A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, March 12, 2001, at 4:30 P.M. Central Time.

Roll call: Mayor Cram, Councilors Hendrickson, Benda, Lind and Nylund.

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 accept the minutes of the regular meeting of February 12, 2001 as written.

Motion carried.

Mary Ellen Marchinowski once again expressed dissatisfaction in the Crystal Falls Police Department indicating she thought they were harassing customers leaving her tavern. The Council advised she should notify them with specifics, however, they felt that the Council meeting was not the time nor place to address the issue.

Susie Winkowski, president of the Iron County Chamber of Commerce, advised the Council of the selection of the National Christmas tree from Ottawa National Forest. In connection with this event, there is proposed to be a countywide celebration as the tree makes it’s way through Iron County. She invited the Council to attend a meeting organizing this event on April 11^th at 6:00 p.m. at the Bates Township Hall.

Maureen Elson reported on various activities at the Contemporary Center and asked the Council for a letter of support in their quest for a grant to purchase the building they are now housed in. Mayor Cram directed Clerk Olson to write said letter on behalf of the City Council.

Marianne Cambray, representing the Iron County Community Hospital Board, updated the Council on the Iron County Ambulance service. She noted some problems with dispatching drivers through 911 as there are duplicate street names between cities and townships. However, with the training of local paramedics it is hoped these confusions will be overcome.

Iron County Commissioner Larry Harrington reported on the proposed airport.

Mike Gatzow updated the Council on matters concerning the sewer project. Mayor Cram, supported by Councilor Nylund, moved to approve the pay request for the sewer project in the amount of $57,300.00.

Motion carried.

Mr. Gatzow introduced Klaus Heiner and Dave Westin, certified architects with Sundberg, Carlson & Associates, who put together the design concept of the proposed Paint River walkway. They shared sketches and information regarding the construction of the walkway and asked the Council for support. All agreed they should continue with the design concept as presented.

Councilor Nylund, supported by Councilor Benda, moved to approve the Planning Commission appointments presented by Mayor Cram as follows: Don Boulanger (1 year term), Jim Burke (1 year term), Mike Koscyk (2 year term), Christine Valesano (2 year term), Lee Siler (3 year term), and Ben Feldhausen (3 year term). Councilor Carl Lind will serve as the Council representative.

Motion carried.

Councilor Lind, supported by Councilor Hendrickson, moved to approve the 2001 cemetery agreements with Mastodon, Mansfield, and Crystal Falls Townships.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram, supported by Councilor Benda, moved to increase the basic cable TV rate $1.40/month effective with the billing sent to customers April 1, 2001.

Motion carried.

Councilor Benda, supported by Councilor Hendrickson, moved to set the 2001 season rates for Runkle Lake Park at: $10.00 Seasonal Sticker, $1.00 Daily Pass, $14.00 Camping with sewer hookups, and $10.00 Camping without sewer hookups.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson, supported by Councilor Benda, moved to approve the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $333,488.37 for the month of February 2001, and the City Clerk be instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Nylund, moved to accept the following reports for the month of February 2001:

Police Chief’s report indicating 96 complaints, 11 of which were closed by arrest and 3,046 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 5 fire calls; spending approximately 161.5 man-hours fighting fires; and holding 1 practice and training session.

Chief Electrician’s report of departmental activities.

4. Public Works Foreman’s report of department activities.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram tabled the naming of the Industrial Park streets to a future meeting.

Councilor Hendrickson, supported by Mayor Cram, moved to approve a resolution recommending the transfer of ownership of 2000 Class C licensed business with Dance Permit, located at 331 Superior Avenue, Crystal Falls, MI 49920, Iron County, from MY CORPORATION K.M.C., INC. to RODNEY AND TERRY KIRKPATRICK, INC.

Motion carried.

(A complete copy of this resolution is attached and made a part of the minutes of this meeting.)

Councilor Hendrickson, supported by Councilor Lind, moved to contribute $100.00 to the 2001 graduating seniors "Alcohol Free Party".

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram, supported by Councilor Lind, moved to direct the City Manager to seek bids on the pine logs recently cut at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

Motion carried.

It was also suggested that the City look at all its properties to determine if there is any additional marketable timber.

Councilor Lind, supported by Councilor Hendrickson, moved to approve the purchase of a John Deere 455 tractor with 60" deck and a Sabre 2354 HV from Nortrax Equipment Co. of Escanaba for a total price of $8,523.08 (including trade-ins) for use primarily at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

Motion carried.

John Faccin requested a packet on the Industrial Park property in order that he may include various costs to set up a business there in a proposed business plan. Manager Nordeman indicated he could provide the information requested.

Mr. Faccin also complained that snow had been piled in front of his driveway at his Bristol Mine facility and asked to have it removed. Manager Nordeman responded that he would look into it.

Kristine Coopman expressed her disappointment in not being appointed to the planning commission. Mayor Cram noted that with 11 applicants for 6 seats, someone would not be appointed and he felt the selections made represented a good cross-section of the community.