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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 14, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. Central Time. Roll Call: Mayor Pro-Tem Valesano, Councilors Heikkinen, Bicigo, and Smokevitch. Absent: Mayor Hendrickson Also Present: City Manager Nordeman, City Attorney Lawrence, and City Clerk/Treasurer Olson. Visitors in attendance were: Dave Graff, Tom Jayne, Scott McNeilis, Kim Hilberg, Bill Santilli, John Bendick, Lynn Perry, Pat Brown, Chris McCarthy, and Carmen Steiro. Mayor Pro-Tem Valesano led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Pro-Tem Valesano explained Mayor Hendrickson’s absence was due to an injury that resulted in her hospitalization and extended wishes of a speedy recovery. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved that the items on the Consent Agenda be approved as noted below: The minutes of the meetings of December 10, 2007 and December 17, 2007, as written. The following reports for the month of December 2007: B. Joint Fire Authority report, as submitted by Fire Chief Ahola, indicating answering two (2) fire calls; spending approximately 33.5 man-hours fighting fires; and holding no practice and training sessions. C. Electric Dept report as submitted by Chief Electrician David Graff. D. Public Works Dept report as submitted by Foreman Kelly Stankewicz. E. Treasurer’s Revenue Report as submitted by Clerk/Treasurer Dorothea Olson. Payrolls and Disbursements in the amount of $418,908.62 and instruct the City Clerk/Treasurer to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same. The Annual Report from the Contemporary Center and the release of the annual support from the City in the amount of $1,100.00. Ayes: Mayor Pro-Tem Valesano, Councilors Heikkinen, Smokevitch, and Bicigo.
Nays: none Absent: Mayor Hendrickson Motion carried. A "Congratulations" banner sent for the Forest Park Football and Volleyball teams from Hovey Companies, the developer of the Crystal Manor, was presented by Mayor Pro-tem Valesano to Superintendent Tom Jayne, Football coaches Bill Santilli and Dave Graff, Volleyball coach Kim Hilberg, and athletes Chris McCarthy and Carmen Steiro. Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to approve the payment of Invoice #2 from The Hovey Companies for Architectural Services for historic documentation of the Crystal Manor building in the amount of $6,200.00. Ayes: Mayor Pro-Tem Valesano, Councilors Heikkinen, Smokevitch, and Bicigo. Nays: None Absent: Mayor Hendrickson Motion carried. Scott McNeilis of Coleman Engineering updated the Council on the Water Projects. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Smokevitch moved to approve the Estimate of Funds in the amount of $11,685.58 to pay invoices for the water project. Ayes: Mayor Pro-tem Valesano, Councilors Heikkinen, Smokevitch, and Bicigo. Nays: None Absent: Mayor Hendrickson Motion carried. Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to approve the MEDC – CDBG pay package of $44,901.90 for payment to Berger & King, Inc. for the water meter project, and further, to authorize City Manager Nordeman to sign the grant payment request. Ayes: Mayor Pro-tem Valesano, Councilors Heikkinen, Smokevitch, and Bicigo. Nays: None Absent: Mayor Hendrickson Motion carried. There were no bids on the snow blower and Manager Nordeman advised that the machinery will be put back into use by the City. Attorney Lawrence reported on the open storage of vehicles and suggested a revision to the City’s zoning ordinance, Section 3.14, B-1 Central Business District (2.) by adding an item N. Automobile Dealerships. John Bendick asked about the open storage of a dump truck for use only on the property where it is stored and also the open storage of race cars. Attorney Lawrence advised he would look at the ordinance further regarding Mr. Bendick’s questions. Mayor Pro-tem Valesano set the date of the Public Hearing on the amendments to Zoning Ordinance No. 4 to be Monday, February 11, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. (the date of the next regular meeting of the City Council) and directed Clerk Olson to post and notice said hearing in accordance with the City Charter. Mayor Pro-tem Valesano moved to extend the granting of a Christmas Bonus of $55.00 (the same as given to all other full time employees) to each of the IBEW, Electric Department employees. This motion died for lack of a second. The request to consider granting the same Health Savings Account amounts to all employees, regardless of hire date, and regardless of union status, was discussed with action postponed until the next budget preparation. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Valesano moved to designate the golf department as a separate enterprise fund effective with the 2006-2007 fiscal year. Motion carried. Councilor Bicigo seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to increase the cable TV rate for "Basic Cable" to $20.50/month effective with the bills mailed to subscribers on January 31, 2008. (This is a one dollar ($1.00) increase). Motion carried. Manager Nordeman reported on the radon gas problem in the basement of the City Hall building and noted that he is exploring some options on mitigation of this potentially dangerous situation. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Valesano to approve the appointments of Ruth Warmanen, Betty Soderberg, and Marilee Harrison to the Crystal Theatre Board with their terms running from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Motion carried. Pat Brown, new Harbour House Museum Board member, introduced herself to the City Council. Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Valesano moved to adjourn this meeting of the City Council. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
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