Ontonagon Village Council fills two seats
The Ontonagon Village Council met on Feb. 22 and the headline of the meeting was to fill two vacancies on the council. It is a story unto itself how the vacancies occurred. Prior to the November 2020 election, Trustee Michael G. Mogan announced plans to leave the community and resigned his seat as of the end of the year. This left a partial term available and Jessica Huntzinger filed for election. After the deadline for filing Robert “Skip” Schulz filed as a write-in candidate for the same seat. Huntzinger was elected by a landslide with Schulz receiving fewer than 40 votes, however Huntzinger had a change in employment plans (she is a traveling nurse) and though she was sworn in to serve, she resigned her new seat. Schulz almost immediately started a campaign to be appointed to the vacant seat as the only other candidate who had run. The village council, however, has a policy to advertise the vacancy and then appoint whomever fills the qualifications and is recommended by the personnel committee.
Schulz applied, and in his letter of application stated and charged, “While I highly doubt I will be appointed as I agree with many citizens in our Community that the resignation of Ms. Huntzinger was known BEFORE the election in a way for the Council to appoint one of their friends....”. Schulz had unsuccessfully run for council on two previous occasions. Schulz is a reporter for the Daily Mining Gazette.
There were two other applicants, Mike Rebholz and Michael G; Mogan, who had changed his plans to leave the area and applied for his old seat.
Also to be filled was the unexpired term of Maureen Guzek, publisher and editor of the Ontonagon Herald, who passed away unexpectedly in January following heart surgery.
The council appointed Rebholz and Mogan to the two vacancies, based on the recommendation of the personnel committee.
Other council business included a review of the village audit, a discussion regarding the needed repairs to a walkway approach to the east pier at the harbor, and adoption of a resolution reinforcing support for the pension liability for former employees of the Ontonagon Memorial Hospital, which is now operated as Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital. The pension costs have risen radically and now consume over half of the general fund revenue of the Village.
Original Comments:
Joshua
The thanks really belongs to Bruce! He pestered me about including Ontonagon, and when I explained how difficult that would be for me, he started sending in the stories, too.
Susan
Thanks for covering Ontonagon.
Ontonagon Village approves sidewalk dining, sewer line correction
At their May 10 meeting, the Ontonagon Village Council approved Syl’s Cafe for sidewalk dining this year again. Last year the outdoor dining saw good use and the restaurant wants to offer it again this year. Approved dates are May 25 to Sept. 6.
Interim Manager William DuPont presented a brief report and update, in part, as follows:
• The documents for the forthcoming audit are due on June 1, and the interim manager foresees no problem in gathering this information on time. The audit is expected to be completed by July 1. DuPont reaffirmed that his priority is to have the village’s financials where they need to be. Council can expect to receive relative financial statements by July 1 and every month thereafter.
• One more auditor’s finding, as reported in the 3/31/2020 audit has been addressed but DuPont reported; “We are still bogged down in issues that we have frequently uncovered but once we get through these, we will make solid progress.”
DuPont added; “I feel good about the direction the village is heading and we will do our very best to resolve any outstanding issues.”
It was moved by Councilor Donald Chastan to approve the Interim Manager’s report and carried.
The Village of Clinton had sent a letter dated March 10 inviting the Village of Ontonagon to become a participant in a class action suit against the mandate of the State of Michigan to require municipalities to pay for replacement of specified water lines on private property. They claim this is contrary to General Law Village Charter.
If the legislature is unwilling to change the law(s) involved it may be necessary to take legal action against the State of Michigan. Ontonagon was asked to pledge $2,500 as a share in the legal costs of such a suit. At issue was whether or not it is legal for one municipality to donate to another community to carry on litigation of this nature.
In the opinion of the Michigan Municipal League, this would be quite legal and further more the MML would like to see this matter considered by the courts. The village was advised, however, to consult with its local attorney if there is any uncertainty in the regard.
A recent communication from the Village of Clinton updates the matter in their taking a “different route.” Further action was tabled until matters develop further.
Two bids had been received for installation of the new lift station on Tin Street, as follows:
Northland Electric, $125,531
FA Industrial Services, $187,166
The review of the bids by GEI (engineers) found that both bidders satisfied the requirements. It was recommended that the contract for the 2021 Tin Street Lift Station be awarded to Northland Electric.
It was moved by Councilor Mike Rebholz to accept the Northland Electric bid for the amount listed and this was carried.
A proposal by GEI was considered, in response to the questionable installation of sewer service for the Kulis residence on Gorman Avenue. The project had been authorized by the former manager but was not supervised by a certified engineer and the property owner whose parcel the new sewer line was to serve had serious doubts about the installation. After investigating the situation, the interim manager recommended correcting the problem. GEI Consultants presented a proposal to provide professional engineering services to install 300 feet of 8” sewer main. This is for the design work only and not for the actual construction. The project could total up to $15,000.
It was moved by Trustee Elmer Marks to make matters right by approving the GEI contract for the Gorman Avenue sewer line installation and this was supported by Sarah Hopper and carried.
The US Coast Guard will be holding a free boat inspection on May 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the marina pavilion.
Rebholz reported that he has applied for three sizeable grants:
-Marina Travel Lift: $373,725.00
-Turnout gear washing for the fire department $ 16,134.00
-Rescue truck also for the fire department, $227,995.00
Ontonagon village fires manager in split vote
On Feb. 25, at the special meeting of the Ontonagon Village Council, Joseph Erickson’s employment as the village manager was terminated on a split 3-2 vote.
The council emphasized that the termination, “with cause,” was in reference to Erickson’s alleged mismanagement of a $282,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant, which had partially paid for the dredging of the Ontonagon Village Marina. A recent audit revealed a shortage in the marina fund of $119,000. It appeared that the manager had failed to complete the paperwork to receive the final payment from the MDNR.
An MDNR official was contacted and indicated that he had reached out to the manager on three occasions about this matter and had received no response. The deadline for final submission of the paperwork was Dec. 31, 2020.
The MDNR agreed to amend the closing date of the grant so that the village can recoup the grant funds and the council passed a resolution accepting the new terms.
A heated discussion followed the adoption of the resolution and this matter as well as other past issues with the manager. Trustee Sarah Hopper introduced a motion to terminate the Erickson’s employment, with cause, and this was supported by Trustee Donald Chasten.
Erickson, speaking in his own defense, pointed to several projects he has completed successfully, his preoccupation with the Village MERS (pension liability) issue, the many meetings he must prepare for, and his very busy general work load.
Trustee John Hamm spoke against firing the Erickson stating that even with his faults, he is one of the better managers the village has had. Trustee Elmer Marks suggested some disciplinary “time off” and added that everyone forgets things once in awhile. Marks also pointed out that a “full council” was not present. The council is short two members due to a resignation and a death, and though replacements have been appointed, they will not be seated until March 8. (see previous article Late Edition Feb. 28)
Marks suggested not voting on this matter until that time, however, the motion was already on the floor.
President Tony Smydra, indicated that a legal quorum was present, and as there was an obligation to vote on the motion, he called the question. The final vote was Aye; Hopper, Chasten and Smydra. Nay; Hamm and Marks. The motion was carried.