Bessemer City Council sets value on city manager role

By DAMIIAN LANG

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — The Bessemer City Council voted Monday evening to offer $70,000 to $90,000 to a successful candidate for city manager.

The offer would be contingent upon the candidate possessing at least five years of municipal government experience and a bachelor’s degree.

According to related statements, the candidate also would receive standard city benefits, including a 2% defined benefit pension; medical, dental and vision insurance; and paid time off.

In other news, the council also approved suggestions submitted by the city’s Planning Commission in relation to drafts of the city’s new master plan and capital improvement plan.

Commissioners recommended dropping a reference to tiny house marketing as it already is allowed via zoning. They also recommended removing a reference to establish a neighborhood improvement authority as it is “not a realistic goal for 2024 due to staffing constraints,” etc.

Commissioners also suggested that the city’s original rental inspection ordinance be amended to include short-term rentals instead of creating a separate, new policy for those units.

Commissioners also suggested that the city “continue to work on zoning updates for food growing/raising” so as to allow more such options.

Council members also:

—Voted to pay $15,750 for a confidential credit assessment from S&P Global Ratings, based in New York, in relation to the city’s application for a grant from Michigan’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. S&P stated in related communication that an assessment is not comparable to a credit rating.

—Approved a resolution to apply for a Category B grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation in order to fund the rebuilding and resurfacing of Cinnabar Street and N. East Street.

—Approved an agreement for the Bessemer Public Library to provide services to residents of Ironwood Charter Township. Among contingencies, the agreement states that the township will assign 100% of its penal fines, as well as library-related state aid, to the library. The agreement will begin July 1 and will run through June 30, 2025.

—Learned from councilwoman Linda Nelson that the city’s Fourth of July celebration will include some new elements this year, including a July 3 “family fun day” and a night shirt parade. The family fun day will feature a rock-climbing wall, live music, a video game station and more.

The council’s next regular meeting will be on June 24 at 6 p.m. in the council chamber of the Bessemer City Hall.