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IM sees rise in police, fire overtime costs

IRON MOUNTAIN — The cost for overtime in the city’s police and fire departments was nearly $19,000 in October, catching the attention of the city council even though there are no immediate plans to boost full-time staffing.

Edwin Mattson, director of police and fire services, told the council Monday the departments continue to be short on people.

“It’s hard to get anyone to do this line of work,” he said.

To hold down expenses, Iron Mountain is looking for more part-time staff, particularly in the fire department. Overtime totaled $10,361 for firefighters last month.

“We’ve managed to recruit a couple but it’s tough,” Mattson said, noting certification is a factor.

While adding full-time officers and firefighters would reduce overtime, the council has so far decided against the additional cost for those wages and benefits.

“Overtime is cheaper than hiring (full-time) people,” Mattson observed.

In other action Monday, the council:

— Received a report from City Manager Jordan Stanchina on a recent meeting with We Energies on an LED street lighting program. The current annual charge from We Energies to maintain 767 street lights in the city is $139,211. An upgrade to LED, if done all at once, would have an upfront cost of $146,955, plus a higher annual cost for the first seven years. The investment would take 12 years to recover, at which point the city would save $51,738 annually. While the upfront cost appears too high for a city-wide program, the council will consider whether to start replacing only higher wattage bulbs along U.S. 2 and M-95.

— Approved reappointing Jeff Freeman to the City Civil Service Commission and Dennis Bal to the Tree Board. Council member Kyle Blomquist noted a vacancy remains on the Planning Commission.

— At the suggestion of Mayor Dale Alessandrini, agreed to have the infrastructure committee look at the city’s blight ordinance with an eye toward stricter enforcement.

— Heard Stanchina acknowledge that crews may not finish this year’s leaf collections due to snowfall. “The past few years, there’s been a shorter window to pick leaves up,” he said.

— Received numerous bids for the purchase of a used pavement roller from three suppliers, Fabick Cat of Negaunee, Miller-Bradford & Risberg of Negaunee and Alta Equipment of Traverse City. The bids will be reviewed by staff, with costs ranging from $14,000 to $29,500. The city wants to trade in its 1987 model and has $18,500 available for a replacement.

— At the request of the Downtown Development Authority, agreed to close Ludington Street from Stephenson Avenue east to the alley at First National Bank & Trust during the Christmas walk and tree lighting from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7.

— Heard council member Pam Maule compliment the DDA’s recent Girls Night Out and praise several newly renovated businesses. “The buildings look beautiful,” she said, encouraging the community to support the downtown.

— Agreed to allow patrons of 906 Quilting Services at 535 S. Stephenson Ave. to treat the B Street intersection with Stephenson Avenue (in front of the Powers of Words welcome sign) as a temporary loading zone, providing flashers are activated while bringing equipment or other heavy items into the business.

— Will allow CGI Communications of Rochester, N.Y., to update the community welcome video on the city’s website. There is no cost, as CGI sells advertising that accompanies the video.

— Received an investment report from Chief Finance Officer Heather Lieburn for the fiscal year ending June 30. Total interest earned for all funds, excluding the police and fire pension fund, was $82,387, up $43,903 over the previous year. The increase was mainly due to better returns on certificates of deposit, with the highest yields in the range of 2 percent.

— Scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Dec. 17 on Beau LaFave’s request to vacate a portion of an undeveloped alley right-of-way near 1021 East C St., where he is in the process of building a house.

— Will allow Lt. Michael Weslin of the police department to purchase two years of military time to obtain two years of additional credit towards his retirement. The cost will be 5 percent of a year’s full-time compensation. Because of the underfunded status of the pension plan, the city restricts this option for new employees and only one other employee is still potentially eligible to purchase military service time.

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