Mona Lang, consulting director, Negaune DDA

NEGAUNEE — The city of Negaunee has hired an independent consultant to help get its Downtown Development Authority off the ground.

The Negaunee City Council voted unanimously to hire former Marquette Downtown Development Authority director Mona Lang for $14,000 under a one-year agreement.

Lang will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements for DDA reporting purposes under Michigan law, and help the DDA to develop a proposed marketing branding plan as well as a community events plan and community affairs plan if necessary, the independent contractor agreement states.

The job also consists of assisting in the development of the DDA’s annual budget and capital improvement plans, help to craft a mission statement and assist in grant seeking and writing, among other duties.

The Negaunee DDA voted to recommend hiring Lang’s firm during a July 20 meeting.

Lang comes to the job with 21 years of experience at the helm of the Marquette DDA.

Councilor Jason Wallner said adding Lang to the mix is helping to move the newly revitalized Negaunee DDA forward.

“I attended the last DDA meeting (where) they discussed this,” Wallner said. “I commend them on the work they are doing … Bringing Miss Lang on board, she brings a wealth of experience. There are a lot of great things happening.”

Councilor Dana LaLonde agreed.

“I am very excited to have Mona Lang on board, she brings a lot of experience to the position,” LaLonde said.

City Manager Nate Heffron said Lang would not serve a long-term contract.

“I don’t think she is looking to be here for four or five years but she will give us that solid foundation to get the DDA off the ground,” Heffron said.

The council also voted unanimously to purchase three shotguns for the Negaunee Police Department in the amount of $4,125.

The three new shotguns will replace the current Remington 870 pump-action shotguns used by officers, which are more than 30 years old.

The funds to purchase the three Benelli M4 semi-automatic shotguns will come from the police department’s salvage vehicle fund.

The fund is accumulated by an officer conducting salvage vehicle inspections for residents or businesses that need such inspections for the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, an agenda supplement states.

The function of the inspections is to have rebuilt or repaired vehicles inspected so they can be titled in the state of Michigan.

In other business, the council also approved language to go out on bids for city garbage collection.