Grants! Grants! Grants! Where Are the Matching Funds?

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - The Ironwood City Commission (ICC) met earlier than usual yesterday evening. Four Public Hearings are conducted prior to the regular meeting.

DOWNTOWN RENTAL REHAB

The first hearing related to the 2009 Housing Resource Fund application in the amount of $150,000 for the component of Rental Rehab in the NPP District. Community Development Director Dan Petersen presented an overview of the grant to the Commission. The program will give downtown property owners an opportunity to rehabilitate their rental apartments. Only one question was asked at the hearing, and that was to determine what the property owners match would be for the grant. Dan Petersen informed the Commission that the property owner's match varied depending on the project.

RAILROAD GRADE PROPERTY PURCHASES

The second hearing conducted yesterday was to receive comments regarding grant applications to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), Michigan Natural Trust Fund (MNTF) and to the MDNR, Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for the purpose of acquiring old railroad grade (for biking/walking purposes) throughout the City. Once again Dan Petersen gave an overview of the application. After a series of questions and comments, the entire concept of the biking/walking trail was bastardized into being a multi-use trail that would allow ATV's and snowmobiles. Kim Kolesar suggested that the purchases include a motorized trail system because ATV's and snowmobiles "bring money into the area!" Jackie Powers explained that she attended the most recent Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee (IP&RC) meeting and that the grant was supposed to be for non-motorized trails. Mayor Noren questioned Ms. Powers (who is not a member of the IP&RC, she simply attended the meeting) as to the wishes of the IP&RC. Ms. Powers explained that she was not in a position to speak for a Committee for which she is not a member. Steve Frank pointed out that the City recently handed out surveys and went to great lengths to determine the recreational needs and wants of the citizens. The most requested facility, Frank pointed out, was a non-motorized trail system.

PATTERSON TENNIS COURT IMPROVEMENTS

The third hearing was to receive comments regarding grant applications to the MDNR, MNTF and to the MDNR, LWCF for the purpose of developing by expanding and upgrading the tennis facilities at Patterson Tennis Courts. This often discussed and never acted upon issue was once again brought before the public. Time and time again, the fact that Ironwood has a number of delapidated courts was brought up. The Little League field courts were mentioned as well as those at the high school. Every attempt was made to suggest that maintaining or improving the existing in-use facility was somehow bad business. The plan is to resurface the two existing courts at Patterson, and to add a third court. Fencing would be reconstructed and the courts could possibly be lighted. Having three courts rather than only two would make high school tennis matches much more efficient. Currently, if Ironwood were to host a tournament, they have to hold matches both at Patterson and in Hurley to accomodate the players and to get the tournament completed in a timely manner. Steve Frank suggested to the Commission that teaching tennis at a larger facililty makes it easier for more people to participate. Trying to teach players independently at separate locations is not cost effective or a good way to learn. At the most recent IP&RC meeting Tennis Coach Annette Burchell gave many valid reasons for refurbishing the existing courts and for adding an additional court at Patterson.

CURRY PARK IMPROVEMENTS

The final public hearing was to discuss a grant application to the MDNR, MNTF and the MDR, LWCF for the purpose of upgrading and modernizing the facilities at Curry Park. According to Dan Petersen the grant would allow Curry Park to accomodate more campers and it would upgrade the existing RV park. Electrical upgrades and plumbing upgrades would be a part big part of the upgrade. Discussion was made regarding the profitablilty of the park. The City previously considered closing the park because it was actually a liability to the City because it was losing money. Operational improvements, City Clerk Karen Gullan pointed out, have improved the bottom line for the park. Upgrading the electrical and plumbing facilities would attract more users to the park, it was noted.

ROUTINE BUSINESS

Following the four public hearings, Mayor Noren called the regular City Commission meeting to order. Following the opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, Karen Gullan recorded the roll. All five of the City Commissioners were present: Bob Burchell, Tom Laabs, Bruce Noren, Gemma Lamb, and Suzanne Toth. Also present for last night's meeting were City Manager Scott Erickson; City Attorney Dennis Cossi; City Clerk Karen Gullan; DPW Foreman Joe Magdziak; City Assessor/Building Inspector Dennis Hewitt; and Ironwood Public Safety Director Bob Erspamer. 

CONSENT AGENDA

The first matter of business at last night's regular meeting was to approve the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda is supposed to contain routine, mundane regular business matters that require no discussion. Eva Smith-Furgason emailed the City Commission prior to last night's meeting and voiced her concern that the fourth item on the Consent Agenda needed to be discussed publically. That item was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the regular agenda. The three items remaining on the Consent Agenda were approved unanimously by the City Commission. Those items were:

• Approval of the March 9th Regular City Commission Meeting.
• Review and Place on file minutes for the:
  • Downtown Ironwood Development Authority, February 26th.
  • Ironwood Planning Commission, February 4th.
• Schedule a Public Hearing for Monday, April 27th at 5:15 PM to hear comment on Ordinance No. 470, Book 4, an ordinance to repeal the existing Planning Commission Ordinance, Chapter 22 and enact a new Planning Commission Ordinance, Chapter 22.

SECURITY FOR LIBRARY & CITY OFFICES

The item removed from the Consent agenda was to consider application submittal for a Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority RAP (Risk Avoidance Program) grant. This grant application is for the purpose of making the Ironwood Memorial Building and the Ironwood Carnegie Library "secure" buildings by installing (1) security systems; (2) surveillance cameras; (3) recording equipment; (4) "panic buttons;" (5) partitions and safety glass to separate employees from the general public; and (6) lock-unlock magnet systems on interior doors and combination locks on the exterior doors. The project cost estimate is $20,000, half of which will be covered by the RAP grant and the other half that will come out of the general fund. 

This reporter questioned the fact that an item such as this was simply placed on the Consent Agenda. The item allows the City to apply for a grant that would require a $10,000 taxpayer match without any public hearing or other public input. Mayor Noren explained that this item simply allowed City Staff to make the application and that no action would be taken on that application (should it be approved) without public input. One needs to wonder why the City Commission conducted the four Public Hearings it held last night. Why didn't they simply place those items on the Consent Agenda and hold the public hearings once the applications have been approved.

Eva Smith-Furgason voiced objection to the purchase of "security equipment" at a cost of $10,000 to the taxpayers simply because a grant was available. Steve Frank pointed out that violent and non-violent crimes are actually decreasing nationally. He asked for specific reasons or possible threats that have occurred that warrant the purchase of this equipment. City Manager Scott Erickson told Frank that the purchase was a "proactive" approach to prevent any possible issues down the road. This reporter questioned the reasons for upgrading security at both the Library and the Memorial Building, stating that our City has had not significant incidents of violent crimes. Our banks have tellers that are open and accessible to the public. We don't have to slide our money or credit cards under a bullet-proof glass to pay for our gas at our convenience stores. Sealing off doors and closing off more and more of  the Memorial Building and Library to the taxpayers that support them gives a very negative image of our City. Is it "proactive" to make our City offices more an more unavailable to the citizens of this community?

When asked where the matching funds would come from to finance the security upgrades, Scott Erickson told the Commission that the budget could be adjusted to find the money. This reporter suggested that the $10,000 the City can somehow pull out of their hat be applied to the IPSD and DPW union requests so that the City's workers can finally be operating under a new contract.

ACTION ON GRANT APPLICATIONS

During the regular meeting action was taken on each of the four issues discussed during the public hearings. All four grant applications were approved. The NPP Rehab and and the railroad grade purchase grants were approved unanimously. The tennis court upgrade was approved 3-2 with Laabs and Toth voting not to approve the application. The Curry Park improvement grant application was approved 4-1 with Toth voting not to approve.

CITY DEER MANAGEMENT HUNT 

Last night, the Commission and the general public were supposed to be updated on whether or not the City Deer Management Hunt has been successful. Several citizens have asked how effective the management plan has been in controlling the deer population within the City limits. Instead of getting specific data that reflected a significant reduction in the City deer herd, the often-repeated deer kill numbers and very vague references towards the "success" of the hunt were given. Steve Frank said that he wanted to know if the hunt was successful, not as a recreational hunt, but as a deer management tool. Have deer/car collissions within the City decreased significantly? Have deer populations (actual numbers) declined? Frank was requesting scientific data that supported the effectiveness of the City Deer Management Hunt not the City's version of "Deer Hunter's Round-Up!" Several hunters spoke in favor of the hunt, saying that the hunt was safe and that snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, ATV and snowmobile use, would not interupt the hunt. This is all well and good, but that is not the issue... the request was to see how effective the hunt has been at reducing the deer herd.

Recently, the City of Ironwood has had a pigeon problem. The City originally discussed possible ways of reducing the number of pigeons in the area. One of the options was to kill the pigeons. The sole purpose of killing the pigeons would be to reduce the pigeon population in the City. Like pigeons, the deer managment program's goal was to reduce the deer population in the City. If the City asked hunters for their assistance in reducing the number of pigeons, nobody would assume it would create an ongoing, yearly "pigeon season" for the hunters that assisted the City. How did Ironwood's Deer Management Hunt suddenly get morphed into a recreational deer hunt?

DOVE'S AUDITORIUM RENTAL FEES

Last night, the Commission considered a request from DOVE to reduce the cost of renting the Auditorium for DOVE Bingo games. According to a letter of request submitted by Pam Orr, Executive Director of Domestic Violence Escape, Incorporated (DOVE), "due to rising costs of equipment and supplies, our proceeds have continued to decline over the past couple of years. As a non-profit organization it is imperative to raise funds to support our programs so that we may continue to provide services to victims of domestic and sexual violence in our community."

City Manager Scott Erickson recommended to the Commission that the rental rate to DOVE be reduced from $175.00 per night to $125.00 per night. City Clerk Karen Gullan confirmed that $125.00 would be adequate to cover the City's expenses. The Commission unanimously voted to reduce the rate for the DOVE Bingo Auditorium rental fees.

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION

The City Commission voted unanimously to  schedule a Special City Commission Meeting for Monday, April 6th, at 5:30 PM to award the Solid Waste Collection and Disposal contract.

MANAGER'S REPORT

• Board of Review - The City Assessor's Office has been holding Board of Review sessions over the last few weeks. The last of the Board of Review meetings will be held today, Tuesday, March 24, 2009, from 9:00 AM until 12:00 Noon. Anyone having questions on their tax assessement or reassessement can take this opportunity to clear up their tax questions. To make sure the general public was aware of these Board of Review meetings, the City placed notices in the Ironwood Daily Globe.
• Stimulus Funding - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has notified the City that $125,000 is available upon written application. Scott Erickson told the Commission that necessary paperwork needs to be completed before the funds can be used within the City. According to Erickson, the funds must be used for new projects, not existing ones. Erickson also indicated that the money will be used to pave streets.
• Next Generation Groups - Several of the "Next Generation" groups that were created as a result of the Rebecca Ryan presentation at GCC last October have been meeting regularly. On Wednesday, April 8th, 2009, at 6:00 PM, they will be meeting again at the Gogebic Community College Cafeteria. Anyone interested in attending is welcome.
• Seasonal Road Limits - Seasonal road load limits within the City limits are currently being enforced.
• National Passport Day - City Clerk Karen Gullan will be at the Memorial Building on Saturday, March 28th, 2009, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for National Passport Day. As of June 1st, 2009, everybody will be required to have a passport or passport card to return to the United States. According to Gullan the typical passport book costs $100, depending on the age of the applicant. People under sixteen pay less and the cost of a passport card is also less.  The passport card can be used to cross Canadian and Mexican borders only. National Passport Day will allow people who work during to the week a chance to get their passports on the weekend, Gullan said. Gullan reminds people to bring their passport photo; birth certificate; and checkbook.
• DIDA / Blueprints Community Visioning Session - Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. The idea of this session is to attract people from the general public for their input on ways to improve the downtown business district. The City is encouraging people to participate.

OTHER MATTERS

Downstate Fails to Recognize U.P. Once Again

Commissioner Laabs read part of an article that appeared in the Ironwood Daily Globe to explained how several counties in the State of Michigan were receiving Stimulus Funding to control blight. When reading the article he pointed out that none of the counties mentioned in the article were in the U.P. He also mentioned that he listened to Govenor Grandholms State of the State address and she mentioned the U.P. only once. He expressed his concern that so little thought is ever given to the Upper Peninsula.

Dan Petersen told Laabs that there will be programs available to Upper Peninsula cities as well. He spoke with several people regarding funding during his recent trip to Lansing.

Mayor Challenges Local Media to Tout Scholarship Program

Mayor Bruce Noren challenged the "area media" to give some publicity to the fact that each of the City Commissioners generously donate one month of their City Commissioner's stipend to fund a scholarship program for area schools. 

CITIZENS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION

Miners Memorial Heritage Park

Linda Jindrich, representing the Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park, addressed the Commission. She thanked the Commission for "supporting the concept" of the park. She informed the Commission that the Friends are in the process of forming their group as a non-profit corporation. She said her group has been circulating petitions throughout the City and have been giving presentations to several community groups including: the Kiwanis; the Rotary; the Ironwood Tourism Council; the Iron County Democratic Party; and the L.L. Wright High School Community Activity Day. She stated that there has been much support for the project at all levels. There will be presentations at the Senior Center; the Masonic Lodge; the American Legion; the Hurley Lioness Club; and the Iron County Historical Society.

Jindrich went on to say that her group liked the idea of a workshop and they were wondering when the City was planning on holding the event. She also requested that no decisions regarding the Miners Memorial Heritage Park be made during the month of April since one of the City Commissioners will not be present. She said as a businessowner, she believes the park will be a real asset to the area's tourist trade.  She continued by saying she also believes it will be a nice compliment for City residents as well.

Jindrich asked if a workshop was in the plans for the near future. Mayor Noren said that no workshop has been planned at this time, but he believed it would be the appropriate next action.

Condolences to the Romans Family

IPSD Director Bob Erspamer said that he would like to publically offer his condolences to the family of Oakland County Police Sgt. Ervin Romans who was killed on Saturday in the line of duty while working on an Oakland County SWAT team. Ervin was the son of Mr. and Ms. Chester Romans of Ironwood. Bruce Noren asked that City Staff also send out a card or letter to the Romans family offering the City's condolences as well.

Blueprints Survey

Dan Petersen wished to thank all of those people who cooperated with the Blueprints telephone survey; the people who worked the phones; Coleman Engineer for providing employees to man the phones; and the Daily Globe for providing phone lines.

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

Following the Citizen's Comments, the Commission went into closed session to discuss the status of contract negotiations with AFSCME, Local 1538 and Ironwood Professional Police Association Unions. This item has been placed on the last several meeting agendas, and it has immediately been removed at the beginning of each meeting. The Chronicle will let our readers know if there was any action taken as soon as we are given that information.