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 9, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. Central Time.

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

Absent: Mayor Hendrickson

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

Mayor-Pro Tem Valesano led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilor Heikkinen requested that the Electric Department for the month of May be removed from the consent agenda for further discussion.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Bicigo moved that the items on the Consent Agenda be approved as noted below:

The minutes of the meetings of May 12, 2008, May 22, 2008 and June 2, 2008 as written.

The following reports for the month of May 2008:

A. Police report, as submitted by Police Chief Sherwin, indicating 231 complaints, of which 10 were closed by arrest, and logging of 3,501 miles on patrol duty.

B. Joint Fire Authority report, as submitted by Fire Chief Ahola, indicating answering five (5) fire calls; spending approximately 76.5 man-hours fighting fires; and holding one (1) practice and training sessions.

C. Public Works Dept report as submitted by Foreman Kelly Stankewicz.

D. Treasurer’s Revenue Report as submitted by Clerk/Treasurer Dorothea Olson.

Payrolls and Disbursements in the amount of $382,816.49 and instruct the City Clerk/Treasurer to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Iron County Fairbook Ad for $80.00.

Ayes: Councilors Heikkinen, Smokevitch, Valesano, and Bicigo. Nays: none Absent: Mayor Hendrickson
Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen updated the Council on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting held earlier in the day.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to approve the payment of $78.40 to Mary Ann Harrington for secretarial services and postage for the DDA.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to agree to the cooperative recycling plan with Crystal Falls Township which offers recycling to the residents and businesses of both municipalities each month on the 2^nd Thursday (at the Township Hall) and the Last Tuesday(at the City Hall).

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to approve the DDA expenditure of $1000.00 toward the purchase of the new copier with $500.00 allocated immediately and another $500.00 after October 1, 2008.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Valesano to approve the DDA expenditure of $200.00 for flowers for the planter boxes pending the completion of the landscape work on the MDOT contract.

Motion carried.

Manager Nordeman advised the Council that Santi Diversified, LLC has returned the "Offer to Purchase Real Estate" for the public parking area with a change that shortens the term of the agreement to 45 working days. Attorney Lawrence noted that he was not previously aware of this change and will review and re-draft the agreement for Council consideration.

Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman Engineering updated the Council on water project matters. He noted that about 50 meters remain to be installed at this point.

Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to approve the MEDC Grant payment request in the amount of $29,786.47 for the water meter project.

Motion carried.

Manager Nordeman advised the Council that he has obtained a document regarding the alternative retirement plan for future hires and would forward a copy to each for their review.

Geoffrey Lawrence, speaking on behalf the Crystal Theatre Board, asked the Council to consider the receipt of a Quit Claim Deed for the Costume Closet building, which was recently donated to the Theater Board, in order that the City may insure the building with the Theater Board reimbursing the cost of the premium to the City. Action on this request was postponed to a future meeting.

Manager Nordeman reported that a campground host is now in place at the Runkle Lake Park Complex and will be there until the end of August. He also noted that the raft will not be put out as no lifeguards have been hired for this season at the park.

Chief Electrician, David Graff, reviewed the need to require electrical service upgrades on some 30 homes on the City’s electric distribution system. He noted safety concerns and lost revenue from old meters as primary reasons to require that these services be upgraded. Attorney Geoffrey Lawrence said he is still researching the use of public funds to assist in these upgrades.

Manager Nordeman asked the Council to consider making it a requirement that all newly elected officials attend training. Action on this item was postponed to the July Council meeting.

Regarding the request from the Iron County Little League that the City purchase break-away bases it was learned that bases had already been delivered to the park. Manager Nordeman will investigate further to see if the need for bases still exists.

Manager Nordeman announced to the Council that the presentation of the check from Rural Development for the 2008 Police Patrol vehicle will take place on June 26, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Iron River City Hall.

Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to advertise the old AR-160 copier for sale on bids with the minimum bid set at $50.00.

Motion carried.

Councilor Smokevitch seconded by Councilor Bicigo moved to accept the May 2008 Electric Department report.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to adjourn this meeting.

Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.