IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, January 23, 2009 - The Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) held it's regular monthly meeting yesterday morning in the Women's Club Room, on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building. At 8:00 AM, DIDA Chairman George Goerig called the meeting to order. DIDA Secretary Jane Bowman recorded the roll. Present for yesterday's meeting were: Vice-Chairman Joe Karius; Mayor Bruce Noren; Jackie Powers; Wayne Ozark; Eva Smith-Furgason; Corey Gresham; and Steve Frank. Community Development Director Dan Petersen was also present. Louise Demasi was excused from the meeting. Representing the press were Lou Bonagura and Arvo Toolanen from IronwoodInfo.com; Eric Hjerstedt Sharp from the Daily Globe and yours truly.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The first major topic of discussion for the Authority was to elect DIDA officers. Joe Karius nominated George Goerig and made a motion that the nominations be closed and a unanimous ballot be cast for the same. George Goerig, the current Chaiman of the DIDA, was unanimously re-elected. Jackie Powers nominated Joe Karius to reassume the position of Vice-Chairman. Karius, too, was re-elected to his position.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Following the election of officers, the DIDA held a discussion on adopting a "Code of Conduct." The Code as presented to the members of the Authority reads as follows:

The Appointed Member of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.

As a member I will:

1. Accept responsibility to represent the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority which I am appointed to with dignity and pride by being a positive role model.
2. Conduct myself in a businesslike manner, respecting the rights and opinions of other members and of the public. Abusive, insulting, profane or excessively argumentative language or conduct should not be tolerated.
3. Abstain from, and not tolerate, physical or verbal abuse.
4. Accept the responsibility to promote and support Downtown Ironwood Development Authority to develop an effective planning and zoning program.
5. Attend the meetings of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority on a regular basis and provide prior notification of any necessary absences.
6. Read the plan, zoning ordinance, other ordinance, rules of procedure, bylaws, and other pertinent documents which pertain to the business of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority and continue to gain knowledge (and understanding) through self-study, inquiries and attending appropriate training.
7. Respect, adhere to, and help enforce the rules, policies, and guidelines established by the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority.
8. Read meeting packet materials ahead of time and otherwise be prepared for the meetings.
9. Refrain from deciding cases before the meeting discussion.
10. Participate in the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority deliberation at the meetings when appropriate.
11. Do not engage in criminal activities, and other activities including but not limited to situations of conflict of interest, incompatible office, ex parte contact, not voting on the same issue twice by virtue of serving on two different bodies, or accepting gifts as a form of influencing your vote.
12. In public forums, after a vote by the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority has been taken, I will represent the adopted majority position of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority when speaking on behalf of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority.

Dan Petersen explained that each of the City's boards will be considering adopting a similar Code of Conduct. He said the code would act as a guideline for DIDA members so they know their role and responsiblities on the Authority. He then asked if there were any suggestions for changes to the document.

Jackie Powers told Petersen she believe the document would make a nice training manual. She explained that there never was any information available that spelled out the rights and responsibilities for new members to follow. She said she would favor expanding the list and making it the document more 0f a training manual.

Joe Karius questioned the planning and zoning clause in number 4 of the Code. Petersen suggested that the planning and zoning be changed to reflect the DIDA's role in planning and zoning. Bruce Noren then pointed out that he didn't feel that was exactly a Code of Conduct rather a function of the DIDA.

Steve Frank told the Authority that he though the Code of Conduct proposal is ridiculous. He said the Code is not enforceable. "Do you really think you need to make somebody sign something saying they will not break the law? What does that really accomplish? If you were going to break the law, I'd think you'd be just fine signing it and going about with what you were doing!" Frank said.

Goerig told Frank that nobody really needed to sign it, they just needed to adopt it, and when they are sworn in, they would agree to abide by it. Frank asked, "What then was the purpose of taking an oath of office? To me, it's just a waste of discussion time!"

Petersen explained that it was just a tool to give new and current members an outline to go by. Noren interjected that the Code would be presented to all City committees and it lists the parameters of behavior each is expected to exercise.

Powers said she believed it needed some work. She quoted item number 3, "Abstain from, and not tolerate, physical or verbal abuse." "That you feel that I need to be told that, insults me!" Powers said. Noren tried to explain that the list was not written for the existing members, rather for the community at large where people come and go into the various committees and boards.

"There's a tone of something wrong, when I read it!" Powers continue about the verbal abuse clause. Joe Karius partially agreed with Powers but he felt that there has been problems in the past and he sees nothing wrong with outlining what is acceptable behavior.

Smith-Furgason told the Authority that she felt the term "verbal abuse" was arbitrary because what is verbally abusive to one person may seem to be perfectly fine with another. Noren told Smith-Furgason that you know it when you hear it, you'll know when it's crossed the line. He went on to explain that he wasn't really sure where it crosses the line. Swearing, name-calling, accusations, etc., according to Noren, might be where the line is crossed. Noren suggested rewriting the Code to say that "appropriate" language must be used.

Smith-Furgason pointed out that there were no guidelines that explained the disciplinary actions that might take place in case of a violation in the Code. She went on to say that, after talking to Petersen, it was her understanding that the reason for the entire proposal was because somebody spoke up at some meeting by prefacing his comments with "I am a member of the DIDA." She said she would have no problem agreeing to a pledge that no member speaks on behalf of the DIDA unless they are reflecting the official opinion of the collective DIDA. She went on to say that she felt the adopting the Code of Conduct was "like going after a mosquito with a cannon."

Noren then suggested that the Code, since it would be applied to each and every board within the City be reworded with a name change that would reflect that it was more of a guideline or a handbook for members of Ironwood Boards, Authorities, Committees and Commissions. "Because that's what it's intended to be -- for new people coming on board -- to be able to stay within the lines." Noren said.

Goerig pointed out that one of the reasons for the Code was to insure that members who hold seats on more than one board in the City are reminded to keep the best interest of each board separate -- it's an attempt to avoid conflicts of interest.

Powers made the point that there is a big difference between saying, "I am a member of the DIDA" and "It's the DIDA's opinion..." She agreed that something needs to be addressed when it comes to members on multiple boards.

Noren suggested that the idea be tabled so that the same guidelines could be incorporated for all boards. Powers agreed and added that guidelines of "Roberts Rules of Order" be added. Karius suggested that the City Commission approve a complete set of "guidelines" that each Board can adopt. The Authority agreed to table the item at this time.

UPDATE OF BLUEPRINT PLAN

Dan Petersen addressed the Authority regarding the progress of the Downtown Blueprints Plan. He explained that he spoke with the consultants and Hyatt-Palma and they helped him create a "Process Committee" of thirty people. According to Petersen, the Process Committee was scheduled to meet yesterday evening (and they did -- See the Related Article).

Petersen supplied the Chronicle with a first-draft list of invited members to the Process Committee. The members include:

• Downtown Ironwood Development Authority Members - George Goerig;  Cory Gresham; Joe Karius; Steve Frank; Bruce Noren; Louise Demasi; Jackie Powers; Eva Smith-Furgason and Wayne Ozark.
• City of Ironwood - City Manager Scott Erickson
• Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation - President John Garske
• Planning Commission - Chairman John Wyssling
• Gogebic County Economic Development Corporation - Donna Scorse
• Ironwood Economic Development Corporation - James Huss
• Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee - Eric Lytwyniuk
• Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce - Kim Kolesar and Trish Massi
• Western Upper Peninsula Convention and Visitors Bureau - DeeGee Pawlicki
• Ironwood Carnegie Library - Elaine Erickson
• River Valley Bank - Sue Murphy
• Ironwood Area School District  - Jim Rayner
• Grand View Health Systems - Carol Goffnet
• Gogebic Community College  - Jim Lorenson
• Go-In Forward - Lily Palmer
• Ironwood Historical Society - Dan Berlin
• Hitt's Fine Furniture - Don Hitt
• Backstreet Cycle - Bill Penrose
• Gogebic Community College Student Senate -  Brittany Estola
• Luther L. Wright Student Student Senate - Kari Strand

PROGRESS EDITION GLOBE AD

Jane Bowman provided a copy of last year's Progress Edition Globe Ad. George Goerig explained that the ad was a good opportunity for the DIDA to let the public know what the DIDA was doing and to let people know about the upcoming Blueprint Plan.

Mayor Noren posed a question to the Authority. "Would our exposure in the Globe change if we didn't buy an ad? The reason I bring it up, money being as tight as it is -- I just this isn't the time for us to be buying ads."

Smith-Furgason agreed. She felt the cost ($475) was too much for a one-day, one-time ad. She suggested sending out mailings instead of placing a newspaper ad. Powers agreed saying the news about the Blueprint program has been released already.

George Goerig suggested downsizing the ad. He kept stressing that the DIDA needed to get the word out about the Blueprint Plan. "We need to let the general public know what's going on!" Goerig said.

Steve Frank said, "To me, that's news! News is reported! I don't know what you will be advertising. And I don't know what our target group to reach for advertising would be. I asked the same question of the billboard on Highway 51."

Noren then suggested "another option" -- buying a smaller ad. "$475 is a lot of money out of our small budget. So, when we spend it I think we ought to have an expectation on what you expect it to do. But, if  we're doing it for the promotion -- for the news -- then we out to say it's money well spent. I'm not hearing that here."

Smith-Furgason repeated the efficiency of mass mailings. Goerig then told the Authority that he was hearing it's a money issue... and to him... that means buying a smaller ad. Noren continued, "If we were missing from the Progress Edition, would people say, 'Where's the DIDA?'" Noren asked.

"I would submit that at the end of the year,  if we need to advertise what we've done in the previous year, we've failed as a group!" Steve Frank told the Authority, "My hope would be is that people would say, 'Oh look! That's what the DIDA did!'"

"You know our budget, Joe. You sit on this board." George Goerig said to Karius, who's also the publisher of the Globe. "Is there any way the Globe could possibly donate a little spot in the Progress Edition to the DIDA?"

"Well, we would donate something. We would want the DIDA or anybody who advertises in here (the Progress Edition) to promote their businesses or their activities." Karius responded. "This would reach more than just the business people, it would reach everybody. We would consider donating half the cost or something like that."

Powers asked what kind of deadline there was for the DIDA to give an answer on the ad purchase. Karius said it had to be decided at yesterday's meeting. Then Goerig made an attempt to call for a vote on the matter. Earlier in the meeting, this reporter and Lou Bonagura had requested to address the Authority on this issue. According to the Open Meetings Act, the Authority is required to allow citizens to speak on agenda items before a vote is taken or action is made.

"You're going to vote on it first? Is that what you are going to do?" I asked the Chairman.

"Yes!" Goerig replied.

"That's a great plan!" I responded.

Powers asked Goerig why a vote had to be taken before the public had a chance to voice their opinions. Goerig responded with, "Because the sessions with the board and the discussions are with the board." Noren told Goerig that he would like to hear what the public had to say because he was undecided regarding the issue. Goerig relented and allowed Mr. Bonagura and myself the opportunity to speak.

Before I explained my position on the matter, I pointed out to Mr. Goerig that refusing to let the public speak prior to voting on an issue is a violation of the Open Meetings Act. I cautioned that he had better study the Act to make sure he doesn't violate people's rights in the future.

"The Daily Globe -- like the Superior Chronicle, IronwoodInfo.com, WJMS, WIMI, and WUPM -- they all report on these meetings if they choose to. That's news! As a taxpayer that pays the TIF tax which supports the DIDA, I'm 100% opposed to that ad, and I'll tell you why! Why should we have to pay for something we should be getting free anyway? " I said. "Their supposed to be reporting the news that's what their there for. Why are we paying for it a second time?"

I went on to say that during the recent water break crisis in Ironwood, many good people held their hands up and volunteered their time, money, and efforts to help out the community. WJMS, the Superior Chronicle, and IronwoodInfo.com all did a good job letting the people know what was happening during the City's crisis. The Globe didn't report anything. They failed to let their readers know what was going on -- even though they had the same capablilites and the Chronicle and IronwoodInfo.com did. They could have posted updates to their internet site. They chose not to.

After the crisis was over. They Globe held out their hand and sold the City and the County a full page "Thank-You" ad for over $1000. "They made money on it!"

In the middle of my address to the Commission, Mayor Noren attempted to interupt me claiming that I wasn't addressing the agenda issue. I pointed out that it wasn't for him to determine if what I was saying was relavent or not, and that his attempts to stifle my free speech were a violation of my rights. I continued. Noren, who was visibly upset, left the room to get a cup of coffee.

"The City already subsidizes the Globe to the tune of $10,000 per year. And with the Globe, it's all about the cash. It's not a community newspaper anymore. They're not telling people what's happening in this community like they should. It's all about making money and it's disgusting. I'm totally against it! I pay that TIF tax and I'm sick and tired of watching DIDA funds being pissed away on nothing. It's time we starting doing positive things for this community. Who's going to read that ad, over and above the people that have been reading the Daily Globe anyway?"

Lou Bonagura then addressed the Authority. He said, "I'm going to make this quick. I'm going to second most of what he said, but... I would like to make one point. I've been listening to you guys for months and months and months. Your budget is tight and I don't see spending that money on something that you don't have expectations or shouldn't have any expectations of any success for anything."

Bonagura went on to say that the "ad" the Globe was trying to sell isn't an "ad" -- it's a press release. I explained to the Authority that he gets dozens of press releases a week and he posts them all -- free of charge.

Bonagura ended his address to the Authority with, "I think your obligation is to spend money for the benefit of Downtown Ironwood -- not Downtown Janesville or Downtown DeWitt." The Daily Globe is owned by Bliss Communications located in Janesville, WI.

Bruce Noren then made a motion to authorize the purchase of an ad at half the proposed cost, having the Chairman and one other Authority member draft the ad. No one on the board would second Noren's motion.

Eva Smith-Furgason then made a motion to do a mailing to all of the area downtown businesses that pay the TIF tax to let them know what the DIDA was doing with their money.

Goerig asked if Smith-Furgason wanted to add into her motion that she was NOT supporting the ad in the Progress Edition. Smith-Furgason told Goerig that hers was a separate motion -- it was an alternative to the Globe ad. Steve Frank suggested that the City actively attempts to gather email addresses of local businesses to save on postage in the future. The motion failed by a 3 to 4 vote (Ozark, Frank and Smith-Furgason voting yes).

Further discussion continued on the Progress Edition.  Smith-Furgason expressed her disinterest in placing an ad in the Edition. She said that placing a one-time ad that targets primarily Ironwood is not going to do any good for the downtown. Joe Karius responded with, "I'm sorry, but this is getting ridiculous! The Progress Editions are used by both G.C.C. and the Grand View as recruitment tools. They get 50 extra copies every year. They use their own sections to recruit. The IIDC uses it as a pertainent issue. We sell extra ones. We are a for-profit business. I have no reason to apologize for that. But, it does more than that. It showcases the community, and it's not a one-time show!"

Smith-Furgason asked how many copies were printed each year. Karius told her they printed about 8,500. Smith-Furgason said that is not a lot of issues and she didn't feel the ad was worth the cost. She said it is great to keep people informed, but she didn't feel the benefit would warrant the cost. She suggested sending out press releases and reaching out to other communities.

Goerig again tried to determine if the Authority wanted to take out an ad in the Globe's Progress Edition. He called for a motion.

Noren then made a motion to purchase a "smaller ad" in the Progress Edition. His motion limited the cost of the ad to $250. The motion failed to be seconded.

Noren made yet another motion. He called for an ad not to exceed $100 in the Progress Edition. The motion was seconded by Ozark. A roll call vote was taken. The motion failed by a 3 to 4 margin (Ozark, Noren, and Goerig voting yes).

"So I'm taking it that the board doesn't want to place an ad in the Progress Edition?" Goerig asked the DIDA.

PURCHASE OF A DOWNTOWN BUILDING ON TAX SALE

George Goerig proposed that the DIDA look into purchasing the Sharon Powers Place on Aurora Street through tax sale. He proposes to purchase the building; gather grant money to rehab the building; and then intiate an incubator business on the site.

The DIDA agreed to inspect the building, but they were not ready to agree to purchase it. They suggested that a complete inspection be done to see if the purchase and rehabilitation are feasible first.

Some mention of possibly working with another building owner in town was mentioned, but no action was taken on that idea.

STAFF UPDATES

• Facade Improvement Program has not moved forward. Dan Petersen is still waiting to hear from them.
• The new blight officer has begun working. His name is Jason Alonen. He has been hired as a regular part-time employee.
• Several Complaint forms were filled out.
• Eva Smith-Furgason gave an update of the Ironwood Christmas Bucks program she initiated. She said she will have a full report for the DIDA by the end of the week.
• Eva told the Authority that she had a lot of hands-on contact with several downtown business people and she heard compliants about:
• Parking limits
• Snow Bank Removal Downtown
• An issue arose where a downtown business was refused to allow her flyer to be posted at the Chamber of Commerce. She was told that she couldn't post because she wasn't a chamber member.  Several DIDA members pointed out that the Chamber was on City property and they rent from the City.
• Steve Frank mentioned that the Uniform shop downtown would soon be closing.
• Frank also let the DIDA know that local historial Joe Carlson passed away.