Loaded Consent Agenda Makes Short Meeting Look Long

IRONWOOD, MI - Monday, March 9, 2009 - The Ironwood City Commission (ICC) will be holding a regular meeting tonight at 5:30 PM in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

On the Consent Agenda for tonight's meeting, in addition to the approval of the February 23rd Meeting Minutes, are several fundraising events to be approved:

• Knights of Columbus "Tootsie Rolls" - April 3-5, 2009.
• AMVETS Post 490 "White Clovers" - April 14-15, 2009.
• VFW Post #1823 "Buddy Poppy Sales" - May 7-9, 2009.
• American Legion Auxiliary "Poppy Days" - May 14-15, 2009.
• American Legion "Miniature Flags" -  June 12-13, 2009.

Also, to be considered on the Consent Agenda are a number of Public Hearings:

• Monday, March 23, 2009 - 4:55 PM - 2009 Housing Resource Fund application in the amount of $150,000 for the component of Rental Rehab in the NPP District.
• Monday, March 23, 2009 - 5:00 PM - A grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for the purpose of acquiring old railroad grade throughout the City.
• Monday, March 23, 2009 - 5:05 PM - A grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for the purpose of development by expanding and upgrading the tennis facilities at Patterson Tennis Courts.
• Monday, March 23, 2009 - 5:10 PM - A grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for the purpose of upgrading and modernizing the camping facilities at Curry Park.
• Monday, March 23, 2009 - 5:15 PM - A grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Land and Water Conservation Fund for the purpose of acquiring old railroad grade throughout the City.
• Monday, March 23, 2009 - 5:20 PM - A grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Land and Water Conservation Fund for the purpose of developing by expanding and upgrading the tennis facilities at Patterson Tennis Courts.
• Monday, March 23, 2009 - 5:25 PM - A grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Land and Water Conservation Fund for the purpose of development by upgrading and modernizing the facilities at Curry Park.

The final issue on the Consent Agenda is to authorize the submittal of Amended Application to USDA Rural Development to include Phase II and Phase III of the Norrie/Jessieville sewer and water project. Consent Agenda items are typically mundane clerical issues that require no discussion. Citizens and Commissioners do have the right to have any items removed from the Consent Agenda into the regular agenda for discussion, however.

Pam Kauppila, Race Director for the Community Cross Country Ski Marathon concept is expected to address the Commission. The proposed race is tentatively scheduled for January 9, 2010. Following her presentation, the Commission will be expected to consider support of the Marathon and whether or not to allow the use of the Memorial Building and City-owned land for the event.

The Commission is also expected to make the long-awaited appointments to the vacant seats on the Ironwood Planning Commission (IPC). Ironically, the Commission recently decided to reduce the number of IPC members due to the fact that only two people applied for the three vacant seats. Since the size of the IPC has been reduced, the number of applicants has increased.

Following the Manager's Report, the Commission is expected to go into closed session to discuss the ongoing contract negotiations between the City and the Ironwood Professional Police Association and the AFSCME, Local 1538 unions.