Ishpeming council adopts several ordinance amendments, declares surplus equipment and authorizes blight action

The Ishpeming City Council adopted multiple ordinance amendments and approved several operational actions at the meeting.

Zoning: Council approved the second reading of Ordinance 8-100, which clarifies duplex and conversion definitions (for example, distinguishing up-down conversions from side-by-side duplexes and amending lot-size requirements where appropriate).

Open burning and special events: Council adopted second-reading amendments to Ordinance 4-1100 (open burning) to clarify permissible small backyard/cooking fires, permit requirements for larger fires and enforcement authority for law enforcement to terminate problematic burns. Council also approved amendments to Ordinance 3-800 governing special events and rescinded Policy 406 related to special events.

Surplus and blight: By motion the council declared a police detective vehicle and DPW equipment (Elgin sweeper, Case backhoe and a jackhammer attachment) surplus for auction and directed DPW to include items in an upcoming auction. The council also authorized filing a nuisance suit on one remaining blighted property after staff said one property owner had signed an agreement and a second required further legal steps that could include publication and a court order to demolish the structure if the owner does not respond.

Traffic control orders: Staff presented amendments to traffic control orders (added/removed/amended entries) and the council adopted those changes in a separate motion.

All ordinance votes and motions passed by voice vote as recorded in the meeting transcript.