911 Coordinator Jim Loeper to Address City Commission Monday

IRONWOOD, MI - Sunday, April 26, 2009 - The Ironwood City Commission will be holding the second semi-monthly meeting for April on Monday, April 27, 2009, in the Commission Chambers of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Recording of the roll is expected to follow.

Generally, the first order of business for the City Commission is the approval of the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda is intended to be a list of mundane, routine, procedures that require no discussion or consideration by the Commission. Three items are on Monday's Consent Agenda:

1. Approval of the Minutes for the April 13th and April 20th City Commission meetings.
2. Review and Place on File the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority Minutes for their March 26th meeting.
3. Reschedule a Public Hearing for Monday, May 11th, 2009, at 5:20 PM to hear comment on the Zoning Ordinance.

City Financial Director Julie Frederickson is scheduled to present the City's Statement of Revenues and Expenditures and the Monthly Cash reports. The Commission is expected to receive her reports and place them on file.

Jim Loeper, Gogebic County Director of Emergency Services is expected to address the Commission with an update on the 911 System. On Tuesday, May 5, 2009, the Gogebic County 911 Committee will be asking voters to approve a $1.65 monthly surcharge on all phone devices. Gogebic County used to assess a 52¢ surcharge, but the Michigan Public Services Commission in July changed the surcharge to only 30¢. The County cannot continue to provide enhanced 911 services with only 30¢. According to law, the County must go to the voters to approve any surcharge over 42¢. A surcharge of $1.65 will allow the country to continue to proved 911 service and also to pay for necessary equipment repairs, charges, and upgrades.

The Commission will consider appointing City Manager Scott Erickson to the Gogebic County Enhanced 911 Committee.

Following the City Manager's report and a brief discussion under "Other Matters," the Commission is scheduled to go into closed session to discuss the status of the contract negotiations with AFSCME, Local 1538 and the Ironwood Professional Police Association Unions.

Although this item appears on nearly every agenda, it is often removed from the docket or if the Commission goes into closed session, no action is ever taken.