ICC Approves Fire Cost Recovery Ordinance

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - The Ironwood City Commission held a regular meeting at 5:30 PM yesterday in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Memorial Building. Four of the five Commissioners were present for yesterday's meeting: Bob Burchell; Mayor Bruce Noren; Gemma Lamb; and Suzanne Toth. Tom Laabs was excused. Several City Staff members were present as well: City Attorney A. Dennis Cossi; City Manager Scott Erickson; City Clerk Karen Gullan; Community Development Director Dan Petersen; City Financial Director Julie Frederickson; City Assessor/Building Inspector Dennis Hewitt; Utilities Director Bob Tervonen; and Ironwood Public Safety Department Director Bob Erspamer. Representing the press last night were Ralph Ansami, photo-journalist for the Ironwood Daily Globe; Steve Frank from the Chronicle; and yours truly.

ROUTINE BUSINESS (1:18)

Mayor Bruce Noren called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Following the opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, roll was called and recorded by City Clerk Karen Gullan.

The City Commission's first order of business, as usual, was to vote on the approval of the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda is generally a list of mundane, routine business related items that don't require discussion. By unanimously approving the Consent Agenda, the City Commission completed the following tasks:

Approved the minutes of the February 9th Regular City Commission meeting and the Special meeting minutes of February 17th.
Reviewed and Placed on File the minutes from the Ironwood Carnegie Library Meeting of December 6th.

FINANCIAL REPORTS (3:36)

City Financial Director Julie Frederickson presented to the Commission the January Statement of Revenue and Expenditures and Monthly Cash Reports. According to Frederickson, the City is running under budget thus far. Frederickson explained that the Street Fund will be very similar to that of last year once she has Alfred Wright Boulevard and Greenbush booked.

Frederickson told the Commission that the Major and Minor Winter Street funds show little change over last year, snow removal continues at a steady pace. Ms. Frederickson pointed out that the Water and Sewer Budget took a large hit as a result of the recent rash of major and minor water breaks. According to the Frederickson, just over $38,000 has been booked so far for the major Lake Street water break. She estimated that the total costs for the water main break will be over $100,000.

Frederickson said that the sewer work for the year is less than what was predicted thus far, that is largely due to the fact that the City workers have been attending breaks, freezes, and other matters.

Frederickson said that the revenues are down approximately $300,000 from last year. She explained that revenues traditionally drop this time of the year. She asked the Commission if there were any questions. They had none. The Commission unanimously decided to approve and place on file the reports submitted by Julie Frederickson.

FIRE COST RECOVERY ORDINANCE (3:17)

Scott Erickson gave the Commission the reason for the Ordinance and explained that some of the language -- allowing for a Citizen to appeal a Manager's decision whether or not to waive related fees -- was added. Commissioner Lamb asked if the idea of the Ordinance was to basically waive any and all uninsured homeowners. Erickson explained that the fee would be charged on a case by case basis. Lamb also asked if there have been cases where people neglect to call for help because they cannot afford to pay the fee? Bob Erspamer explained that there have been no such reports elsewhere. In the end, the Commission unanimously voted to approve the Ordinance.

BOARD/COMMISSION APPLICATION (1:59)

Dan Petersen told the Commission that the application form included in their packets was a revised version of the form present to them at the last regular meeting. Changes made reflected previously mentioned concerns. A residency question has been added -- whether or not the applicant is a resident of Ironwood -- and whether or not they are a citizen of the United States. A request for resume statement has been added. The section regarding specific interests (as previously recommended for the planning commission) has been deleted, and so has the question regarding whether or not the applicant owes the City money.

Mayor Noren asked the Commission if they had any questions regarding the form. No questions were asked. Commissioner Lamb made a motion to approve the form; Commissioner Burchell seconded the motion; and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the form.

ENHANCED 911 UPDATE (3:35)

Scott Erickson briefed the Commission regarding the $1.65 surcharge that would be going on the May election ballot. He told the Commission that he has been working with IPSD Director Bob Erspamer and the county on a "Plan B" should the surcharge proposal fail. He told the Commission that the Enhanced 911 Committee has been meeting fairly regularly in order to insure the best possible service and be prepared in the event the surcharge referendum fails.

Bob Erspamer told the Commission that telephone customers (landline, cell phone, and Voice Over Internet Protocol telephones) currently pay a 30¢ per line surcharge. He explained that the 911 Committee doesn't have enough money to continue 911 service in Gogebic County with the current fund balance and the extremely low (Michigan Public Service Commission regulated) surcharge. With the County Commission's approval, the 30¢ surcharge can be raised to 42¢, however 42¢ is still not enough to fund the services from Negaunee Dispatch or any other provider (including local dispatch).

Erspamer also explained that the deadline to have the referendum ballot language submitted to the County Clerk was today (February 24, 2009).

MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS (1:46)

According to Mayor Bruce Noren, three Committees had vacancies. The Library Board had two applicants and two empty seats, and the Board of Review had one applicant and one vacant seat.

The Mayor recommended appointing Patti Jahn and Jackie Haig to the Library Board, replacing Luanne Korpi and Dawn Wolfe, and the Commission unanimously approved the appointments. The Mayor also recommended appointing Bob Schonberg to the seat on the Board of Review formerly held by Shirley McDonald. The Commission unanimously approved that appointment as well.

Because there were five applicants for two seats on the Planning Commission, Mayor Noren felt it was only fair that a full Commission vote on the replacements. He suggested that the Commission wait on a decision until the entire Commission was present so that all Commissioners can weigh in on the decision.

MANAGER'S REPORT (4:18)

Scott Erickson gave a brief report of things that were going on in the City. Items he mentioned included:

Dennis Hewitt and Accurate Appraisal had an open book review of reappraisals throughout the City. According to Erickson over 200 citizens made phone calls and/or stopped in to get an explanation of their new assessments.
Next week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday), the Board of Review will be meeting to hear formal complaints regarding property tax assessments. This is an opportunity for citizens to have their property values adjusted should they be assessed too high (or too low).
A tentative workshop is being planned to review the Zoning Ordinance changes. Erickson suggested that the workshop be held on Thursday, March 12, 2009, at 5:30 PM. Commissioner Lamb informed him that she would not be in town. Erickson said he will announce a new date once it is finalized. Dan Petersen said it would be best to have the meeting before the Planning Commission meets on March 18th.
City Manager Erickson and Community Development Director Petersen will be attending a Conference downstate to meet with representatives of MSHDA and others they routinely deal with. These conferences are generally beneficial because new programs are introduced and explained and opportunities for grants become available.
The bids for the garbage contracts will be opened on Wednesday, February 25th, at 2:00 PM, so the City will be able to choose between Waste Management or possibly another waste contractor.

OTHER MATTERS (0:31)

Mayor Bruce Noren was the only Commissioner that had a comment. He took the time to thank City Clerk Karen Gullan for her report and he said people don't really appreciate how much work is involved in the City Clerk's office. Noren complimented Gullan for the fine job that she continues to do.

CITIZEN'S COMMENTS (0:48)

Howard Aspinwall quickly pointed out that the 911 dispatchers are not State Troopers -- they are civilians, and they are paid $60,000/year each. He guessed that there were at least four dispatchers handling the 911 on two shifts and one off. He suggested that the high cost of Enhanced 911 service was largely due to the high wages being paid to the 911 dispatchers.

Following Mr. Aspinwall's comments, the Commission unanimously voted to adjourn.