Wakefield council approves sale of land near Sunday Lake

By P.J. GLISSON

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Wakefield — The Wakefield City Council voted on Monday evening to sell a parcel of land overlooking Sunday Lake to Timothy and Nichole Lynott for their bid of $10,101.

The land is adjacent to the Lynott’s property at 202 Chicago Mine Road.

“My family and I have lived on the adjoining parcel of property since 1986, for 38 years,” said Lynott in a letter to the council dated Jan. 18.

“We have maintained a walking trail on the property over the years so we can easily access the park and beach at Sunday Lake. Unfortunately, over the years, trees have grown up and invasive species like buckthorn have moved in,” thus obstructing lake views,” he said.

Lynott said he and his wife wish to “beautify” the property, which he classified as “unbuildable,” by reducing some of the trees and attempting to remove invasive species.

In a separate form dated Jan. 14, Lynott also said, “Section 9.1 of the city’s policy gives adjoining landowners preference of the surplus property if unbuildable.”

Lynott also provided a list of neighbors who were notified of the requested action.

In his report to the council, City Manager Robert Brown said that a request for proposals regarding the property sale was issued on Dec. 11, 2023.

“The property was previously part of the park system,” he said. “However, the Wakefield Electorate granted the council (via ballot) the power to remove the property from the park system and place it for sale.”

During the public comment session, Lynott expressed thanks to both the council and the city manager.

After the meeting, Lynott told The Globe that he has been working toward the property purchase for 15 years.

He said Brown had invested considerable time in processing the many required steps to allow him to take ownership of land that has served as an extension of “my back yard.”

In other news, the council also authorized the distribution of the city’s updated master plan for public review. Brown said the state mandates a 63-day public review period, during which the “general public and governmental agencies may submit comments, corrections, and edits for the city’s consideration.” After that period, the Planning Commission also will conduct a public hearing.

Also during the city manager’s report, Brown said the city’s annual contract for city patrols by the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office in Bessemer will need renewing as of July 1. Brown said he will request Sheriff Ross Solberg to submit a formal contract.

Calvin Shirkey voiced his support for continuing to use the Sheriff’s Office, but added of areas beyond the downtown region, “There is one more thing I’d like to see in the city — more patrol of the streets.”

Council members also:

—Voted to fund the $1,865 cost for Deputy Treasurer Patty Sperhake to attend her first of three years of training with the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association in Mt. Pleasant, April 21-26. In her written request to the council, Sperhake said the training will allow her to work toward her goal of becoming a Michigan Certified Professional Treasurer. The expense covers the institute cost, lodging and mileage.

—Voted to approve the renewal of an agreement with Xcel Energy to allow it to continue storing its equipment on available space at the Department of Public Works property on U.S. 2. According to Brown, the lease of $1,070 per month, for the time period of Feb. 14 to Dec. 14, results in a total of $10,700, thus allowing the city to fund its own $8,000 per year bond payment on the same property while still earning an additional $2,700 in revenue.

—Voted to approve this year’s ongoing summer tax agreement between the city and the Wakefield-Marenisco School District. The agreement says, in return for receiving a 1% fee for all taxes levied, the city will collect summer property tax money and then remit to the school its portion.

—Voted to approve two memorandums of understanding with Wakefield’s Gogebic Medical Care Facility: 1. To provide emergency shelter for GMCF residents, if needed, within the municipal building; and 2. To assure proper sewer flowage in relation to the facility.

—Voted to approve a pay hike from $11 to $12 per hour for part-time city janitorial work.

The council’s next regular meeting will be on Feb. 12, and the Planning Commission will meet next on Feb. 13. Both meetings will be at 5:30 p.m. in the municipal building.