Pat Scanlon sits as mayor of Ishpeming for the first time at an Ishpeming City Council meeting recently. Scanlon thanked all those who voted for him and for the great service previous mayor Jason Chapman provided during his tenure. (Journal photo by Antonio Anderson)

MARQUETTE — Pat Scanlon recently led the Ishpeming City Council at its latest meeting in his new role as mayor, along with new city council members Ben Argall, Bret Argall and Kurt Kipling. Kipling was nominated by Scanlon as mayor pro tem.

The meeting started with past mayor and now council member Jason Chapman congratulating Scanlon on his successful election and by thanking those who voted for him to be on the city council.

“I’m going to hand the gavel to our incoming mayor, Pat Scanlon, and have the official seating of our incoming council,” said Chapman. “I know the city is going to be in good hands with you and I look forward to working under you as a council member, thanks to all the city staff and residents for these last two years as mayor, it has been an honor; and without further ado, Mayor Pat Scanlon.”

“I want to thank (Jason Chapman) for his last four years, and the two before that for his job as mayor and also welcome our new council,” said Scanlon. “Bret welcome, Ben welcome and an oldie but a goodie, Kurt Kipling. So I look forward to a couple of years of great camaraderie and good work for the citizens of Ishpeming.”

After seating the new city council, Scanlon moved down the council’s agenda and new business items. Starting with the appointment of Jo Ellen Yeadon to the Marquette County Transit Authority, for a three-year term along with Jim Bertucci to a three-year term Negaunee-Ishpeming Water Authority.

Scanlon then moved to examine the financial statement report, an update from the Department of Public Works and a report from the Carnegie Library.

Following these reports, Scanlon heard from the Department of Public Works general foreman Bill Anderson on an update on the Washington Street project to start in 2025.

Anderson reported that the city received a grant from the state of Michigan that will double the length of repair to Washington Street, but is estimated to take place in 2026.

Anderson said he will put in a request to the state to push back the first repair to take place the same year as the 2026 project, which, Anderson said, will help save money, improve efficiency and be less of a nuisance to residents.

Scanlon and the council then deliberated over allowing RAMBA, a nonprofit mountain biking organization based in Ishpeming, to assist in writing a grant to help Brasswire Campground to install a solar array.

This solar array would connect to UPPCO’s power grid and help supply power.

The grant would total $90,000 with an additional match of $30,000, for a project total of $120,000.

After questions to interim city manager Grant Getschow, the council approved it.

The last item on the agenda was an effort to return to livestreaming council meetings.

The next Ishpeming City Council meeting is set for 6 p.m. on Jan. 5 at the Ishpeming City Hall.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.