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News
By Allison Joy
IRON RIVER — Public comment grew heated at a special meeting of the Iron River City Council held May 6 to discuss a counter-offer to the city’s bid to purchase the old Reporter building on West Adams St. — with residents calling city staff “stooges” and “evil queen,” and the council accusing commenters of slander.
I think it’s an absolute joke that you continue to have these meetings in executive sessions so that the people aren’t able to participate in any of the discussions,” said Adam Polley referring to private discussions among the council that the public is not privy to. “It’s the people’s money you guys are looking to spend.”
A notice for the May 6 meeting was sent out via email by Iron River City Manager Rachel Andreski just before noon Saturday, May 4. A notice for a prior special meeting held May 1, during which the council approved a motion to purchase the building, was posted in City Hall a mere day in advance.
“For you to sit behind closed doors and discuss everything, not letting us be privy to any of it, is disheartening,” said Patty Smith. “As part of the community we should be able to know what’s going on and what the discussions are and be able to have input.”
At the time of the May 6 meeting, the City had already made an offer on the building and received a counter offer. After going into a closed executive session, the council returned to vote on whether to accept a $170,000 counter-offer for the building that included 20 days for the city to have inspections completed.
That motion passed in a 3–1 vote, with Mayor Rodney Dood along with council members Anthongy Clements and Benjamin Garcia voting in favor. Councilman Donald Powell voted against, and Councilman Ronjo Leonoff was not present. (Leonoff voted against purchasing the building at the May 1 special meeting.)
According to data from the city, relocating City Hall from its current location downtown to the West Adams building would generate significant savings that could be invested into better-staffing other city operations. Council members said they hoped to see the current city hall building turned into apartments.
Residents continued to voice skepticism over the savviness of the move — questioning cost estimates, sharing concerns that the new building lacks parking to accommodate city functions and that the old building may not sell, forcing the city to pay upkeep on two buildings.
Clements addressed residents gathered for public comment directly by saying: “The few of you that are here are not the only ones who live in the city of Iron River. Your comments are appreciated, but there are other people who live here who do think the opposite of your opinion, that we have to consider also. Just because they’re not present to voice them publicly doesn’t make their opinions less valid.”
There have been no testimonials from residents in support of the move entered into the public record at this time.
“You guys have got to show the community dignity and respect, and stop having your meetings before 5 p.m.,” said Dave Sankey. “...Making it where an awful lot of us cannot attend unless we have to close our business and come down here to view what’s going on or give our opinion during the public comment part, I just don’t think it’s fair to the public.”
According to data compiled by the city, improvements to the current City Hall are slated to cost over $2.7 million over the next 20 years. Upgrades to the new building are slated to cost roughly $395,000 for a total estimated cost of $570,000 which, according to Dood, “would bring that building up to more than 20 years maintenance-free.”
“I know I heard you had an engineering company go in there, but have you … had an actual contractor that you would pay money to go in … so you have true numbers?” asked Sankey. “Because I’ve heard too many times in the past where engineering companies’ estimates are just way off, and then you make a decision on their first estimate, and all of a sudden now you’re left holding the bag.”
“There’s a little bit of risk involved, but you don’t get growth without risk,” Garcia said. “There are points in time when you have to make a decision: Are we going to move forward and capitalize on the growth that we’re seeing in our community right now? And that’s what we’re presenting to the city.”
Wendy Graham contributed to the reporting of this article.