Shown is Ishpeming City Hall. (Journal file photo)

ISHPEMING – The Ishpeming City Council had a special meeting yesterday morning to discuss an opportunity to request potentially millions of dollars from the state of Michigan to repair or replace the first responder facilities in the city of Ishpeming.

“The thing I have to lead with is portions of this were not prepared for, as we sit here today, because it came up suddenly,” said Ishpeming Mayor Pat Scanlon. “As soon as the manager was made aware of the potential, we jumped on it … So this is an informational meeting to give direction to city staff to move forward.”

“Tuesday night at about 4:45 I received a call from (State) Representative Karl Bohnak,” said Ishpeming City Manager Randy Scholz. ” About being willing to submit a budget request for the Ishpeming Fire and Police facility. So that kind of started the ball rolling. “He also informed me that the deadline for the application is due today. So, not a lot of time to kind of get things together, that is really the reason we are having this meeting.”

As of now, there is no required funding match needed for this request, and it would be given as a lump sum to the city of Ishpeming. The amount of funding requested is looking to be in the few millions for a whole new building, but the city council was looking at repairing the fire hall which would be under a million dollars.

“One thing I want to preface is that this isn’t a grant,” said Tanner Orban, Sen. Bohnak’s legislative director. “This is coming out of the state budget for the fiscal year … We can’t make any promises due to the political uncertainty down here but we at least want to fight for you guys since we know you are looking for some funding.”

Ishpeming City Council Member Jason Chapman spoke on how he has been working on getting the fire hall fixed by bringing Bohnak and state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, to the fire hall to display the issues.

“The one thing that Ed (McBroom) did make kind of clear was that this was the worst firehall in his district, which as we know it the whole U.P,” said Chapman.

“I really apologize to the public that we couldn’t get more notice,” Scholz said.

Chapman explained his thoughts on how repairing the fire hall is throwing good money after a bad problem, especially when there is an opportunity to build a whole new facility. Chapman brought up how the current fire and police departments’ facilities are crammed, outdated, need more garage space and that some aspects of the facility rely on the workers’ own personal equipment; and that there is an opportunity to gain a lot of money for this project.

“What is a big chunk?” said Scanlon. “There is the problem. You’ve been working and you worked diligently for five years, and we have received nada (nothing).”

Chapman started to explain, but was cut off.

“I am talking right now,” said Scanlon. “So now we have a real, reasonable likelihood of getting reasonable grants. Reasonable is the key word. I don’t disagree with the fact that a new fire hall, new police department would all be great. But the likelihood of being refused is huge. So then you’d be sitting here with, because they’re not gonna say, ‘Well we’ll give you $10 million for something we don’t have a clue.’ The second thing is we can come out of this with a new firetruck which is quite likely, with a new fire truck and a repaired historical building which is an anchor for the community. In the short term we could spend $400,000 to tear down one of the most beautiful, and you know it’s near and dear to my heart, one of the most beautiful structures in the Midwest and top it off with a rubber roof. Or we could spend a few more thousand dollars and restore it to its original beauty and still use that building down the road after we build a new station.”

Chapman responded that if the council agreed to fix the current fire hall, he would want to restore it and not cap it off.

“Which is why we are here today,” Scanlon said.

Chapman again brought up the issues of space in the current building. Attempting to reach a compromise, Chapman offered the solution to ask for an addition to the fire hall and police department.

“With all due respect, you are off the subject,” said Scanlon.

Chapman argued that he was on subject.

“We have two reasonable options,” Scanlon said. “Four council people agree in a direction.”

Up to this point, only Scanlon and Chapman have been involved in the debate during this meeting. Chapman reiterated that his proposed compromise has beneficial qualities. Especially since a floor in the facility is deteriorating.

“The floor where?” said Scanlon.

Chapman continued and explained that it was a floor in the fire hall that was deteriorating and that it would be beneficial to include additions to expand the space.

“Is it really that pertinent to the subject today?” said Scanlon.

Chapman said he believes it is pertinent and a part of the conversation. Scanlon interrupted.

“Then what would we ask for?” said Scanlon.

Chapman explained that if the council was going through the restoration path, they should ask for the restoration amount for the fire tower and an addition to the building. Scanlon interrupted again.

“And how much would that be?” he said. “What’s that cost?’

Chapman tried to explain, but Scanlon continued.

“Can I see the drawings?” said Scanlon.

Chapman said those things could be worked out.

“We don’t have anything,” said Scanlon. “He (Scholz) has got to pull the trigger today.”

Chapman said he understands, and Scanlon continued.

“We can sit here and wish in one hand and do things with the other,” Scanlon said. “Can we please get back to the point, you stated your position and it is clear you don’t support the rest of us.”

Chapman said he is not saying he does not support the restoration and he tried to continue but Scanlon interrupted. Chapman said he would like the opportunity to at least finish his point.

“You have finished,” said Scanlon.

Chapman said he was not finished.

“You have finished,” said Scanlon.

Chapman said he has a right to speak.

“You are currently out of order,” Scanlon said. “You are off the subject.”

Chapman said he is not out of order, as Scanlon began pointing his gavel at him.

“And I won’t call you out of order if you wrap up your comments now,” Scanlon said.

Chapman asked if Scanlon was going to let him wrap up his comments.

“I will give you two minutes,” said Scanlon.

Chapman began by saying that he believed it all wraps up together but Scanlon interrupted.

“It is irrelevant today, that is the thing,” he said.

Chapman said he disagrees and that since he has experience working on this subject. Scanlon interrupted.

“It’s irrelevant,” he said.

Chapman said that he knows Scanlon doesn’t believe he has any friends down there … and Chapman has heard the comments Scanlon made. Scanlon interrupted.

“That’s irrelevant too,” he said.

They both began speaking at the same time.

“We are not going to argue about it,” said Scanlon.

Chapman said he wanted to try to get improvements made to the building, but he will support the council’s decision to go forward. Scanlon interrupted.

“That’s absolutely your call,” he said.

Chapman continued, and said that there are actually two fire engines that need to be replaced and that he is trying to look out for the first responders of Ishpeming. Scanlon interrupted.

“And we are not asking for two today because that would be greedy,” he said.

Chapman said that he understands Scanlon’s point but that there are things that the Ishpeming First Responders need.

“All right, the motion I will make is to direct the city manager to request the funding for the fire truck that has been (priced and examined for capability) and we have the numbers (for) and to request restoration funds for the fire tower that we have a plan (for) and we have numbers (for),” Scanlon said.

All members on the Ishpeming City Council agreed, and none opposed the motion. The meeting was then adjourned.