Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By Pamela Jansson
Members of the Bessemer Parks and Recreation Commission re-elected Eric Longhini as president at their May 2 meeting. Dominic Fabbri was elected as vice president.
Commissioners also discussed plans to authorize the city’s Department of Public Works to install concrete pads under three newly restored grills within Bluff Valley Park. A picnic table also is planned for each pad.
“We’ve rebuilt every one of them,” said DPW director Ben Tucker of the grills, adding that the units also were painted. “They’re in really good condition now,” he said.
Tucker suggested that the grills should be placed closer to the pavilion than they were before.
He said the city would need to pay for the concrete but added that DPW workers could supply all related labor at no cost to the commission.
Commissioners tabled a decision after Fabbri suggested that they should discuss all pending projects first and decide best how to prioritize funding.
In other news, commissioners voted to question the City Council regarding anticipated steps in working toward a new 5-year recreation plan.
The discussion followed a decision regarding the city’s plan to apply for a third time for a state grant that, if issued, could help to fund a pending Iron Belle trailhead just south of the City Hall.
City officials came close to meeting the required grant points on the first try and then were optimistic when their points increased on the second try. However, on that occasion, the state announced that it had fewer funds to distribute on that particular round.
The recreation plan must be updated before another application can be submitted.
Commissioners also:
—Voted to purchase a new refrigerator for the Bluff Valley Park pavilion. The matter now will be addressed by the Bessemer City Council.
—Tabled a decision regarding how to enlist volunteer help with planting flowers on a tentatively scheduled date of June 8.
—Tabled the purchase of extra lighting for Bluff Valley Park in favor of comparing standard versus solar options.
All votes were unanimous with Trevor Jackovich and Adam Zak absent.
The next regular commission meeting will be on June 6 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers of the Bessemer City Hall.
