IRONWOOD, MI - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - On Tuesday, April 29, 2008, the City of Ironwood held its second budget workshop. A small group gathered at 5:30 PM, CST, at the Women's Club Room on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building to discuss budget concerns for the water and sewer department.

Attending the meeting were: City Staff - City Manager, Scott Erickson; City Utilities Manager, Bob Tervonen; City Finance Director, Julie Frederickson; and Don Bertels; City Commissioners - Mayor Bruce Noren; Suzanne Toth; and Gemma Lamb. No one from the general public attended the meeting, and the Chronicle was the only press.

Prior to the Meeting

City Utilities Manager Bob Tervonen informed the small gathering that the USDA Rural Development has programs for elderly and low-income individuals that are having a hard time maintaining their homes. He said the City is not responsible for repairing water supplies on private property, and that many times, people simply cannot afford to take care of the problems themselves.

Tervonen told the group that the federally-funded USDA programs, which include a variety of grants and low-interest loans, are not just for water and waste line problems. He said Rural Development can help the elderly and low-income with siding, a new furnace, or a new water heater, for example.

He said, these programs could greatly help those that normally would have struggled by or done nothing due to lack of funds. He said it's very likely that Rural Development will be a valuable tool that Ironwood citizens can use during some of the City's major projects that are soon to be underway.

He explained that anyone needing assistance can call him at (906) 932-5050 and he will gladly pass along the proper contact information.

Water and Sewer Utility Rates

At 5:30 PM, CST, City Manager Scott Erickson started the meeting. He told the small gathering that last night's workshop was basically an overview, and that a more detailed budget workshop regarding water and sewer would be held on May 13, 2008. With that, Erickson turned the meeting over the City Utilities Manager Bob Tervonen.

Tervonen handed out copies of two articles that pointed out how water supplies throughout the country are being threatened. One of the articles was from the Reader's Digest online. It was entitled Are We Running Out of Water ?

The other article from Breitbart.com, US Water Pipelines Are Breaking , explains how millions of gallons of water are being wasted every day throughout the county due to faulty, antiquated, infrastructure. Like Ironwood, many communities have water mains and supplies that are ninety years old or greater.

Unlike Ironwood, however, many cities haven't been aggressively attacking the problem, Tervonen said. With the water departments limited funds, Tervonen explained, repairs and improvements have been made throughout the years that put Ironwood's water supply in better than average shape.

He's quick to point out that Ironwood's system is far from being perfect, but there have been regular improvements that put the City in better shape than many other communities.

Tervonen explained last night that Ironwood's water system was built for a population of 15,000, and currently, including Hurley and Ironwood Township, roughly 9,000 are using it. Bob explained that water loss when he started in 1994 was roughly 79%. He said the loss in the recent past was down to approximately 38%, however losses increased last year.

He pointed out several projects that the City water department has done recently have helped to keep problems under control. He explained that many times, water lines don't go where the maps say they are going. Often where larger lines should have been installed, one inch lines are supplying several houses.

Tervonen highlighted upcoming projects that will make a big impact on water delivery, improved quality and control of water waste: (1) An up-to-date automated pump station; (2) improvements to the chlorine room; (3) new flow meter; (4) Mt. Zion reservoir improvements, including circulation improvements & insulation; (5) Global Information System (GIS) mapping of water and sewer lines; (6) rehab of well 101; (7) waste detection; (8) Lake Street modifications (eliminate the manifold system); (9) Alfred Wright Boulevard improvements; and (10) Greenbush improvements.

Garbage rates will increase about $.50 per month. Water rates will increase 9%. Tervonen explained these increases are necessary for capital improvements. He said our water rates are reasonable. He told the workshop attendees that the township is paying over double what Ironwood residents are paying. Sewer rates are expected to increase approximately 3%. Tervonen told the group that the average bill will be about $5 per month higher next year than it was this year. He explained that the same increase happened last year, but those increases have made significant improvements in our water system possible.

Tervonen explained the process of replacing water mains. People don't realize how many steps are involved in laying down a new municipal water main. Certain testing and safeguards need to be followed, and "one dig" is not enough to make it happen. Once the new main is installed and inspected, the homes that will be serviced by the new line need to be attached to that line. The old system needs to be removed as well.

Tervonen's PowerPoint showed photos of inoperable hydrants throughout the City. He explained the need to replace these hydrants. He demonstrated how firefighters often attempt to use antiquated hydrants only to have them break. This is a safety issue, and it needs to be attended to. The City has a plan to regularly change hydrants on a yearly basis. They have identified the worst hydrants and the ones that need to be replaced.

It's important to point out that the Water Department is not legally allowed to use funds from the City's General Fund. The Water Department is required to be independent, and self-sustaining. Considering all of the City's budget problems and the serious problems other communities are having with their water and waste systems, Ironwood's system is debt free, and in relatively good condition. And, as Tervonen demonstrated, improvements are taking place all the time.

Jim Albert