Ironwood Commission gets annual planning report

By PAMELA JANSSON

pjansson@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — The Ironwood City Commission received on Monday evening an annual report on the city’s Planning Commission.

Tom Bergman, the city’s community development director, presented the report for the fiscal year of 2023-24. He also directs the Planning Commission.

“This is part of what we do as a Redevelopment Ready Community,” said Bergman regarding the annual report.

The report lists Planning Commission responsibilities as follows: 1. preparing and implementing the city’s comprehensive plan and additional plans/documents; 2. processing zoning requests, including zoning amendments (text and property), site plan review, special/conditional uses and development review; 3. sale of city-owned surplus property; and 4. other planning and zoning-related matters that may come before it.

A synopsis of the commission’s work includes a breakdown of the master plan update now underway. Among concerns listed were priority trail improvements, park action and numerous economic development initiatives. Other work included a list of development reviews and zoning issues.

“It’s pretty impressive,” said Commissioner Rick Semo. “You have a lot to be proud of.”

Sam Davey chairs the Planning Commission, and remaining members are Grant Boelter, Klaus Kutschke, Richard Jenkins, Mark Silver, John Spence, Scott Bissell and David Andresen.

Commissioners also:

— Met the city’s new director of Human Resources, Bridget Braspenick, a lifelong resident of Ironwood. “We’re happy to have her,” said the city manager. “Welcome Bridget.”

— Declared as a public nuisance and ordered condemnation of a structure at 615 E. Tamarack St. and authorized the work to be put to bid when the time comes.

— Approved a Rural Development pay package of $586,877.20 for the Water Treatment Plant Phase 1 Project.

— Approved a payment of $89,017.47 to Jake’s Excavating and Landscaping LLC in Ironwood in relation to the city’s TMF Water Service Exploration Project.

— Approved a change order increase of $5,328.88, as well as a payment of $43,114.88, both in relation to this year’s pavement striping project, for P.K. Contractors of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

— Approved a payment of $113,102 for Nasi Construction in relation to siding repairs at the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center. Anderson said the cost will be reimbursed by a later insurance payment.

— Approved $20,000 for additional services for HDR Michigan, Inc. for the Phase 2 water treatment plant.

— Approved the Gogebic County Land Bank access and demolition agreement for a structure at 456 E. Tamarack St.

— Approved a border bridge agreement for the Norrie Street Bridge.

— Approved a Dupont Road border bridge agreement for the Dupont Road

All votes were unanimous with only the mayor absent.

At the end of the meeting, commissioners entered a closed session relating to a personnel evaluation.

The commission’s next regular meeting will be on Dec. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the commission chambers of the Ironwood Memorial Building.