City Commission to Meet Monday
IRONWOOD, MI - Saturday, December 26, 2009 - The Ironwood City Commission will be holding its second regularly scheduled semimonthly meeting on Monday, December 28, 2009, at 5:30PM, in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building, 213 South Marquette Street, Ironwood, Michigan 49938.
According to a press release issued by City Clerk Karen Gullan, the following matters are on Monday night's agenda:
A. Regular Meeting Called to Order. Opening Prayer. Pledge of Allegiance.
B. Recording of the Roll.
C. Approval of the Consent Agenda. * All items with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the City Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of those items unless a Commission member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
*1) (a) Approval of Minutes – December 14th Regular City Commission Meeting (as follows):
Proceedings of the Ironwood City Commission
A Regular Meeting of the Ironwood City Commission was held on December 14, 2009 at 5:30 P.M. along with a Public Hearing at 5:15 P.M. in the Commission Chambers, Second Floor of the Municipal Memorial Building in the City of Ironwood, Michigan.
1. Mayor Burchell opened the Public Hearing at 5:15 P.M.
2. Public Hearing: To hear comment for a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan & Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the property owned by the Kauppila Family Limited Partnership located at 460 W. Cloverland Drive.
John D’Addona, P.E., Manager of Brownfield Services from Ann Arbor, Michigan addressed the City Commission with a power point presentation and handed out a copy of the Brownfield Development Plan. He stated the project will improve the overall appearance of the Brownfield Development Site along Highway US-2 by rehabilitating a vacant building, mitigating uncontrolled exposures to contaminated media and continuing releases from an underground storage tank (UST), and improving the existing site with aesthetic enhancements, including new pavement and landscaping.
Donna Scorce, Gogebic County Economic Development Corporation, Executive Director and the Brownfield Development Authority Director also addressed the City Commission regarding the Plan and the process. Ms. Scorse noted the plan would be presented to the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners on January 13, 2010 for approval.
Pam Kauppila stated she has received many positive comments from people in the community on rehabilitating the old Laundromat and how nice it looks. Further discussion of this matter took place. 3. Mayor Burchell closed the Public Hearing at 5:48 P.M.
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A. Mayor Burchell called the Regular Meeting to Order at 5:48 P.M.
B. Recording of the Roll. PRESENT: Commissioner Corcoran, Lamb, Lucius, Semo, and Mayor Burchell. ABSENT: None.
C. Approval of the Consent Agenda.*
*1) Approval of Minutes – November 23rd Regular City Commission Meeting.
*2) Receive and place on file resignations of Dan Collins and George Goerig from the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center Board and Louise Demasi from the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA).
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Corcoran to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
D. Approval of the Agenda.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Semo and carried to approve the Agenda with the addition of J1. Discuss and consider Ironwood City Commission support for the Grand View Hospital.
E. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items on the Agenda. (Three Minute Limit).
George Goerig, requested to speak under item H, Ross Kolesar under item F, and Jim Albert under item J.
F. AUDIENCE: Pam Kauppila, SISU Race Director (Ski Race Update).
Pam Kauppila, SISU Race Director addressed the City Commission regarding an update of the SISU Ski Race stating there are currently approximately 150 entries registered. She also directed others to go to the website for information at www.sisuskifest.com.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Semo to support the SISU Ski Race on January 9, 2010 by providing use of the City Snow blower to lay down and remove the snow from the City Streets as recommended by the City Manager. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
OLD BUSINESS
G. Discuss and Consider Resolution #09-045 approving a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan & Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the property owned by the Kauppila Family Limited Partnership located at 460 W. Cloverland Drive.
Motion was made Corcoran, seconded by Lamb to adopt Resolution #09-045 approving a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan & Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the property owned by the Kauppila Family Limited Partnership located at 460 W. Cloverland Drive. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
H. Discuss and Consider approval of a pre-application for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Downtown Blueprint Enhancement Projects.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Lucius to send the amended pre-application for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Downtown Blueprint Enhancement Projects as follows to the State of Michigan. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
-$ 5,000.00 Landscaping
-McLeod Ave. City owned Parking Lot
-$ 5,000.00 Ayer St. City-Owned Parking Lot (Pulverize & Pave)
-$30,000.00 Ayer St. City-Owned Parking Lot (Lighting)
-$15,000.00 Ayer St. City-Owned Parking Lot (Landscaping)
+$60,000.00 Depot Park-Acquisition of Rail Grade
+$60,000.00 Depot Park-Lighting
+$10,000.00 Depot Park-Removal of Pavement (Frederick Street)
+ $4,000.00 Depot Park-Curb Removal
+$10,000.00 Depot Park-Restoration (Top soil, mulch, grade)
+$21,500.00 Depot Park-Commission Public Art (sculpture)
+$10,000.00 Depot Park-Skating Rink
+$10,000.00 Street Lighting – correction (should be $150,000.00)
-$20,000.00 Pocket Park – Commission Public Art
-$10,000.00 Misc. Components (Benches/Flower Pots/Trash Receptacles)
-$26,000.00 Misc. Components (consolidate total Winter/Summer Wrought Iron Banners)
-$74,500.00 Misc. Components-Build Public Restrooms
$650,000.00 Amendment to the Original Amended Amount
=========NEW BUSINESS
I. Discuss and Consider awarding bids to Jake’s Excavating for the demolition of 207 Luxmore Street in the amount of $2,098; Cloverland Excavating for 117 Luxmore Street in the amount of 3,999and 233 E. Pine Street in the amount of 3,999 and Superior Excavating for 101 Taylor Street in the amount of $4,435.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded Corcoran to award the lowest bids to Jake’s Excavating for the demolition of 207 Luxmore Street in the amount of $2,098; Cloverland Excavating for 117 Luxmore Street in the amount of $3,999 and 233 E. Pine Street in the amount of $3,999; and Superior Excavating for 101 Taylor Street in the amount of $4,435. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
J. Discuss and Consider authorizing advertisement for bids for an Emergency Warning Siren System.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Semo to authorize the advertisement for bids for an Emergency Warning Siren System. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
J1. Discuss and Consider support to Grand View Hospital in recruiting Dr. Nitin Nigam.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Semo recommending a letter be sent to the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Governor Grandholm supporting their decision in hiring Dr. Nigam. Further discussion of this matter took place.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Semo and carried to amend the previous motion and recommend a letter of support be sent to Grand View Hospital supporting their decision in seeking qualified doctors that would be good for our community and that the letter be reviewed by the City Attorney. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
K. Manager’s Report.
City Manager Scott Erickson verbally gave the Manager’s Report noting the following:
*The Comprehensive Deer Management bow hunter to date have taken approximately 48 doe.
*Ironwood Public Safety Department will be scheduling a practice burn of a structure located at 459 Pine Street on Tuesday, January 12, 2010.
*Ironwood Public Safety Department has received the new police vehicle, which has mobile computer terminals installed.
*A special City Commission Meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2009 to review the audit.
*The City of Ironwood EDC meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 16th in the Community Development Office.
*The Civic Center Board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 P.M. on Wednesday, December 16, 2009.
*A MERS retirement meeting is scheduled for 5:30 P.M. on Tuesday, December 15th in the Women’s Club Room.
*City Surplus Equipment is currently being advertised with a deadline of December 23rd.
*Good job goes out to the DPW Water crew for fixing an emergency water main break this past Saturday on US2 at Superior Street.L. Other Matters (Five Minute Limit).
Commissioner Lucius questioned City Staff regarding the Norrie Street Bridge Project. City Manager Erickson informed the City Commission a meeting has been scheduled regarding the Norrie Street Bridge tomorrow.
M. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items not on the Agenda (Five Minute Limit).
Steve Frank, expressed his concerns regarding the Ironwood Daily Globe and what was published along with the DIDA and its meetings, Jim Albert, and a neighbor next door to 233 E. Pine Street also addressed the City Commission.
N. Consider Closed Session to discuss matters exempt from disclosure under State Law.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Semo to enter into closed session at 7:25 P.M. to discuss matters exempt from disclosure under State Law. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
O. Return to Open Session.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Semo and carried to return to open session at 8:28 P.M.
P. Adjournment.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Lucius to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 P.M.
Bob Burchell, Mayor
Karen M. Gullan, City Clerk
*1) (b)Special Meeting of December 17th (as follows):
Proceedings of the Ironwood City Commission Special Meeting
A Special Meeting of the Ironwood City Commission was held on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 5:30 P.M. in the Women’s Club Room, Memorial Building (2nd Floor), 213 S. Marquette St., Ironwood, MI 49938.
1. Mayor Burchell called the Special Meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Commissioner Corcoran, Lamb, Lucius, and Mayor Burchell. ABSENT: Commissioner Semo (excused)
2. Presentation of the 2008-2009 Fiscal year Audit by Joki, Makela & Pollack, PLLC.
Dean Beaudoin, CPA outlined the audit for the City Commission. He stated the City of Ironwood had another clean audit. Further discussion of the audit took place.
3. Receive and place on file the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year Audit.
Motion was made by Corcoran, seconded by Lamb to receive and place on file the 2008- 2009 Fiscal Year Audit. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
4. Adjournment.
Motion was made by Lamb, seconded by Corcoran and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 P.M.
Bob Burchell, Mayor
Karen M. Gullan, City Clerk
*2) Scheduling a Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA) Public Hearing for Monday, January 25, 2009 at 5:15 P.M. to hear comment regarding a request for Ironwood Area Schools for a dimensional variance for property located at 650 East Ayer Street.
D. Approval of the Agenda.
E. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items on the Agenda. (Three Minute Limit).
F. Mayor’s Appointments.
G. Manager’s Report.
H. Other Matters (Five Minute Limit).
I. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items not on the Agenda (Five Minute Limit).
J. Adjournment.