Votes at a glance: Ishpeming City Council, May 21, 2025

This article summarizes formal actions recorded at the City of Ishpeming council meeting on May 21, 2025. Where the meeting transcript recorded motion language and an outcome, items are listed below. When individual vote tallies were not read into the record, the transcript indicated voice votes (ayes) and the clerk announced motion passed.

Votes and formal actions (selected) 1) Consent agenda — Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Outcome: Approved (voice vote). 2) Special event applications — Motion that all four special event applications be approved. Outcome: Approved (voice vote). 3) Resolution No. 15‑2025 — Motion to adopt resolution 15‑2025 (details in packet). Outcome: Adopted (motion passed). 4) Fill agreements — Motion to approve three contractor fill agreements (two for Lindbergh, one for Payne & Dolan). Outcome: Approved (voice vote). 5) Ordinances — Second reading and adoption of amendment to rental registration Ordinance 7‑400 and adoption on second reading of Ordinance 7‑500 (rental inspection). Outcome: Adopted. 6) Skate park change order — Motion to accept a change order for American Ramp Company (skate park) in the amount of $20,000. Outcome: Approved; council noted the total project remains within the $350,000 budget. 7) Hire part‑time maintenance/custodian — Motion to hire a part‑time maintenance/custodian for City Hall, DPW and library (20 hours/week at $20/hour). Outcome: Approved; staff noted estimated $6,000 annual savings versus contractors. 8) RG Designs architecture agreement — Motion to waive competitive bidding and hire RG Designs for architectural services at $14,200 for a lodge project; council also approved a budget transfer from cemetery GIS funds to cover the cost. Outcome: Approved (motion and budget amendment passed). 9) Purchase approvals and bidding waivers - Two zero‑turn mowers (42‑inch) for $8,200 (manager recommended waiving bids; council directed competitive bidding). Outcome: Motion carried to proceed with purchase process as directed. - Plate compactor from Midway Rentals for $8,799 (demo discount) and waiver of bids. Outcome: Approved (motion passed). 10) Audit engagement — Motion to continue with Anderson Tackman and Company for the 2024 audit. Outcome: Approved. 11) Union contracts — Motions to approve three separate three‑year agreements for supervisory, DPW and clerical units. Outcome: Approved by council; union representative reported all three units ratified the agreements unanimously in internal votes. 12) Nonunion wage adjustments — Motion to approve 3% increases for nonunion employees with retroactivity to Jan. 1 where specified; included specific backpay and forward pay decisions for roles including finance director/deputy city manager and the city clerk. Outcome: Approved. 13) Police chief compensation — Motion to adopt phased salary increases for the police chief: increase to $84,000 on June 1, 2025 and to $90,000 on Jan. 1, 2026, plus associated 3% adjustments. Outcome: Approved. 14) City Hall and DPW seasonal hours — Motion to approve a 10‑hour day / 40‑hour week schedule (Monday–Thursday) seasonally from the Monday after Memorial Day through the Friday before Labor Day. Outcome: Approved.

Notes on procedural items and vote recording - The meeting transcript records voice votes with ayes called; roll‑call totals were not consistently read into the public record for every motion. Where a motion had a named mover or seconder in the transcript, the meeting record showed support; where a voice vote was called the clerk recorded the outcome as passed. - Council directed staff to incorporate salary and budget changes into payroll and the upcoming budget process where applicable.

If you need an official certified vote tally or ordinance text, contact the City Clerk’s office; the city clerk’s packet and signed minutes contain the legal record of each adopted item.