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Hurley Approves Funds for Water Project
 
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Hurley - September 16, 2009

The Hurley City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday evening. After accepting the minutes of the August 11th meeting, the council heard the reports of the Police, Fire & License, Board of Public Works, Finance and Gogebic-Iron Wastewater Authority Committees. These standing committees meet just prior to the city council meeting.

Fire Chief Darrell Petrusha reported on the FEMA grant that was recently awarded to the Hurley Fire Department in the amount of $37,655. The funds are to be used for new personnel equipment: Boots, helmets and thermal protective wear. The Chief had applied for the grant 18 months ago.

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The Police, Fire & License Committee also approved the bartender licenses for to Lisa Celeskey, Jacquelyn Leannah, Kimberly Lee, Jennifer Muth, Kristin Smith, and Christine Ursini .

The Finance committee approved several items to be presented to the city council for approval. They did not approve the purchase of. a new meter for the wastewater treatment plant at a cost of $6,360. It was brought to the committee’s attention that the City of Ironwood does not have a meter of it’s own. The Charter Township and Hurley each have a meter. The city subtracts the usage by Hurley and the Township to arrive at its own usage. The last time that the Ironwood Township required a new meter, the Waste Water Authority/Board paid for it. The committee members want the Wastewater Treatrment Authority/Board to do pay for the new Hurley Meter. The matter was tabled for the time being.


After the committee reports the Council heard a presentation by Chris Patritto, Superintendent of the Hurley K-12 School. He appeared before the council to explain the school's financing issues and property tax levy. Mr. Patritto’s presentation was for informational purposes only. He wanted to bring the council members up-to-date on the schools current financial situation as it relates to budgets and property tax levies. The Wisconsin method for funding K-12 schools varies from those methodologies used in Michigan.

After Mr. Patritto had completed his presentation the council acted on the recommendations of the standing committees:
The council voted to accept a recommendation from the Finance Committee to approving Pay Request #4 from Angelo Luppino, Inc. for the 2009 utility improvements project in the amount of $201,088.86

The council approved a recommendation from the Finance Committee on awarding a contract to A-I Excavating Inc. in the amount of $ 178,173.30 for the construction of an access road and water main to the site of the water treatment plant

Thee council approved the Finance Committees recommendation to accept the retirement of Street Commissioner David Levra along with an insurance package that will run through August 2010. The council then approved the appointment of public works employee Mark Bluse as the acting Street Commissioner.

Heard a report on two condemned houses , however postponed action until all parties involved in the condemnations came to an agreement of the ownership issues confront the council.

The council was to hear an update from alderman Don Richards on citywide wireless internet service. The report was postponed until the October meeting.



The City Clerk announced that the city clerk's office will be closed on Sept. 30 due to the employees attending election training in Ashland.

Motion to convene into closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding potential litigation involving former city employees. It was expected that an agreement would be reached in the matter.