Ironwood revises marijuana ordinance

By TOM LAVENTURE

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Ironwood — The Ironwood City Commission on Monday approved changes to the adult-use marijuana ordinance to clarify conditional uses. 

The commission 3-1 approved an amended ordinance regarding conditional use permits. The revision is for consistency between the adult use marijuana ordinance and the zoning ordinance. Commissioner Joseph Cayer voted against, and Commissioner Rick Semo was not present with an excused absence. 

Tom Bergman, director of community development, said the adult use marijuana ordinance approved by the city commission in 2020, has expressed requirements for conditional use permits. The amendment identifies zoning requirements regarding permitted uses in C-2, C-3, and I-1 zoning districts, and has a planning commission recommendation for adoption, he said. 

Cayer, who opposed the commercial marijuana ordinance, said he is concerned with potentially allowing marijuana growing or retail operation adjacent to residential areas. 

“I hope that people follow the rules and for the people we have violating, hopefully we can remedy the problem,” Cayer said. “... We have a serious drug problem in this area and we need to state that before moving on.”

Mayor Annette Burchell said she appreciated Cayer’s concerns but said the action just clarified language in the ordinance and that each application is still reviewed on a case by case basis. Residents adjacent to the potential properties are notified in writing as part of the process, she said. 

Tom Bergman, director of community development, said the conditional use and site review process is for the planning commission alone. Neighboring residents are notified during the ranking and scoring phase in accordance with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. 

The commission 4-0 approved the adoption of a resolution supporting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Agreement for the Southern Beltline Trail Acquisition Phase 2. The $20,000 project total includes $14,800 in grant funding and $5,200 in city matching funds.

Bergman said the grant was applied for in 2019 and approved by the DNR. The second phase railroad grade acquisition is now in the agreement stage. The first phase included the areas north of Norrie Park  of park, and the west Beltline grade to the Iron Belle Trail. 

In the COVID-19 response update, Paul Linn, city treasurer and finance director, said the Michigan Municipal League is providing updates on the federal COVID-19 relief legislation. In its current form if there are no more changes he said the city can expect more direct payments to local governments with fewer restrictions on what the funds are used for than previous support measures.

The funding will likely come in two phases over two years, he said. The amount is not yet clear but it should be significant and help the city to “shore up lost revenues,” he said.

Bergman said it is not yet clear what the federal relief package will offer small businesses in the area. The funds will first go to the state and then the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will put together funding packages over a couple of months. 

The Paycheck Protection Program is still available to small businesses, Bergman said. The restrictions are lighter than past support for businesses and individual payments will start going out before the end of March, he said.

Andrew DiGiorgio, director of Ironwood Public Safety Department, said the good news is the decrease in the rate of COVID-19 cases in the county. The challenge for his office moving forward is supporting the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department and local communities in rolling out the vaccine distribution events. 

“That is a small agency with a big task,” DiGiorgio said of the health department.

The rollout continues to open up to new groups. The Friday vaccination event at the Ironwood Memorial Building is already fully booked for approximately 600 people, he said. 

Scott Erickson, city manager, said the changes with the COVID-19 restrictions are “fluid and dynamic.” He speaks to department heads daily on the updates and said the city commission may soon need to take action to extend virtual meetings through June as the current emergency declaration expires at the end of March. 

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Kevin Benner said he was speaking on behalf of 14 other residents of the Newport Heights neighborhood. He said the residents want the city to do more to enforce the blight ordinance concerning a problem residence. The matter has perhaps been slowed by overlapping cases with multiple agencies concerning everything from social services and animal care to blight, he said.

Benner said that Ironwood homes have enjoyed a recent increase in property values and a single property with compliance issues can make a difference with neighbors choosing to improve their properties or not.

“The neighbors asked me to come forward and express their concerns,” Benner said.

Erickson said he was aware of the matter and would follow up with Benner’s information with the blight and public safety offices. 

The board 4-0 approved the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center Board recommendation for the purchase of new concession area furnishings for the lobby and upper observation level. 

Jim Collins, chair of the civic center board, appeared with Michelle Rigoni-Sivula, civic center manager, to note that the purchase includes wood and metal square tables, bar height tables, benches, swivel stools and standing chairs for around 100 people. The winning bid was $2,000 less than the nearest bid, but did not sacrifice in quantity or quality, Rigoni-Sivula said. 

The private benefactor budget provided $10,000 toward the furniture costs, she said. The remainder of the $16,911 total will come from budgeted civic center funds.

“It’s nice to see the civic center coming together and being a great destination once again,” Cayer said.

Commissioner Kim Corcoran commended everyone involved for a “good job” in bringing back the civic center as it nears the completion of construction.

Mayor Annette Burchell, and Commissioner Jim Mildren said a grand opening should be held over one or two days to allow people to view the new facility. Burchell said the flow could be controlled by having people enter one door and flow in one direction without cross-pathing others and exiting a separate entrance.

“This is very exciting,” Burchell said of the new civic center.

In other business, the commission approved:

—Authorizing bids for patching and painting the Memorial Building gymnasium area.

—Repairing a municipal water pump generator at $17,373.