Wakefield City Council to hold tire collection event on Sept. 17

WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield City Council authorized a tire collection event for Sept. 17 at its meeting Monday evening.

The event is aimed to address the blight and safety issues scrap tires create on residential property, said City Manager Margot Rusinek.

"Each homeowner would have the opportunity to place standard size automotive tires curbside with a ticket attached," she added.

Tickets will be sold at city hall for $2. This price is indicated for rimless tires only.

The Krist Oil Company is offering a 25 cent match per tire, up to 200 tires to help cover city costs. The cost to the city for disposal of each tire is $1.50.

"It would be a way to start cleaning the town a bit," said Mayor Les Schneck. "It's a start."

The council also approved Walmart assistant manager Rachael O'Conner's request to use the John C. Siira Pavilion for the 11th annual Rainbow Connection Walk for Kids on Sept. 7.

"Walking pledges go towards the Rainbow Connection program, which helps with fulfilling wishes for the children with longterm illnesses in the state of Michigan," Rusinek said. "This is the third time they'll be using Sunday Lake."

"I believe this is a good use of the walking trail and the pavilion," said member Joseph DelFavero.

The council adopted a Performance Resolution for Governmental Agencies, which will be submitted to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

It will be submitted with the city's application for an annual permit to perform miscellaneous operations within the state trunkline right of way, Rusinek said.

"This is basically an extension of the contract we already had," Schneck said.

The council tabled the sale of a 1993 John Deere backhoe and 1986 International dresser/loader. The equipment committee will further discuss sale of these items before anything is decided by the council.

"We'll have to look at all the options," Schneck said.

The council approved the updated job descriptions and employee work and safety rules. "It's something we'll continue to update and revise annually," Rusinek said.

The council approved ballot language for the sale of Lot 46 and the adjacent parcel in Section 10 of the city. The language will be sent to the Gogebic County clerk to be placed on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

The council also named three additions to the Eddy Park Improvements Design subcommittee. Members are Jeff Bal of GEI Consultants, council members Joseph DelFavero and Bob Blaskowski, and new members Dion DelFavero, Don Luoma and Rod Ritter.

"All meetings of this committee will be open to the public," Rusinek said.

The city manager conducted a staff meeting with the Department of Public Works and the Electric and Water departments on Aug. 5. A meeting with the office staff was held on Aug. 6.

"We're going to try and have these at least once a month," Rusinek said.

Rusinek is working on an application to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for an Urgent Need Grant, which is intended to fund projects in areas impacted by extreme weather.

"The application is due by Aug. 18," she said. "We should have a decision by late September."

The council's next meeting will be Aug. 25.