Ironwood opens compost site to residents for free

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

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Ironwood — Ironwood’s compost site will be free to use for city residents this year.

On advice from the city manager Paul Anderson, the City Commission on Monday approved a change in policy for use of the facility on Ayer Street. There will no charge for pickup truck or trailer loads of leaves and yard waste, as well as tree and tree limb disposal for city residents. Non-residents will not be allowed to use the facility.

The facility will be open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anderson said the attendant will be asked to monitor the flow of use to see if the hours need to be adjusted.

Last year, residents were charged $5 a load, and non-residents were charged $15. Anderson said in a memo to the commission that there was a lot of “confusion and inconvenience” with the payment system last year, as well as staff time incurred processing the payments. He added there was $2,500 revenue last year from the site from May to October. He also said the cost for non-residents to the use the Gogebic Range Solid Waste Management transfer station is not much different from last year’s rate.

There is still a $3,000 annual fee available for commercial use by tree services or others.

The commission approved the change unanimously.

“It’s a service we provide to our residents. It’s a great thing,” said commissioner Rick Semo.

After a public hearing on the matter, the commission also approved an ordinance change to modify a purchasing policy related to spending limits.

Anderson said the last time purchasing thresholds were adjusted was in 2003 and inflation has become a factor. The 2003 policy required commission approval for purchases of more than $5,000, and a request for bids on purchases more than $10,000. He said these amounts were creating project and purchase delays.

The new ordinance calls for commission approval for purchases of more than $20,000, and a request for bids on purchases more than $30,000.

Semo and commissioner Jim Mildren both asked Anderson to keep the commission aware of purchases approaching $20,000.

In other action, the commission:

—Approved a bid of $125,000 to Scodeller Construction for crack sealing of city streets. Anderson said he hopes this work, planned for the Jessieville area, will be the beginning of returning to a five-year cycle of such maintenance across the city.

—Approved the purchase of a new Case loader with plow and wing for the Department of Public Works for $319,000 from Miller-Bradford & Risberg of Negaunee.

—Approved changes to the city’s Demolition Incentive Program, that helps reimburse some costs of tearing down structures, including sheds, garages, mobile homes and single- and two-story homes.

—Approved a lease agreement with Nate Price, owner of Up-N-Smoke BBQ, for use of city property for his business. The $150 a month is 50% more than the previous year, because the business is using more of the city’s property, said Anderson.

In his manager’s report, Anderson praised all the people and organizations involved in the successful search and rescue of Nante Niemi, an 8-year-old Hurley boy who was missing in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park for two days before being found safe Monday afternoon.

Anderson also:

—Thanked city clerk Jen Jacobson and her election workers for running the May 2 local election.

—Reported they had 130 residents use the spring clean up day on May 5 and 6 behind the Public Safety Department. He said they filled 11 dumpsters. “It was great to see people getting rid of trash from interiors and exteriors of homes,” he said.

—Reported discussions continue with USDA Rural Development about funding for the new water pump station. He said they hope for good news this month.

—Reported the sewer main lining downtown is underway and the Hemlock Street reconstruction project between U.S. 2 and Broadway will begin soon.

—Reported that the opening of Curry Park campground has been pushed back to May 26.