City Commission to Discuss Reuse Plan for Revolving Loan Fund Tuesday

IRONWOOD, MI - Monday, May 25, 2009 - Tuesday's Regular City Commission meeting will be preceeded by a Public Hearing to hear comment on the proposed amendments to the City of Ironwood's Economic Development Fund Reuse Plan. The plan would allow the Ironwood Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to grant money to governmental and non-profit agencies engaged in economic development activities. This plan has been discussed at the last two IEDC meetings, so has the possibility of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) shifting the control of Revolving Loan Fund monies to regional entities rather than municipalities. The Public Hearing is scheduled to begin at 5:25 PM.

Following the Public Hearing the City Commission is scheduled to take the following actions:

Via the Consent Agenda, the City Commission will take action of the following mundane issues with no discussion and by a single vote:

1. Approval of the May 11th Regular City Commission Meeting Minutes.
2. Review and Place on File the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority Meeting Minutes of April 23rd.
3. Schedule a Budget Public Hearing for June 8, 2009 at 5:15 PM to hear comment relative to the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Proposed Budget, Schedule of Rates for City Services and Property Tax Millage Rate levied to support the proposed Budget.

The Commission will also receive and place on file from Financial Director Julie Frederickson the Statement of Revenue and Expenditures and the Monthly Cash Reports.

Other Issues the Commission is schedule to deal with Tuesday include:

Discussing and considering the repeal of the existing Zoning Ordinances, and replacing them with an entirely rewritten version of the Code.

Consider Authorizing the approval of amendments to the City of Ironwood's Economic Development Fund Reuse Plan and authorize submittal to the MEDC for approval.

Consider the approval of an engineering service agreement with Coleman Engineering for Phase II and III of the Jessieville/Norrie Water & Sewer Stimulus Projects.

Discuss and Consider granting a request for a "Special Event" water rate to the Gogebic County Fiar for August 20-23, 2009.

Discuss and Consider approval of ATV use on Trail Number 2 (Existing snowmobile trail adjacent to US 2).

Consider a Resolution approving contract with the MDOT for the construction of a new salt storage building and authorizing Scott Erickson, City Manager and Bruce Noren, Mayor to sign the contract.

Discuss and Consider Authorizing advertisement for bids to repair snow damage to the Pat O'Donnell Civic Center building.

Consider a Resolution approving the State Trunkline Maintenance Contract for the period of October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2014 and authorizing Scott Erickson and Bruce Noren to sign the contract.

Consider a Resolution authorizing submission of Notice of Intent to the MEDC for Infrastructure Capacity Enhancement (ICE) Component of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

According to the posted agenda for Tuesday night's meeting, the City Commission is scheduled to go into closed session to discuss the status of contract negotiations with the AFSCME, Local 1538 and the Ironwood Professional Police Association Unions. The agenda claims the Commission will be taking action on the contracts when they return to open session. This issue is routinely posted on Agendas, and yet the City is three years past due in settling union agreements.