City Commission Holds Goal Setting Workshop

IRONWOOD - Monday, December 17, 2007 - The Ironwood City Commission held a Work Session (Workshop) at 5:30 tonight in the Women’s Club Room on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building. The Downtown Ironwood Development Authority and the Ironwood Planning Commission members were invited to attend. Scott Erickson moderated the workshop, and eighteen people were in attendance. All five City Commissioners; seven City staff members; four Planning Commissioners; two representatives of the DIDA, and two citizens attended the session. Representing the Ironwood Planning Commission at the work session were: Eric Lytwyniuk, John Wyssling, along with newcomers Jackie Powers and Debbie Bowles. The DIDA was represented by Assistant Community Development Director Jane Bowman and new DIDA member Jackie Powers. All five City Commissioners attended the meeting – Mayor Bruce Noren, Commissioners Gemma Lamb, Bob Burchell, Tom Laabs, and Suzanne Toth. City staff members Dennis Hewitt, Don Bertels, Jane Bowman, Julie Frederickson, Karen Gullan, Bob Tervonen, and Rod Passuello also participated in the workshop. The two citizens that participated were Alan Traczyk and myself.

To start Phase one of the session, City Manager, Scott Erickson asked all of the participants to take a few minutes to write down what they each believed to be the “biggest priorities” or “most urgent goals” for the City. Each of the attendees were handed paper and pens and they wrote down their ideas. Once everybody had completed writing their lists, Mr. Erickson went from person to person to have each read off their “most important” item. Round one suggestions included: (1) Interconnecting (between Bessemer, Wakefield, and Hurley) bike and walking trails (Eric Lytwyniuk); (2) implementation of a new Geographical Information System (GIS) for the City (Dennis Hewitt); (3) improve City’s public image and communications to the public (Don Bertels); (4) better downtown informational signage (Jane Bowman); (5) entice business growth in the City (Debbie Bowles); (6) joining the Gogebic Range Water Authority to allow City’s development and growth (John Wyssling); (7) capitalize on the history of the area (Gemma Lamb); (8) maintain the City’s position as a regional shopping center (Bruce Noren); (9) local streets pavement management system (Julie Frederickson); (10) make the Civic Center self- sufficient by the end of 2008 (Tom Laabs); (11) efficiency by maintaining services – doing more with less (Karen Gullan); (12) incentive programs for homeowners to improve their homes (Suzanne Toth); (13) maintain public safety department and department of public works staffing levels (Rod Passuello); (14) install new 16" water mains (Bob Tervonen); annex strategic parts of Ironwood Township including the new Wal-Mart property (Bob Burchell); (15) fill the downtown storefronts (Jackie Powers); (16) explore new revenue sources for the City (Jim Albert); and (17) direct traffic through downtown to new City destinations (Alan Traczyk).

During the first round, Dennis Hewitt and John Wyssling announced that two local food establishments were waiting for their final State food service inspections – Nick’s Family Restaurant (the old Pizza Hut) and Daydream Doughnuts (next to the Budget Dollar).

Round two suggestions included: (1) abatement and condemnation of abandoned buildings downtown and in residential areas (Eric Lytwyniuk); (2) increase City tax base (Dennis Hewitt); (3) better communications between different City entities (commissions, committees, boards, etc.) (Don Bertels); (4) complete the comprehensive plan and the zoning updates (Jane Bowman); (5) incentives for residents to stay within the City limits (Debbie Bowles); (6) continuation of a 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) – “finish what is started” (John Wyssling); (7) move Hiawatha closer to the highway (tourist information center or Currie Park) and have festivals related to Native history (Gemma Lamb); (8) develop partnerships with surrounding communities (Bruce Noren); (9) offer more online services (bill paying and public information) (Julie Frederickson); (10) examine our payments to Gogebic-Iron Wastewater Authority to insure fairness (Tom Laabs); (11) define a core zone and improve sidewalks on local streets (Karen Gullan); (12) expand and improve recycling throughout the City (John Wyssling); (13) replace 250 water meters per year for increased accuracy and revenues (Bob Tervonen); (14) “winter theme” lighting through US-2 and Business-2 (not only Christmas) (Bob Burchell); (15) create a program or incentive to tear down blighted, abandoned buildings and build in City limits (Jackie Powers); and (16) create living wage jobs (Jim Albert).

In a short third round the following suggestions were made: (1) expand and improve park system (Eric Lytwyniuk); (2) create a water and sewer master plan (Don Bertels); (3) fill the spec building in the industrial park (Jane Bowman); (4) highlight new and improved businesses on our City website to demonstrate changes are occurring (John Wyssling); (5) start selling off City- owned unused properties and earmark the proceeds for street improvements (Tom Laabs); (6) work with surrounding communities to create larger health insurance groups, thereby cutting costs (Tom Laabs); (7) ordinances need to be updated (Karen Gullan); (8) promote school consolidation (Karen Gullan); (9) annual sewer and water system improvements to save money (Bob Tervonen); and (10) have the Chamber of Commerce and the City work more closely together (Jim Albert). Phase two of the workshop involved combining “similar” suggestions. And Phase three called for each of the participants to place “priority stickers” on those combined items they felt were “most important.”

Each of the different groups were given different color stickers and each was asked to place five stickers on those issues they believed needed the most attention. In the end, the following priorities and goals were established: (1) Water and Sewer System Upgrades and Improvements -- 16" Main, Water & Waste Master Plan, and Water Meters; (2) Implementation of the GIS; (3) Incentives to Keep People in City Limits & Pavement Management; (4) Efficiency, Streamline, Cost Cutting; & Develop Partnerships with neighboring governments; (5) Explore New Ways to Generate City Revenues; Business Growth Enticement; & Improve Public Image; (6) Complete the 5-Year Comprehensive Plan. Information gathered at this workshop will be shared with all of the City boards and committees and will be forwarded to City Commission for final approval.

To hear the entire workshop either go to “City Meetings” or [CLICK HERE].

NOTE: We always welcome public comment on anything and everything you read on this site. If you would like to share YOUR opinions please send us an email at opinions@superiorchronicle.com

Jim Albert
Superior Chronicle
Staff Writer

Debbie Bowles
(Newest member of the Planning Commission)

Jackie Powers
(Newest member of the DIDA and the Planning Commission)

Photos by Alan Traczyk