Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
THE BESSEMER City council discusses whether or no to have the council review all documents regarding he city's SAW Grant Monday evening. In photo, from left, are: Michael Korpela, city attorney; Robert Coleman, council member; Linda Nelson, council member; Kathy Whitburn, mayor; John Frello, council member; and Jim Trudgeon, city clerk.
By TOM STANKARD
Bessemer - Following a lengthy closed session, the Bessemer City Council approved contacting the city's insurance carrier and inform them of potential litigation against the city that could arise concerning Bessemer's city manager controversy.
At the Dec. 7 council meeting, the council voted to buy out former City Manger Michael Uskiewicz's contract and appointed former Wakefield City Manager Margot Anderson as his replacement, pending Anderson's acceptance of the position. It was also agreed the council would interview Anderson on Dec. 17.
Since then, city attorney Michael Korpela said Uskiewicz has signed a contract for his severance package and submitted a letter of resignation. Also, he said Anderson has since signed a contract accepting the position as interim city manager. Because Uskiewicz has not received his full severance package, Korpela said at a special meeting Thursday, Dec. 17 that he is still a city employee. Once the council buys out what's left of his severance package, Korpela said he will no longer be a city employee.
A number of council members think the contracts drawn up are not valid. With the issue unresolved, the council has sought additional legal advice and request City Clerk Jim Trudgeon to talk to an attorney to see if they are available to offer a letter of legal services. Since then, the council has held many closed sessions to discuss the city manager situation.
On Monday, after emerging from another closed session, the city council approved contacting the city's insurance carrier to inform them of any litigation that could result from the city manager situation.
In other action:
- The council also approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Kathy Whitburn to sign documents concerning the city's Stormwater, Asset Management and Wastewater grant and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Fund after the council reviewed the documents.
The issue was tabled at the Jan. 19 council meeting after the council was unable to reach a consensus. Council member Linda Nelson said she preferred to have the council look at them first. Council member John Frello said it was foolish to keep on delaying things and that there was no reason not to have the mayor act in the best interest of the city.
- The council appointmented Douglas Kikkebusch, Doug Osier and Rob Youngberg to the Bessemer Downtown Development Authority.
- The Bessemer Fourth of July Committee provided an update of its progress planning this year's celebrations.
According to information provided at the meeting, the committee is asking for donations and will put supporters in a four-page brochure by category of support based on the amount donated. Donations are requested to be returned by March 31.
