City Commission Discusses Teen Suicide, Character Education & Employment Issues

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, August 24, 2010 -  The Regular Meeting of the Ironwood City Commission was held on  Monday, August 23rd, 2010, in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building in Downtown Ironwood. 

REGULAR BUSINESS:

A. Regular Meeting Called to Order - At 5:30 PM Mayor Bob Burchell called the meeting to order followed by the recitation of the Opening Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. Recording of the Roll - City Clerk Karen Gullan recorded the roll. All Commissioners were present to last night's meeting: Kim Corcoran; Gemma Lamb; Mayor Bob Burchell; Will Lucius; and Rick Semo. City Staff attending the meeting included: City Clerk Karen Gullan; City Manager Scott Erickson; City Attorney Dennis Cossi; Financial Director Julie Frederickson; and City Assessor/Building Inspector Dennis Hewitt. Reporters attending included: Margaret Levra (Ironwood Daily Globe) and yours truly (Superior Chronicle).

C. Approval of the Consent Agenda - * All items with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the City Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of those items unless a Commission member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.

*1) Approval of Minutes – August 9th Regular City Commission Meeting & Special Meeting of August 5th.
*2) Review and Place on File.  a) Ironwood Park & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes of August 2nd.
*3) Scheduling Public Hearing for Monday, September 13, 2010 at 5:15 PM. to hear comment on Ordinance No. 478, Book 4 an Ordinance providing for the amendment to the “Code of Ordinances”, City of Ironwood, Michigan, Chapter 30 Traffic and Motor Vehicle, Article II Uniform Traffic Code, by Adding a New Division 11. (All Terrain Vehicle use on City Streets).
*4) Designate City Manager, Scott Erickson as MML Convention Delegate and the alternative City Clerk, Karen Gullan.

Without discussion, the City Commission unanimously approved the consent agenda.

D. Approval of the Agenda - The Commission unanimously agreed to approve the agenda as presented.

E. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items on the Agenda. (Three Minute Limit) -  Don Maki asked to speak on Item H. He questioned changed on the Deer Management Hunting Map. He noted that there were changes last year that were never corrected. Property lines are inaccurately reflected. Karen Gullan assured Mr. Maki that the map would be corrected. Maki told the Commission that property owned by Ironwood Ready-Mix is incorrectly displayed on the map as City-owned property. Maki also stated that a portion of "Old Country Road" (the old road to Bessemer) is included on the map and Maki pointed out that the area is residential and contains several houses. Scott Erickson said they will re-examine the map and make all necessary changes.

Steve Frank expressed an interest in addressing the Commission regarding Items H and I. Mr. Frank asked the Commission if the Deer Management Hunt has been successful. "What evidence do we have -- I'm not against hunting at all -- but what evidence do we have that the hunt has been successful? This was set up, not to provide hunting within the City limits, it was set up because we perceived that we had too many deer. We still have no evidence as to what the original population was; what the current population is; have the number of collisions declined in the area in these past years; have the number of complaints declined? I'll accept and I'll admit that anecdotally it appears we have a huge number of deer. And it appears to me that we have more deer now than we had when we started this. We've never discussed any other method of deer control -- whether it's prohibiting feeding of deer; cleaning up apples in your yard; or anything like that. This has become the only method that we use to take care of this. So that's just my standard question -- every year -- when will we know if this is successful or when will we know we'll need to try something else?"

Mayor Burchell told Frank that the Commission will try to address his concerns when the item comes up on the agenda.

Mr. Frank questioned the Daily Globe advertising fees listed in the Commissioner's packet under Item I. "What exactly was advertised? Were those required to be advertised in a print newspaper by State law? Why won't those sent out to other media in the community? It appears that it was approximately $3,000.00 total which was nearly 7% of the total expenditure. Just looking to save some money potentially.

Mayor Burchell explained that the Globe is the official City print media, and State law requires that print media be used for that type of advertising. He said the City is working towards placing such ads on the City's website as well.

Dr. Nitin Nigam, M.D., Retina Specialist at the Grand View Eye Center, addressed the Commission explaining that last year he requested a Letter of Support endorsing his appeal to the American Board of Ophthalmology for board certification eligibility. As part of the Board certification process, the doctor is required to get the support of the community. Dr. Nigam urged the Commission for that support.

According to supporting documentation supplied with Dr. Nigam's Letter of Support request, "Dr. Nigam has done extensive research in Ophthalmology and is working to transform the Grand View Eye Center into a clinical research center. He is in the process of bringing Phase III and Phase IV clinical trials to Grand View which will provide cutting edge treatment for retinal diseases at no cost to the patients. Bringing a research center to the Grand View gives validity and academic status to the hospital."

"About 60% of Ironwood's population is over 60 years of age and many are suffering from Macular Degeneration and Diabetes. The need for a retinal specialist in the community is imperative, keeping in mind that there is none in the Upper Peninsula. Dr. Nigam is committed to work with us (the GVHS) and for the community. The patients have been very happy to have a retinal specialist in Ironwood, as now they don't have to travel to Duluth or Wausau."

Jim Albert (this reporter) asked to speak on Item L. I explained that I believed the City Manager Performance Evaluation Procedure From was too subjective and not specific enough. I suggested that the City Manager provide a monthly written report to the Commission itemizing his accomplishments and suggestions for improvements. I also suggested that the City Commission place complaints and concerns in the Manager's file so that the Manager's review could be more scientific and not so subjective.

Pat Gallinagh, President of Range Suicide Prevention Council, addressed the Commission on Item K. Mr. Gallinagh pointed out that the Council's latest "memory" quilts were on display in the hallway outside of the Commission Chambers, and would be on display on the first floor in the immediate future. The quilts feature individuals who have committed suicide in the area. Gallinaugh pointed out that this is the sixth quilt that the Council has created to bring suicide awareness to the community.  He also shared the following:

• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death nationally.
• In "rural America" suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death. Gallinaugh pointed out that our area is definitely "rural America."
• Last year,  34,598 deaths in the United States and 11,038 in Michigan were a result of suicide. This equals 11.2 deaths per hundred thousand people in Michigan. The national average is 11.5 deaths per hundred thousand.
• Wisconsin had about 789 deaths from suicide, which equals 13%, which is above the national average.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death in teenagers and the second leading cause of death among college students.
• The leading cause of suicide is untreated depression.
• 25 to 30 million people suffer from depression each year. Only 30% are getting any treatment and only 15% are getting adequate treatment. 
• 66-70% of suicide victims suffered from one or more mental illnesses, and one is generally depression.

Gallinagh passed out cards to the audience (below). He urged parents and grandparents of teenagers to take the cards and examine them closely. 

Gallinaugh pointed out that the City Commission was going to act on passing a resolution declaring September 5th through the 11th as "Suicide Prevention Week" and that Gogebic County and Iron County Wisconsin have passed similar resolutions. He told the Commission that it is very likely that everybody in attendance knew somebody featured on the quilts on display in the hallway.

"What we are trying to do with these quilts is to break the curtain of silence and shame that is associated with suicide." Gallinaugh said, "Because that's one of the reasons people don't get help."

Gallinaugh said it is imperative that people learn the symptoms and learn to recognize signs of depression, especially if members of your family have had a history of mental illness, alcohol dependency or drug abuse. He said one of the biggest warning signs is a lack of interest in things that used to be important to the patient.

Gallinaugh said depression has a very good cure rate and there is good news relating to treatment.

"Some suicides, like accidents, will happen but the vast majority are preventable by recognizing the symptoms of depression and early intervention."  said Gallinaugh.

F. AUDIENCE: Update on Character Education Initiative of the Ironwood Area Schools - Michelle Kanipes, representing the Ironwood Area School District, addressed the Commission regarding the Character Education Initiative that is being implemented in the district this year. She handed out little cards as she said, "I have more stuff!

As the small cards were being passed out she said, "This is a 'Touchtone!' Do not ask me what a 'Touchtone' is!" She explained that the two individuals who were supposed to address the Commission were out of town, so she was the "understudy."

Kanipes explained that the School District has come to the conclusion that things need to be done differently. She told the Commission how she was accustomed to change. She said she had the youngest parents in the entire district when she was growing up. She never dreamed her parents would be the first in her class to pass away, but her mother died when she was only 53 and her father died when he was 63. She said she understands change and she realizes that change is often necessary for survival.  She said schools need to change, and the Ironwood Area School District is now focusing on "character education" as part of that change.

She read a letter written by Tim Kolesar that explained what character education was all about.

"Character Education is a community effort," Kolesar wrote, "to create moral behaviors where respect, caring and honesty are modeled, taught, expected, celebrated and continuously practiced in everyday interactions. It is about integrating traits such as kindness, perseverance, self-discipline, courage, fairness and citizenship into our schools, our homes and our business and industry."

She said that a banker in Jefferson, Wisconsin explained that he bought into the program in their schools and their community because he was tired of seeing how people were defaulting on loans. He said these defaults affect him, his bank and his community. He said that character education would improve the entire community by teaching honesty, decency and responsibility.

"I believe if we can't change the way people think," Kanipes explained, "If we can't keep kids off of their PlayStations and their X-Boxes; if we can't get them to stop texting when they're sitting right next to each other; if we can't get them off of their computers to talk to you ask their parents; if we don't know what's going on in their Algebra class or their Pre-Algebra class or their Spanish class or their Social Studies class; we've lost! And we need kids to understand that this community was built on perseverance and people that worked hard for a living."

She told a story about her grandfather who worked 14-16 hours a day in the mine only go come home to dig out a foundation for their house, by hand, with a shovel. She said he never complained -- he did it for his family. She said that this rich heritage, this belief, and this determination, is being lost and the lessons learned through the history of our past needed to be emphasized to help build character.

She urged the Commission to pass the resolution to be presented and signed at the Community Education Forum to be held on August 31, 2010, at 6:30 PM in the Courtside Dining Area of the Lindquist Center on the Gogebic Community College campus. She said Sandy Swartz, a consultant from Jefferson, Wisconsin hired by the IASD would be in attendance. She also urged everybody interested in the community to attend.

Commissioner Gemma Lamb made a motion to pass the resolution. Commissioner Rick Semo seconded the motion, and the Commission voted unanimously to pass the Resolution. The Commission agreed to allow the Mayor to sign the Resolution on August 31, 2010, at the Community Education Forum to be held at the college.

OLD BUSINESS

G. Update on hiring of new Community Development Director - Scott Erickson briefed the Commission on the process involved for hiring a Community Development Director. He explained the problems that have arisen in the process, and he explained the importance of the position and fact that it is basically a job and a half for the person who accepts the position. He stated that a full-time director was needed in Ironwood, and that sharing his position with the County would put too much strain on the individual who accepts the job. He told the Commission that the CD Director position is basically a 50-60 hour/week job.

Erickson told the Commission that the CD Director was involved in:

• Planning and Zoning
• Grant Writing
• New initiatives such as the Downtown BluePrint Program
• Comprehensive Plan Updates
• Ordinance Updates
• Liason for several entities within the City
• DIDA
• Planning Commission
• Ironwood Economic Development Corporation
• Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation
• City Commission
• Parks and Recreation Committee
• State & Government Agencies

Erickson told the Commission that having a joint County/City CD Director is too large a task for one individual. He explained that former CD Director Pat Merrill served both the County (as Economic Development Director) and the City (as Community Development Director) and -- although he did a great job -- it was a very difficult to serve both entities simultaneously. He said doing both jobs is overwhelming and can lead to ineffectiveness.

Commissioner Lucius said if the position is so important to the City, then it needs to be filled as soon as possible. He said some of the problems in hiring a new director have been "self-inflicted." He said when you hire somebody, they either show up for the job or they don't want the job. He made it clear that the City needs to set a start date for a new director and the newly hired director needs to begin on that date... without excuses.

Lucius pointed out that the longer the City waits to fill the position, to more it shows that the position may not be necessary.

Mayor Burchell pointed out that grant writing is a huge part of the job with today's economy.

Lucius explained that he didn't intend to share our Community Development Director with the County, be he was trying to suggest that co-operation between the County and the City could lead to cost sharing and significant savings for both entities. He suggested that some of the grant writing, for example, could be done by jointly to benefit both the County and the City.

The Commission pretty much agreed that a different approach may need to be taken if a new CD Director isn't hired in the current attempt. With that said, the Commission moved on to "New Business."

NEW BUSINESS

H. Discuss and Consider approving Resolution #10-047 governing the 2010 Comprehensive Deer Management Bow Hunt in the City of Ironwood - For the fifth year, the Comprehensive Deer Management Bow Hunt in the City of Ironwood was approved by the City Commission. There was a brief discussion regarding the hunt, prior to a vote.

Karen Gullan highlighted the changes made to this year's hunt: (1) the lottery drawing has been changed from three draws to four - for every doe harvested, the name of the hunter is placed in a hat and four names will be drawn to allow the hunter to use their buck tags during the "anterless" hunt; and (2) only one "antlered" deer can be harvested. Another proposed change was to adjust the dates of the hunt to coincide with the States bow hunting season. The new proposal would allow hunters to harvest until January 31st.

The Commission voted to approve the Resolution 4-1 with Gemma Lamb voting "NO."

I. Approve Progress Payment #1 to Oberstar, Inc. in the amount of $43,391.25 along with additional invoices for Phase I of the Norrie/Jessieville Water and Sewer Project -  The Commission unanimously approved the payments as presented.

J. Consider action regarding non-union salary adjustments - The Commission unanimously approved a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for non-union employees to match the COLA the union was previously awarded.

K. Consider Resolution #10-046 declaring September 5th – 11th, 2010 as “Suicide Prevention Week” in the City of Ironwood - The Commission unanimously approved the Resolution declaring September 5th through the 11th as "Suicide Prevention Week" in the City.

L. Discuss and Consider adopting a City Manager Performance Evaluation Procedure Form - After a brief discussion, adoption of the Performance Evaluation Procedure Form was tabled. The Commission agreed to have a City Manager's Performance Evaluation at the next regular meeting however.

M. Authorize Letter of Support to Grand View Hospital endorsing Dr. Nigam’s appeal to the American Board of Ophthalmology for board eligibility -  The Commission unanimously approved authorization of a Letter of Support for Dr. Nigam.

N. Manager’s Report -  Scott Erickson's Manager's Report to the Commission included the following:

• An update on Phase I of the water/sewer project in Norrie.
• Construction has begun on Mill Street and East Pine Street doing sewer work. The Company will come back at a later time to do the water work.
• Weather has caused some delays and there have been a few issues with blasting.
• Phase II funding has been approved. The project will begin in 2011.
• Phase III application has been made, but the final word on approval will not be available until the fall.
• Security System for the Memorial Building and the Library grant applications have been submitted.
• 16" Water Main Project along Slade Road has been approved.
• Norrie Area MSHDA Homeowner Rehab Grant has been approved. Jane Bowman is working with homeowners and the State on the project.
• Street Projects - MDOT will be overlaying parts of US-2 and curb and gutter repair. They are currently working in Bessemer, and the same construction company will be doing the work along Cloverland Drive and Lake Road in Ironwood. The new Lake Road will feature a center turn lane and a bike lane.
• NSP Program which is designed to removed blighted buildings is about half way completed. 28 buildings have been demolished and there are approximately 27 more to go. Environmental issues - lead paint and asbestos abatement, for example - are slowing progress to some degree.
• Public Works Superintendent applications have been received and interviews for the position are forthcoming.
• A Fall Clean-Up is being planned for the end of September. The City will seek assistance, once again, from the Ironwood ROTC program.
• Free light bulbs are available at City Hall. Six Compact Flourescent energy saving light bulbs will be given to any citizen who requests them (while supplies last).
• Notice has been received from MDOT allowing for the construction of a walking trail near the Welcome Center on US-2. Construction will begin shortly.
• Four bands will be playing at Longyear Park on Saturday, August 28th, 2010.

Commissioner Corcoran and Mayor Burchell asked questions regarding the BluePrint Program. Erickson indicated that it is a "work in progress" and that the City needed to submit some information required by the State in order to receive the grant funding.

Commissioner Lamb asked if action was being taken on the Arch Street leak. Erickson informed the Commission that the City is aware of the problem and repairs would be made shortly.

O. Other Matters (Five Minute Limit) - None of the Commissioners had "Other Matters" to discuss.

P. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items not on the Agenda (Five Minute Limit) - Don Maki had several issues. He asked if the audit was complete and if it would be published. Julie Frederickson explained that work on the audit generally begins after Labor Day and is usually complete by November. She said the process is now automated by the State of Michigan and the information will be posted on the State's website for people to review at their convenience.

Maki then asked when the City website would be revamped. Scott Erickson explained that the City's website is one of the matters that the Community Development Director would oversee. Maki pointed out that much of the information available on the site was obsolete and inaccurate. Erickson and Gullan told Maki to let them know what information needs updating and Dennis Hewitt would make the needed corrections.

Maki asked what happened to the EDC money earmarked for the theatre. Erickson indicated that $50,000 of EDC money was initially earmarked for the purchase of the theatre entrance and $20,000 was earmarked for improvements. Erickson told the Commission that the State approved the expenditure. Now the State Historical Society needs to review the plan. Erickson noted that there are still funds available in the EDC fund for businesses that are interested.

Maki questioned the funding of the Cemetary. He said it was mentioned previously that over $100,000 was spent annually on Cemetary maintenance. He said $24, 000 was spent on lawn mowing. He mentioned that the Cemetary also generates income through sale of plots, burials, etc. And he asked what accounts for the $100,000 expensed each year. Julie Frederickson explained that the City allows for 3/4 of a position in salary expenses. There are costs for supplies and equipment usage, etc. as well.  Frederickson indicated that the City generated approximately $50,000 annually from burial fees, perpetual care fees, etc. She indicated that a detailed list of expenses and revenues was available if he wanted it.

Steve Frank suggested that the Community Development Director's position was almost too much for one person to handle. He said hiring only one person for a job that requires one and half people is "setting the new Director up for failure" especially considering there is a back-log of work that needs to be done due to the fact that we haven't had a director for some time.

Frank said he felt Dan Petersen got burned out due to the excessive workload. He said that there has been a pattern lately that people don't tend to stay very long due to the excessive workload. Frank suggested that the City considers hiring a local person for the position reasoning that a person who already lives here would be more likely to stay in the position. He mentioned that a current member of the DIDA applied for the position. He said the person is a local businessman. He is qualified for the position. And he has considerable experience.

Frank then told the Commission that the former Ahonen Mill was being used as a staging area for the Norrie area Water/Sewer project.  He asked if a site plan was ever submitted. He asked if there were ever public hearings regarding the matter.

Erickson told Frank that contractors typically work with property owners to provide areas such as this to place materials and equipment for such projects. He said he understood that an agreement was reached between Roy Ahonen, the property owner, and the construction company to use Ahonen's property. He said it didn't require a site plan review.

Frank asked why there was no site plan review required. He pointed out that the City has been working with citizens regarding complaints at the former Trailer Factory on Midland Avenue. He asked how those issues were any different that what is going on at the former Ahonen Mill. Frank pointed out that the area is a mess, and he wondered when it would be cleaned up. He pointed out that the area was an asbestos hazard that was never corrected. He told the Commission he is concerned about potential health issues, and he said he has a problem with a property owner who refuses to correct an evironmental hazard making money off of the property he refuses to clean up.

He pointed out the potential liability risks to the City and the fact that property values in the area have to be devalued due to the fact that the former Mill is loaded with asbestos and other toxins. He asked why the City refuses to follow its own zoning ordinances. He said there are a list of violations that are simply overlooked.

"It seems to me that we never learn from our past mistakes." Frank said in closing.

Erickson repeated the fact that site plans are never done for construction activities. He said he has never seen site plan requirements in 25 years of experience.

Bernie Finco addressed the Commission regarding the proposed ATV ordinance.

"I understand you're going to pass an ordinance to allow 4-wheelers on the roads? You know, I'd wish someone would come by my house and watch these dozen of them come back and forth with no mufflers; ten, eleven o'clock at night; no headlights; wide open. They stop in front of my house because they know I'm in bed and they rev their engines out. And I don't think any of those kids are 16 years old. And I'll bet you 90% of them doesn't have a penny of insurance. Now they're going to let these people on the roads? I know they're going to spoil it for everybody. I'm not against ATVs, but the got to regulate them first. It started this spring when I started hollering. There were four kids. Now they're up to a dozen, and it's steady. And they can't say they don't have time. They can sit up in my yard and that machine is going to come by within a half hour. Guaranteed! And 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 every night, I'm getting tired of these 'no-mufflers' on their machines."

Jerry Suzik agreed with Finco. He said ATVs are driving "right down the middle of the road" throughout the neighborhood at 12:30 at night.

"They're not going from their house to a trail, they're going back and forth from the top of Jessiville Hill to Bonnie Street." Finco said. "They're all over -- back and forth!"

Finco repeated that he is confident that these dozen or so riders don't have insurance. "What happens if they hit my car? Who's going to pay? My insurance? You're not going to get nothing from these kids!" He explained that two kids passed his house that day on a dirt bike, which also had no muffler, no lights, or any other accessories that are required for any licensed road vehicle. He said the driver was not even 10 years old, and his passenger was not even six. He said they went "flying by."

Jerry Suzik said the existing State law needs to be enforced. ATVs are not street legal. He said enforcement needs to be stepped up and he stated that he hasn't seen a cop in the neighborhood for a week and a half.  "They don't do anything about it!" Suzik said.

Finco said driving by once or twice a day doesn't do any good. "If they would spend two hours they would pick these kids up!" Finco said, "And if you picked on up and you took their bike away from them -- haul it away with a wrecker -- make his father pay for the towing and the whole works -- they would straighten up! But they come by cocky as hell. 'They ain't going to do nothing to us!'"

Suzik and Finco added that many of the riders have used foul language and obscene gestures as they pass by. "Where are their parents?" Suzik asked.

Erickson indicated that he would talke to IPSD Director Bob Erspamer to step up enforcement. He also stated that the proposed ordinance would give Public Safety more tools to use for enforcement.

Finco said that there are many violations and when the parents are approached, they say their kids are being picked on. Suzik said the public needs to be properly informed regarding the proposed ordinance. "It's time to get to these parents and these kids!" Suzik said.

Erickson said when one or two kids get ticketed, word spreads quite quickly. Finco warned that abuses will begin as soon as school gets out and will continue all night as soon as school opens.

Burchell urged Finco and Suzik to attend the Public Hearing at the next meeting.

"They're forcing people off the roads that are in vehicles. I hope nobody gets killed. I hope kid gets killed before they do something about it." Suzik said.

Jim Albert addressed the Commission with a couple of items. This reporter pointed out that there is a State law regarding ATVs and I suggested that the existing law be enforced. I expressed my concerns regarding ATVs on the streets. I suggested that anybody who wants direct access to the trail system should purchase a house along the trail. I pointed out that most of the problems involving ATVs are caused by kids -- not adults. I pointed out that Mr. Finco's and Mr. Suzik's complaints reflected the feelings of the majority of Ironwood citizens.

I asked how many local people applied for the position of Community Development Director. Erickson indicated that there were three or four local applicants. I suggested that hiring a local to fill the position would bring some stability to the position because a local person would tend to stay due to his/her current ties to the community.

I asked if the City was prohibited from publishing advertisements online. I also explained that the Globe and the Chronicle have different readers, and that more people would be reached if the City placed ads both online and in print. I explained it wasn't a money issue. The Chronicle has a policy that non-profits and government agencies will not be charged for advertising.

And finally, this reporter asked the City Clerk and the City Manager what kind of bulbs are being given away. I was please to find out that the City was dispensing, free of charge, six CF (compact flourescent) light bulbs. Several years ago, I replaced all incandescent bulbs in my building with CFs and my electric utility bills have dropped considerably.

Former DIDA Chairman George Goerig addressed the Commission regarding the water break on Arch Street; the Manager's review; and the Letter of Support for Dr. Nigam. He started off by thanking Commissioner Lamb for bringing up the leak on Arch Street. He explained that the leak started off as a relatively small leak, but it currently is a very large leak. He explained that he needed to sandbag his neighbor's yard to prevent flooding. He said the break has been leaking since Tuesday, and he urged the City to make the repair. He suggested that paying City crews overtime would be more cost effective than to allow treated water to be wasted.  He pointed out that the water is flowing completely around the block. He asked the Commissioners to drive near Longyear Park after the meeting to see the leak for themselves.

"It's a stream," Goerig said, "It's not a little trickle!"

"The second thing is... I think it's poor management skills on behalf of the City Commission for not giving Mr. Erickson his review, because you're holding him suspense. He's either doing a good job; a bad job; or a mediocre job. It's pretty cut and dry. Give him his review. Let him know what's going on!"

Goerig then made his third comment.

"I think you're a bunch of fools for endorsing a doctor which you don't even know! He could be the best doctor in the world or he could be the biggest quack in the world! I'm glad I'm not in your shoes because y'all stuck your neck out for a lawsuit. How's that sound? That' my comment."

Bob Burchell said with a smile, "If you ever need a good retinal specialist..."

To which Goerig responded, "Rectal? Or Retinal? I go to Duluth for all of my medical stuff."

Q. Adjournment - Following the Citizen Comments, the meeting was adjourned.