Fire Cost Recovery and 911 Issues To Be Discussed By ICC Monday

IRONWOOD, MI - Sunday, February 22, 2009 - The Ironwood City Commission (ICC) will be holding a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, February 23, 2009, at 5:30 PM in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

One of the major issues to be discussed and considered Monday will be the adopting of Ordinance No. 472, Book 4.  This Ordinance provides for the amendment to the “Code of Ordinances”, City of Ironwood, Michigan, Chapter 13 entitled Fire Prevention and Protection by adding Article III. Recovery of Costs-Emergency Services, Sections 13-31 through 13-34. The purpose of this Ordinance is for the City to recover costs related to fighting fires. Whenever local firefighters are called out to a fire, homeowners (or their insurance carriers) will be billed to help pay the costs. According to the Ordinance, the City may waive the fees if they feel the charges are a burden to the homeowner.

The Commission will also discuss and consider approving a Board/Commission Applicant Information Sheet. The application sheet was designed to make it easier to select appointees to various City boards, committees and commissions. According to Commissioner Gemma Lamb, too many times letters of application feature no background information about the applicant. The form will give the Commission a better idea about the applicants' qualifications.

The Commission is also expected to receive an update of the Gogebic County Enhanced 911 System. The 911 Committee will be asking the voters to approve a $1.65/line telephone surcharge in May. A Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) ruling, that set the current surcharge at only 30¢ per line, has put the Gogebic County Enhanced 911 System at risk. Costs for Negaunee services have increased, and the costs to create a local 911 dispatch, at this time, are prohibitive.

Mayor Bruce Noren, with the assistance of the Commission, is expected to appoint members to vacant seats in the Ironwood Planning Commission (IPC) as well.

Finally, in closed session, the Commission will  discuss the status of contract negotiations with AFSCME, Local 1538 and Ironwood Professionals Police Association Unions.