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 11, 2006, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time.

Roll Call: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Smokevitch, Bicigo, and Valesano.

Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Nordeman, City Attorney Lawrence, and City Clerk/Treasurer Olson.

In attendance in the audience were: Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman Engineering, Lynn Perry, Larry Bicigo, John Moon, Marilyn Moon, Geri Trzeciak, Julius Simbob, Emil Bicigo, Julie Melchiori, and Attorney Ron Basso.

Mayor Hendrickson led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved that the minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2006 be approved as written. Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson moved the Crystal Manor update to the next item of discussion on the agenda.

Attorney Ron Basso explained the Crystal Manor Development Agreement and advised the Council of some minor changes needed per the request of the developer, The Hovey Company. He noted the changes are insignificant in his view and a revised agreement will be ready for the Council’s consideration next week. He will also be drafting a purchase agreement with the Hovey Company.

Mayor Hendrickson set the date for a Special meeting of the Council to be held on Tuesday, December 19^th at 4:00 p.m. to meet with the Hovey Company representatives and consider the revised Development Agreement and purchase agreement for the Crystal Manor building.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to introduce Ordinance No. 1.12, an ordinance to provide for a service charge in lieu of taxes for a proposed multiple family dwelling project for person of low income to be financed or assisted pursuant to the provisions of the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966, as amended, and further, to set the date of the public hearing for said ordinance to be Monday, January 8, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. during the regular Council meeting scheduled for that date and time.

Motion carried.

There were no comments from the visitors in attendance.

Mayor Hendrickson reported on the DDA meeting held earlier in the day.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Bicigo moved to appoint Councilor Valesano to serve as the Mayor Pro-Tem.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to approve the Council committee appointments as follows:

Member – Crystal Falls Fire Authority

Golf Advisory Committee

Planning Commission

Downtown Development Authority

Employee Negotiations

Liaison – Community Library Board

Harbour House Museum Board

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

Upper Peninsula Community Services Inc.

Contemporary Center (Primary Liaison)

Crystal Theater Board (Sub Liaison)

Employee Negotiations (Substitute)

Crystal Theater Board (Primary Liaison)

Contemporary Center (Sub Liaison)

Downtown Development Authority

Councilor Jack Bicigo: 

Planning Commission

Industrial Park Committee

CATV System

Employee Negotiations

Crystella Ski Hill

Runkle Lake Park

Lincoln Park

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to approve the Audit Committee Assignments of the City Council for 2007 – 2008 as presented.

Motion carried.

(A copy of these assignments is on file with the City Clerk.)

Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman Engineering updated the Council on the water project.

Councilor Smokevitch seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to approve the Sensus/Itron water meters/transmitters for use in the City.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to authorize Mayor Hendrickson to sign the acceptance of the grant agreement between the Michigan Strategic Fund and the City of Crystal Falls for the Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $510,000 for the Water System Improvement Project.

Motion carried.

Councilor Bicigo seconded by councilor Heikkinen moved to authorize Manager Nordeman to sign a Purchase Option Agreement between Barbara M. DeSonia and the City of Crystal Falls for property described as the NE ¼ of the NE ¼, Section 32, Township 43 North, Range 32 West, the Township of Crystal Falls, Iron County, Michigan (CATV Tower land – 40 acres) in the amount of $60,000.00.

Motion carried.

Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to authorize Manager Nordeman to execute the lease agreement with Alltel for the TV tower property to allow for the construction of a new TV/cell phone tower.

Motion carried.

Discussion regarding a movie channel to replace HBO was brief and it was the consensus of the Council to continue to explore the options available to the City. No action was taken on this matter.

The Wage and Compensation Committee has not yet met, however, a request from the City Employees Organization to include all the department heads as committee members was discussed. The Council agreed, however, Mayor Hendrickson felt that perhaps all the Councilors should also attend these meetings and suggested they meet in a workshop setting rather than as a committee. Mayor Hendrickson set Thursday, January 4, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. as the date of a special meeting to conduct a workshop on the Wage and Compensation Study with the Council and all department heads present.

The concept of using a "Consent Agenda" was discussed. This will be used on a trial basis beginning with the January meeting of the Council.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to approve the Christmas Bonus List for 2006 as presented with full time employees receiving $55.00 and certain part-time employees receiving $27.50, paid on the next pay checks.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to set the 2006-2007 ski hill rates at $25.00/Season and $5.00/Daily.

Ayes: Councilor Heikkinen and Smokevitch

Nays: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Valesano and Bicigo

Motion failed.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to set the 2006 – 2007 ski hill rates at $25.00/Season and $5.00/Daily and further that after six (6) Daily passes are purchased the skier will receive a season button.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to authorize Manager Nordeman to hire temporary part-time help for the ski hill operations.

Motion carried.

The issue of the Fox Sports Net agreement will be discussed further at the Special meeting set for December 19^th.

Clerk Olson was instructed to look into the possibility of selling the used Accuvote voting machine owned by the City and bring a report back to the next regular Council meeting.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to appoint Helen Barnett to another term on the Crystal Falls District Community Library Board.

Motion carried.

Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to advertise on WIKB Radio with three (3) Christmas messages for $100.

Motion carried.

Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to contract with Angelo Diqui to generate digital zoning maps of the City for the Planning Commission to use for the new zoning ordinance at $30.00/hour not to exceed $500.00 total without prior approval of the City Council.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Bicigo moved to adopt the following:

CITY OF CRYSTAL FALLS

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the 2006 Forest Park Trojan Football Team has completed a successful season that extended to the Michigan State High School Football Finals, and

WHEREAS, the Forest Park Trojan Cheerleaders have provided enthusiasm and support throughout the season to help make the games even more exciting, and

WHEREAS, the Forest Park Marching Band has entertained the Forest Park fans with motivating music throughout the games and during the half-time breaks making the games even more enjoyable, and

WHEREAS, the Forest Park Football Coaches, Cheerleading Coaches, and Band Director have dedicated endless hours to these fine young men and women, and

WHEREAS, all of the above have achieved this success through a combination of determination, hard work, loyalty, and teamwork;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council for the City of Crystal Falls extends its thanks and congratulations to these amazing people, who have proven to be excellent ambassadors of this community throughout the State, and further, have given this "City of Community Pride" even more reason to be proud.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Bicigo moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $307,130.69 for the month of November 2006 be approved, and the City Clerk is instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to accept the following reports for the month of November 2006:

Police Chief’s report indicating 207 complaints, 2 of which were closed by arrest and 2,257 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.

City Treasurer’s report on the monthly revenues.

Motion carried.

Attorney Lawrence updated the Council on the Thrasher V City lawsuit noting that a pre-trial conference has been set for January 4^th.

Attorney Lawrence advised the Council of, and offered his congratulations to, Manager Nordeman, who was recently selected as "Mason of the Year".

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.