IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - Prior to the regular meeting of the Ironwood City Commission last night, the Commission held several public hearings:

• A Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing to hear comment relative for a dimensional variance to construct a 24' x 32' garage requested by Gerald and Debra McGrath, 646 VanBuskirk Road, Ironwood for parcel number 27-52-52-23-482-040.

Two written comments were submitted to the Commission, both in favor of the dimensional variance. The McGrath's want to construct a garage across the street from their residence. The Commission voted unanimously to allow the variance.

• A Public Hearing to hear comment relative for a dimensional variance to construct a 24' x 25' cement pad with an accompanying roof to accommodate a 10 dog kennel requested by Hope Animal Shelter.

Hope Animal Shelter wants to construct a new building to house more dogs. Concerns were expressed regarding snow removal. Petersen told the Commission that there would be plenty of room for plowing. The Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation opposed the variance due to visibility concerns. Several citizens spoke in favor of the variance. The structure wouldn't meet current setback standards. The Commission agreed to postpone any action on the matter to allow Commissioners to do a site visit.

• A Public Hearing to introduce Ordinance No. 467, Book 4 an Ordinance to vacate that portion of Cleveland Street North of Florence Street that bisects the property located at 1700 Florence Street of Assessor's Plat No. 13.

Several neighbors voiced concerns and had questions regarding future use of the street to be vacated. They didn't appear to be opposed to the vacation itself, however. Chuck Gervasio from WUPM Radio had questions and concerns regarding the dimensions of any future buildings and conflicts that might occur concerning the station's satellite antennas.

Commissioner Tom Laabs questioned drainage issues and whether or not the City would maintain easement on the property.

• A Public Hearing to hear comment relative to the results of Infrastructure Project Number MSC205046-ICE (North of US-2).

This issue was previously before the Commission in the form of a Public Hearing. On October 08, 2007, public comment was made, but there was no mention published in the paper. For that reason, it was necessary to hold another Public Hearing. There were no comments made on this issue.

The regular meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor Bruce Noren. City Clerk Karen Gullan called roll. All City Commissioners were present for last night's meeting. Also present for the meeting were the following City Staff: (1) Community Development Director Dan Petersen; (2) Projects Supervisor Don Bertels; (3) City Assessor/Building Inspector Dennis Hewitt; (4) City Manager Scott Erickson; (5) City Clerk Karen Gullan; (6) Public Safety Director Bob Erspamer; (7) Code Enforcement Officer Travis Smee; and (8) City Attorney A. Dennis Cossi. Media representatives from the Ironwood Daily Globe, WUPM Radio, IronwoodInfo.com, and the Chronicle were also present.

Following the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, through the approval of the Consent Agenda, the following actions were automatically taken by Commission:

• Approved of the June 9th Minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting.
• Reviewed and Placed on File:
  • Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency Meeting Minutes of May 15th and Special Meeting of May 29th.
  • Downtown Ironwood Development Authority Meeting Minutes of June 12th.
• Accepted $10,000.00 Tony Hawk Foundation Grant for the development of the Hiawatha Rotary Skateboard Park, and authorized Mayor and City Clerk to sign same.

Consent Agenda items are NOT individually acted upon -- they are treated like one agenda item and approved as a group, without discussion, unless a Commissioner or citizen requests to have specific items placed on the regular agenda.

The Commission then addressed the following issues:

• Received and Placed on File from Finance Director:
  • Statement of Revenue & Expenditures.
  • Monthly Cash Reports.

Financial Director Julie Frederickson was not present for last night's meeting. Scott Erickson presented the documents to the Commission and asked if there were any questions. Mayor Noren questioned a large increase in the Library Fund. Erickson explained that the Library recently received a grant and the proceeds from the grant are reflected on that line item.

Commissioner Laabs requested to have Julie compare the costs of leasing copiers vs. purchasing them. Erickson said when the time comes, there will be another evaluation of the situation. Should it be more cost effective to purchase rather than lease, the City may, at that time, opt to purchase copiers.

• Held Public Hearing to hear public comment relative to the proposed hiking trail from Longyear Park through Riverside Cemetery North along the Montreal River.
• Authorized construction of Part A of Phase 1 of a proposed hiking trail from Longyear Park through Riverside Cemetery North along the Montreal River.

Dan Petersen gave some background on the trail. He explained that the reason for the public hearing was to allow citizens to voice any concerns, comments or questions about the trail. He pointed out that he had heard several second-hand complaints that the trail shouldn't be so close to the cemetery. He told the Commission he received only one letter regarding the matter. It was a letter of support from Ken Bowman.

Mayor Noren then opened the hearing up for public comment. He asked if anyone wished to speak up regarding the trail. No one stood up in opposition. Noren commented, "I'm startled because I had heard from folks outside of the meeting that they were concerned."

Sam Davey told the Commission that he was available to answer any questions regarding the trail. Davey is a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee that proposed the trail. Steve Frank spoke in favor of the trail. Frank told the Commission he can't understand why anyone would object to anyone walking near the cemetery considering there is a snowmobile trail currently running right alongside the cemetery.

Noren asked if dogs would be allowed on the trail. Davey responded that, as of now, no dogs would be allowed. Davey went on to say that he had personally only heard two complaints: (1) the money should be used to fix the roads and (2) people can't walk their dog on the trail. Davey explained that no City money will need to be spent to create the trail, and that it may be possible in the future to allow dogs on the trail, but for now, that's the way it is. Currently, walking dogs in the cemetery is not allowed, however, the trail is not in the cemetery, so it may be possible in the future to allow dogs to walk on the trail.

Dan Petersen pointed out that other portions of the trail will allow dogs, but not along the cemetery. Davey said the only way he could see dog walking on the trail is if they were on leashes. Noren said he felt it was important that signs be posted notifying people of the no dog policy.

The Commission unanimously approved the walking park proposal.

• Awarded the bid to Signature Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jeep, Eagle in the amount of $20,731.00 for a new Police Package Crown Victoria for the Public Safety Department upon approval from USDA.

IPSD Director Bob Erspamer addressed the Commission and explained that the USDA's portion of the grant is 55% and that the City was responsible for 45% of the cost of a new police vehicle. Erspamer explained that it is difficult to find a dealer with a squad car on the lot. He told the Commission that the IPSD has been getting Fords and that it is easier to transfer cages, etc. from similar vehicles. He explained that Fords are cheaper than Chevys as well.

Noren asked what the total price of the vehicle was. Erspamer explained that it would be approximately $24,000 with all of the accessories -- the City's share would be $10,800.

The Commission unanimously approved the purchase of the squad car.

• Awarded the lowest bid to Wayne Nasi Construction in the amount of $53,000 for Memorial Building Facade Improvement.

Karen Gullan explained that two bids were received to do the work. Nasi's bid was the lowest. 

The Commission unanimously approved acceptance of the Wayne Nasi Construction bid.

• Update on MSHDA Facade Grants.

Dan Petersen told the Commission that several business opted out of the original Phase I of the project. Many of the businesses felt that grant didn't satisfy their needs. Several projects had to be rebid and several changes were attempted, but MSHDA doesn't like changes. He highlighted the various completed projects and gave a report on the status of the remaining projects.

Petersen told the Commission that there will be an informational meeting for any downtown businesses that wish to participate in the program. The meeting will be this Friday, June 27, 2008, at 8:00 AM in the Women's Club Room.

• Consider Resolution amending General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007-2008.

Erickson highlighted the proposed changes to Appropriations to cover costs of current projects. The Commission approved the proposed amendments unanimously.

• Consider approval of change order #1 for Fire Hydrant Replacement Project 08-02-W1.

Erickson told the Commission that the low bidder, Ross Peterson, in a letter, requested an extension of time due to the fact that the City delayed in awarding the project. Erickson pointed out that he found a 1977 plan that called for a replacement of all hydrants throughout the City at a cost of $300,000. The Commission voted unanimously to extend the completion date on the Hydrant contract to September 30, 2008.

• Consider a Proclamation of Recognition for Neil Sauter. (Added to the Agenda)

Mayor Bruce Noren told the Commission the story of Neil Sauter, a resident of Blissville, Michigan who is walking across the State of Michigan on stilts to (1) raise awareness for Cerebral Palsy (CP) and also (2) to raise funds for the Michigan United Cerebral Palsy Assocation. (UCP). Noren explained that Sauter has been stopping in cities, towns and villages throughout his state-wide jaunt giving presentations to raise awareness of CP. He read the Proclamation to the Commission and said that it will be presented to Mr. Sauter before he completes his trip across the Michigan/Wisconsin border next Saturday.

A welcoming is being planned by the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce on Friday, and a presentation along with a police escort across the border, as he completes his journey,  is planned for Saturday morning. More information about Sauter and his journey across the State of Michigan can be found in the Chronicle article Man to Walk Over 800 Miles Across MI to Raise Funds for CP or go to Sauter's website http://www.stiltstory.org/walk_across_michigan.

The Commission unanimously approved and supported the presentation of the Proclamation.

• Blight Officer's Report. (Added to the Agenda)

Blight Officer Travis Smee gave a report to the City Commission on the progress he has made regarding the City's blight situation. He explained that it's been an "intense" grass year so he's been working "full force" on that. He reminded the Commission that the grass mowing fee (what the City charges a resident to cut grass) was raised to $150 this year.

Smee said he gave Neil Corcoran a list of 34 lots to mow. When the City went to mow those lots, only 7 still needed to be cut. He presented the following list of achievements to the Commission:

• Issued 168 Blight Notices
• Issued 26 Second Notices
• Issued 6 Third Notices
• Razed 4 Blighted/Abandoned Buildings
• Is Seeking Bids on 2 Fire-Destroyed Building

That concluded Smee's report to the Commission.

• Manager's Appointment.

There was one application, a re-application by Shirley McDonald, to the Housing Commission. The City Commission unanimously accepted the Manager's recommendation to approve McDonald's reappointment.

• Mayor's Appointments.

Mayor Noren re-appointed Louise Demasi and Steve Frank, who had both been given abbreviated, unfinished terms to the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA). The Commission unanimously approved the re-appointments of Demasi and Frank to four year terms. 

• Manager's Report.

Scott Erickson highlighted the following in his report:

1. The city-wide, state-mandated reappraisal process is will be going into full swing by July 1, 2008.
2. The Renaissance Faire when off without a hitch, and Erickson complimented the efforts of the volunteers of the Faire.
3. Regional Hospice will have a recognition event at Longyear Park at 6:30 PM,  Tuesday, June 24, 2008. There will be a band playing after the presentation.
4. City-wide Master Emergency Plan will be having a tabletop exercise on July 9, 2008.
5. Requests for Proposals are being sought for GIS System through Dan Petersen's office. Bids are expected to be received by July 3, 2008.
6. "Welcome to the City of Ironwood" sign was replaced with a small MDOT sign. He suggested a better sign be considered.

Mayor Noren told Erickson that he was pleased that the Emergency Plan was picked up and action was taken. Louise Demasi asked about the sirens that were previously proposed. There will be an Emergency Plan meeting at Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at 2:00 PM. Noren said he would not be able to attend, but he urged other Commissioners to go to that meeting.

• Citizens Wishing to Address the Commission

Jim Beckman told the Commission that he would like to see increased blight efforts in the City. He explained that blighted properties lower the property values of well-maintained properties in the area. He said that he would like to see an increase in fines and a stronger effort to go after repeat blight offenders.

Travis Smee explained to the Commission that people that repeatedly abuse the blight ordinances play games with the City because they know the City can only do so much. The current system bottlenecks at the top, because the City, partly due to a strictly limited budget, will not take the final step by taking matters to court.

(EDITOR'S NOTE:  I have said this time and time again. The City of Ironwood needs to establish a Municipal Court, and current misdemeanors, such as blight, need to be re-classified as "civil infractions."  Creating a Municipal Court gives the City the right to impose fines and it gives it the clout it needs to properly enforce issues that currently seem to dead-end short of court action.)

AUDIO

Jim Albert