The Negaunee City Council will reconsider a T-Mobile request to place wireless broadcast equipment on the city water tower at its meeting tonight. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee City Council will hold back-to-back meetings tonight. The council will hold a special meeting to discuss the city’s 2019 budget starting at 5:30 p.m followed by its regular council meeting at 7 p.m. at the Negaunee Senior Center.

During its regular meeting, the council will hold two public hearings, one regarding the 2019 budget and a second to close out the $94,735 Community Development Block Grant which was used to upgrade the facades of Tino’s and Smarty’s Saloon on Iron Street in June.

As required by the CDBG program, members will also consider the adoption an excessive force policy and a residential anti-displacement policy.

The council will also reconsider a T-Mobile request to place wireless broadcast equipment on the city water tower.

The council tabled consideration of a proposed agreement with the wireless carrier during a meeting in September, citing concerns about site security as well as the placement and quantity of equipment that would be allowed on the municipal structure.

Members will also consider rescinding the Oct 5, 2017 sale of a parcel of city-owned land near the water tower to Negaunee Cable.

According to an agenda supplement, Mayor Don Gladwell has refused to sign the agreement due to pending litigation between the city and the cable company, which — up until 2014 — was owned and operated by the city.

“In July 2018 Negaunee Cable presented a settlement agreement upon which the council was in agreement to give Negaunee Cable 30 days to pay,” the supplement states. “Negaunee Cable failed to honor their own agreement and the 30 days passed without payment.”

The company is currently owned by former Negaunee City Councilor Nick Visser.

Two mayoral appointments to the Planning Commission will also be considered during the meeting.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.