A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, June 7, 2002, 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 Hendrickson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 13, 2002 and the special meeting of June 7, 2002.

Carla Schiavo asked the Council to consider the banning of the use of "Jake Brakes" by the semi trucks using the M-69 detour and also to step up speed enforcement as the trucks are traveling at a high rate of speed.

Carol Hoffman questioned the use of taxpayer dollars regarding zoning variance requests. Clerk Olson advised that the variance fee charged to the applicant adequately covers any costs incurred.

Scott Kenney, representing the Crystal Falls Professional Center updated the Council on their project to be located in the Industrial Park lot #12. Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Benda moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Crystal Falls Professional Center and to proceed with the issuance of a deed for lot #12 in accordance with said memorandum.

Motion carried.

Brian Rose, representing Crystal Falls Springs, Inc. updated the Council on their project for the Industrial Park. Councilor Lind supported by Mayor Cram moved to approve the issuance of a deed to Crystal Falls Springs, Inc. contingent on the meeting of all requirements per the Memorandum of Understanding.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Hendrickson moved to approve the release of DDA funds for the purchase and installation of a Welcome Sign from SherWood Sign & Graphic Design in the amount of $1,056.00.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Councilor Benda moved to release $400.00 of DDA funds to be split equally between the Bass Festival and the Fungus Festival celebrations.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Benda moved to accept the resignation of Susan M. Schwedler from the Downtown Development Authority.

Motion carried.

At 5:05 P.M. Mayor Cram temporarily adjourned the regular meeting to conduct a Public Hearing on the Fire Authority Contract between the City and Crystal Falls Township.

The newly drafted contract for the Joint Fire Authority between Crystal Falls City and Crystal Falls Township called for a 50/50 split of the budget using population and man-hours to calculate each entities share. There were many comments from the audience regarding the fire contract and many questioned the change in the formula indicating the original formula, which included SEV, was fair to both the City and Township. The option to include ambulance services as a task of the fire department was suggested. Comments from those who had attended hearings held by Crystal Falls Township relayed that the people were willing to pay whatever necessary for fire protection.

The public hearing was closed at 5:42 P.M.

Councilor Nylund moved to accept the Fire Authority Agreement as presented and corrected by Attorney Lawrence.

There was no second to this motion and it died for lack of support.

Councilor Nylund then voiced his desire to resign as a representative of the City on the Joint Fire Authority.

Councilor Lind supported by Mayor Cram moved to accept the bid of and amount not to exceed $33,000.00 from Lato Construction for the replacement of the roof on the power plant.

Motion carried.

The only other bid on this project was from Markell Co. of Iron Mountain in the amount of $26,927.00.

Gary Lato, representing D. A. MacPherson, Inc. apprised the Council of their progress in the relocation of that business to lot #13 of the Industrial Park. Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Hendrickson moved to support the MacPherson site plan at the Industrial Park.

Motion carried.

Mrs. Douglas West requested the Council consider the petitions asking for the allowance of a public vote on the proposed campground of Michael Casanova. Attorney Lawrence advised Mrs. West that there are no statutes in place to allow for advisory voting. Several comments were made regarding the dissatisfaction of the citizens along North 6^th Street who had property adjacent to that of the Casanova campground. Mayor Cram thanked everyone for his or her comments and then declared a 5-minute recess.

Meeting recessed at 6:20 p.m.

Meeting reconvened at 6:26 p.m.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Councilor Benda moved to proceed with the execution of a quit claim deed to convey certain property to June Sundquist as per a survey completed by Applekamp Land Surveying.

Motion carried.

John Force presented a Forest Management Plan for lands owned by the City of Crystal Falls. Councilor Lind supported by Councilor Hendrickson moved to enter into a contract with John Force to proceed with the implementation of the suggested forest management plan.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Councilor Benda moved to rent the ball park concession area to Alda Martin for the 2002 softball season for the amount of $150.00, pending Mrs. Martin’s securing of any necessary permits, license, and insurance.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Hendrickson moved to approve the request for the Iron County Chamber of Commerce to host a social evening during the Harvest Festival in the City Hall Auditorium providing liability issues regarding the serving of wine and beer can be worked out satisfactorily.

Motion carried.

Donna Nelson requested the Council waive the restrictions on her deed to lot #60 of Great Western Plat #2 siting that she was led to believe there would be no buildings constructed on lot #59 immediately to the West. She also noted some hardship in the removal of trees on the sight in order to construct a building.

Councilor Nylund supported by Councilor Lind moved to extend the building requirement on lot #60 of Great Western Plat #2 as follows: Construction of a home must be started by November 11, 2003 and construction of a home must be completed by November 11, 2004.

Ayes: Councilor Nylund, Hendrickson, and Lind

Nays: Mayor Cram and Councilor Benda

Motion carried.

Councilor Benda supported by Councilor Hendrickson moved to switch the local telephone serve for all city phones to Baraga Telephone, and further to authorize the Manager to proceed with the installation of a Data Service Line (DSL) for internet connections in the City offices.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram requested Manager Nordeman ask Baraga Telephone to attend a future meeting to update the public on what services, including pricing, are available from them.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Councilor Benda moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $271,490.04 for the month of May 2002 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 Hendrickson, moved to accept the following reports for the month of May 2002:

Police Chief’s report indicating 182 complaints, 37 of which were closed by arrest and 4,007 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 3 fire calls; spending approximately 47.5 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.

Motion carried.

Councilor Benda supported by Mayor Cram moved to approve the final pay request to allow for the closing of the sewer separation project checking account in the amount of $3,009.22, payable to Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C.

Ayes: Mayor Cram, Councilors Nylund, Hendrickson, Lind and Benda

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.