Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Ironwood sets hearing on marijuana ordinance

IRONWOOD — The ordinance regarding marihuana establishments will have a public workshop before revisions are considered in the new year, according to business of the Ironwood City Commission meeting on Monday.

The commission 3-0 approved an amendment that changed the sunset date of Article I, Marihuana Establishments, Sec. 36-6 of the current Ordinance No. 521, Book 5 from Jan. 31 to March 31, 2020. City Commissioners Rick Semo and Joseph Cayer were not present with excused absences.

The reason for the amendment is to allow for a workshop with public input before the commission considers revisions to the ordinance sometime in February. The workshop is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan 6, in the Women’s Club room of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

The commission 3-0 approved acceptance of the Coleman Engineering Company’s proposal for engineering and design services for the Ironwood City Square Project. This is the next step in the development of the downtown Ironwood City Square project, said Tom Bergman, city community development director.

Coleman selected Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. of Minneapolis to perform the design portion of the project, Bergman said. This portion of the project is due to be completed by March 2, to allow the city to put out construction bid requests in time to complete construction in 2020, he said.

“I can’t believe how much the Historic Ironwood Depot has improved all the different ways that people use the park, and then the Iron Belle Trail, and now this,” said Jim Mildren, commissioner. “We’re stacking success on success on success.”

The city square project is contingent on approval from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation board so the city can be assured of nearly $1.7 million in grant funding to reimburse costs for the $1.9 million project, Bergman said. The city provided a $191,850 match for the project.

The commission approved a six-year Capital Improvement Plan that is revised annually. The purpose is to identify and prioritize projects with cost estimates, financing options and maintenance costs, and to incorporate the plan into the annual budget, Bergman said.

In other business:

—Mayor Annette Burchell re-appointed Gary Mariani to the city Board of Review through Dec. 31 2022.

—The commission pproved authorizing bids to live tap the new 16 inch watermain and install a new valve and Mueller Hydrant at the Pump Station located on Pump Station Road.

 
 
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