[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6589303,"mediaKeyId","5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a","parentId",5611412,"title","Votes at a glance: Ishpeming council approves contracts, grant payments, fund consolidations and event permits","audioSeconds",1255,"startMs",3771000,"endMs",5026000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a&start=3771&end=5026","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a/thumbnail_3771000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6589303/Ishpeming/Marquette-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Ishpeming-council-approves-contracts-grant-payments-fund-consolidations-and-event-permits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589303-fa42133d3f4cde64fd35726b13561d5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136949&Signature=NxnJBfUfGfR9l4HRNCL4yjQQj3fnaMvEGhV4QWi~PRSsUoR8VcIm3UQSyrRpXbzeKZdfRQO55tjYTZMtI5s5nOuYNuOMh2gxjxtn~WXa0jM9UQr1P7hKVOF6yDnILf~2cJ51GD4pl2-0GH9oaOur-3WQtAMrX3fmtk~Ef2OhaUVrZ~~3YHgRIg3DsV9rinHqDUMdf9-xV7En8TWa0liIqh3FvnNuOvk21CYk7S4wAcK02ge3jNIVXhEnNY4aMgdeNRBKHpfedmgvVc0YiSxdt8MJI2Z~k4DG6NBdQBVokdmU4UfHiutL~BRLh6wYaBH3g5y1WbGgO7lMryWB8XkOgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ishpeming","date","2025-08-21T00:56:06.557Z","article","The Ishpeming City Council voted on a slate of motions and resolutions covering utility contracting, grant reimbursements, construction change orders, fund consolidation and special-event permits.

Key votes and actions

- Waterworth engagement: Authorized the manager and attorney to proceed with Waterworth’s continuous utility rate-management service, funding to come from the water and sewer funds; council waived competitive bidding. (Voice vote; motion passed.)

- Resolution supporting Amtrak to the Upper Peninsula: Adopted Resolution 20‑2025 urging state and federal partners to study and pursue Amtrak passenger-rail service to the Upper Peninsula and to consider routes serving Ishpeming. The resolution directs the clerk to forward the measure to the Michigan Department of Transportation and other officials. (Voice vote; motion passed.)

- Construction and grant payments (CWSRF/DWSRF): The council approved a payment to a contractor (Payne & Dolan) for CWSRF-related work of $140,428.43 and approved a drinking-water drawdown package totaling $2,036,713.52 that included invoices to UPEA, Lindbergh & Sons, and Payne & Dolan. (Motion and roll calls taken; motions passed.)

- Change orders: The council authorized several contract adjustments to keep water and storm work aligned with street projects, including a Lindbergh change order of roughly $27,000 and a Payne & Dolan change order request (presented at a $271,745.29 figure) for streets D and E; council authorized staff to proceed up to $300,000 to finalize exact pricing to avoid re‑digging streets. A separate Payne & Dolan contract amendment of about $38,000 for additional water-job work was also approved.

- Deficit-elimination / fund consolidations: The council approved integrating the Brass Wire Campground fund into the General Fund for 2026 (removing the separate fund and treating operations as a department in the General Fund). The Partridge Creek Compost grant fund was reported closed and not in deficit; the Teal Lake/Perks Construction project remains open with additional reimbursements and a plan to close the fund when remaining grant proceeds are received.

- Zoning position: Council approved changing the part-time zoning/planning administrator role to full time (title to be updated to reflect zoning and planning director duties) with the estimated annual fiscal impact covered in the general fund.

- Cleveland-Cliffs property: Council authorized staff to pursue an agreement to purchase land from Cleveland-Cliffs (approx. 11.07 acres) at a proposed purchase price of $239,753, pending legal, manager and funding reviews; council authorized staff to seek financing and proceed with contingency planning.

- Equipment and other: The council authorized emergency repair of an aerial fire truck (approximately $3,340) and approved multiple contract payments and change orders tied to the city’s water and sewer projects.

- Special events: The council approved a public overdose-awareness event (Superior Connections, Aug. 31, 1–5 p.m.) and approved a powwow at Lake Bancroft on Sept. 21 with a requested temporary road closure (Euclid), subject to submission of a site sketch and required insurance.

Ending

City staff will implement the approved contract and funding steps under manager and attorney review, transmit the Amtrak resolution to state/federal partners, finalize construction change-order accounting, and return to council with any required documents or agreements for signature.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Ishpeming Regular Council Meeting - August 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","The Ishpeming City Council approved a series of contract, grant and administrative measures including authorization of a utility-rate management contract, adoption of an Amtrak-support resolution, payments tied to CWSRF/DWSRF projects, several construction change orders, and approvals for community events.","taxTitle","Ishpeming, Marquette County, Michigan","taxId",55654,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589309,"Consultants unveil Ishpeming visual brand; council asks for color and icon tweaks",1012,2848000,3860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a&start=2848&end=3860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a/thumbnail_2848000.jpg","/articles/6589309/Ishpeming/Marquette-County/Michigan/Consultants-unveil-Ishpeming-visual-brand-council-asks-for-color-and-icon-tweaks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589309-618da00fa83ee76e839b985063643f8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136949&Signature=iwqwj2CN-cYKyyt7ypYwu5X3OC~6D2AXIgeR1EGixp~8tCgbrR7ijnihMu4ioz8~Pjw8tAAOowbGAW~GY~SlF7UY5gNFZfyCrLuBvrrYBLP9QTv9rn6ArsW-f4d3UfFlz6CHs9YgufBTDLCu-LI6aWVNBpnUosn2qUs9LHjxN7MQ8w6hFModAF9D~hYW3mR~rDu~R9vBvgkog9SdMSafT2BrD-MEPfHZXwXW7OcvFMuCG1~QjmN4w22rFplbEpNmBkDSIPX0y4uh00tHWFnzSOeAuLH6-NLdvpvvHYk1bKeODbyOrEiC4o4WeJWMDadhP-5x2RZzCIPJTULLWHlGqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city’s rebranding consultant presented a proposed visual identity centered on a circular mark featuring the Cliffschaff Mining Museum, trail imagery and mining iconography, and a brand promise summarized as \"rooted in community, fueled by adventure.\"

Elena, the project lead from the consulting team, walked the council through the design rationale: an iron-color word mark referencing the city’s mining history, a color palette inspired by Jasper Knob, and iconography for wayfinding and signage. \"The brand promise really is rooted in community fueled by adventure,\" Elena said while showing the draft guidelines.

Council members said they generally liked the concept but asked for specific refinements. Several members asked for a more rust-toned red that evoked iron oxide rather than a brighter orange, and multiple councilors recommended a more explicit nod to skiing on the primary mark to reflect Ishpeming’s historical role in U.S. skiing. The consultant said the steering committee had also discussed pickaxes versus ski imagery and offered to produce variants that use skis in place of the pickaxes and a slightly redder rust tone for comparison.

The consultant also showed proposed brand guidelines, stationery, social media tiles and iconography. Staff said the next phase would address wayfinding and gateway-sign strategies and present a rollout plan showing recommended sequencing for updating city assets.

Ending

Consultants will prepare a revised set of color options and an alternative mark with a skiing element for council review at a future meeting; staff will circulate the corrected brand-promise language and updated materials to council members in advance of the next review.","A consultant team presented a proposed city brand and identity that combines mining heritage and outdoor recreation. Council members asked for a rust-toned variant and a clearer nod to the city’s skiing heritage; consultants will return with revisions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589314,"Economic development contractor LSCP reports progress on West End hub, grants and business support",1363,1336000,2699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a&start=1336&end=2699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","/articles/6589314/Ishpeming/Marquette-County/Michigan/Economic-development-contractor-LSCP-reports-progress-on-West-End-hub-grants-and-business-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589314-e9802bda9aa1dfca44039a84273e4e6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136949&Signature=jdHiQvvi0p7ouZgtaGUKj-3e1-ujwzl6nvbn-f0WODX9dzgmZt7Xv9vkE3GmaYLy6~YV4hfZds6gHgIx-xfz2krBM8rjcs8g~KeKQnkq3Imk72Ff1peTyTNj65r1msCgxNac-u663FWegu~8rsVkOuKprDBYmAks0qhlowavNQu-0F0w1PR-987YlOod5e~EV2y3p0tG53QxIoThNTWs5c27kIMM~eHcZ~HNjSxBoO6PQKqpIO4UfhXosJkf3GeP2WHMneu~Gk3~N4YmVirhNHr0BGjF3uT0GB3FnkhdswzkeJpSWS1o3EJq69iSAI3QY4ES4ehnxX8NVTwKBdm5TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christopher, on behalf of the Leelanau / local economic development partner (LSCP), gave the council a quarterly contract update and an overview of work under the city’s professional-services agreement. He traced the contract’s origin to 2022 and described how labor-hour buckets and focused priorities have evolved while the overall direct contract cost has remained stable.

Christopher said the LSCP’s work supported a year of expanded services in the West End, including the West End Economic Hub, expanded business-retention and expansion visits, quarterly workshops and multiple grant-writing successes on behalf of the region. He said the contract’s flexible labor bucket has allowed staff to supply extra capacity when the city or other partners faced staffing gaps.

On Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC), Christopher said that Ishpeming has achieved “essential” status and that staff expect certification to proceed once a rebranding rollout is complete. He also described a council strategic-plan effort LSCP is supporting, with public engagement slated to coincide with an Oct. 30 State of the City/community open house.

Christopher outlined several programs and events tied to the contract: a business-facing Small Business Celebration on Nov. 6, an expanded workshop series (Breakfast and Business and Business After Hours), online business audits and a new West End business webpage. He also summarized grant activity LSCP has supported — including a revitalization/placemaking grant and other state funding that brought staff time and more than $553,000 in awarded dollars to Marquette County via LSCP-managed proposals.

Council discussion focused on the value of the contract’s flexible labor hours and the visibility of services in the West End. No council action was taken. Christopher said LSCP will continue to coordinate with city staff and bring event and program updates to council as projects progress.

Ending

LSCP will provide the city with ongoing reports on West End hub activity, grant outcomes and strategic-plan milestones; the council thanked LSCP for its partnership.

","Christopher, representing LSCP, presented the organization's quarterly update on its multi-year contract with the city, highlighting West End Economic Hub activity, business grants and outreach, Redevelopment Ready Communities work, a strategic-planning role and upcoming events.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589316,"Ishpeming council adopts resolution supporting Amtrak service to Upper Peninsula",337,5019000,5356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a&start=5019&end=5356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a/thumbnail_5019000.jpg","/articles/6589316/Ishpeming/Marquette-County/Michigan/Ishpeming-council-adopts-resolution-supporting-Amtrak-service-to-Upper-Peninsula","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589316-70ec17c8313276f773de2714d2a0ca68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136949&Signature=WvHZ96qwBHIQBehXkmydIpqa5yq3QFEVtSLA4bzGVQv8cVMUmhLSzkqnG-uIHOAqyzjVWUsY4WH2y7tKTBlK7q67pMQwZkWG~gEgiVHRP~-xq6MWyT1~EF-cmht7Tdj5NN~7~CY0aETkgv-ndLgBCRpeZrnZja5SwDzntaD4s1kQwiNPDaQ8q05AGGRHYK89IssiEzErBItXwYjgJX1z86iXVDpndZS0D1sbjhrsn-NNsps80PKY59JviK7G8DFpB~q5nFxORun9nWj1ZZfioXpUj6H0BqJhBAVMihrp6Ys0GBjhQ~-sxfAN6PVAV3eICP7JJbpdCOhqUHxSpacJCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ishpeming City Council voted to adopt Resolution 20‑2025 expressing support for expanded Amtrak passenger rail service into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, including potential routes serving Ishpeming.

Louis Ballance, a resident and advocate for expanded rail service, spoke during public comment and urged the council to back the effort to add passenger rail connections that would link the region to Milwaukee and Chicago. Ballance described proposed routing options and said the expansion would be funded at the federal and state levels, not by the city.

The resolution cites economic and mobility benefits of passenger rail, asks state and federal transportation agencies to prioritize feasibility studies and infrastructure investments, and directs the city clerk to forward the resolution to the Michigan Department of Transportation and other officials. The council adopted the resolution by voice vote.

The resolution does not commit local funds; council members emphasized that any infrastructure or operating needs would require separate funding agreements and additional approvals. Supporters said passenger rail could improve tourism access and provide alternative transportation for residents in rural parts of the region.

Ending

City staff will transmit the adopted resolution to state and federal transportation offices as written. Advocates indicated they will continue outreach and feasibility work with regional partners and elected officials.","The council adopted Resolution 20‑2025 urging state and federal partners to study and pursue extension of Amtrak passenger rail service to the Upper Peninsula, a measure promoted by a resident who has been working with regional advocates.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":46,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589321,"Ishpeming council authorizes Waterworth utility rate-management service, waives bidding",1252,3774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a&start=3774&end=5026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611412-55ebaca1f4d90c7502f2a006115d275a/thumbnail_3774000.jpg","/articles/6589321/Ishpeming/Marquette-County/Michigan/Ishpeming-council-authorizes-Waterworth-utility-rate-management-service-waives-bidding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589321-47c3979408af5d456c6478cf79768fb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136949&Signature=bvkW0LBcKiN-uFDoq0xRIkIUJbO0SOxlUBxE6evFaLEBDCFVeB7wkirHyjCK9BivKZ0QBD-pAkz-YUMr81ZeVvfL0lblqghFGM~JjzKRTom0Y--IlL-U1XJDOYt89LBNz180lLXUvZ5eyOuLf8xrzJaffWrc7QbbMsd0~JchPaROFhyKkYv6tuvrUJe46bSAbe8K-JKLAxyUtxTQcPbmyxtoEhxL99UlaTx4HHlzaWv-GZVurzctzycMF2IJn0YfBdC0IwY6r3bYQ0Kle9qhjRrdJYNaeg~G9Xad106vO8A1j8hZVh2u51Rp98aGgQNSK79mZ2QKS5pQzl23VHGMZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ishpeming City Council voted to authorize city management to proceed with Waterworth’s continuous utility rate-management service and to waive competitive bidding, with the cost to be borne by the water and sewer enterprise funds.

Waterworth representative Paul, who presented the firm's platform, described the product as a “living, breathing rate study” that maintains up-to-date financial and capital scenarios using a community's meter and billing data. “We developed this platform to basically keep everything up to date, turn into a living, breathing rate study,” Paul said during the presentation.

The council heard a demonstration showing how the model integrates historical consumption, a six‑year capital improvement plan, debt-service scenarios and reserve-policy targets. Waterworth's scenario tools let staff and elected officials model the impact of delaying projects, modifying the capital plan or phasing rate increases across multiple years to reduce the burden on customers.

City Manager Randy and Finance Director Grant described the engagement as a tool to support long-term planning and said Waterworth will perform initial data entry during setup, which staff said is important for a small finance team. The firm quoted an initial implementation fee and a recurring annual fee; the council authorized staff to proceed with the agreement subject to manager and attorney review.

Council members asked to see a formal agreement and scope of services before final signature; the motion the council adopted authorized the manager and city attorney to finalize terms and instructed that funding come from the water and sewer funds. The vote was taken by voice and the motion passed.

The council’s action keeps open the option to return the contract for additional council review if needed. City staff said they will bring the draft agreement, a clearer breakdown of deliverables, and a timeline for implementation back to the council once the manager and attorney complete their review.

Ending

The Waterworth tool will next move to contract-review steps with city management and the city attorney. Council members and staff said they expect to receive the draft agreement and a more detailed cost schedule before full implementation begins.","The council authorized the city manager and city attorney to move forward with Waterworth's continuous utility rate-management service using water and sewer funds and waived competitive bidding. The vendor showed a data-driven rate modeling tool and recommended multi-year, staged rate adjustments to avoid large single-year increases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Ishpeming council approves contracts, grant payments, fund consolidations and event permits

Consultants unveil Ishpeming visual brand; council asks for color and icon tweaks

Economic development contractor LSCP reports progress on West End hub, grants and business support

Ishpeming council adopts resolution supporting Amtrak service to Upper Peninsula

Ishpeming council authorizes Waterworth utility rate-management service, waives bidding