City accepts Norrie School property from IAS

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

lholcombe@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — The Ironwood City Commission voted Monday to move forward in accepting the former Norrie School property from the Ironwood Area Schools.

City manager Paul Anderson told the commission the school district has no plans for the 2.2-acre property and was looking to donate it to the city. Anderson said in a memo to the commission that the city staff felt it was good for the city to take ownership in order to have more control over the property’s future, adding: “With the housing shortage in the area, there is a high likelihood that this property would be ripe for development within the somewhat near term.”

Anderson estimated the cost of mowing the property to be $2,000 a year, and pointed out the old school’s foundation still exists under the surface and may have to be excavated as part of some future development.

The commission also approved Rural Development pay package No. 5 of $492,745 for the Water Treatment Plant Phase 1. The commission also approved an $11,766 change order to the project related to redesigning the east wall of the building that will be attached to a garage in Phase 2. It was unclear when Phase 2 might occur when the Phase 1 plans were made, but now that funding for Phase 2 has been secured and hopes are it will begin directly after Phase 1 is complete, a redesign of the east wall is in order, said Anderson.

He said work on Phase 1 continues with multiple concrete pours each week and the plans for fully grant funded $11.4 million Phase 2 are coming along with hopes of having an engineering contract ready for the commission to approve at its next meeting. He said after the meeting that Phase 1 could last into the spring of 2025, with the hopes of Phase 2 beginning that June.

On Anderson’s recommendation, the commission authorized calling for bids on a list of 10 upcoming 2024 projects, including: Curry Park electrical upgrade, Curry Park site amenities, asphalt patching, concrete patching, crack sealing, pavement striping, road improvements, yard waste grinding at the compost site, cemetery grass cutting and Jessieville water tank maintenance work.

Anderson reported the $3 million lead water service line replacement project continues, having replaced 57 addresses so far. He said more than 40 others have been determined not to have a galvanized line as was thought, and instead were found to have a copper line — reducing the cost and time of the entire project. He thanked the citizens for their time and patience.

In other action, the commission:

—Approved a $100 gratuity for all city employees for the holiday season.

—Approved the mayor’s re-appointment of Kathi Maciejewski to the Carnegie Library Board and Sam Davey to the Planning Commission. The commission also approved Mayor Kim Corcoran’s membership on the Parks and Recreation Commission and commissioner Lauren Korpi’s membership on the Ironwood Theatre Board.

—Acknowledged the introduction of an ordinance to vacate the Superior Street right of way between Francis Street and Cloverland Drive, and called for a public hearing on the matter to be set at the commission’s next meeting.

Anderson reported that the city deer hunt will continue through Dec. 31. Nine hunters have participated, harvesting three does and one buck.

Anderson also praised those involved in the recent Jack Frost Festival parade and pointed out one of the many upcoming festival events is a candlelight snowshoe in the Miners Memorial Heritage Park on Dec. 28 from 6-8 p.m.

He said while area snowmobile trails are closed, Mt. Zion is preparing to host snocross racing Friday through Sunday this weekend, with many racers and spectators expected. He also said some area ski hills have been able to open a few runs and excitement is continuing to build for the Sisu cross country ski race set for Jan. 6, expecting more than 900 racers and 350 volunteers.

The commission’s next meeting has been moved from the regular fourth Monday of the month to Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 5:30 p.m.