A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, December 10, 2001, at 4:30 P.M. Central Time.

Roll call: Mayor Cram, Councilors Hendrickson, Benda, Nylund and Lind

Also Present: City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk.

Mayor Cram opened the meeting by leading all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Nylund moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 12, 2001 and the minutes of the special meetings of November 29, 2001.

Visitors in attendance included Scott Oberlin and Bill Sliva, owners of businesses in the industrial park, who asked why the current businesses were excluded from the renaissance zone. Mayor Cram indicated he would look into this matter and get back to them.

There was no Downtown Development representation at this meeting.

Maureen Elson, representing the Crystal Falls Contemporary Center updated the Council on events at the center. She also presented a sketch of a proposed garden for the back of the building for the Council to review.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Benda moved to have the Crystal Falls Contemporary Center submit quarterly reports to the City Council.

Motion carried.

Manager Nordeman updated the Council on matters concerning the Riverwalk Project. He noted the contractor intends to continue work weather permitting.

The DDA appointments were tabled pending the receipt of applications and/or suggestions from DDA Chairman Mike Ferguson.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Benda moved to adopt the following revised "Cemetery Policy", effective immediately:

DEFINITIONS:

Monument – A natural stone marker place on a grave site to permanently maker the grave of the deceased.

Temporary Marker – A metal nameplate containing the name, birthdate and date of death of the decedent used to temporarily mark the grave of the decedent until a monument is placed on the grave.

Memorial – Any temporary object made of tin, wood, cement, artificial stone or plastic for example, placed on a grave for the specific purpose to help promote the unique character of the deceased.

Cemetery Management – Shall include the City of Crystal Falls and its employees acting on behalf of the City and specifically the Sexton.

All lots in Block 6 shall have flush monuments only.

All footings for head and footstones shall be flush with the ground and shall allow a 3-1/2" border around the monument.

All lots shall include perpetual care.

Perpetual care must be purchased for the used portion of any old cemetery lot not then covered by care of any kind on the next burial.

All burials, except those of infants, are required to use vaults of concrete, metal or other materials that will not deteriorate.

Tree planting is limited to two shrubs per lot, plated a minimum of 24" from monuments.

Items such as decorative rocks, fences, etc., that are not easily moved are banned, and can be removed without notice.

Fences, curbs, benches, steps, structures of wood or other equally perishable material are prohibited. These structures or enclosures established on any lot previous to the adoption of these regulations, which have, in the judgment of the Cemetery Management, become unsightly by reason of neglect or age shall be removed.

Receptacles for cut flowers will be permitted if installed flush with the surface of the lawn. The use of glass jars or bottles as receptacles for cut flowers is strictly prohibited for safety purposes.

Artificial flowers are to be removed from September 15^th to May 15^th to allow ease in cleaning.

There shall be no arches for hanging baskets and urns allowed.

The Cemetery Management will remove all unkept flowers, trees and shrubs becoming unsightly without notice.

Winter decorations such as Christmas wreaths, evergreen foliage, colored ribbon and other decorations may be maintained on graves from November 15^th to April 15^th as deemed appropriate by the Sexton.

For the best interest and protection of the lot owner, memorials must be approved by the Sexton before they can be placed on a grave.

The Cemetery will undertake to maintain, as may be practicable, the planting of trees and shrubs, to preserve and maintain landscape features, but does not undertake to maintain individual planting or urns or plants.

Temporary markers will be allowed to remain until such time as a monument is placed on the grave. The Sexton has the right to remove any temporary marker, after notice to the family, in the event that the temporary marker has become unsightly or dilapidated.

No elevated mounds shall be built over graves, and no lot shall be filled above the grade established by the City.

Mausoleums or tombs either wholly or partially above ground shall be constructed only in lots designated by the Cemetery Management.

Should any monument, mausoleum or tomb become unsightly, dilapidated, or a safety hazard to visitors, the Cemetery Management shall have the right to correct the condition, or to remove same, at the expense of the lot owner.

No pets, except dogs used by the blind, are permitted in the cemetery unless confined in vehicles, to aid in maintaining the grounds and sanctity of said cemetery.

There shall be no placing of signs or notices or advertisements of any kind within the cemetery. 

Vehicle traffic should not exceed ten (10) miles per hour within said Cemetery. 

The Cemetery Management will not be liable for the interment permit nor the identity of the person to be interred.

The Cemetery Management is hereby empowered to enforce all Rules and Regulations contained herein, and to exclude from the Cemetery any person violating same.

The Cemetery Management further reserves the right to adopt additional rules and regulations, or to amend, alter, or repeal any rule, regulation, or part thereof at any time. Sufficient notice will be given by said Management of any rule change that would create expense of inconvenience to the lot owners.

In Block 10, all monuments are to be centered on the lots.

Motion carried.

The receipt Charles Nordeman’s letter declining his appointment the Iron County Community Hospital Board of Directors was noted.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Councilor Benda moved to appoint Dr. Roger Untalan to serve as a City of Crystal Falls’ representative on the Iron County Community Hospital Board of Directors.

Motion carried.

Manager Nordeman was directed to sign the Administrative Consent Order with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in regards to sanitary sewer overflows and the City’s sewer separation project on Superior Avenue.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Mayor Cram moved to adopt a resolution honoring the late Walter Krajewski for his dedicated service at the Crystal Theatre.

Motion carried.

Said resolution will be drafted by Clerk Olson with Councilor Hendrickson’s assistance.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Councilor Benda moved to re-appoint Helen Barnett and Suzanne Sandri to serve on the Crystal Falls Community Library Board as City representatives for four-year terms which will expire in December 2005.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Nylund moved to direct Manager Nordeman and Attorney Lawrence to draft a Memorandum of Understanding with Baraga Telephone for a parcel of land at the Industrial Park.

Ayes: Councilors Lind & Nylund, and Mayor Cram.

Nays: Councilors Benda and Hendrickson.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Benda moved to approve the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding, with a six (6) month option to purchase, for a parcel of land in the North East Corner of the Industrial Park with a certain unnamed manufacturer.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Benda moved to table the setting of the 2002 Golf Rates pending the completion of the 2000-2001 fiscal year audit.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Hendrickson moved to approve the 2001 Christmas Bonus list as published with 25 full time employees receiving $50.00 and 2 part time employees receiving $25.00 each.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram directed Manager Nordeman to investigate the possibility of reserved parking spots for the post office patrons in front of the post office.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Councilor Lind moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $219,961.92 for the month of November 2001 be approved, and the City Clerk be instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Nylund, moved to accept the following reports for the month of November 2001:

Police Chief’s report indicating 130 complaints, 18 of which were closed by arrest and 3,224 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 3 fire calls; spending approximately 33 man-hours fighting fires; and holding no practice and training sessions.

Chief Electrician’s report of department activities.

Public Work foreman’s report on department activities.

Motion carried.

Councilor Lind reported he had heard complaints from patrons and business owners near the new library site regarding the lack of parking. Manager Nordeman was directed to ask the construction crew to park elsewhere if possible to relieve the parking problem.

Mayor Cram turned over a plaque thanking the City for its participation in the "Tree of Hope" celebration to Clerk Olson for placement in the City Hall.

Councilor Lind presented two possible options for billboards along the U.S. 2 corridor to welcome visitors to the City. Mayor Cram asked Councilor Lind to pursue the project and bring some cost figures back to the Council.

Clerk Olson presented the Council with material and recommendations gathered at a workshop on the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act recently attended by Councilor Hendrickson and herself. Olson suggested review and inclusion on the February 2002 agenda for action on a Freedom of Information Act Policy and rules for the conduction of Council meetings.

There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m.