Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By PAMELA JANSSON
Bessemer — Members of the Bessemer City Council on Monday approved an audit report prepared by Rukkila/Negro and Associates in Houghton.
The focus was on the year ending June 30, 2024.
Mayor Peter Tacconelli said the auditor gave a positive report.
“She was very impressed with how the girls are handling the books and how up to date we are with the funds,” he said.
Councilman Adam Zak said the final few pages of the audit report did indicate the need for “corrective measures” such as more budget amendments.
However, Councilwoman Linda Nelson said that many of the issues noted by the auditor had occurred while previous staff were employed. She commended city manager and former clerk/treasurer Mandy Lake for cleaning up a lot of problems.
In related news, the city also approved a second quarter budget amendment prepared by newly appointed clerk/treasurer Samantha Zakovec.
She said revenues outweighed expenditures for several reasons, including more cemetery burial purchases and more building permits than expected
The mayor commended her for her work.
In other news, council members also:
— Approved the appointment of Jessica Bartlett to the Downtown Development Authority. Bartlett and her husband own the restaurant Tacconelli’s by Bartlett in Bessemer. “She’ll do a very good job,” said the mayor. “She’s very business-minded.”
— Approved the appointment of Chris Hoff to the Bessemer Housing Commission. In her application, Hoff wrote that she was the director of Social Services for the Gogebic Medical Care Facility for more than 25 years, until 2021, and now works as a legal nurse consultant. “I know Chris personally,” said Nelson. “I think she’ll be a very good fit.”
— Approved a five-year recreation plan update prepared by the Parks and Recreation Commission, which Zak said is “very ambitious.” The mayor added that it was clear a lot of work went into the plan.
— Approved a Category B grant contract between the city and the Michigan Department of Transportation in relation to projected work on Cinnabar Street.
— Approved a change order decrease of $9,700 for C2AE, the city’s engineering company, which has several U.P. locations, including in Bessemer.
All votes were unanimous with all members present.
Lake also noted in her staff report that staff are planning a “mini remodel” of the office area, during which the payment window will be moved to an adjacent door to allow better line-of-sight for staff.
The council’s next meeting will be on Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. in the council chamber of the Bessemer City Hall. Members also hope to schedule a budget workshop by early February.