved by Buria and seconded by Anderson that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried (2:1) with Councilor Roskoski objecting and Councilor Skogman and Councilor Prebeg absent.

Submitted by:

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com

Communications:

1. Minnesota Power is expanding homegrown solar energy on the Iron Range, building an approximately 5-megawatt solar array in Mountain Iron to deliver solar renewable solar power to municipal customers.
2. “Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour Series,” hosted by Club Mesabi will be a series of smaller tours, with about 200 riders, on September 18^th.