Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By LARRY HOLCOMBE
Ironwood — The Ironwood City Commission continued Monday taking steps to improve the city’s utility infrastructure, approving a $11.4 million grant to fully fund Phase 2 of the ongoing water treatment plant project.
City Manager Paul Anderson said the grant funds from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy amount to 100% grant.
“We remain extremely thankful to EGLE for coming up with this amazing funding and opportunity for us,” said Anderson.
Phase 2 will add water treatment equipment and processes to new water plant now being built by Phase 1 near the city’s well fields in Ironwood Township. This separate $11.6 million project is funded by USDA Rural Development grants (50%) and loans (50%).
Anderson said work on Phase 1 continues to move apace with 16-foot concrete walls being poured for the structure, as the fare weather winter has been good for construction.
The commission also approved a $400,868 pay package No. 8 for Phase 1 work.
The commission awarded a $113,000 bid to LC United Painting Company for improvements scheduled for the Jessieville water tank this year. The work included installing a mixer, installation of mud valves and disinfection.
Anderson said water pump manager Bill Tregembo has a plan to keep water pressure available across the system while the work is being done, including maximum pump capacity and filling the Mt. Zion tank.
Anderson also updated the commission on several projects, including:
—The lead service line replacement project has moved to properties just on all-season roads as weight restrictions are now in place. He said they have changed out 93 galvanized services with copper to date.
—Coleman Engineering is working on designing separate Phase 5 and Curry Park water projects.
—Improvements to the Memorial Building gym have included new adjustable basketball hoops and backboards, as well as plumbing and painting in the men’s locker room.
—City staff spent time going through boxes of files stored in the old pool room, separating those that should be kept from those that could be shredded. Some of the older items will be going to the historical society.
In other business, the commission:
—Approved purchase of a 2023 Ford F-150 truck for the Water Department from Haggerty Ford in West Chicago for $50,595. It will replace a 2013 GMC Sierra which was reported to be heavily rusted on the underside. The Sierra was listed as surplus equipment and a minimum bid price was set at $3,000.
—Increased the election inspector pay from $12 an hour to $15.50 an hour, and the election chairperson’s pay from $12 an hour to $16.50 an hour. City Clerk Jennifer Jacobson said they will also need to have three inspectors work one day at the Gogebic County Courthouse during the state-mandated nine days of early voting prior to the Feb. 27 Presidential Primary. Each of the county’s nine cities and townships is providing workers for one day there, instead of everyone hosting their own nine days.
—Approved a resolution recognizing Emberlight Arts as a non-profit organization operating in the community. The resolution is needed by the Emberlight to obtain charitable gaming licenses.
—Heard Mayor Kim Corcoran appoint Richard Jenkins to the Planning Commission.
