Bessemer council pledges to find money for road work

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — Members of the Bessemer City Council voted Monday evening to work toward resolving what Mayor Adam Zak said is unprecedented damage of city roads.

“I’ve looked at multiple roads,” said Zak. “A lot of roads are still terrible. Realistically, this can has been kicked down the road for far too long.”

Zak said he had discussed the issue with Councilman Terry Kryshak and they had concluded that “enough is enough.”

“We have to do something,” agreed Kryshak, who said that city office staff members have processed multiple calls and emails on road complaints.

“This winter has done something I’ve never seen with the streets,” said Zak. “There’s sink holes in a lot of them that never had them.”

He added, “This spring really took a toll.”

Moreover, explained Zak and City Manager Jennifer Adams, the city has no hope of getting government road loans for at least a couple of decades. Hence, he said, “We’re on the hook.”

Although utility and road construction projects have been underway in the past two years and will continue this year, Zak said the city now is faced with about half or so of new roads versus roads that are outright bad.

Councilman Rob Coleman agreed that road problems are widespread.

“We don’t have a lot of funds, so we’re going to have to get creative and figure how we’re going to do it,” warned Kryshak.

He motioned for the mayor, the city manager and Public Works Director Neal Nelson to create a plan to address needed road work, noting priorities and cost projections.

“We’ll figure out the money part,” added Kryshak, who noted that general funds could be considered, along with a bond if needed.

Zak also already had stated that the city’s plans to purchase a new loader should be put on hold in favor of addressing some of the road work first.

“I’ll support that,” said Councilman Charles Tirpik in relation to Kryshak’s motion, which then passed.

Council members also:

—Voted to adopt meter guidelines as recommended by the American Water Works Association. The mayor voted no after requesting that the city first seek information on how other cities designate charges. Council members expect to vote on actual water rates at their next meeting.

—Voted to repost the city’s opening for a code enforcement officer, which relates to blight management.

—Voted to approve a bid of $60 per week from Touch of Gray Interiors in Wakefield to clean bathrooms at Bluff Valley Park. Coleman noted that Touch of Gray had been hired last year and did “nice work.” Merritt’s Housekeeping Inc. of Hurley also had submitted a bid for $75 per week.

—Heard from the city manager that a sewer line plug had been cleared after complaints of a related back-up within the office of the Gogebic County Forestry and Parks Commission. Zak said city staff will continue to monitor the situation until a permanent resolution can be applied.

—Heard Zak thank members of the city’s Department of Public Works staff for pitching in to help the city of Wakefield to address recent flooding issues there. “I really appreciate that,” said the mayor.

—Heard Kryshak note that it is National Library Week with a theme of “There’s More to the Story.” He expressed thanks to City Librarian Melissa Lupino and her staff.

At the end of the meeting, council members entered a closed session to discuss the status of applications for Public Works Director, a position from which Nelson expects to retire by fall.

After the closed session, Kryshak said, “I’d like to make a motion that Adam and Jenny send a letter detailing why we will not offer the position of lead man to Mike Marcello, based on the points we discussed in the closed session.”

Kryshak added, “A copy of this letter can be placed in his personnel file.”

The vote passed.

Kryshak then made a second motion to “actively solicit applicants for the lead man position” outside of the department until the position is filled. That motion also passed.

With the exception of the water meter issue, all votes at Monday’s meeting were unanimous with Councilwoman Linda Nelson absent.

The council’s next regular meeting will be on May 8 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers of the Bessemer City Hall.