A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, October 8, 2001, 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.

Larry Harrington, commended the public works department for the improvements made on North River Street, especially the accommodations made for the residents in the area during the reconstruction.

There was no representation from the Downtown Development Authority present.

Mike Gatzow advised the Council regarding the Streetscape Grant application. He noted that MDOT offered to be the applicant for said grant with the City as a sponsor. This will change the status of the application in that MDOT will pay 20% of the participation costs and they (MDOT) will now be responsible for the engineering cost of the project.

Councilor Lind supported by Councilor Hendrickson, moved to award and authorize the signing of the contract in the amount of $203,679.82 for the Riverwalk Project to Butch Nuens Landscaping, and further, pending the receipt of required insurance papers from the contractor a Notice to Proceed will be issued.

Motion carried.

Andrew Sandstedt, Municipal Employee Retirement System, presented the Council with the details of the Defined Contribution plan as an alternative to the Defined Benefit Plan. He noted the differences and the advantages to the City by offering the defined contribution plan to all new employees. Manager Nordeman will report to the Council on the costs involved regarding the plans.

An ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer in the City was introduced to the Council.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Benda moved to set November 12, 2001, as the date for the Public Hearing for the consideration of the Ordinance to Prohibit the Feeding of Deer Within the City of Crystal Falls and further to publish notice of said hearing in the local papers.

Motion carried.

Councilor Benda supported by Councilor Nylund, moved to assess a late fee charge of one percent (1%) per month on all accounts receivable billings not paid within 30 days of issuance.

Motion carried.

Councilor Lind supported by Councilor Benda, moved to table entering into a contract with American Microwave and Communications for the receipt of WLUK-TV (Fox), and to await further development of options for the receipt of Green Bay Packer football games.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Mayor Cram moved to adjust the salary of the Clerk/Treasurer by 2.7% and to grant her the additional holiday of Christmas Eve for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Councilor Nylund moved to adjust the salary of the City Manager by 2.7% and to grant him the additional holiday of Christmas Eve for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Lind moved to appoint Councilor Nylund to replace Mayor Cram on the Fire Authority Board for the remainder of his term.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Lind moved to purchase $75,000. Annual aggregate sublimit Sewer and Storm Drain Liability Insurance from the Michigan Municipal League Liability and Property Pool for the upcoming fiscal year in the amount of $896.00.

Motion carried.

Councilor Lind supported by Councilor Benda moved to purchase insurance coverage for the Theatre annex building under a "demolition only" value of $11,150 for the additional premium of $13.00.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson supported by Councilor Nylund moved to approve the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $241,876.32 for the month of September 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 Benda, moved to accept the following reports for the month of September 2001:

Police Chief’s report indicating 134 complaints, 13 of which were closed by arrest and 3,086 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 2 fire calls; spending approximately 28 man-hours fighting fires; and holding 2 practice and training sessions.

Chief Electrician’s report of department activities.

Public Work foreman’s report on department activities.

Motion carried.

Various committee reports were presented by the Councilors.

Manager Nordeman confirmed the announcement of the Renaissance Zone designation including the Crystal Falls Industrial Park. Mention was made that many people were responsible for this development and the Council was most appreciative of their efforts.

Manager Nordeman advised of the letting of bids on the M-69 detour route and noted construction would begin this week.

Commendations regarding the success of the Harvest Festival were expressed. The festival was enjoyed by all that attended.

Mayor Cram supported by Councilor Benda moved to meet in closed session to discuss strategy relative to the Oberstar v. City of Crystal Falls litigation. Motion carried.

Meeting temporarily adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Meeting reconvened at 7:18 p.m.

There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.