Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
WAKEFIELD VOLUNTEER Fire Department Fire Chief Mike Yon, center, presents a badge to Roy Saari, left, for 40 years of service with the fire department. Also pictured is Roy's wife, Mary. "This will stay with him for the rest of his life," Yon said, "It's got his name on it."
WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield City Council approved a proclamation to name July 3 as "John Siira Day" and rename the renovated pavilion as the "John Siira Pavilion."
The proclamation was presented to former City Manager John Siira during a surprise ceremony on July 3.
It appointed GEI Consultant Jeff Bal as Prime Professional to oversee the Michigan Department of Natural Resources trust fund project.
The project includes a $150,000 grant to renovate the restrooms and pier at Sunday Lake.
"The restrooms are in decent structural shape," Bal said, "We could make them into something nicer."
Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Mike Yon presented a badge to Roy Saari for 40 years of service with the fire department.
"This will stay with him for the rest of his life," Yon said, "It's got his name on it."
Yon also updated the council on recent equipment purchases, including 24 flashlights, 20 pairs of durable boots, four air bottles and newly-designed patches.
The council accepted bids for the three parcels that once made up the Olson Avenue right of way. An auction for the parcels was held on July 9.
The council authorized the city attorney Mike Pope to prepare deeds for the properties.
It heard an update on the condemnation of the structures at 502 Sunday Lake Street and 111 Bedell Avenue.
A Show Cause hearing was held on July 9, at which the owner of the structure on Bedell Avenue was given 30 days to appeal the court's decision to demolish the structure.
If the appeal is not accepted by the council, the structure must be destroyed in 60 days.
The owner of the property on Sunday Lake Street was not present.
The council approved an appointment of Donald Luoma as the city's temporary Hearing Officer for any matters related to the two cases discussed at the July 9 condemnation hearing.
Luoma will be reimbursed $20 for his services.
"In the future, I will present the council with a plan to contract a permanent hearing officer," said City Manager Margot Rusinek.
The council approved a proposal from the AECOM Technology Corporation to correlate the lift station on US 2 and weather data.
"Data is requested to address flow monitoring at the lift station during a storm and the late season lagoon discharge," Rusinek said.
The council agreed to pursue a voter-approved millage for library operations.
"The city collected one mill or $23,616 in the 2013-2014 fiscal year while the city expenditures for the library were approximately $60,000," Rusinek said.
Ballot language will have to be approved by July 29 for this proposal to appear on the General Election ballot on Nov. 4.
The council paid $1,200 to the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency's community development department.
It also approved an agreement with property owner Gene Stone to burn the structure at 403 C St.
The council also heard Anthony Trolla Sales has currently sold $7,700 of city equipment. A leaf sucker and booster pumps remain to be sold.
The next meeting will be held July 28.
