ISHPEMING — The Ishpeming City Council hold a public hearing to discuss the adoption of the city’s 2019 budget during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Ishpeming City Hall conference room.

The proposed 2019 millage rate of 20.6834 mills will be a subject of the hearing as well, according to a notice from City Manager Mark Slown. The public is welcome to submit either oral or written questions about proposed budget, the notice states.

The council will also consider the second reading of an amendment to the city’s inoperable vehicle ordinance. The initial second reading was tabled in October to allow staff to address councilors questions about ordinance language dealing with state-licensed auto repair businesses.

The main purpose of the proposed amendment, according to City Attorney Bonnie Hoff, is to make the violation of the ordinance a civil infraction carrying a fine as opposed to a misdemeanor, which could include jail time.

Councilors will also consider adopting a lien of enforcement resolution which would place just over $55,000 consisting of delinquent utility bills and clean-up of miscellaneous debris as special assessments on the December tax rolls spread over 78 properties according to a tentative list.

A presentation from Jessica Flores of Preservation Forward is also included on Wednesday’s agenda.

Flores, an architectural historian and historic building pathologist, began work gathering information about Ishpeming from residents and historical documents in December 2017. Flores’ firm was hired by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as part of the Project Empire initiative. One of the anticipated outcomes of the historic preservation project could land the city’s downtown district a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The distinction, among other things, would garner federal tax incentives for business owners as well as expanded grant opportunities.