Commission Tables City Manager's Evaluation

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - After last night's ATV Public Hearing, there was a brief intermission and the Regular Meeting was called to order.

A. Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Bob Burchell called the meeting to order and asked City Clerk Karen Gullan to record the roll.

B. Recording of the Roll - All five Commissioners: Kim Corcoran; Gemma Lamb; Mayor Bob Burchell; William Lucius; and Rick Semo were present for the meeting. City officials in attendance included: City Attorney Dennis Cossi; City Manager Scott Erickson; City Clerk Karn Gullan; Financial Director Julie Frederickson; City Assessor/Building Inspector Dennis Hewitt; IPSD Officer Andrew DiGiorgio; IPSD Director Bob Erspamer; and Utilities Director Bob Tervonen. Representing the press were Margaret Levra (Daily Globe reporter) Steve Frank (Superior Chronicle photographer) yours truly.

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 23rd Regular City Commission Meeting. *2) Review and Place on File. a) Ironwood Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4th. The Commission unanimously voted to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

D. Approval of the Agenda - City Manager Scott Erickson made a quick clarification regarding Item O on the Agenda. In addition to discussing the City Manager's review, Dennis Cossi had two written opinions regarding potential legal actions against the City that were to be reviewed by the City Commission. The Agenda was unanimously approved as presented.

E. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items on the Agenda. (Three Minute Limit) - This reporter asked the Commission if there would be action taken following the closed session. Mr. Cossi indicated that no action would be taken on the City Attorney's written opinions, but action should be expected regarding the City Manager's evaluation and contract extension.

OLD BUSINESS

F. Consider awarding highest bid to Chicago Iron & Supply of Ashland, Wisconsin for scrap iron at $180/ton delivered - City Manager Erickson explained that there were six bidders attempting to get the high bid and the contract with the City for the purchase of scrap iron. Chicago Iron & Supply of Ashland was the high bidder with a bid of $180/ton. The City has agreed to haul the scrap iron to the Ashland facility as a part of the bid. Manager Erickson explained that he believed hauling the materials to Ashland was cost effective for the City. Erickson told the Commission that the company also gave the high bid for the disposal of brass water heaters the City was trying to dispose of. When asked how much scrap iron was involved, Erickson said with a grin, "A lot!"

Erickson estimated that there is several thousand dollars worth of materials that can be sold.

The Commission unanimously approved awarding the bid as recommended.

G. Award bid for surplus City Property and authorize direct sale of any properties that did not receive a bids for the current true cash value as determined by the City Assessor - Erickson explained that the City has various parcels of land that have been declared as surplus. Erickson indicated that Dennis Hewitt would be going out for bids to attempt to sell the property. He told the Commission that one parcel has one bid pending on May Street. According to a memo from Mr. Hewitt, the land is adjacent to a property-owner's lot and he would like to purchase the parcel. Ken Fahrner bid $300 on the parcel which was the lowest acceptable bid. Erickson indicated that he was seeking approval from the Commission for the sale of the parcel and he also was requesting that Dennis Hewitt be authorized to dispose of the other parcels to any interested persons for the minimum listed values. Erickson told the Commission that the minimum value could change from year to year.

Considering the fluctuating values of the property Gemma Lamb asked if the approval could expire on a yearly basis so that this and future Commissions could weigh in on any sales, assessments, etc. She made a motion to approve the authorization with a new request to be made at the first Regular Meeting in April of each year.

The Commission unanimously approved Ms. Lambs motion as presented.

NEW BUSINESS

H. Discuss and consider approving Change Order #1 Phase II – Jessieville/Norrie Utility Project for Wagner Construction for the decreased amount of $618,111.41 and authorize Mayor to sign appropriate documents - The Commission unanimously approved the Change Order as presented.

I. Discuss and consider approving Change Order #1 – Aurora Utility Project #1 with Oberstar Inc. for change of pipe materials, hydrants, and making field adjustments of quantities for a decreased amount of $32.35 and authorize Mayor to sign appropriate documents - The Commission unanimously approved the Change Order as presented.

J. Consider request for land exchange from John & Ruth Mitchell - This item was tabled until the next regular meeting due to the fact that the Mitchells were not present at last night's meeting. The parcels in question are adjacent to the Cemetery.

K. Consider approval of letters of understanding for City of Ironwood and City of Ironwood Employees’ Local 1538 Michigan Council 25 AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Ironwood Professional Police Assoc., Wisconsin Professional Police Association, and non-representative staff to participate in the MERS Health Care Savings Program on a voluntary basis - The Commission voted unanimously to approve the Letters of Understanding as presented.

L. Manager’s Report - City Manager Scott Erickson briefly discussed the following matters in his Manager's Report:

Update on Phase I in Jessiville - progess is moving forward. Three crews are currently working and a fourth will begin shortly. Work has begun in the West and they are working East. Sewer lines are being installed first.
Jane Bowman will be seeking applications for more home rehabs in the Norrie Area through a MSHDA grant. Erickson noted that the NSP program has removed 41 blighted properties and this program will go hand in hand with the NSP. He indicated that an ad will be placed "in the paper."
MDOT is installing handicapped sidewalk ramps and they will soon begin milling and overlaying of Cloverland Drive. Commissioner Corcoran pointed out that the new ramps are very nice, but the old sidewalks they are being attached to, in many cases are not handicapped accessible. She stated they were quite nasty. Erickson noted that some need repairs but many just needed to be cleaned up. They were filled with sand, debris, and overgrowth. Erickson reminded the Commission that the City previously had Community Service personnel clean the sidewalks in the downtown area and along Douglas Boulevard.
Update on hiring a Community Development Director and a Public Works Supervisor - Erickson indicated that the City received 18 applications for the CDD position and they recently conducted 4 interviews. He told the Commission that he recieved 6 applications for the PWS position and he has narrowed the search down to two candidates.
The Deer Management Hunt is moving forward (October 1st) and signs will be posted shortly.
Fall Clean Up will be held on Saturday, October 2nd, from 8:00 to NOON. Commissioner Corcoran suggested that people be asked to box up their garbage so that it is easier to unload. Commissioner Lamb asked if the ROTC students will be volunteering again. She said their help as well as the help from other volunteers was greatly appreciated. Bernie Finco suggested that a size limit be set for disposal of used lumber. Erickson said notices will be placed "in the paper."
Ironwood has been chosen (one of only three communities in the U.P.) by the MDNR to manage our "urban forestry." There is no cost for the service.
The Western U.P. Health Department has approached the City of Ironwood. Currently, they are working with the City of Houghton on what is known as the "Clean Streets Program." The program is designed to help allow for bicycle and walking traffic on City Streets. The purpose is to encourage citizens to get more exercize and to live a healthier lifestyle. There is no charge to the City for this service. Gemma Lamb asked if the Health Department will be working with the schools in regards to the Safe Routes to Schools program. Erickson said the program is open to everybody. It would be up to the City to invite various groups and agencies to participate.
On Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at 6:00 PM at the Gogebic Community College in the Jacob Solon Center there will be a seminar to discuss the economic impact trails (biking, hiking and others) can have on the area. According to Erickson, this seminar has been very beneficial to other communites. Mayor Burchell told the Commission that the group has statistical data showing the impact on communities in other parts of the country. The meeting is open to the public and all interested persons are welcome.
The City Gas Plant Site will be tested beginning next week by the MDNR.

M. Other Matters (Five Minute Limit) - Rick Semo asked Scott Erickson if he knew what happened with the Gogebic Range Water Authority regarding the purchase of water through the City. Semo indicated that he was aware of a low bid submitted by the City of Ironwood, and it appears that the GRWA opted to go with Bessemer even though their rate was considerably higher. Erickson he didn't know, but he'd made attempts and will continue to make attempts to find out.

Kim Corcoran asked about the future of upgrades to Curry Park. Erickson said the possibility of a DNR grant could be in the future. He said some of the maintenance issues could be addressed internally.

She also questioned the letter of support for the opthamologist at the Grand View. In order for the hospital to become a research facility, the opthamology research department needs to have a Board Certified research physician. Part of the certification process involves community approval. The Commission granted the approval at the last meeting. George Goerig, former DIDA Chairman, voiced opposition to the letter of support.

Corcoran asked Julie Frederickson if the new DPW Supervisor decides that more workers were required to improve productivity, is there money in the budget to hire additional employees. Frederickson said that issue would need to be examined when the new budget is created.

Erickson suggested that more people could be hired due to the recent retirements and job openings.

N. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items not on the Agenda (Five Minute Limit) - Bernie Finco told the Commission that the "Road Closed" sign near the Aurora Club is laying down on the road, and it has been there for some time. He said he was concerned that the situation is unsafe. He also said on Brogan Street a women almost drove through the construction site because it wasn't properly marked. He said that none of the traditional safeguards used during road construction were being used. "I've been all through this country, in many, many towns, and I've never seen anything this bad." Finco complained. He went on to say that the construction workers have to know the sign is laying down -- they'd have to drive around it, he said. He said there is no excuse for the gross safety violations.

Finco was told by the City Manager that the contractor was responsible for proper safety markings, signs, etc. He said the matter will be brought to their attention and it will be corrected as soon as possible.

Concern was expressed that the sewer and water work in the Norrie area would not be finished in a timely manner before the winter weather sets in. It was explained to the Commission that an incompleted project could result in washed out roadways throughout the area. Representatives assured the Commission that things would be completed in a timely manner to avoid erosion and other problems.

This reporter questioned the rationale for hiring a Public Works Supervisor instead of hiring more workers for the department. "We have more Indians than we have chiefs." I said.

Scott Erickson and Mayor Burchell explained that the DPW was a "business" and an outside civil engineering group suggested that the City hire a Public Works Supervisor to oversea operations. Erickson claims the position will cost effectively streamline DPW operations.

I asked Mr. Erickson how many DPW workers the City has lost in recent years. Kim Corcoran did her homework. She told the Commission that approximately ten workers have been lost in the last five years.

"That's a significant number of people," I said, "And there's nobody filling those jobs. It just seems we're getting more and more supervision. It doesn't seem to me to be a cost effective approach."

Erickson responded that the DPW was a three to four million dollar operation. "And, again -- it's a business! We need someone to help them run that business, looking out their interests and the interests of the City. And that's what that person's role is."

I also asked how the proposed increase in bike trails throughout the City was going to work with the proposed ATV ordinance. I explained that most of our roads are too narrow and in such disrepair that cars have difficulty traveling on them. I asked how these already narrow roads would accomodate the increased traffic of bikes, walkers, and ATVs.

Mayor Burchell suggested I attend the September 15th seminar to get their take on the situation. I said I planned on attending.

Steve Frank said it would be interesting to ask the Houghton group what they thought about "dodging ATVs fits in with the healthy living plan."

"I guess you might limber everybody up." Frank said with a degree of sarcasm, "They seem to be the experts and maybe we need to model after the way Houghton handles things."

Bernie Finco addressed the Commission again, relaying a story he heard about a woman getting a blight ticket for stacked firewood in her yard. Finco asked how that is blight. He also asked what one would call the mess at the downtown junk shop (Downtown Antiques located in the former Albert's Clothing & Shoe Store building.) He asked what the status of the Jessiville situation (John Harteloo's building) was. He said the entire area is loaded with junk and nobody gets a blight notice for that, but a woman who is trying to stockpile firewood for the winter is targeted.

Scott Erickson told Finco that the blight officer would tend to his complaints.

O. Consider closed session to discuss City Manager’s review and matters exempt from disclosure under State Law - The Commission unanimously agreed to go into closed session.

P. Return to open session - After a lengthy closed session, the Commission returned to open session.

Q. Consider City Manager’s Contract extension - Due to the fact that the meeting was running extremely late, the Commission decided to table this matter until the next regular meeting.

R. Adjournment - The Commission unanimously ruled to adjourn the meeting.