Ishpeming council approves library millage language, adopts parks ordinance and sets public hearing on Mountain Road surplus

The Ishpeming City Council on July 14 approved a slate of measures including language for a library operating millage to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, the final adoption of a parks ordinance that makes most park violations civil infractions, and a declaration that property along Mountain Road is surplus and subject to a public hearing.

City attorney Caroline, who shepherded the millage language, told the council the draft had been vetted with county officials and “meets statutory requirements.” The council voted to place Resolution 18-2026 on the November 3 ballot.

The council also adopted Ordinance 2-900 on final reading, replacing a misdemeanor penalty for park violations with a civil-infraction framework and a typical $100 fine; Caroline said the change reduces jail exposure for such infractions and brings the language in line with other updated ordinances.

Council members approved a set of financial and administrative actions: second-quarter budget amendments that incorporate $135,000 in revenue from the sale of used equipment (earmarked for equipment repairs), $500,000 in FEMA funding and $894,192 in state fire-truck funding to the public improvement fund, and carried sewer appropriations (D and E Street repairs). Finance staff Gray explained the adjustments were largely bookkeeping to reflect funds received and anticipated reimbursements.

The council authorized the manager to issue a request for proposals for citywide electrical-contractor services and approved winter-equipment repairs totaling $114,093.43, to be funded in part by the used-equipment sale proceeds.

On infrastructure payments, the council approved Resolution 17-2026 to accept payment-reimbursement requests tied to the DWSRF project after staff read engineering invoices and contractor pay requests aloud. The transcript lists engineering invoices “just over 144,000” and additional pay requests; the payoff numbers read at the meeting were difficult to parse from the audio transcript and are summarized in meeting records.

The council approved several special events and related support: Swim Teal Lake, the Shore Mountain Bike Epic, the Buzz the Gut car show and parade, a Sept. 12 powwow (the council waived pavilion fees and authorized extra DPW services for trash/cleanup), and Forging Our Futures 5K (Sept. 26), for which council granted a first-year fee waiver and allowed road blocking per the event map.

Mayor Pat Scanlon introduced a motion to declare city-owned parcels along Mountain Road surplus and open them to development. The council approved that declaration and scheduled a public hearing for July 29 to take public comment and move the surplus-declaration process forward; the planning commission will participate in follow-up work.

Public-safety and administrative updates included a police report that about 100 notices had been issued for debris and long-grass code violations with roughly 85% compliance, and notice that the school resource officer grant ended at the end of June. In public comment John Becker, representing Your Shore, reminded the council his group expects about 2,800 riders at its annual special event and requested the usual public-safety and public-works cooperation.

The meeting concluded with brief mayor and council reports and adjournment. The council set follow-up work on the Mountain Road surplus declaration and asked staff and the city attorney to provide clarifications on ordinance enforcement (including animal-control fines) and any town-code specifics at the next meeting.