COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF VIRGINIA, MINNESOTA, FEBRUARY 24, 2009
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Virginia, Minnesota, was called to
order by Mayor Peterson at 6:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, City Hall.
Roll Call:
Present: Councillors Baribeau, Littlewolf, Ralston, Damm, Russo, Mayor Peterson - 6
Absent: Councillor Lindberg - 1
Mayor Peterson led the City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Moved by Russo and supported to open the public hearing to discuss the proposed
project by Residential Services of Northeastern Minnesota, Inc. Motion carried.
There was a discussion regarding the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth,
Minnesota revenue obligations and their purpose to refinance three facilities within Virginia and two
facilities within two other municipalities. No one in the audience was present to discuss this bonding.
Moved by Baribeau and supported to close the public hearing. Motion carried.
Moved by Russo and supported to adopt Resolution No. 09041, giving approval to a
refinancing project by Residential Services of Northeastern Minnesota, Inc., under Minnesota Statutes,
Section 469.162 through 469.165, and approving a Joint Powers Agreement. Resolution adopted
unanimously.
Councillor Ralston removed Item 2 from the Consent Agenda.
Mayor Peterson removed Item 3 from the Consent Agenda.
Moved by Russo and supported to approve the Consent Agenda, as follows, with the
exception of Items 2 and 3.
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1. Approval/correction of minutes of Regular Meeting held February 10, 2009.
2. Adoption of Finance Resolution No. 09004 – Schedule of Bills.
3. Adopt Resolution authorizing execution of an extension of the lease agreement with the
Virginia Senior Citizens Center.
4. Adopt Resolution No. 09042, to approve transfers to Bond and Tax Increment Financing Debt
Service Funds effective for year ending December 31, 2008.
5. Approve travel requests:
A. Dana Waldron, Police Chief, MN Chiefs of Police Executive Training Institute, April 5-
9, 2009, Rochester, MN.
Motions carried and resolutions adopted unanimously.
Moved by Russo and supported to approve Item 2 on the Consent Agenda, Finance
Resolution No. 09004 - Schedule of Bills. Motion carried, with Councillor Ralston abstaining.
Mayor Peterson reviewed the terms of the proposed lease with the Virginia Senior
Citizens.
Moved by Russo and supported to approve Item 3 on the Consent Agenda, Resolution
No. 09043, authorizing the execution of an extension of the lease agreement with the Virginia Senior
Citizens Center. Resolution adopted unanimously.
City Attorney Butorac reviewed the proposed Ordinance Amending Section 2.01 of
Chapter 2 and Section 5.03 of Chapter 5 of the City Charter and stated the ordinance will be placed on
the agenda for the March 10, 2009, City Council meeting for final adoption. This ordinance will
change the terms of the Mayor and Council so that elections will be in even numbered years.
Moved by Baribeau and supported to authorize the City Council and staff to attend the
League of Minnesota Cities Insurance 2009 Safety and Loss Control Workshop to be held on April 30,
2009, in Biwabik, MN, with City Operations Director Tourville to determine which staff members will
attend the session. Motion carried.
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Mayor Peterson reported on the Finance Committee meeting held as a Committee-of-
the-Whole on February 17, 2009.
Moved by Russo and supported to appoint Anne Bier to the Human Rights Commission
for a three year term ending February 1, 2012. Motion carried.
Mayor Peterson stated the City Clerk/Finance Director reviewed staff recommendations
for the 2009 budget at the Finance Committee meeting and the proposed reductions in all departments.
Revenues were also reviewed. City Clerk/Finance Director Lackner was directed to reduce the
miscellaneous expenditures by ten percent.
Moved by Littlewolf and supported to approving moving forward with the refunding of
the 1999A Hospital Bonds. Motion carried.
Councillor Baribeau reported on the Street and Alley Committee meeting held on
February 17, 2009.
Moved by Baribeau and supported to deny the request for a crosswalk at 6th Avenue
West and 1st Street North. Motion carried.
Moved by Baribeau and supported to adopt Resolution No. 09044, calling for a hearing
on proposed assessments for C.P. 5-04, C.P. 1-06, C.P. 2-06, C.P. 3-06, C.P. 4-06, C.P. 5-06, C.P. 8-
06, C.P. 2-07 for 6:30 P.M. on March 24, 2009. Resolution adopted unanimously.
Moved by Baribeau and supported to move forward with the right-of-way acquisition at
905 6th Avenue South and 1004 5th Avenue South. Motion carried.
Moved by Baribeau and supported to move forward with the assessments for the
reconstruction of 6th Avenue West, from 13th Street South to 8th Street South, per the City’s assessment
policy. Motion carried.
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Moved by Baribeau and supported to request that the Virginia Bible Chapel attend the
next Street and Alley Committee to further discuss their request to lease the adjoining City land for
parking. Motion carried.
Councillor Damm reported on the Northeast Regional Radio Committee’s plan to
standardize public safety radio frequency usage, which must be in place by September of 2009 to be
eligible for grant funding. The Regional Radio Committee will meet again on March 26, 2009, in
Duluth.
Councillor Damm reported on the Airport Commission and sub-committee meetings
and stated the Fayal residents have been complaining about a number of issues and safety concerns.
Councillor Damm stated the Fayal residents want one of the two runways shut down and the FAA
denied this request because it is not a safety issue.
City Attorney Butorac will investigate the Joint Powers Agreement for the Eveleth-
Virginia Airport.
Councillor Baribeau reported on the Public Utilities Commission meeting and the
Laurentian Energy Authority Board meeting and stated the increased coal costs is a major problem and
the LEA facilities are experiencing unusual repair and maintenance costs.
Mayor Peterson reported on a possible Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
Grant that may provide funding for police officers and this will be further reviewed by the Personnel
Committee.
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The Finance Department was directed to reduce the salary for the Mayor and City
Council by ten percent for the year 2009 and to request changes in the State Statute.
See 2009 Resolution Book for Resolution No. 09041 – 09044 and Finance Resolution No. 09004.
Moved by Lindberg and supported to adjourn to 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday, March 10,
2009, in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Motion carried.
STEVE PETERSON
Mayor
(CORPORATE SEAL)
RONALD LACKNER
City Clerk/Finance Director
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