Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Ironwood — The Ironwood City Commission received good news on Monday evening regarding an audit of the past fiscal year’s financial status.
“We did have a clean, unmodified opinion, which is what we were shooting for,” said Finance Director and Treasurer Paul Linn as he presented the report.
The audit was handled by Tony Pollack, CPA, of Makela, Pollack & Ahonen, PLLC in Ironwood and addressed “basic financial statements” as of June 30, 2022.
“Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error,” stated the audit opinion signed by the company.
“We definitely put a lot of effort into documentation,” said Linn, who thanked everyone involved in the success.
Mayor Kim Corcoran issued praise for what she later phrased as a “clean, perfect audit.”
Commissioners voted to accept and file the report.
In other news, commissioners also voted to approve two requests from Andrew DiGiorgio, director of the Ironwood Public Safety Department, to acquire new equipment.
The first request was for automated external defibrillators for each patrol vehicle and fire truck. The total cost of $5,625 will be funded by a grant from Enbridge, Inc., a multinational company with regional interests. Defibrillators are used in treating cardiac emergencies.
The second request was for adult and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation training equipment, including manikins, which American Hospital Supply describes as “realistic” mannequins designed specifically for medical use.
DiGiorgio said the new CPR material will allow officers to maintain certification by undergoing in-house training. He added that he expects the equipment also to be used for training city staff and community groups.
The total cost of $6,555.87 will be funded in full by a grant from the Michigan Department of Treasury.
“Our department is very successful in obtaining grants,” said DiGiorgio.
Commissioner Rick Semo thanked department staff for their “diligence” in obtaining the funds. “This is really great,” he said.
Clear downtown sidewalks to be strictly enforced
In his own report to the commission, City Manager Paul Anderson noted that snow removal efforts were expected to continue this week on city streets and on U.S. 2.
Anderson also warned that clearance of snow on downtown sidewalks — a responsibility of business owners — will be enforced strictly.
Regarding business owners, the city manager said that “if they do not do it properly,” they will be required to pay $200 if a contractor is assigned to clear the snow.
In other news, Anderson also reported that Downtown Art Place — known by its acronym of DAP — received a $16,250 grant toward a $31,000 heating and lighting project. The Michigan Arts and Culture Council issued the funds.
In relation to water plant progress, Anderson said that Phase 1 plans are being reviewed by Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
After that approval, as well as pending clearance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program, he said the bidding process will follow.
Anderson praised volunteers of last Saturday’s SISU Fest for “a very successful event.”
He added, “It’s truly amazing how much work goes into that.”
All of Monday’s votes were unanimous with all commissioners present.
The Ironwood Memorial Building will be the site of a Jan. 18 blood drive from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Two city work sessions have been scheduled on the following subjects: the marijuana establishment ordinance on Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. and budget goals on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m.
The commission’s next regular meeting will be on Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m.
City sessions take place in the commission chambers of the Memorial Building. The public is welcome. Virtual access to meetings also is available on the city’s website or Facebook page, where camping reservations for Curry Park also now are available.
