Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Ironwood Public Safety Deparment co-interim Director Sgt. Adam Clemens introduces the department's new officer, Mallory Nelsen, to the Ironwood City Commission Monday evening.
By LARRY HOLCOMBE
Ironwood - The Ironwood City Commission at its Monday meeting approved a new ordinance outlining rules about the consumption of alcohol in various city parks.
The ordinance was re-written to specify which parks allow the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages and which ones will require a permit.
Even the parks where consumption is allowed - Curry, Randa Field and Norrie parks - still require a permit for groups of 10 or more.
City Manager Scott Erickson said the permits are free and easy to obtain.
The ordinance designates a second set of parks as "special permit only" in regards to alcohol use. Parks in this list include: Longyear, Depot/Kuitunen, Downtown Art, Downtown Pocket, Miners Memorial Heritage and Mt. Zion parks, as well as "sidewalk cafes."
Permits are issued by the city clerk's office. Erickson said there are leagues that use various parks and they will need an annual permit. People who rent the pavilion at Depot Park will receive a alcohol permit with their rental agreement packet.
The commission also approved a pair of longterm plans - the 5-year Park and Recreation Plan and the 6-year Capital Improvement Plan.
Community Development Director Tom Bergman said both plans will help city officials set priorities and make budgeting decisions. An updated Park and Recreation plan is a requirement for Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grants.
In light of forecasted extreme cold, commissioner Jim Mildren asked if anything has been done to warn water users to safeguard against frozen pipes.
City Utilities Manager Bob Tervonen said customers at the end of the city's water mains had been contacted.
Erickson said people with unheated basements and crawlspaces need to be aware of the issue and should call the city if they have any questions.
Erickson added the number of water main breaks is down significantly because of the recent water and sewer replacement projects. Tervonen said the city used to get 50 to 70 calls of breaks and now its in the range of 20.
In other action, the commission:
Welcomed new Ironwood Public Safety Department officer Mallory Nelsen. The Gladstone native most recently worked for the Montmorency County Sheriff's Department in downstate Michigan.
Approved payments totaling $4,774 to Coleman Engineering for work done in the Phase 4 water and sewer projects.
Appointed Gemma Lamb to a three-year term on the Ironwood Board of Review.
Agreed to call for bids for annual street crack seal and pavement marking projects.
Heard Erickson run through a list of upcoming events including: Friday's "Love Your North Downtown Chocolate Tour" as part of the city's First Friday community initiative, Saturday's Yooperbeiner showshoe race at Wolverine Trails in Ironwood Township to benefit the trails there, and upcoming Snowmobile Olympus races at the fairgrounds in Ironwood on Feb. 9 and Feb. 16-17.
