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IM’s virus rescue funds pegged at $765K

IRON MOUNTAIN — Cities and townships in Dickinson County are eligible to receive a total of $2.64 million in coronavirus fiscal recovery funds under the American Rescue Plan Act, including $765,022 for the city of Iron Mountain.

The city council discussed the funding Monday, noting potential uses include water, sewer and broadband infrastructure. ARPA is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill signed into law March 11 by President Joe Biden.

“We’re still trying to fully understand everything it can be used for,” City Manager Jordan Stanchina said. Allocations are based on population estimates from 2019, he added.

Amounts that other municipalities are eligible to receive are: Breitung Township, $593,575; city of Kingsford, $518,214; city of Norway, $287,629; Norway Township, $149,153; Sagola Township, $112,623; Waucedah Township, $81,432; Felch Township, $76,408; Breen Township, $50,869; and West Branch Township, $6,803.

The county itself has received a federal payment of $2.45 million, representing one-half of a $4.9 million allocation. The money has been placed in an interest-bearing account as the county researches appropriate uses, according to Controller Brian Bousley.

Under ARPA, cities and townships in Dickinson County are classified as non-entitlement units of local government and are due to receive funding through the Michigan Department of Treasury.

In other action Monday, the Iron Mountain council:

— Learned that electronic scooter rentals are expected to roll out next week. The council on June 7 approved a memorandum of understanding with Bird Rides Inc. to permit rentals to riders age 18 or older. The standup scooters will be GPS-monitored and not allowed on highways.

— Approved a $1,000 donation to the Sons of the American Legion Post 50 for a Fourth of July fireworks show from Millie Hill. Although this year’s Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade is 9 a.m. Saturday, July 3, the fireworks will be at dusk Sunday, July 4.

— Scheduled street closures for the Gus Macker basketball tournament the weekend of July 17-18. Anticipating 250 teams, there will be closures near Iron Mountain High School on portions of Carpenter Avenue, Hughitt Street, West A Street and West B Street beginning at 5 a.m. Friday, July 16, through 7 p.m. Sunday, July 18. Traffic details will be set once a team count is known.

— Adopted budget amendments for the 2020-21 fiscal year, reflecting an overall increase in spending and revenues. The city expects to enter the 2021-22 fiscal year on July 1, with a general fund balance of $2.58 million, which is about $25,000 more than budgeted. Although expenditures were up, the city benefited from federal CARES Act pandemic assistance, including $283,132 for public safety/health payroll reimbursements.

— Selected a $49,000 bid from Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain for sewer repairs on Stanton Street in anticipation of a fall paving project on seven blocks from Stephenson Avenue east to Grant Street. The initial bid was $60,000, but the city eliminated a water line replacement that will instead be done by the public works department, Stanchina said. The contractor was agreeable to doing only the sewer work, he added.

— Referred to staff a $114,700 bid from Bill Neuens Landscaping of Iron Mountain for water line replacements on the 500 and 600 blocks of Detroit Avenue. There were no other bids.

— Accepted bids from Dun-Rite Asphalt Maintenance of Marinette, Wis., for crack-filling the City Park tennis courts for $7,980 as well as three city parking lots for $10,740, provided the proposals meet specifications. There were no other bids.

— Awarded a bid of $9,485 to Tool-Time Rental of Iron Mountain for a dump trailer for public works, provided it meets specifications. Higher bids were received from Mirsberger Sales & Service of Hilbert, Wis., and U.P. Kubota of Marquette.

— Authorized a $3,000 donation to the Lake Antoine Association for watermilfoil control.

— Approved appointing Sonja Matzke to the Downtown Development Authority, replacing Mark Klossner, who resigned.

— Approved a request from Iron-Bandogs to close a half-block of Main Street in front of Bimbo’s Wine Press from 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday so a fundraiser can take place for police canine units in Dickinson and Delta counties.

— Received no bids for buying a new lawn mower for Cemetery Park.

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