September 8, 2020 City Council Minutes

 MINUTES

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

September 8, 2020

Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:32p.m. with the following members present: Councilor Joe Prebeg Jr., Alan Stanaway, Julie Buria, Steve Skogman, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig Wainio, City Administrator; Tim Satrang, Director of Public Works; Anna Amundson, Library Director/Special Events Coordinator; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Al Johnson, City Engineer; Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney; and SGT Backman, Sheriff’s Department.

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Buria that the consent agenda be approved as follows:

1. Approve the minutes of the August 17, 2020, regular meeting with amended below.
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 $240,912.43 (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 $553,120.52 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).

 To amend the August 17, 2020 City Council minutes, to include “Carolyn Olsen spoke during the Public Forum stating, “My letter is in the packet regarding opening the Senior Citizen’s Center, if anyone had any questions I am here on behalf of the Senior Citizens Club, and that she would be happy to answer them

The motion carried.

Public Forum:

• Ed Roskoski wanted to give a big thank you to the City employees, which helped with the removal of several large trees, which were leaning on Mediacom and Century Link lines in the Ann’s Acres area.
• Discussion regarding re-opening of City Buildings ensued by Councilor members, City Attorney, City Administrator and Carolyn Olsen;
• Carolyn Olsen, spoke on behalf of the Senior Citizens Club questioning the status of re-opening the Senior Citizen’s Center for usage
• Councilor Skogman stated the buildings should be opened on a case by case scenario, individuals buildings should not all be lumped together, as they all operate for different functions/gatherings, day by day struggle on how things are run
• Councilor Prebeg stated that a plan should be in place before any buildings should be opened, safeguards should be in place for everyone, everyone can get sick, not one person is exempt. Overall opening plan should be created for all City buildings, just not one building or group.
• Councilor Buria stated that it is just another building, relationships are crucial to seniors just like everyone else, need socialization, can’t stay cooped up, need to live
• Councilor Stanaway asked if there were some language which is specific and can be designed for the Seniors for their small gatherings, any future groups would have to have a specific plan outlined for them for usage of buildings as well
• Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney spoke about the administrative challenges it poses in regards to the re-opening the wide span of buildings the City operates due to the wide-ranging activities and usages of them, no two buildings are the same. The most challenging part is to designate the different requirements for each building, requirements are simply just putting sanitizer at the front door or wearing masks, it will include all City departments participating

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Buria to have City Staff and the City Attorney work with the Senior Citizens to develop a plan to re-open the Senior Citizen’s Center for Senior use only. The motion carried on a roll call vote (No: Prebeg, Skalko Yes: Stanaway, Skogman, Buria)

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Prebeg to have City Staff and the City Attorney work together to create a plan the re-opening of buildings, plan should include on how it will be open, who can use it and the qualifications for usage of the Nichols Town Hall, Community Center in addition to Library and other City Buildings. The motion carried.

The Mayor reported on the following:

• Condolences to the family and friends of Ellen Pevach
• Condolences to the family and friends of Shirley Kuntz
• Condolences to the family and friends of Shirley Peterson-Chipman
• Condolences to the family and friends of John Ulicsni
• Condolences to the family and friends of Steve Kaupilla
• Thank you to all those who are keeping the country moving forward!

It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Skogman to set a Labor Management meeting with Union Representatives, for Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 2:00pm at City Hall, with Councilor Stanaway as the Council Representative. The motion carried.

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Buria to proclaim October 15^th, 2020 be recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and publish proclamation in the Hometown Focus and post on social media. The motion carried.

City Administrator:

• Executive order and provisions in place which must be followed in regards to re-opening buildings

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Prebeg to authorize City Staff to purchase a 2020 Ford F150 from Lundgren Motors for an amount not to exceed $45,846, funding to come from the CARES Act funding to help maintain social distancing between City Crew members. The motion carried on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Buria to approve the included agreement with the Salvation Army for their Heat Share program for the 2020-2021 year, and that the City purchase 100 inserts for distribution. The motion carried.

Director of Public Works:

• Large Trash pickup will begin
• Slips and payment due by September 10^th to City Hall
• Starts September 14^th and run through September 25^th
• Large trash pickup done primarily by grapple hook and other large equipment
• Training was conducted with Utility Logic
• New utility locator will be used to better conduct utility locates
• Repairs being conducted on streets in certain locations

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve the recommendation of the Safety Committee and approve the contract for employee training with the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) for the 2020-2021 year in the amount of $11,700. The motion carried on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Buria to authorize City Staff to purchase 49 utility poles from Bell Lumber & Pole Co., New Brighton, MN for the total bid price of $14,997. The motion carried on a roll call vote.

Library Director/Special Events Coordinator:

• No formal report
• Open to suggestions and guidance for safe re-opening of the Library

Sheriff’s Department:

• No formal report

City Engineer:

• Water Tower project nearing completion

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve Pay Request #2 for the 2020 Mountain Iron Drive Reconstruction Project to KGM Contractors in the amount of $108,431.58. The motion carried on a roll call vote.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and hire Jared Ecklund to the Mountain Iron Fire Department as paid on call firefighters, contingent on physical and background check. The motion carried.

It was moved by Skogman and seconded by Buria to approve Resolution #17-20; Authorizing the City of Mountain Iron to make an application to and accept funds from the Community Infrastructure Grant Program from the Department of IRRR, (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried.

It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Skogman to approve Resolution #18-20; setting the Economic Development Authority tax levy for 2021. 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 unanimously.

It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to approve Resolution #19-20; approving the Proposed 2020 Tax levy, with a 6% increase, collectable in 2021, which must be certified to the County by September 15^{th (}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 approve Resolution #20-20; Reaffirming the Council’s Commitment to Service as presented (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.

At 7:49p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Buria that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried.

Submitted by:

Amanda Inmon

Municipal Services Secretary

www.mtniron.com

Communications:

1. Thank you from the Mountain Iron-Buhl High school Class of 2020 for the support and donation to the MIB “All Night Chemical Free,” Graduation Party.
2. Minnesota Department of Health reported that the City of Mountain Iron’s recent lead/copper monitoring required by the Safe Drinking Water Act has not exceeded the level which action would be require, deeming it safe.