City Commission to Consider Contract Extension for City Manager

IRONWOOD, MI - Saturday, December 20, 2008 - The Ironwood City Commission is scheduled to hold their regular meeting on Monday, December 22, 2008 at 5:30 PM in the City Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building. This is the first time in quite a while that a public hearing hasn't preceded the regular meeting.

On the Consent Agenda for Monday's meeting the following items will be automatically approved if no one expresses the desire to have them placed on the regular agenda for discussion:

• Approval of the December 8, 2008 Regular City Commission Meeting Minutes.
• Review and Place on File:
• Ironwood Carnegie Library Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2008.
• Pat O'Donnell Civic Center Special Meeting Minutes of October 31, 2008 and November 12, 2008.

Other matters the Commission are expected to act upon include:

• Receive and Place on File from Finance Director Julie Frederickson:
• Statement of Revenue and Expenditures.
• Monthly Cash Reports.

Accountants Joki, Makela and Pollack, PLLC, are scheduled to appear before the Commission Monday to give a presentation of the 2007-2008 fiscal year audit. This is a required annual external audit that insures that proper accounting principles and procedures are followed, and that the City is looking out for the best interests of the taxpayers. The City has traditionally had good reports from the auditors.

 

Coleman Engineering is scheduled to give an update on the status of the Rural Development Jessieville Area Water and Sewer Project. The Jessieville project is an extensive overhaul of the entire water and sewer system throughout the area. It will involve major reconstruction of a large portion of the City streets in the Jessieville area. Improvements to the system are expected to greatly increase water pressure and make the system much more reliable once completed. Coleman Engineering was awarded the bid to engineer the job last summer.

 

 

 

The Commission is expected to consider approving a City Employee gratuity for the holiday season at Monday night's meeting. City employees traditionally get a small gratuity each year from the City. This small bonus is a small way for the City to thank the City workers for doing such a good job.

 

 

They are also expected to consider a resolution to approve a request from Carl J. Lahti and Christine J. Lahti to transfer ownership of a 2008 Class C Liquor Licensed Business (the Elk & Hound) located on Country Club Road, from N & J Enterprise, Inc. to CLL Enterprise, Inc. Michigan Liquor Control Commission documents can be observed on the City website.

 

A 2007 Home Grant Agreement in the amount of $222,200 is to be considered for approval and acceptance by the Commission. If approved, the Commission will also need to authorize Mayor Bruce Noren to sign the appropriate documents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Commission will also discuss and consider advertisement for Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Bids. Currently Waste Management has the contract for solid waste collection and disposal bids, however, there are other companies in the area that offer the same services.

 

Mayor Bruce Noren is expected to make a couple of appointments Monday as well. Periodically, there are openings on various boards, commissions, and authorities, and those openings need to be filled. The City didn't release information regarding what vacancies are to be filled Monday night, however. Generally, Mayor Noren gives his recommendations to the Commission and the Commission either approves or denies his recommendations. It is very possible that Mayor Noren will be re-appointing current members whose terms have expired. The only vacancy that the Chronicle is aware of, that has been advertised for applications, is for that of the Blight Officer.

 

 

 

In closed session, the Commission is expected to discuss City Manager Scott Erickson's review and the status of the AFSCME, Local 1538 and Ironwood Professional Police Association Union negotiations. The Ironwood Public Safety Department has been working without a contract for almost two full years. City workers have also been without a contract for some time. The IPSD has offered several concessions in order to resolve the issue, including accepting MERS retirement pension that would save City taxpayers 2 mills. The City repeatedly refuses their offers.

 

Following closed session the Commission will return to open session and consider approval of the City Manager's contract extension. At the last City Commission meeting the City Commission met with Erickson in closed session to discuss and evaluate his job performance.