Ballot language proposed for 10-year street millage

IRONWOOD — Ironwood residents will likely vote in November on a special 10-year, $2 million millage to fund street improvements.

The city commission voted 5-0 on Monday to approve referendum language seeking to authorize levying two mills per year for street projects.

The ballot language now goes to Gogebic County Clerk Gerry Pelissero for approval. The proposal needed to be submitted to the county clerk's office by Aug. 27.

City manager Scott Erickson said not every street that needs work would be repaired under the special millage, but several would be tackled.

The two mills for 2014-'24 would amount to $2 per $1,000 of state taxable valuation.

For the first year, $171,352 would be raised through the special city tax levy.

The commission has discussed needed street improvements at recent special meetings.

In other business Monday, the commission agreed to meet in a special session next Monday at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the close-out of the Norrie-Jessieville water-sewer project.

Erickson said the project foreman will attend the meeting. He said the close-out must be completed by the end of the month.

“I have many concerns with the project,” commissioner Rick Semo said.

Mayor Kim Corcoran said she will not be available to attend the Monday meeting, but urged the commission to proceed without her.

The commission approved a Ross Peterson Construction change order adding $12,425 to the cost of the West Ayer Street neighborhood improvement project. The revised project total is $1,010,021.

A payment of $153,311 for the project was approved, the sixth scheduled. The city owes about $10,000 more, which will be withheld until it has been determined all aspects of the project have been completed to the city's satisfaction, Erickson said.

A change order was also approved for the city's Depot Park phase II project, which came in $1.17 under budget, at $263,550.

“Everybody did everything they could to keep the cost under budget,” Erickson said, noting many volunteers contributed to improving Depot Park, which was the site of Festival Ironwood.

The successful four-day festival was praised by commissioners. Semo's motion to send a letter of thanks to festival organizers was unanimously approved.

“Depot Park looked great,” Corcoran said.

“It was an all-volunteer effort that exceeded expectations and was a nice test for the new facilities,” Erickson said.

The commission also:

—Agreed to seek bids from consultant services to develop a new comprehensive plan.

—Heard the first reading of the proposed blight ordinance that would limit garage sales to four per year for four days per sale.

—Agreed to establish a price for a small piece of property on Clemens Street, adjacent to 505 Southwest St., that Jerome Suzik is seeking to purchase. Suzik would be responsible for paying for the title search, a survey and appraisal necessary for a sale, commissioners agreed.

—Approved Corcoran's appointment of historian Larry Peterson to the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority.