A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, January 9 2006, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time.

Roll Call: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Thrasher, Valesano, and Stachowicz.

Absent: None

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

Mayor Hendrickson led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to amend the minutes of the special meeting of December 19, 2005, the motion in the 4^th paragraph, to read "Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to direct Attorney Lawrence to draft a letter of censure to City Manager Charles Nordeman regarding the issue of tickets".

Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilor Heikkinen, Thrasher, Valesano, and Stachowicz. Nays: None

Motion carried.

Clerk Olson was instructed to correct the minutes accordingly.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Valesano moved that the Minutes of the regular meeting of December 12, 2005, and the special meetings of December 12, 2005, December 20, 2005, and December 27, 2005 be approved as written, and further, the Minutes of the special meeting of December 19, 2005 be approved as amended.

Motion carried.

Visitor Judy Benda asked why her most recent electric billing covered a 6 week period when the normal billing covers only 5 weeks. Clerk Olson advised that the November readings were taken six to nine days earlier than normal to allow for time off during the deer season which resulted in a longer billing period from November to December.

Benjamin Wood, representing the Medical Care Access Coalition (MCAC) addressed the Council regarding the MCAC in an effort to make the citizens of Iron County more aware of the program.

Steve Gagne, Iron County Housing Foundation, presented the Council with a plan for the re-use of the Crystal Manor building. The proposal was to renovate the manor and also the remainder of the former hospital building into low to medium income housing for the elderly. There was extensive discussion regarding this proposal including comments from architect Ken Dillinger and Frank Groeneveld.

(Councilor Thrasher excused himself from the meeting at 5:55 p.m. to attend an event at the school with his daughter.)

The Iron County Housing Foundation noted they would need confirmation of ownership of the Manor building prior to March 15, 2006 in order to submit an application for funding the project.

Mayor Hendrickson reported the lack of a quorum at the DDA meeting scheduled earlier in the day.

(Councilor Thrasher returned to the meeting at 6:01 p.m.)

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to approve the payment of an invoice from MaryAnn Harrington for DDA clerical services for October 2005 in the amount of $30.00.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to re-appoint Ken Santi to another 4 year term on the Downtown Development Authority with said term expiring November 30, 2009.

Motion carried.

Jeff Sjoquist, Coleman Engineering, reported that the Lind Well pumping test was successful noting that the MDEQ must first concur with the analysis before the City and Township can proceed with a formal agreement on the water project.

Councilor Stachowicz seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to install microphones and speakers in the Council room for an amount not to exceed $2,500.00.

Ayes: Councilors Heikkinen and Stachowicz.

Nays: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Thrasher and Valesano.

Motion failed.

Snowmobile use on open water at Runkle Lake was discussed. Attorney Lawrence advised there are already state laws that regulate this activity. The suggestion of special signage prohibiting such activity on City property was suggested and Manager Nordeman will look into the cost.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the City of Crystal Falls Council has determined the advisability of handling the billing for electrical service and maintenance (Type B) on the Michigan Department of Transportation’s traffic signal controls located at U.S. 2, U.S. 141 (5^th St.) at M-69 (Superior Avenue) and U.S. 2, U. S. 141 (Crystal Avenue) at U. S. 2, U.S. 141 (5^th Street), and

WHEREAS, there is not cost to the City of Crystal Falls, now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Council for the City of Crystal Falls hereby agrees to handle billing for electrical service and maintenance (Type B) to the traffic signals at the above stated locations.

Resolution adopted.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, on the evening of November 15^th in the year 2005, Mother Nature saw fit to dump upwards of five inches of heavy, wet, snow on the City of Crystal Falls and the outlying areas, and

WHEREAS, the City of Crystal Falls is responsible for the maintenance of the electric distribution system in the City and neighboring areas of the Township, and

WHEREAS, the City of Crystal Falls is also responsible for the clearing of snow from its local streets and that portion of U. S. Highways 2 and 141 and State Highway M-69 that pass through this city and in addition the application of sand and/or salt to keep said roadways from becoming dangerously slippery, and

WHEREAS, the City of Crystal Falls employees who’s job it is to conduct these maintenance duties on the electric distribution system and streets and highways performed in such an assiduous manner, working around the clock, some in excess of 30 hours, to restore the downed electric distribution lines, to clear the streets and highways and make them safe, and to field and record the calls of the citizens affected by these inconveniences, and

WHEREAS, the Council for the City of Crystal Falls would like to express its gratitude to each and every employee who had a hand in seeing that these essential services were performed and/or restored as quickly and efficiently as possible,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council for the City of Crystal Falls does hereby recognize and thank the employees of the City, including those in the Public Works Department, Electric Department, Police Department, Mechanic Shop, Clerk’s office, and Manager’s office, and further to thank the employees of the Crystal Falls Fire Authority for their assistance during and after the crisis, for the diligence and professionalism in bringing back to normal the City and surrounding area following the unforgiving wrath of the storm of November 15, 2005.

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council for the City of Crystal Falls is sincerely proud of their employees, truly shining examples of the city’s slogan "City of Community Pride", as proven through their performance throughout this event.

The request from Michael Casanova for additional signage mounted on utility poles was tabled.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to extend the meeting beyond the 7:00 p.m. deadline for adjournment.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to approve the retaining of Jennings, Strouss, & Salmon, at a cost not to exceed $10,000.00, to assist the City in making decisions regarding the contracts for the purchase of wholesale electric energy.

Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Thrasher, Valesano, and Stachowicz. Nays: Councilor Heikkinen.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to approve participation in ATC’s Voluntary Additional Capital Contributions with an investment of $3,746.84.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to approve that Manager Nordeman investigate alternatives for investment of City funds in depositories other than the First National Bank.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher expressed interest in representing the City Council as a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, an organization being pulled together by the Iron County Emergency Services. Clerk Olson will advise the County of his interest.

Manager Nordeman informed the Council of an application through Rural Development for a 75% grant toward the purchase of a new police patrol vehicle.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to set the date for a Public Hearing on the Police Patrol Vehicle Grant Application for Monday, February 13, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. (to be held in conjunction with the regular meeting scheduled for that date).

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to approve the promotion of Kelly Stankewicz to the Public Works Foreman position pending the formal retirement of Dennis Fabbri, with compensation being set upon his commencement of these duties. Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $341,541.32 for the month of December 2005 be approved, and the City Clerk is instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to accept the following reports for the month of December 2005:

Police Chief’s report indicating 104 complaints, 8 of which were closed by arrest and 2,278 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 3 fire calls; spending approximately 53 man-hours fighting fires; and holding 1 practice and training session.

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.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to adjourn this meeting of the City Council.

Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.