A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, July 11, 2005, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time.

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

Absent: None

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

Mayor Hendrickson led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilor Stachowicz seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of June 13, 2005 and special meeting of June 27, 2005 be approved as written.

Motion carried.

Rudy Dalpra shared his ideas on the re-use of the Manor building as a community center.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to authorize Police Chief Bicigo to apply for a 2005 – 2006 Snowmobile Patrol Grant.

Motion carried.

Tom Flaminio of STS Consultants explained the contamination at the Urban Avenue Iron County Road Commission building site.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to postpone a decision on a commitment to keep Urban Avenue as an active roadway.

Motion carried.

Manager Nordeman reported on the water system leak detection progress and advised that Coleman Engineering will compile a full report in the near future.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to set the Public Hearing for the 2005-2006 Fiscal Year Budget to be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at 3:00 p.m.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to extend the deadline for submission of the proposed budget to the Council by the City Manager to Friday, July 22, 2005.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Stachowicz to adjust the truck permit rates for passage over City property to be $500.00/month or $2,000.00/6 months.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson announced the receipt of a check for $1,000.00 from the V J Day Committee to be used for playground equipment at the Riverwalk. The consensus of the Council was to invest this money and earmark it for said equipment with hopes of adding to it in the future.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved that, in addition to the insurance premium, the maximum annual amount the City will contribute toward the Health Savings Account of any employee hired after July 1, 2005 will be $1,000.00 and that all other co-pays and deductibles will be the responsibility of the employee.

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

Motion carried.

Manager Nordeman was directed to contact forester John Force regarding the possible harvest of trees at Runkle Lake Park.

A lengthy discussion ensued regarding ORV use in the City. Manager Nordeman was directed to meet with Police Chief Bicigo to see what could be done to curb the ORV problem.

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

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to approve the hiring of Eric Peterson as an electric department apprentice lineman pending the completion of drug screening, background check, and physical. Mr. Peterson will start employment with the City at Electrician Step #2 ($15.44/hour).

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to increase the fee for Home Box Office (HBO) to $11.00/month effective with the January 2006 billing.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to renew the contract for the Discovery Channel Network through the year 2014.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to offer the float trailer for sale on bids, the minimum bid to be set at $300.00 with the deadline for bids is set for Monday, August 8, 2005 at 4:00 p.m.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $244,358.87 for the month of June 2005 be approved, and the City Clerk is instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to approve the disbursements from the Electric Utility Construction Account in the amount of $44,214.56 as drawn on checks #1079-1082 by the City Clerk.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Valesano, moved to accept the following reports for the month of June 2005:

Police Chief’s report indicating 199 complaints, 5 of which were closed by arrest and 2,818 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 5 fire calls; spending approximately 97 man-hours fighting fires; and holding 1 practice and training sessions.

Chief Electrician’s report of department activities.

Public Work foreman’s report on department activities.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to change the date of the next regular meeting of the City Council to be Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at 5:00 p.m.

Motion carried.

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

Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.