The Munising City Commission convened for its regularly scheduled meeting on March 17, addressing key civic matters including a Fourth of July event license, the search for a new city manager, a boat launch improvement project and the purchase of emergency service equipment.
After being tabled at the previous meeting, the Fourth of July license agreement was approved with minor modifications. The agreement, which covers event logistics from June 27 through July 5, ensures that waste disposal restrictions align with the service provider’s guidelines. The commission emphasized the importance of giving organizers ample time to prepare for the event.
Glenn Anderson, a consultant with the Michigan Municipal League, outlined the process for hiring a new city manager. Devin Olson, the current city manager, has announced his resignation.
Anderson discussed the recruitment timeline, emphasizing the need for competitive salary offerings and the challenge of attracting candidates from outside the region. The advertisement for the position is expected to go live in the coming week with interviews likely to take place in early May.
Anderson pointed out the abundance of assets the position has to offer.
“You have a wonderful place to live and a wonderful community,” he said. “The council’s stable and you’re financially stable and you’ve got a great community, which most candidates look for.”
The commission approved a resolution to apply for funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Waterways Grant for Phase II of the city’s boat launch improvements.
This phase includes dock upgrades and reinforcement measures previously cut from Phase I due to budget constraints. The city will allocate about $300,000 for its share of the project, with funding sources to be determined.
A major decision was made regarding the acquisition of a 1999 Spartan/Darley CAFS 65-foot tele-squirt ladder truck for the fire department.
Priced at $49,000, the vehicle features an extended 65-foot ladder and a compressed air foam system, which will enhance firefighting capabilities while using less water.
Fire Chief Ryan Anderson emphasized the necessity of the purchase, noting that the department’s current truck, acquired in 2010, has never passed a pump test and is unreliable for first-response use.
“Our current fire truck is an ’87. We got that from the U.S. government for free in 2010,” Anderson said. “We have to get our trucks pump tested every year. That truck has never passed a pump test, so you can never use it as a first-attack truck because of the whole liability issue with that.”
The commission awarded a $10,227 contract to RMS for the repair of the Snow Go transmission. The maintenance work includes replacing worn bearings and gears to extend the lifespan of the city’s essential snow removal equipment.
To comply with state requirements, the commission approved a $12,000 budget adjustment to redirect Metro Act payments to local street funding. This state-mandated shift ensures that utility rental fees contribute directly to road maintenance projects.
