Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
THE WINDOWS in the Eddy Park restrooms have finally been installed and was reported by Wakefield City Manager Margot Anderson during Monday night's regular council meeting. There are only a few final punch list items to be handled this week in Eddy Park.
WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield City Council discussed the latest update with the Gogebic Range Solid Waste Management Authority Monday night.
A meeting was held with the authority Thursday, in which it reduced the rate for all customers from $120 to $108 per ton.
The new rate will be for a two-month trial period beginning Saturday. The movement came in part from Wakefield's request for a $98 per ton rate.
The council agreed the move is a step in the right direction; however, the city's rate continues to be a concern, as other providers offer rates as low as $78 per ton.
Wakefield is the highest volume contributor to the authority by 21 percent and the community is also unique in that it brings waste directly to the authority's door.
In support of the lower rate trial, the council approved the reduction of the city's collection rate from $14.50 to $14 per month.
The council also authorized a letter be drafted stating that the city supports and encourages that both sides, the city and GRSWMA, negotiate for a more suitable outcome during the two-month trial, without supporting litigation or involvement with the state treasury.
In other action, City Manager Margot Anderson reported the windows have been installed in the Eddy Park restrooms. There are only a few items left on the final punch list for the park's improvements that will be taken care of this week.
Anderson also reported that the annual inspection of the city's water system resulted in a satisfactory report with no deficiencies or further recommendations.
The council approved a proposal submitted by the Coleman Engineering to complete a survey of Maria Lane in front of the Wakefield Municipal Building.
The survey will cost $2,900 and will include gathering information on the condition of the current city hall parking lot and city lot on the corner of Pierce and Sunday Lake streets, as well as site grading and drainage plans for both sites.
The council also approved a library wage increase of 25 cents per hour for Denise Engel and Catherine Parisian. The proposed increases were already included in the 2015-16 budget.
Also approved was the purchase of an aqua play zone for Sunday Lake, which is a giant floating trampoline with other attachments that will look like a giant alligator.
Adding amenities such as this water play station to Sunday Lake could be a draw for families and attract more tourists to stop at Eddy Park, in turn increasing local revenue, said Anderson.
