Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By PAMELA JANSSON
Wakefield — The Wakefield City Council approved two ordinances on Jan. 13 after holding public hearings on each of them.
One is the Cross Connection Ordinance that City Manager Brown has stated is "a critical measure to ensure compliance with Michigan's Safe Drinking Water Act."
In an agenda report, Brown wrote, "This update reflects ongoing efforts to maintain the safety and integrity of our drinking water supply and to protect public health."
The second ordinance amends Municipal Infraction Ordinance 221 and extends penalties to include other ordinances as well.
That ordinance claims that "a municipal infraction shall apply to and include the following offenses set forth in particular Wakefield city ordinances": abandoned and junked vehicles; nuisances and blight; and violations relating to fire prevention, the International Property Maintenance Code, Cross Connections, and streets and sidewalks.
In other news, the council also approved city treasurer Patty Sperhake to attend the Michigan Municipal Treasurers' Association Basic Institute from April 27 to May 2 at a cost of $1,911.40 for the registration fee, lodging, meals and mileage.
In recommending the action, Brown wrote that Sperhake's attendance at the event would ensure "continued compliance and adoption of best practices."
Sperhake herself wrote, "My attendance at the MMTA Basic Institute will contribute to improved financial management and organizational success."
Council members also:
— Authorized the city manager and Mayor Dale White to sign an agreement with the Wakefield-Marenisco School District, agreeing to collect the district's summer taxes in exchange for the district paying the city 1% of taxes levied. According to Brown, the city collected $14,634.21 for the same service in relation to 2023-2024.
— Approved the following two memorandums of understanding with the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield: 1. for the city to provide shelter for nursing home residents in the municipal center in the event of an emergency, and 2. for the city, in the event of a municipal sewer system failure, to provide for the nursing home assurance of its sewer egress.
All votes were unanimous with Pat Libertoski absent.
According to Brown, a Jan. 14 meeting of the Planning Commission resulted with the following additional action:
1. Approval of its annual report of activities for presentation to the council, and
2. A second reading for an ordinance amending the city's zoning code.
The council's next regular meeting will be on Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the council chamber of the municipal building.
