The best environment possible for our city council would be one that promotes fact finding, discussion, debate, and the most cost efficient solution to an issue. Often, even a “bad idea” will create lively discussion, resulting in a very positive resolution.

I have listed the issues that I believe we face as citizens of Iron Mountain. I am certain there are other issues I have not addressed and would encourage you to contact me regarding these. Contact me at rosen.ironmountaindemocracy.com or by calling 906-779-9089.

Responsibility and integrity

When a problem occurs such as sewage backing up into a private residence, immediate response from our city is critical. Not only does it create a health and safety risk, it simply costs more to clean and repair as time passes. We must assess the origin of the problem and correct it whenever possible. We can not promise to take care of a property owner, only to ignore, deny, and finally with public pressure, force a settlement for half the cost required to repair their home.

The Water Bond Issue 

A water bond for $4,800,000 was issued in April 2004 when a bond of $3,000,000 to $3,500,000 would have been adequate.  The TIFA Board offered to pay 25%-35% of the bond which was rejected.  Three years later we still have $567,000 left of the original bond issue. The water usage fees were adjusted so high that we have accumulated $1,874,000 in addition to the $567,000 that is still unspent from the bond issue.  We must deal with water rates that just too high for most citizens of Iron Mountain.

Sewage fees

Your water bills also include sewage fees.  Currently, the city collects more than $225,000 per year.  This is far too much for routine maintenance.  A nominal additional fee for routine maintenance of the city sewer system would acceptable.

City streets and alleys

Our streets and alleys are in very poor condition. I would like to create a formal plan for funding and repair. The safety and image of our city is a critical issue here.

City Park

The city park issue is a difficult one to address. I feel the deer are a family attraction that adds a nice touch to our community. Regarding the cost to feed and maintain the deer, it is not very significant. With regard to building an athletic field within the city park, we need to know if a need exists, construction costs, and the annual cost to maintain this field. It would be optimum if we could poll the citizens using our website and a city hall registry to gain a consensus of opinion.

The Charter cable TV fee

Recently enacted legislation by the Michigan legislature now allows cities to add a tax on users of cable TV networks.  The maximum allowed is 5% of all non-internet related charges.  Users of both Charter and the Northside Cable systems will see these charges on their cable bills shortly. Most neighboring cities decided not to levy this tax.  Kingsford opted for a 2% tax.  This “tax” is difficult to justify and should be rescinded.

New city positions created

The city hired a full time Department of Public Works (DPW) Director, a full time Community Economic and Development Planner, a full time Code Enforcement Officer and a full time Main Street Coordinator.  None of these positions existed prior to the current city council. They were routinely handled by the City Manager and the Assessor. We must analyze what these new positions do for us as a city and take appropriate action.

Business development and employment

Just like our nation, local economic vibrancy is business development. By promoting business to locate and grow here our whole community benefits. Employment, housing, our tax base, health services, retail business, schools, etc. will all thrive with business growth. We must do everything possible to support and promote businesses to locate, stay, and prosper here.

Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA)

TIFA has been a shinning star for our community. We must determine the most advantageous use of the fund balance and revenue stream for our city. The TIFA program will expire in 2011.  Our general fund is directly impacted each fiscal year, while funding various city projects with TIFA funds. A decision must be made whether we keep TIFA as it exists, or add the taxes collected under TIFA to our general fund. I believe we need a comprehensive study regarding the financial impact that TIFA represents.

Property Reassessment

When the city determined that property reassessment was necessary, a plan was developed. As it has turned out this plan was ill conceived, and therefore has become very complicated and costly. I maintain that with the required building permits and sale of properties, valuations should be kept current, resulting in a self-centering tax base.

Property taxes

For last three years we have received property tax millage reductions of one-tenth of one mill.  This equates to a savings of $1.00 for every $200.00 we pay in city property taxes; it does not affect your school, county, or any other taxes. This decreases our city’s revenue by a little over $20,000 a year. With the rate increases on our sewer, water, garbage, and the new 5% TV cable fee, we are paying much more to the city than the small decrease in our millage rate.

City employee retirement and pension benefits

This is probably the most difficult issue to address. The two pension plans of the city are under funded by close to $7,000,000.  The rapid rise in medical costs has grown to a figure that is really unknown, but has been guessed at approximately $13,000,000.  We need to work with financial professionals and determine our best course of action.

General Fund Balance

This account can best be described as our city’s emergency fund.  Last year the fund had $1,150,000. This year the General Fund Balance dropped by $380,000. By June 2009 the fund is projected to be down to only $358,000. It would seem that our general fund has been declining due to the costly reassessment of property values, this should be seriously reconsidered.

Crystal Lake

We do have a problem with the environmental quality of this lake. To my knowledge, the city is currently working with the Department of Environmental Quality, (DEQ), in an attempt to find a solution to this issue. This lake exists due to rain runoff, as it is not spring fed. It seems that aeration would help the quality of this body of water. We need to aggressively follow up with the findings and take appropriate action to remedy this situation. 

Grants Issued

Over the last ten years grant money from both state and federal sources have in fact declined substantially. In the 1998-1999 general fund budget we received a total of $1,051,301 in state grants. The proposed 2007-2008 budget they project $872,000 in state grants, which is $179,301 LESS monies received. Federal grant money declined as well, from $40,770 in 1998-1999, to 7,000 in the 2007-2008 budget, which is $33,770. So in a ten year period we are receiving $213,071 less in our annual budget. This is going the wrong way.

Blight ordinance

This is another example of a plan that was very flawed from the inception. The plan, implementation, and enforcement were ill conceived. The ordinance was a good idea, if it would have been completely thought through and administered consistently and fairly. 

Rental housing ordinance

Currently I do own rental units in Iron Mountain. This has become an issue that has exploded out of proportion. We simply need to resolve this by the least costly and most effective fashion. At a city council meeting in December of 2005, I addressed the city council. I left feeling very frustrated when no discussion or consideration was given my statements or recommendations.

Rather than penalizing all landlords for the few, there are solutions that will not adversely affect those of us who provide safe, sound, and clean rental units. One example of a simple and cost effective plan would be:

1. Each landlord must register with the city with their name, address, telephone numbers. They must also list each rental unit owned along with the tenants name, address, and telephone numbers.

2. Provide each tenant with a letter stating that the City of Iron Mountain is concerned for the health and safety this rental unit affords. If the tenant finds issues concerning health or safety of this rental unit, they should first contact their landlord in written form and file a duplicate with the City of Iron Mountain.

3. If no progress has been made regarding their complaint within a two week period, the tenant should contact the city to inform them of this situation.

At this point the city would contact the landlord and inform them that they will be inspecting the rental unit, due to their tenant’s complaint.

If we find the landlord is negligent, we could then levy inspection fees and fines based on pre-determined guidelines.

The above is just a good starting point. Through discussion and careful consideration we may arrive at something entirely different.

Vote for only 4 of the 9 candidates on August 7, 2007.

I appreciate your support!

Bruce J. Rosen

Candidate for City Council