Ironwood City Commission approves social district

By PAMELA JANSSON

pjansson@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — The Ironwood City Commission voted Monday evening to approve the establishment of a social district that will encompass much of the downtown area.

According to a written plan from the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority, a social district exists “wherein two or more contiguous licensed establishments can sell alcoholic beverages in special cups to be taken into a designated commons area for consumption.”

“It’s really an economic development tool, trying to get more establishments to open up,” said community development director Tom Bergman.

He told commissioners that containers up to 16 ounces may be used and must be labeled with the place of purchase and a DIDA decal.

Biodegradable or compostable materials will be encouraged. Glass containers will be prohibited.

Persons may not bring to common areas alcohol purchased outside the social district, and they also may not take containers purchased within the district outside of it.

The city’s action took place via two separate resolutions: one to create a social district per the terms outlined, with an annual review stipulated, and a second to identify eligible operations for participation.

“All qualified licensees within the boundaries of the downtown Ironwood social district in good standing with the city of Ironwood, Gogebic County and state of Michigan may participate,” states the DIDA plan.

“None of these applicants are required to participate,” said Bergman, but if they do, they must register with the state for a fee.

The DIDA plan also states, “All state of Michigan and city of Ironwood laws regarding public intoxication, impaired driving and open containers apply to areas both inside and outside of the social district boundaries.”

Andrew DiGiorgio, director of the Ironwood Public Safety Department, told commissioners that he approves of the plan. The IPSD will provide related security and enforcement.

DIDA will be the designated manager of the district and will facilitate related trash removal.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 5781 into law on July 1, 2020, thus allowing Ironwood and other cities throughout the state to create social districts.

Bergman said that the social district will go into effect immediately and will operate year-round, Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“At any point, the Ironwood City Commission may revoke this designation if it determines that the program threatens the health, safety or welfare of the public or has become a public nuisance,” states the DIDA plan.

Commissioners also:

—Approved a bid of $1,324,882.40 from Jake’s Excavating and Landscaping LLC in Ironwood for the city’s Phase 5A water system upgrades, per Michigan’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Coleman Engineering Company in Ironwood reviewed the four bids received and made the recommendation.

—Approved an agreement with Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and a related state finance division relating to a $598,000 grant, classified as 100% coverage. Anderson said the grant for community technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) support will help to identify lead service lines among about 800 service lines for which the city has no records. Any lead lines found will be replaced with copper lines. Commissioners also approved a $78,000 payment to Coleman for engineering preparations relating to the grant. The city manager said that Coleman will design the operation and hopes to issue bids by the end of summer, thus allowing for fall execution. The grant funds must be used by September 2026.

—Approved a payment of $43,027.27 to Jake’s Excavating and Landscaping, LLC in Ironwood for work relating to current lead service line replacement.

—Approved a payment of $5,977 to Northland Electric DS Inc. for the electrical project upgrade at Curry Park Campground. “After this project, we’ll be able to rent out the whole campground without worrying about breaker problems,” said City Manager Paul Anderson.

—Approved an ordinance acknowledging an alley vacation for property directly west of 206 N. Hemlock St. after no public comment was received in a related hearing prior to the meeting. “Usually, when we vacate properties, we give it to the adjacent property owner (or owners),” said Bergman. But he said this situation was different since property owners Ruth and John Mitchell provided proof that they already own the property.

—Approved a change order acknowledging that, in relation to the Bonnie Road Lift Station, the targeted generator brand of Kohler now will be Cummins 80kw. The order also approves a downpayment of $50,000 to Reform Enterprise of Bessemer, which will order the generator.

All votes were unanimous with all members present.

Anderson, Mayor Kim Corcoran and Commissioner James Mildren also thanked organizers and volunteers for another successful Festival Ironwood.

Commissioner Rick Semo thanked Anderson for organizing the July 20 dedication ceremony of the new Hiawatha Park playground and expressed appreciation to Paul Linn, the city’s finance director and treasurer, for “determined fundraising” and the Department of Public Works for “a ton of (related) work.”

The commission’s next regular meeting will be on Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the commission chamber of the Ironwood Memorial Building.