Bessemer To Review Charter Revisions

The Bessemer City Council met in a regularly scheduled meeting last night. The council made first time appointments to several boards and commissions.

Marilyn Michelli was appointed to the Housing Commission. Joseph Dusterbeck was appointed to the Planning Commission and Marc Sprague was appointed to the Elected Officials Board.

Mayor Frello did not appoint any one to the DDA, instead tabling the appointment until the next City Commission meeting, December 21, 2009.

Also scheduled for the last December meeting will be a Board of Review which was approved at last evenings meeting.

The City of Wakefield had requested a supporting resolution f or the Copperwood Mining project. Apparently the "Granola Bar People" are opposing the project that will bring several hundred jobs to Gogebic County. (Yes, it’s the same bunch that has prevented tax paying businesses from being built along Ayer Street in Ironwood.) The resolution supporting Copperwood was unanimously approved by the City Council.

In another resolution of support the council approved an increase in sewer charges. The wastewater authority has been running a deficit of $25,000 per year. The deficit has been made up using funds designated for debt retirement. The sewer charges will be increased 3% in February 2010, another 2.5% in February 2011 and a final increase of 2.5% in February 2012.

The 3% increase Next February is expected to generate $10,600 in additional revenues for the authority. The measure was unanimously approved.

The council has approved the idea of reviewing the City Charter for possible revisions. The charter has not been reviewed or amended since 1979. It is believed that there would be no more than six to eight revisions required. The Council members will look over the current charter provisions and will provide their opinions on the subject at the February 1, 2010 meeting.