Rogers City receives financial settlement from MLO
Rogers City has received a check for $87,500 from the Oglebay-Norton Michigan Limestone Operation as the first of two equal payments that were part of the settlement as a result of the tax tribunal case. The payments are to cover legal fees and other administrative costs incurred by the city. The second payment is due in June. The company’s tax arrears already have been paid, City Manager John Bruning reported at Monday’s council meeting. City Attorney Mike Vogler reported that he was still waiting for an opinion from attorney Rose Ann Guinta, of Bay City who is assisting the city in the bankruptcy proceedings. Guinta will advise the city on what steps to take in the recovery of penalties and interest arising from the delayed payments by the company.
IN OTHER MATTERS, Bruning reported that the fish cleaning station contract was about to be finalized with Jay Greve of Oscoda. “A two-year agreement has been drafted and should be approved by the next meeting,” Bruning said. Bruning also reported that a preliminary inventory of the status of sidewalk repairs is underway by Josh Fleming of the city’s engineering department to finalize the plan and submit to the council next month.
The council received a letter of resignation from Diana Hudak from the city parks and recreation committee. In her letter of resignation, Hudak, noted that “I feel someone with facilities experience could help the organization better than I.” Hudak was interviewed Tuesday about her decision to resign from the commission. Hudak said she should have attended a few meetings before joining the commission to get a better idea about its business. “Because of my background in physical education I thought I could contribute to the planning of recreation activities,” she said.
SHE EXPLAINED that the lack of funding for recreational activities has kept that plan on the shelf. Hudak said she would continue to work for the Let’s Get Moving Northern Michigan project with the Alpena Regional Medical Center as a private citizen. Council member Gary Nowak said this was the second resignation from the commission in as many months. Mary Ann Heidemann resigned on the first of March to take a position outside the county. Mayor Beach Hall said, “This letter took me totally by surprise.”
In related park business Nowak asked, “Is Westminster Park the only one we are spending money on?” Bruning explained that some exaggerated accounts of the work to be done in Westminster Park were making the rounds based on the expanded plan that was put forth five years ago but has not been executed due to the lack of funds.
Council member Karl Heidemann reported that the ad hoc committee to review the status of the Cool Cities initiative has met three times and will be presenting its findings at the next city council meeting. Heidemann served as the council’s representative on the committee. Mayor Hall said, “To a person, every
PRESQUE ISLE County Prosecutor Don McLennan presented a draft ordinance to the council titled the “High Transport Zoning Ordinance.” He asked the city attorney to review the proposed ordinance and consider a similar ordinance for the city’s portion of the High Wire Corridor running from M-68 to the deepwater port at Calcite. McLennan noted that all utilities and other concerned organizations received draft copies of the ordinance for their comments.
Carl Altman addressed the council on behalf of the organizing committee for the Spring Fling in Hawks. The annual event hosts a softball tournament that includes games in Rogers City. The council approved the request for the use of the playing field including toilet facilities. The Memorial Day Parade will be conducted by the Servicemen’s Club beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 30 at Westminster Park, continuing along Third Street to Larke and on to the cemetery.