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ISHPEMING -- The Ishpeming City Council moved forward on several issues on Tuesday.
Councilors approved making Siren Strategic Communication as Ishpeming's strategic communications agent pending further legal review.
"People are actually excited to hear that we're going to be working hard to communicate better with our community and this is also going to probably facilitate communication back from the community to the council and to the city," Ishpeming Mayor Jason Chapman said. "I think when we do sit and explain that with people, people are actually a little bit excited to see where we are going next."
According to the company website, Siren is a women-owned and operated strategic communication firm that began in 2012. Siren cofounders Adela Piper and Lindsey Grasso told the council during their Feb. 22 meeting that the company's approach will help to build trust within the community.
At Tuesday's special meeting, before making a motion to approve the contract, Ishpeming resident Claudia Demarest spoke during public comment, asking the council where the money would be coming from for the contract and if there would be budget amendments every month. She also brought up the road conditions in the city.
"Our streets are in the worst shape they've ever been in," Demarest said.
At the March 8 council meeting, Ishpeming finance office manager Joseph Erickson said the general fund would provide funding for the professional services contract for the strategic communications.
During the special city council meeting on Feb. 22, the council discussed the cost of an agreement with Siren. The partnership would cost Ishpeming $8,950 per month for 12 months. When finalized, the funding will be pulled from the general fund, according to a city budget amendment.
"While we understand that there might be a little bit of sticker shock to people, this is a way for us to reach out to our community in a much better way (and) in a much more professional manner," Chapman said. "There's something that many people have requested over the last three years since I've been on council."
Councilors also discussed The Mather's brownfield plan to create a two-story parking garage for the community and tenants at The Mather to use. The Mather co-owner Bill Anderson said that two electric car charging stations would be installed in the parking garage along with an elevator.
The parking garage will have a similar layout to the one in Marquette behind the Masonic Building. Anderson said that he would remove the snow during the winter with his own equipment.
"I think this is an amazing project and I think you guys are going to be excellent stewards of that building for years and years to come," Chapman said.
Anderson said that according to Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library Director Jessica Shirtz, the library annually has 36,000 people visit. With the parking garage, residents and visitors will have more parking options in the city.
Further discussion of the brownfield plan with The Mather will continue at the next Downtown Development Authority meeting on April 3 and the next council meeting on April 5.
To watch the entire special council meeting, visit online at youtube.com/live/mxo1DgKlUvM?feature=share.
Dreyma Beronja can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 248. Their email address is dberonj@miningjournal.net.