Ironwood city manager stepping down

By ZACHARY MARANO

zmarano@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — Ironwood City Manager Scott Erickson is stepping down from his position effective June 6.

The city commission met in closed session at the end of Monday’s regular meeting. After the closed session, the commission adopted a retirement succession plan.

The commission authorized Mayor Kim Corcoran to enter into a contract with the Michigan Municipal League to conduct an executive search for a new city manager at a cost not to exceed $15,000.

Andrew DiGiorgio, director of the Ironwood Public Safety Department, was appointed interim city manager. His appointment will go into effect on June 6, the same day Erickson ends his city manager duties.

Erickson told the Daily Globe Tuesday his resignation as city manager will be effective on June 6, but he will stay on board as city engineer until a suitable replacement is found for that position. After leaving both roles, Erickson said he will begin his retirement and plans to stay active in the community.

The commission approved its goals for the 2022-2023 fiscal year at the regular meeting. The highest-scoring goals on the city commission’s worksheet, both tied with a priority score of 13 out of a possible 15, are to address the “housing shortage” in the city and continue blight enforcement efforts.

The other goals in the city commission’s top five are to address marijuana caregivers in the city of Ironwood “to mitigate negative impacts” on downtown Ironwood, to continue street improvements and enhance or add camping options in Miners Memorial Heritage Park, Norrie Park and Curry Park.

The list includes just under 20 goals, including developing a tax increment financing district in downtown Ironwood, improving safety on the Iron Belle Trail and in city parks and implementing an automated communication system for citizens.

Erickson said during the work session on April 11 that even though some of these goals scored less than others, the city will still address them. However, the list suggests different levels of support and funding for the goals.

“I’d like to add that I would like to hear more about any agricultural concepts (for the city of Ironwood),” City Commissioner Rick Semo said about the goals.

The city commission approved a 50% reduction on one month’s billing for garbage and recycling services to some city residents, relayed as credit from the city’s waste management company, Republic Services, to their customers.

Corcoran said that some residents are still not having their garbage and recyclables picked up at the city commission’s last meeting, which prompted them to find a way to thank them for their continued patience with the waste management company.

“Republic Services has been to a number of different meetings to go over with the commission what their challenges have been over the last few months. They’re slowly getting those corrected, but it’s not perfect yet,” Erickson said. “They have been able to do collection through the city, there’s just been some issues with missing neighborhoods and things like that.”

In his manager’s report, Erickson said that the public works department will start its spring water main flushing on May 8. He said that there are maps on the city website that show when and where the public works employees will perform flushing by neighborhood and by date. He added that city employees are going door-to-door and letting people know when their neighborhood will be flushed in person.

The city commission also:

—Approved the renewal of a one-year property lease agreement with Up-N-Smoke BBQ LLC for use of a vacant city-owned property located at 238 Ayer St. The owner, Nate Price, appeared before the commission to say the development of the lot has been going well and their opening day for the season is scheduled for May 4.

—Awarded a bid to P.K. Contracting Inc. for the annual street pavement markings in the amount of $34,095. Erickson said that this will include the center lines, fog lines and crosswalks as well as no parking zones in downtown Ironwood.

—Recognized May 1-7 as professional municipal clerks week. Erickson said to City Clerk Wendy Hagstrom that clerks are the “unsung heroes” and “face of the community” behind the scenes.