Mayor delays appointments to O'Donnell Civic Center board

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Ironwood — Mayor Annette Burchell delayed appointments to the Patrick O’Donnell Civic Center board Monday.

While in the past the city commission has scrambled to find enough candidates to fill some committees, Burchell said in this case there are numerous applicants and she needs more time to review their credentials and goals.

She said having so many candidates is a good thing for the city.

Near the end of Monday’s meeting, in commissioner comments, Brandon Tauer said he believes any candidates for the various city boards and committees should be taxpayers of the city or owners of businesses in Ironwood.

Burchell said she would take those comments under consideration in evaluating the candidates.

The mayor reappointed Mark Ruppe and Joe Lemke to the city’s economic development commission.

The city advertises for candidates to fill vacancies as terms expire, or when vacancies occur.

Commissioner Jim Mildren was impressed with the ribbon cutting Monday for the Ironwood to Bessemer section of the statewide Belle Isle non-motorized trail. “It cost $1.8 million and it’s worth every cent of it,” Mildren said, pointing out the scenic overlooks, bridges and recreational possibilities of the trail.

In addition to drawing tourists here, “People who live along the trail will be able to recreate every day with their families,” he pointed out.

In other business Monday, the city commission:

—Approved a payment to Ross Peterson Construction, of Hurley, for $29,390 for the sanitary sewer extension on Gogebic Street and Business Route 2. City Manager Scott Erickson said the project, conducted last week, ended up under budget and ahead of schedule.

—Changed a road gravel contractor bid award from Globe Industries to Smily’s Excavating for $7 per ton. Erickson said Globe produced some road gravel, but not as much as the city needs. He said Globe agreed with the switch.

—Agreed to use Minneapolis Auto Auction to sell a seized 2012 Mini Cooper vehicle. Mike Rimkus, of the Public Safety Department, said in the past there were few bids on some of the vehicles seized through drug forfeitures.

“This will give us a wider audience,” he said.

Funds from the sale support the Gogebic-Iron Area Narcotics Team.

City commissioner Rick Semo said the vehicle should be attractive to bidders because it’s relatively recent in vintage.