SEPT 12, 2005

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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, September 12, 2005, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time.

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

Absent: Councilor Valesano (entered the meeting at 5:40 p.m.)

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

Mayor Hendrickson led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of August 9, 2005 and special meetings of August 9, 2005 and September 7, 2005 be approved as written.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson reported the lack of a quorum again for the DDA meeting scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Attorney Geoffrey Lawrence introduced Anna Algermissen, an exchange student from Germany, who is interested in government and is living with the Lawrence’s.

Mayor Hendrickson postponed the scheduled Zoning Board of Appeals Hearing requested by Jeff Szantos pending Mr. Szantos appearance at the meeting.

Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman Engineering reported on the water project. He noted that the people at Rural Development were pleased to learn of the progress of the City and Township agreement for the water supply.

Attorney Lawrence reported no response from the Iron County Road Commission regarding his letter to them about the Urban Avenue Right-of-Way, he will follow up with a phone call to their attorney.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to approve the 2005-2006 Fiscal Year Budget for the Crystal Falls Fire Authority in the amount of $255,660.00.

Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Thrasher, and Stachowicz. Nays: None Absent: Councilor Valesano

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to appoint Kari Divine to the remainder of a term that will expire December 2006 on the Crystal Falls District Community Library Board.

Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Thrasher, and Stachowicz. Nays: None Absent: Councilor Valesano

Motion carried.

Councilor Stachowicz seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to approve a request from Dorothea Olson, City Clerk/Treasurer, for a pay increase of 3.2% plus elevating her to Step 6 on the wage scale for fiscal year 2005-2006.

Ayes: Councilors Heikkinen and Stachowicz. Nays: Mayor Hendrickson and Councilor Thrasher. Absent: Councilor Valesano.

Motion failed.

Councilor Valesano entered the meeting at 5:40 p.m.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to approve a pay increase of 3.2% for Dorothea Olson, City Clerk/Treasurer for fiscal year 2005-2006.

Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Thrasher, Valesano, and Stachowicz. Nays: None

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to approve the request from Charles Nordeman, City Manager, for a pay increase of 3.2% plus a $100.00/month increase in his car allowance for fiscal year 2005-2006.

Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Thrasher, and Stachowicz. Nays: Councilors Valesano and Heikkinen.

THIS MOTION WAS DECLARED NULL & VOID - SEE OCT 10, 2005 MINUTES.

Councilor Stachowicz noted that Police Chief Bicigo has placed a notice in the Reporter regarding the use of go-peds on City streets and sidewalks.

Manager Nordeman reported on an agreement with ESPN and NCTC for ESPN2. He was directed to compile costs involved in the addition of this channel to the city cable system and report at the October meeting of the Council.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to approve the purchase of a 2006 International 7300 SFA 4 x 4 (SR515) plow truck from Schultz Equipment and further to purchase the dump box and scraper from Olson Trailer and Body, LLC. The combined total after trade-in allowances is $93,156.78 for this unit.

Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Thrasher, Valesano, and Stachowicz. Nays: None

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to approve the purchase of a "V" box sander for the new 2006 International plow truck from Olson Trailer and Body, LLC for $600.00.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to amend the 2004-2005 Fiscal Year Budget to meet actual expenditures.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to purchase a ¼ page ad in the Crystal Theatre Playbill for $75.00.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to place an ad in the Iron County Chamber of Commerce coupon book (there is no cost for this ad).

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson commended City Clerk/Treasurer Olson for her work in the production of the City’s newsletter.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Valesano moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $276,254.87 for the month of August 2005 be approved, and the City Clerk is instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to approve the disbursements from the Electric Utility Construction Account in the amount of $92,049.51 as drawn on checks #1089-1094 by the City Clerk.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Valesano, moved to accept the following reports for the month of August 2005:

Police Chief’s report indicating 159 complaints, 15 of which were closed by arrest and 2,777 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 2 fire calls; spending approximately 19 man-hours fighting fires; and holding 1 practice and training session.

Chief Electrician’s report of department activities.

Public Work foreman’s report on department activities.

Motion carried.

Councilor Stachowicz seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to reschedule the November 2005 regular meeting of the Council to be held on Monday, November 7, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. to allow for the 2005 deer season.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to postpone action on the zoning variance request of Jeff Szantos of 609 Harding Avenue due to his failure to appear at the scheduled public hearing and pending Mr. Szantos re-application for the variance including the required filing fees.

Motion carried.

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

Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.