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 13, 2006, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time.

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

Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Nordeman, City Attorney Lawrence, and City Clerk/Treasurer Olson. There were also various citizens in attendance including the following students: Sami Horst, Emma Grabarczyk, Ben Wagner, and Alivia Lawrence.

Mayor Hendrickson led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of February 13, 2006 and the special meetings of February 23, 2006 and March 2, 2006 be approved as written and that the minutes of the special meeting of February 27, 2006 be approved as amended (Liber 15, Page 81, Public Hearing, 2^nd sentence "Pat Coleman, President of U. P. Engineers,").

Motion carried.

Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman Engineering reported on the water project. Per his request a special meeting of the City Council was set for Monday, March 27, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the engineering agreement and other matters regarding the water project.

Mayor Hendrickson addressed and then entertained comments from the Council regarding the request from Iron County Housing Foundation for a 120 day Option to Purchase the Manor building. Councilor Valesano moved to extend a 120 Day Option to Purchase the Crystal Manor Building to the Iron County Housing Foundation. This motion died for lack of a second.

Mayor Hendrickson reported on the DDA meeting held earlier in the day.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to appoint Ray Bortolini to the Downtown Development Authority for a term that expires on November 30, 2007.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to appoint Maureen Elson to the Downtown Development Authority for a term that expires on November 30, 2007.

Motion carried.

Councilor Stachowicz seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to appoint Julie Harp to the Downtown Development Authority for a term that expires on November 30, 2006.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to appoint Doug Bates to the Downtown Development Authority for a term that expires on November 30, 2006.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to amend the previous promotion of Kelly Stankewicz to Step 6 of the Public Works Foreman position upon the retirement of Dennis Fabbri. (This was previously stated as promotion to Step 5 of the Public Works Foreman position.)

Ayes: Councilors Heikkinen, Thrasher, Valesano, and Stachowicz.

Nays: Mayor Hendrickson.

Motion carried.

Clerk Olson was instructed to advise the city employees that the proposed Ethics Policy will be considered for adoption at the April meeting of the City Council.

Manager Nordeman advised that a speed study of East M-69 near the City limits will be conducted by the City Police Dept. pending an improvement of weather conditions.

Attorney Lawrence advised of his contact with the Crystal Falls Township attorney regarding the "Fire Call Fees Ordinance" and promised a draft for the April meeting of the City Council.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to award the Runkle Lake Timber Sale Contract to Hilberg Logging per their bid of $3,845.00.

Motion carried.

Clerk Olson was instructed to advise the city employees that the proposed Cell Phone Policy will be considered for adoption at the April meeting of the City Council.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to change the wording in the proposed Travel/Education Expense Policy, in the Education/Training section, paragraph 3, 2^nd sentence, to read "If the employee terminated employment with the City within two(2) years from the ….."

Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Thrasher and Stachowicz.

Nays: Councilors Heikkinen and Valesano.

Motion carried.

Clerk Olson was instructed to advise the city employees that the proposed Travel/Education Expense Policy will be considered for adoption at the April meeting of the City Council.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to approve and authorize the signing of the 2005-2006 cemetery agreements with Crystal Falls, Mansfield, and Mastodon Townships.

Motion carried.

Marcel Fraser’s request for reinstatement to the Police Department was postponed pending the results of a medical examination.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to approve a contract with TRICO Opportunities of Iron County for maintenance at the Paint River Walk in the amount of $1,200.00 for the year 2006.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to approve renovations to the "Upper Area" of the Paint River Walk through a contract with TRICO Opportunities of Iron County in the amount of $2,825.00.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to accept the annual report from the Crystal Theatre Board and release the City’s annual contribution of $2,200.00 to the Theatre.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to approve a request from Subway for the placement of a billboard on the City’s property, formerly the "Malkin Property", on South U.S. 2, pending determination by Manager Nordeman that there is room to meet MDOT requirements.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $334,999.68 for the month of February 2006 be approved, and the City Clerk is instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to accept the following reports for the month of February 2006:

Police Chief’s report indicating 123 complaints, 0 of which were closed by arrest and 2,063 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 3 fire calls; spending approximately 34 man-hours fighting fires; and holding no practice and training sessions.

Chief Electrician’s report of department activities.

Public Work foreman’s report on department activities.

City Treasurer’s report on the monthly revenues.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano commended the Forest Park Boys Basketball team on a fine season and wished them luck in playoffs.

Mayor Hendrickson went on to commend the Forest Park Girls Volleyball team on their successful season.

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

Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.