Current Commission Meets For Last Time

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - The current City Commission met for the last time last night. On November 3rd, a new Commission will be elected. The election is at large and it is entirely possible, depending on the will of the voters, to have five new Commissioners by Wednesday, November 4th.

ROUTINE BUSINESS

A. Call to Order - The Regular Meeting of the Ironwood City Commission was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor Bruce Noren. The audience rose as the Mayor, for the last time, recited the Opening Prayer. Following the Prayer he lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. Recording the Roll - After the meeting is called to order, City Clerk Karen Gullan record the roll. All five Commissioners -- Bob Burchell; Tom Laabs; Gemma Gorilla Lamb; and Suzanne Toth -- were present. City staff attending the meeting included: City Attorney A. Dennis Cossi; City Clerk Karen Gullan; City Manager Scott Erickson; Community Development Director Dan Petersen; Utilities Director Bob Tervonen; City Assessor/Building Inspector Dennis Hewitt; Finance Director Julie Frederickson; and Director of Public Safety Bob Erspamer (acting as Sergeant-at-arms for the meeting). In the audience there were four Commissioner Candidates: Louise Demasi; George Goerig; William D. Lucius; and Rick Semo. Three media sources covered the meeting: representing the Daily Globe was Ralph Ansami; representing IronwoodInfo.com was Arvo Toolanen; and representing the Superior Chronicle was yours truly.

C. Consent Agenda - The first item for consideration was to Approve the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda is supposed to be a list of routine, mundane items that shouldn't require discussion. The following items are on the Consent Agenda:

1) Approval of the Minutes for the October 12th Regular City Commission Meeting.

2) Review and Place on File

Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency (GOCAA) Meeting Minutes of September 17th.
Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) Meeting Minutes of October 1st.
Local Elected Officers Compensation Commission Meeting Minutes of October 19th.

This reporter asked that Item C(1) be put on the regular agenda. The Commission ruled unanimously to approve the amended Consent Agenda (less item 1).

D. Monthly Cash Reports - The Commission received and placed on file from Finance Director Julie Frederickson the Monthly Cash Reports. Frederickson told the Commission that the audit is moving along and will soon be completed. She said then the Financial Reports can be once again presented. Frederickson explained that there was a little better than $4,000,000 in the bank for operating expenses. She provided the Commission with a list of accounts payables as well.

The only question for the Director was from Commissioner Laabs he asked why the January water bill for the Civic Center was being paid in September. Frederickson explained that it takes that long for the Township to bill the City. Laabs commented that it's better than the 5-year bill the City previously received.

E. Approval of the Agenda - The Commission unanimously approved the Agenda with the addition of Item E(1) (the Consent Agenda item #1).

E(1) (Moved from the Consent Agenda) - This reporter asked that the minutes be amended. There was a reference to an incident involving a former DIDA member that occurred prompting former City Commissioner (and DIDA member) to email the DIDA with a complaint and what amounted to a resignation. The minutes stated the issue was between two DIDA members, though neither of the parties involved are sitting members of the DIDA. The Commission unanimously approved the minutes with the reference to the parties as being "former DIDA members."

F. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items on the Agenda. (Three Minute Limit) - Louise Demasi told the Commission that she might possibly like to address the Commission if the topic of the Carnegie Library comes up. She explained that the got a copy of a press release from Bart Stupak. Eva Smith-Furgason told the Commission that she would like to speak on Item I. Megan Fuller told the Commission that she would like to speak on Item I as well. George Goerig asked to speak on Item L. Jim Albert asked to speak on Items K, I and N. Steve Frank asked to speak on Item I.

G. AUDIENCE: Plaque Presentation - Mayor Noren informed the audience that the Commission was going to award some plaques. The first plaque was for Jerry Synkelma who served on the City Pension Committee for many years. Synkelma was not present to receive the award.

The second plaque was for Community Development Director Dan Petersen who recently resigned to accept a position in his home town with the Federal Government. Noren told the audience that Petersen was only with the City a short time, but he made a big impact. Noren said that he would be missed, and he hoped that a replacement Director with similar skills can be found.

Scott Erickson reiterated Noren's sentiments stating that Dan took on some major projects and did a terrific job. He explained that Petersen was instrumental in completing the new Zoning Ordinances; initiating the Downtown Blueprint; progressing with Facade grants; and obtaining a substantial skatepark grant. Erickson said Petersen has done "about five and a half years of work in a year and a half!"

Karen Gullan presented a plaque to Mayor Bruce A. Noren for his years of service -- serving three terms as a City Commissioner and two terms as the City's Mayor.

The City Manager announced that coffee and cookies would be served in the hall following the meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

H. Blight on Cedar - Community Development Director Dan Petersen gave the Commission an update on the possible abatement of blighted property at 400 Cedar Street. He presented photos that demonstrated that the property owner has been hard at work getting the property cleaned up. The Commission unanimously voted to allow the owner 45 more days to complete the clean up of the property.

I. Downtown CDBG - Dan Petersen briefly described the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Downtown Ironwood. He explained the maximum for the grant was limited to $650,000. He explained that improvements to the Library and the Theatre were removed because they didn't qualify for the grant. He also explained that, even with the Library and the Theatre removed, their initial request was over the $650,000 limit. He told the Commission that the DIDA voted to remove the Depot Park improvements from the "wish list." The grant carries a 10% local match.

"As most of you know," said Eva Smith-Furgason to the Commission. "I'm a member of the DIDA. I am disappointed at the way the information was presented to the DIDA, and the hasty decision to take particular pieces of the block grant out of play. I guess my big concern I have is that this item was added to the agenda without prior knowledge without prior information being sent in the packet to the DIDA members." Smith-Furgason complained that the DIDA members didn't get ample time to examine the grant or weigh out it's relevance to the Downtown Blueprint Program.

"The decision was undertaken with less that five minutes of any discussion. Alternative views were really not allowed to be presented, explored or in any way taken into consideration, and that's a big problem for me! First of all, the entire DIDA was not present. Bruce -- you were not present. Corey Gresham was not present and we have two vacancies so instead of nine people voting on this over half a million dollars worth of funding, it was five people voting with approximately ten minutes notice with which we were supposed to make up our minds. "

"I did offer an alternative that I feel was -- as hasty as it was -- it took under consideration the fact that nobody is going to come to see the Memorial Building parking lot. Nobody is going to make the trip especially for our lovely restrooms that we are now spending $75,000 on. But, people will come to see a beautiful Depot Park. We have one of the few depots, that is in excellent condition." Smith-Furgason said.

Smith-Furgason told the Commission that there was never a mention of a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) grant at the DIDA meeting. She said the fact that the grant is applied for is a big surprise to her.

Smith-Furgason requested that the matter be returned to the full DIDA and she suggested that a joint meeting between the City Commission and the DIDA be called to fully discuss and debate the matter. She went to say that she has fully studied the Blueprint Program and that she was troubled that the program has not be followed.

At a business owners gathering at Tacconelli's earlier this year, Dan Petersen said that calling Hyett-Palma just a consulting firm was like calling Michael Jordon just a basketball player. At the time, he said they were the best in the business. Smith-Furgason told the Commission that the City needs to start following the advice they paid $30,000 to receive regarding the Blueprint Plan. She suggested that we follow the plan "to a tee."

"If they say don't put in public restrooms," Smith-Furgason said. "Then we don't put them in!" Smith-Furgason suggested that there were other alternatives to the construction of new public restrooms downtown available . She said the money saved on restrooms the Plan clearly opposes could be used more wisely elsewhere.

Megan Fuller pointed out that the Downtown public restrooms would create a long term financial burden for the City. When the Blueprint Plan was first presented by Doyle Hyett, he made it very clear that public restrooms were not a part of the plan. He said unattended public restrooms were havens for sex offenders, criminals, drug dealers, drug users, etc. He said they are also a maintenance nightmare which could cost the City in excess of $30,000 per year.

Fuller also urged the City to reconsider the Depot Park.

Former DIDA member, Steve Frank, asked where the CDBG request number came from, and he asked how binding they were. He said originally the public restrooms cost $50,000 and then, all of a sudden, they are going to cost $75,000.

"Did the costs go up? Or wasn't the $50,000 enough?" Frank asked. He asked if the restrooms could be built for $30,000. Frank pointed out that the reason the DIDA eliminated the Depot Park improvements because it was the "easiest thing they could do!" He said the wish list needed to be reduced by about $200,000... the Depot cost about $200,000 so it was the quickest easiest wan to handle the situation.

Frank pointed out that something of this importance to the downtown needed to be discussed for a considerable time. He said making such hasty decision is not smart business. Frank repeated what Smith-Furgason said. The Blueprint Program is not being followed, and Frank fears that hasty decisions could cause the City to miss out on an opportunity to greatly improve the downtown.

George Goerig, Chairman of the DIDA, told the Commission that the DIDA had a quorum and was legally allowed to conduct business. He pointed out that the CDBG is in the very early stages and that numbers are being thrown back and forth to determine what is acceptable.

This reporter explained that 40% of the current CDBG proposal is for parking lots. I explained that, in my thirty years in business, I have never had a single customer complain that there wasn't enough parking downtown.

In the end the Commission decided to send the proposal back to the DIDA to allow them to present it to the next Commission.

NEW BUSINESS

J. Coleman Engineering Agreement - Scott Erickson explained that the City received stimulus funding for an overlay reconstruct project on Lake Road. He explained that the project would be an Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project, and that many MDOT procedures would need to be followed. These procedures involve a lot of paperwork and follow up, so Erickson recommend that the Commission consider approving and Engineering Services Agreement with Coleman Engineering for Lake Road from US-2 to Margaret Street. The amount of the agreement is NOT TO EXCEED $15,900 ($8,000 for design and $7,900 for construction, administration and inspection.) The Commission unanimously agreed to approve the agreement with Coleman Engineering.

K. Pay Increase for Commissioners - Mayor Bruce Noren, at the last City Commission meeting, suggested that the Local Elected Officers Compensation Commission meet to give a recommendation to the Commission about a possible stipend adjustment for the incoming Commission.

The Local Elected Officers Compensation Commission is staffed by Paul Oliver whose term expired on June 30, 2002; James N. Huss whose term also expired on that date; and Dave Ramme whose term expired on June 30, 2005. When the last meeting was held, there was one vacancy, and since that meeting the fifth Commissioner has passed away. Mayor Noren temporarily extended their expired terms in order to bring this issue before the City Commission before the election.

Data Compiled by: Karen M. Gullan	MAYOR		COMMISSION
LOCATION	PER	MAXIMUM	PER	MAXIMUM
Escanaba	$75/meeting	$2,520	$70/meeting	$2,160
Houghton	$100/meeting	$2,400	$70/meeting	$1,680
Ironwood	$150/quarter	$1,560	$100/quarter	$880
Bessemer	$105/month	$1,260	$85/month	$1,020
Iron Mountain	$10/meeting	$625	$10/meeting	$500
Hancock	$20/meeting	$500	$20/meeting	$500
Wakefield	$10/meeting	— 0 —	$10/meeting	— 0 —

According to a Karen M. Gullan Memo to the Local Elected Officers Compensation Commission, the City of Hurley's Mayor (Hurley is a Mayoral Run City) receives $500/month plus $35/meeting. The Hurley City Council receives $100/month plus $35/meeting.

Gogebic County Commissioners receive $25/meeting for County meetings and $35/meeting for Out-of-County Meetings. The Chairman receives $445/month plus meetings, the Finance Chairman receives $395/month plus meetings and other Commissioners get $320/month plus meetings.

This reporter pointed out that all of the Election Compensation Commission members' terms had expired. I asked how it is possible for them to hold a meeting. Mayor Noren explained that members don't lose their seats until they are replaced by a newly appointed Commissioner.

Noren asked if any of the Commissioners wished to make a motion to approve an increase in the Commissioner's stipends. No one made a motion. The Commission moved on to other business.

L. OPRA Policy - Dan Petersen explained to the Commission what the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) Policy is all about. It is a tool that freezes property taxes at their current tax rate allowing the property owner to invest money into the property, without getting a substantial tax increase in the process. The more money the developer invests the better tax deal he will receive. The Commission unanimously voted to send the OPRA Draft to the IEDC and to the Planning Commission for their approval.

M. Cold Mix Asphalt Bid - The Commission awarded the lowest bid for 200 Ton of SC-250 Cold Mix Asphalt to Northwoods Paving in the amount of $62.18 per ton delivered. Total Cost = $12,436.00. The roll call vote was unanimous.

N. Mayor's Appointments - This reporter expressed concern that the Mayor would be appointing new members to various committees and boards at his very last meeting. I suggested that the appointments be tabled until the new Commission is seated so that they would have the opportunity to seat whomever they wished.

The Mayor ignored my concerns and made the following appointments, each unanimously approved by the Commission:

DIDA (unexpired term) - William Penrose
DIDA (unexpired term) - Rick Tippett
Library Board (unexpired term) - Courtland Gieb
Planning Commission - Courtland Gieb
Civic Center Board - George Goerig
Civic Center Board - Joseph Metzger

O. Manager's Report - Scott Erickson gave the following report to the Commission:

First snowstorm - crews were out clearing snow and clearing broken branches.
Blight Committee will be meeting tomorrow to tour the blighted properties that can be abated through the NSP program.
Cake and Coffee will be served to say goodbye to Dan Petersen on Tuesday, October 27th between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Most of the Streets in the Local Overlay Project are completed by the weather has not be cooperating.
Skateboard park - Angelo Lupino has finished pouring the second slab and they will soon build the fence and pave the surround area in the near future.
Halloween Trick or Treat times are on Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Time Change - Erickson finished off his report by reminding people to turn back their clocks on Saturday.

Before he gave the floor back to the Commission Erickson briefly discussed the recent news that the Federal government approved the $1.55 million Library Expansion loan and a grant of $50,000. Erickson told the Commission that the City is not obligated in anyway to accept the grant or the loan. The money is just set aside should the City find a way to fund it. Erickson explained that the only way a millage could be imposed is by the vote of the people. Both Dennis Cossi and Erickson pointed out that the City has reached their Constitutional limit for bond issues as well.

According to Erickson, the only way the Library Expansion could go forward at this point is if the issue is brought before the voters and they approve a millage for the project.

Commissioner Lamb asked if there was a time frame to use the funds. Erickson told Lamb that there was a two year window of opportunity. If the City doesn't use the funds before two years have passed, the money will no longer be available. Lamb asked if the grant was contingent on the loan, and Erickson confirmed that it is.

Louise Demasi expressed concerns that the voters turned down the expansion of the Library, yet it appears that it will be expanded anyway. She listed off several projects that the people voted against but were done anyway: the Wastewater Treatment Plant; the Iron County jail; and the people voted 2-1 against Library expansion.

Demasi asked Erickson for a guarantee that the City will not, under any circumstances, go ahead with the Library project until the people vote for and approve it. Before Erickson could answer, Mayor Noren interrupted and explained that Erickson cannot make such a promise because such a decision would not be his to make.

Demasi asked for a special meeting of the current Commission to be called to put a halt to any action on the Library. No such meeting was scheduled.

P. Other Matters (Five Minute Limit) - Mayor Noren gave a heartfelt thank-you and goodbye to the City. He thanked his fellow Commissioners; the citizens; the City staff; and his family.

Q. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items not on the Agenda (Five Minute Limit) - George Goerig addressed the Commission with a prepared statement.

"With all due respect, at this time, as a concerned citizen and taxpayer, I'd like to request that you rescind Resolution # 09-042 authorizing and providing for the incurrance of indebtedness for the purpose of providing renovation and expansion of our Carnegie Library. With the present state of our economy and the City's infrastructure, I feel that the City of Ironwood and the taxpaying citizens you were elected to represent cannot incur a debt as large as the $1.5 million Library project. If, at this time, it is not appropriate to rescind the Resolution, I call on you, Mr. Mayor and members of the City Council, to call a special meeting for this Wednesday, in order to allow for the proper 18 hour posting requirements as defined by the Open Meetings Act, to discuss this issue. Thank-you!"

Steve Frank addressed the Commission.

"If I remember right, at the beginning of this Commission, we decided that we were going to advertise for openings, we were going to use all available media websites. Did you ever re-advertise the DIDA positions? The Chronicle never got anything. It wasn't on the City's website. I don't know if you paid the Globe to put an ad in there. You just violated your own policy right there -- let alone the Library openings and all that."

"It was about a year and a half ago that you appointed me to the DIDA. You took me and Jim aside to that room. At that time you said you would be willing to put one of us on the DIDA but not both. It was up to us to decide. I can only assume you were telling us the truth and whatever we decided you would put that person on there. Jim just applied for the open position on the DIDA. You didn't even consider him. Five times he's put his name in for that. He's been at every single DIDA meeting for over three years. And you appointed people that I've never seen at a meeting. I have no idea who they are. I'm not saying anything bad about them. I don't know anything about them. They certainly never come to a DIDA meeting. I think it's absolutely reprehensible. I assume that at least filled out the application fully, although I guess we'll never know that either."

Frank then asked for the second time about the Housing Standards Committee. "Did we ever find out who they are or what they do?" Karen Gullan said she didn't know what Frank was talking about. He pointed out that the City has condemned properties in the City and the signs posted say, "By authority of the Housing Standards Committee of the City of Ironwood."

"I just think, if you're going to take someone's property, no matter how deserving it is, that you should make sure you do it in a legal way. Because sometime this City is going to do the wrong thing to the wrong person and they're going to have the resources to hire an attorney and they're going to sue the City if you keep doing things the wrong way. That's all I've ever wanted to see in the past two years -- that we start following our own rules! I hope the new Commission's better!"

Bernie Finco asked what the law was regarding four-wheelers on the City streets.

"They're illegal." Bob Erspamer responded.

Finco went on to complain about activity that is going on near his house and he invited Erspamer to come to his house; have coffee and cake; and wait for the activity to begin.

"Doughnuts?" Erspamer said, trying to sweeten the deal.

He said, for the first time, they weren't around today because they did so much damage the yesterday. He said they would be back and he urged that something be done to control them.

This reporter asked if any of the City Staff or the City Commission knew why the Candidate Forums for Charter and WJMS were canceled. I explained that I made some phone calls after the Charter forum was canceled and I couldn't get a straight answer from anybody. When I called Charter, they said they didn't cancel the forum, but they didn't organize it either. I called WUPM to talk to Chuck Gervasio who was supposed to moderate the forum, and a spokesperson told me that Chuck didn't cancel it and neither did Charter. Chuck apparently called Karen Gullan and explained that he only had six questions submitted. When I called Karen, I couldn't get a straight answer either. I asked her if she canceled the Charter forum. She said no. I asked if Chuck canceled the forum, she said no -- he was just the moderator. I asked if Charter canceled the forum and she said no -- in fact, they were rather upset. So then I asked Karen who initiated the forum. According to her, Charter did it as a public service. So I asked did they initiate the forum. She said no. After discussing the matter and going around in circles, Karen admitted to calling the candidates and contacting Charter to set up the forum.

When the Commission and City Staff failed to answer my question, I told the Commission that I already knew the answer to my question before I asked it.

EDITOR'S NOTE: After doing some further investigation, I found out some very interesting information about the cancellation of the WJMS forum as well. Once I have completed by investigation, I will provide a full report.

R. Adjournment - Once all of the citizens were heard from, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote of the Commission.