Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Ironwood extends timing on housing agreement

By PAMELA JANSSON

[email protected]

Ironwood — The Ironwood City Commission on Monday evening approved an amendment to a real estate agreement between the city and the Ironwood Limited Dividend Housing Association LLC.”

On Nov. 28, 2023, Cinnaire Solutions Corporation — a state nonprofit corporation — originally entered the “Option to Purchase Real Estate Agreement” regarding land at 205 West Aurora St., which was the location of the former downtown branch of Wells Fargo Bank.

The amendment now extends the agreement to Oct. 3, for which the pending seller will pay an additional cost of $100.

CSC Taxable LLC is also listed on the amendment to be signed by Christopher J. Laurent, Cinnaire president.

Ironwood City Manager Paul Anderson said that Cinnaire still intends to demolish the bank building, now dormant on the property, after which it then expects to construct an apartment building with at least 40 units.

In order to work toward that end, he said he hopes to meet again with company officials in the fall.

Commissioners also:

— Authorized the city to seek bids in relation to the Community, Technical, Managerial and Financial Project, which the city manager expects will result in as-yet undetermined lead pipes being replaced next summer.

— Approved a rural development pay package from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for $662,855.97 in relation to the Water Treatment Plant Phase 1 project.

— Approved a resolution recognizing the Sisu Dirt Crew as a nonprofit organization operating in this community. The recognition will allow the crew to obtain charitable gaming licenses.

— Awarded a bid for garbage and recycling services to Republic Services in the amount of $540,087.36 for the first year of a five-year contract, effective Nov. 1 of this year through Oct. 31, 2029.

— Approved a payment of $80,247.81 to Jake’s Landscaping and Excavating LLC of Ironwood in relation to the current street improvements project. Also approved a change order for a $12,079.02 increase for the same company in relation to the same project.

— Approved a change order for $3,960 for L.C. United and extended the completion date from June 30 to Sept. 30 for the Jessieville Spheroid Elevated Water Tank Improvements Project.

— Approved Makela, Pollack and Ahonen PLCC of Ironwood to conduct the city’s annual audit for fiscal years ending June 30 from 2025 through 2029. According to Paul Linn, the city’s finance director/treasurer, the related fee shall rise from 2024 by 1% per year, or a total cost of $30,150 for fiscal year 2024-25. Linn praised the company’s professionalism and willingness to answer questions and noted that their local site renders the company “a great resource throughout the year.”

— Approved a change order at no cost for Reform Enterprises for the Bonnie Road Lift Station Generator Project, in relation to changing the generator brand and payment terms.

All votes were unanimous with all members present.

Anderson also voiced appreciation to the community for passing, in the Aug. 6 primary, the millage renewal for the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center.

In addition, he commended city clerk Jennifer Jacobson and other election workers who already have managed four elections this year and will face a fifth one on Nov. 5.

At the end of the meeting, the commission entered a closed session to discuss an amendment to the AFSCME bargaining unit agreement for city union employees.

The commission’s next regular meeting will be on Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. in the commission chamber of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

 
 
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