Construction on Ironwood dog park to begin

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

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Ironwood - The Ironwood City Commission authorized work to begin on the construction of a dog park at its meeting Monday evening.

Community Development Director Tom Bergman briefly outlined the project, saying the site had already been approved by the Planning Commission and the plan was also recommended by the Parks and Recreation Committee.

The park will be located in a section of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park on the southwest corner of East Ayer Street and Bonnie Street.

In a memo to the commission, Bergman said the Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park and HOPE Animal Shelter have been working to develop the dog park. "All funding for the project is being raised by the two organizations. They will be responsible for maintaining the facility."

The commission voted 5-0 to authorize construction. Commission Rick Semo pointed out no city dollars are being used in the project and cited it as "another example of volunteers working to get something done."

The commission also voted 5-0 to approve a land use agreement for Trail 2 between the city and the Western U.P. Trail Association, pending approval of the city attorney.

Suzanne Toth, treasurer for WUPTA, said her ORV/ATV group is working to gain state designation for the trail in order to secure funding for trail work.

Toth said they are working with other municipalities and private land owners in the county. She said the trail is also maintained by the snowmobile group.

She thanked the commission and called its action "a big step in getting the final piece of the puzzle."

In his report, city manager Scott Erickson told the commission the city has acquired the property where a house burned at 401 N. Hemlock in March. He said the plan is to demolish what's left of the structure before the end of the year. It is one of several structures in line to be razed, but the city has yet to take bids on the work.

Erickson also said the city will be advertising to replace two positions, as Ironwood Public Safety Director Andrew DiGiorgio has accepted a teaching position at Gogebic Community College and Deputy City Clerk Connie Templer has retired.

Erickson thanked everyone who helped make the recent Festival Ironwood a success, calling the event an envy of other communities and well received by locals and visitors. He also said the next First Friday downtown event is set for Aug. 5.

The commission also:

-City manager's re-appointed Adrienne Chase to another term on the Ironwood Housing Commission.

-Approved ballot language for four amendments to the city charter in the Nov. 7 election. City Attorney Tim Dean said these "simple changes" - two dealing with ordinances, two dealing with liability - will bring the charter in accordance with state law.

-Approved Rural Development pay packages for the ongoing Phase 4 utility water ($17,898) and sewer ($19,745) projects.

-Paid Ruotsala Construction $46,959 for sanitary sewer and manhole repair work on Business U.S. 2.

-Made a final payment to Angelo Luppino Inc. for $2,624 for work done on the Carnegie Library facade project. The final cost of the project was $68,752 - 60 percent of which was provided by a state Historic Preservation Grant.

-Paid Angelo Luppino Inc. $38,561 as payment No. 9 for the 2016-17 local street paving project. Erickson said the city has an open contract with the firm for ongoing projects, including patches from utility work.

-Approved a contract with Binz Bros. Well Drilling for $11,030 for work on one of the city's six wells at the well field.

-Heard Erickson say the Range Master Gardeners have offered to help maintain the trees downtown.