High School Expansion YES, Library Renovations NO!!
IRONWOOD, MI - by Keri Singleton - Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - The Regular Ironwood City Commission Meeting was held Monday, January 25, at 5:30 PM, following a Board of Zoning Appeals at 5:15 PM in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Memorial Building, downtown Ironwood, Michigan.
The Board of Zoning Appeals meeting was opened at 5:15 PM, with all Commission members: Mayor Bob Burchell, Gemma Lamb, Kim Corcoran, Rick Semo, and William Lucius present.
A four foot variance was requested from Travis Hongisto, project architect for an addition onto the existing Ironwood High School, which includes a new auxiliary gymnasium, building trades, and a band room addition, and as well as room for the 3rd-5th graders coming over from Norrie School. A tunnel runs from the existing high school to the steam plant, below the gymnasium; therefore, the variance request.
A motion was made by Rick Semo to grant a Dimensional Variance request from Ironwood Area Schools, and supported by Gemma Lamb. All were in favor.
Commissioner Lamb made a motion to adjourn, supported by Commissioner Semo. All in favor.
Adjourn Zoning Board of Appeals
ROUTINE BUSINESS
5:30 PM Regular Meeting Called to Order
The meeting was opened with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. All Commissioners present: Mayor Bob Burchell, Gemma Lamb, Kim Corcoran, William Lucius, and Rick Semo.
The Consent Agenda was approved unanimously by roll call vote.
Minutes from January 11th approved.
Reviewed and placed on file: a) Ironwood Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of November 4th. b) Pat O’Donnell Civic Center Meeting Minutes of December 16th. c) Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency Meeting Minutes of November 19th.
Receive and Place on File from Finance Director
1. Statement of revenue & Expenditures; and 2. Monthly cash reports.
Finance Director, Julie Fredrickson, told the Commission they will be docked from State Revenue Sharing to the tune of about $50,000, from where they are budgeted now. Julie said next month she will be back with recommendations from staff for amending their budget. Revenues are under where they thought they would be, and expenses are high in some areas because of some one-time big expenditures; the skateboard park, new vehicle for public safety and fire truck. The rest of the year shouldn’t be as bad, she said. They are still maintaining a balance of about $420,000.
According to Frederickson, the street department and equipment are in good shape. Local street paving was paid for by the City in December. Water and sewer are holding their own, and are well within budget. Library shows high because of basement renovations, but they are where they should be. The Civic Center is doing well. The cemetery is behind a bit.
Monthly Cash Reports: a lot was spent in December, including a retaining wall at the Civic Center. Water and sewer is in deficit. So far, close to $350,000 has been fronted for the Jessieville project, and will be reimbursed by grants. The general fund has to carry water for now.
City Manager, Scott Erickson, in answer to Commissioner William Lucius, said that the bulk of up-front expenses for the Jessieville Project have already been handled, and soon (within a few months), reimbursements can begin.
Gemma Lamb made a motion to receive and place on file the Statement of Revenue & Expenditures, as well as Monthly Cash Reports. Motion supported by Commissioner Corcoran. All in favor by roll call vote.
Approval of Agenda
Motion made by Rick Semo to approve the agenda, supported by Commissioner Lamb. All in favor.
Citizen’s wishing to address Commission on Items on the Agenda.
Mayor Burchell said in lieu of a short meeting, he would hear comments at this time. One audience member spoke on item G. He is against supporting the Library, and supported moving the library into the Memorial Building.
No other audience members wishing to speak at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Discuss and Consider adopting Resolution #10-002 Submitting Ballot Proposal for Carnegie Library Improvements.
Carnegie Library Director Elaine Erickson passed out a new calculation for a proposed millage, which would raise taxes $20.00 a year. Elaine proposed putting a millage to the voters and letting them decide. The new calculation for the project is 1.1 million, instead of 1.8 million. They have money in the bank and a grant of $50,000, and they are looking for $950,000 from voters, for a 30-year loan. She gave an impassioned plea to the Commission, saying this is the best time to do the work, as costs are low right now.
“The library is one of the City’s treasures,” said Elaine. She then said how the restoration of the library is part of the blueprint plan. Elaine said the Library Board is very proud of what they have accomplished. They have access to books anywhere in Michigan. Libraries are important in the bad economy, and Elaine listed all the outreach they do, in regards to the schools. They have continued and continue to seek out grants, which can exceed $30,000 a year. She asked the Commission to let the voters decide and thanked them for their time.
Mayor Bob Burchell told the Commission the issue is on the floor.
No motion was made to accept the ballot Proposal, thus failing.
Elaine Erickson told the Commission that libraries are used more during down economic times, and asked them to let the voters decide. Gemma Lamb said she’s like to see it brought up again, once the debt and millage is retired from the Memorial Building. Elaine said in five years construction costs could be off the charts, and right now is the best time to do renovations, due to low costs. William Lucius said costs are low because the economy is bad. Elaine said it would bring construction companies business, and why not let the voters decide? Gemma Lamb said she feared a whiplash, since the last vote was 26 months ago, causing a more negative reaction than positive one. Elaine said that the board is willing to take that risk for the needs of the children and the community.
Discuss and consider authorizing advertisement for bids for 2010 Street Centerline and Pavement marking.
City Manager said every two years the center lines need to be painted, and permission was requested to get bids for the project. The city doesn’t have equipment for that. A motion was made by Commissioner Semo and supported by Commissioner Lamb. All in favor.
Manager’s Report
The final workshop in a series of workshops is Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 5:30 PM, at the Ironwood Public Safety Building, downtown Ironwood. It will be held with the Civic Center Board, public is invited to attend.
Goal setting with the City Commission is set for Thursday, February 4th, 2010, at 5:30 PM.
A grant received through the neighborhood Stabilization Program, through MSHDA, allows for the city to remove blighted properties. Through the grant, one structure has been removed, and four others have been approved through condemnation by the Commission, and will be removed as soon as some asbestos removal issues are solved. Seven additional properties have been submitted to MSHDA, for removal, and several others in the pipeline. Originally, the focus was on downtown, but now they can reach out into other areas. If anyone knows of possible blighted properties, to let them know. The search for a Community Development Director has been extended to February 4th. The city’s quarterly newsletter will be going out soon, and Scott encouraged members to share information they might have for it, such as events, with Karen Gulan or Julie Fredrickson.
The Ironwood Parks and recreation Committee has been working on trails in the cemetery area. This Sunday, January 31, 2010 between 1:00 & 4:00 PM, they will have an open house. There will be extra snowshoes at the Visitor’s Center. Anybody can snowshoe, residents and non-residents. There is a very nice hidden trail area, Scott said.
Other Matters
In answer to a question about how much the city spent on the SISU ski fest, City Manager Erickson said it amounted to about between $600.00 and $800.00. Snow removal after the event was done by volunteers, he said. It was all removed in two and a half hours.
William Lucius asked about the pre-application for the C.D.B.G.(Community Development Block Grant). Scott Erickson said he hopes to hear his week, where the state stands on it.
Gemma Lamb commended Public Works for the snow removal job done this weekend, using good sound judgment.
Mayor Bob Burchell said he got a call from someone in Norrie saying the snow chunk situation is bad in driveways. Scott Erickson, City Manager, said they do not go in and do people’s driveways. He said people need to remove it as soon as possible before it freezes.
City Attorney said they will have something for the Commission regarding Josephson’s in the coming week.
Meeting adjourned.
