CRYSTAL FALLS—Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman Engineering told the Crystal Falls City Council at city’s meeting on Monday, July 14, that the water project is completed, and is in the administrative mode.

He is now tying up any loose ends with Rural Development.

The only project left is abandoning the test wells, which were drilled to look for possible water sources. There are five test wells in all, and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) doesn’t want them left open, he said, but some property owners want to keep the wells.

“The city needs to get rid of its liability by either filling them in or giving those residents an option to purchase the wells,” he said.

“The owner would need a construction permit to drill a well, and if unsuccessful, would have to take on the expense of abandoning the test well, so I am advising those property owners to talk directly to the health department before making a decision.”

The city does have grant money left to abandon all five wells, he explained, but this is also an opportunity for those property owners.

“Just so they understand the possible liabilities and costs. But I want the matter resolved one way or another, so the well driller will only have to come once.”

Mayor Janet Hendrickson wondered if there would be enough money left in the water project contingency fund to paint the water tank. Sjoquist said he’s not optimistic.

City Manager Charles Nordeman noted the tank was last painted in 1992 and the work usually lasts about 10 years, so it should be done. However, it would cost about $70,000.

“The initial inspection of the tank went well,” he reported.

Concerning the residential water meters, Sjoquist said the city received a $510,000 Community Development Block Grant, and all of the meters the city planned on installing have been done. Overall, the project is under budget, so there is money left to spent on either a meter test bench or replacing some commercial meters. Sjoquist hopes to close out the meter project next month.

Nordeman said he discussed the matter of billing based on actual water use with Clerk Dorothea Olson, Deputy Clerk Tara Peltoma, and Mark Simeoni, and all agreed to begin with the billing that comes out the end of September and is due Oct. 20.

“The city will have the actual readings from the meters, and the computer system is working well. All bugs have been worked out of it,” he noted. ‘

Olson added they felt it was important to have everyone metered before they begin charging, and they wanted to give property owners time to find and repair any leaks or dripping faucets. The council agreed to the recommendation.

Discussion turned to an electric meter system. There had been discussion at an earlier meeting to form a committee to examine installation of new electric meter system, but no meeting was held. The purpose of the committee, Nordeman explained, would be to meet and talk about the costs, the pros and cons of a system, and how to go about it.

Hendrickson felt it was too early to appoint a committee because she wanted to know where the money would come from. Councilor Jack Bicigo agreed, noting the city doesn’t know yet what’s going on with the Crystal Manor project and the city’s expected funding share. No action was taken.

During his update to the council, Ron Basso, a consultant on the Crystal Manor renovation project, reported he recently spoke with Tim Hunnicut of the Hovey Company (who is planning the renovation) and learned the decision on a MSHDA loan will be decided on June 29.

Hunnicut is confident the loan committee will act favorably. Then the next step would be to set a closing date on the loan, and construction could begin.

Basso also learned MSHDA has agreed to a $120,000 grant toward a new parking lot, if the city can come up with six jobs. Councilor Jack Bicigo noted the city has a commitment for three jobs, so needs to help find three more in the next couple of years.

Preliminary Brownfield tax credit was also approved by MSHDA and is looking favorable for full approval.

“So all parts of the Crystal Manor renovation project are falling into place,” Basso said, “and I will continue to update the council as the project moves forward.”

Concerning the facade program involving the Manor building, Nordeman said the Manor portion will be bid out separately from the other projects receiving grant money to repair or update the exteriors of the buildings. Hovey Company’s architect, Barry Polzin, is putting the facade bid specs together.

Several residents approached the council during the meeting. One asked about updating the bathroom facilities at Runkle Lake Park.

Mayor Janet Hendrickson agreed they all need substantial work, and noted the city is selling $10 park stickers to help raise funds for upkeep.

“We need help from the community and park users,” she said. “Taxpayers have to pay to use the golf course and ski hill, and taxpayers need to help with park upgrades. Runkle Lake Park offers swimming, fishing, softball, little league, soccer, tennis, volleyball, horseshoes and a playground.”

Stickers can be purchased at the clerk’s office or from a council member.

Resident Bobbi Bonetti addressed a letter her son had received demanding electrical upgrades to his house by Aug. 12. He is not eligible for a grant and cannot afford a loan, she told the council. She feels, because the city is mandating upgrades to accommodate their meters, the city should pay for them.

Nordeman said the electric service in question is in extremely poor condition and is a fire hazard.

“Head electrician Dave Graff,”" he reminded the council, “went to you and asked if homeowners could receive funding assistance. But you took no action. We will work with any customers having difficulty, if they prove they are working toward an upgrade.”

Al Skurka, president of the Chippewa Sno-Kats Trail Club, asked the city to allow a designated ATV route through a part of the city, because they couldn’t get permission to cross the land of one property owner on Paint River Ridge.

“The goal of the Sno-Kats,” he explained, “is to get the 55-mile Iron County trail into the state trail loop.”

The issue with the private property is dust control, Nordeman explained. If the state can chloride this section of the trail next year, the owner may allow its use again.

For this year, the city council approved a route from the bottom of Superior Avenue, along Round House Road, west on Crystal Avenue for one block, then north on North Third, north on Fifth Street and then North Sixth Street, back to the trail at Power Plant Road.

The Sno-Kats will mark the trail so ATV users can follow it. The snowmobile trail will continue as before, along Round House Road and Paint River Ridge to Power Plant Road.

The council tabled a request by a group of businessmen who have been taking care of a private ORV trail extension leading from the trail near the Bristol Mine to the west end businesses.

Due to heavy rain this spring, a significant portion of the trail eroded. Gary Lato volunteered to make the repairs, and is now asking the city to help defray his costs with a $50 donation.

“The trail is on city property,” Nordeman noted, “and the trail extension was constructed with the city’s approval.”

It was agreed had the city done the work, the bill would have been much higher, but several council members wanted more background information on the trail extension.

Geoff Lawrence of the Crystal Theatre Board explained Jim Kunz donated the former Falls Drug store building to the theatre. It is now the Costume Closet, and it is hoped the former Costume Closet space can be used for concessions and handicap access into the theatre.

The Theatre Board, he explained, pays for all maintenance and upkeep at no cost to the city.

He asked the council to accept a quit claim deed to the new Costume Closet building in order to put it under the city insurance umbrella. The Theatre Board would then reimburse the city for those expenses. If the building is no longer used in association with the theatre, then the city could quit claim it back to the Theatre Board.

Mayor Hendrickson noted the city hasn’t done this with any other buildings which are separate from the main building, wondering if they would be setting a precedent.

“I would have no problem with the proposal if the Costume Closet was attached to the theatre building.”

“They may not be physically attached,”" noted Councilor Mark Valesano, “but it is an extension of it. And as a non-profit, it would help them save money.”

He moved to allow the quit claim deed, with the clear understanding the city has no responsibility toward the building. The full council concurred, although Hendrickson had reservations about setting precedent.

The council took no action on a request by resident Thomas Atkins, who wants to use the property south of town, behind the towers and billboards, for a bee keeping operation.

City Attorney Geoff Lawrence noted the council would have to enter into a lease agreement and create a set of responsibilities, and then hold a public hearing. Councilor Edna Heikkinen expressed concern that more residents may begin asking to use city property.

In other business, the council:

--agreed to compensate golf course marshal Bob Sliva $600 for his work this summer season;

--to purchase a 1/4 page ad in the county alliance Tourism Guide at a cost of $745;

--approved a request by the Business Association to close the parking lot behind the theatre for a street dance during the Humongus Fungus Fest:

--awarded a Smartnet maintenance contract to Tech Solutions in Iron Mountain

--sold an old copier to the Theatre Board for $50

-- learned there are still two openings on the planning commission.

The council passed a resolution commending Mark Simeoni, who began his career with the city as a utility billing clerk in April of 1994, and retired on July 18. Simeoni gave 14-plus years as a public servant in the front office and was congratulated and thanked for his years of service.

Turning to reports, Fire Chief John Ahola noted there were six fires in June, including two grass fires, a lawn mower fire, lightning strike and garage fire. A total of 58 man-hours were spent at the scenes.

Police Chief Robert Sherwin reported there were a total of 231 complaints with four arrests in June.