Marquette mayor stepping down
Steve Weipert
By Audrey Posten
Marquette Mayor Steve Weipert has presided over his final city council meeting. Weipert, who has served since 2018, submitted his resignation at the July 16 meeting, citing health concerns and a desire to move closer to family.
“Coming and going is no way to try zens for allowing him to hold the position.
“I’m sure I made many, many mistakes, but I’d like to think I tried my best,” he said.
In addition to approving the resignation, the council approved publishing a notice of intent to appoint a new mayor at the next meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Residents who would like to be considered for appointment are asked to submit a written request to city hall by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
“Gather letters of interest or something formal that can go in the packets, then invite them to the meeting and possibly do the interview in the meeting and you guys can make your decision,” said city administrator Mildred Stewart.
According to the notice published in this week’s edition, the electors of the city of Marquette have the right to file a petition requiring that the vacancy be filled by special election. If electors wish to require a special election, a valid petition requesting a special election must be filed with the city clerk within 14 days after publication of the notice or within 14 days after the appointment is made. If no such petition is filed, the appointment shall be for the period until the next pending election.
Pirc estate donating property
Also at last week’s meeting, the council approved a donation of property from the estate of late resident Mary Jo Pirc.
Pirc had a home next to the city shop/Mar-Mac Police Station that needed to be torn down, according to Weipert. As part of the donation to the city, the family agreed to remove the structure, and the city plans to reimburse the tear down costs, up to $12,000.
Pirc’s sister, Sharon Kirby, specified at the meeting that the land is for the Mar-Mac Rescue Squad and McGregor Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, who both utilize the nearby building.
“That is all it can be used for,” she said.
Kirby is happy the city was willing to accept the property. She is working now to place a rock with a plaque honoring Pirc on the site. Pirc, who passed away in October, was active in the community for many years, including serving on the city council and as head of the Marquette Action Club.
“She was very dedicated to Marquette,” Kirby said.
Council discusses sewer credit for pool fills
At an upcoming meeting, the council plans to consider a policy addressing an unofficial city practice to provide residents with a one-time sewer credit for summertime pool fills.
It’s been a long-time practice, said council member Chawna Loper.
“I know we’ve done that before because I’ve gotten my pool filled. I had to come and ask before they did it so they could read my meter,” she recalled.
Council member Tracy Melver said similar allowances have been made for those putting in new yards. They had to alert the city first.
“We didn’t charge them on the sewer end of it if people came in before they filled,” he said. “It’s not going through and not getting treated, so I don’t know why they’d get a fee on that.”
City administrator Stewart was concerned the policy is not in writing, and also mentioned the financial impact to the city’s sewer and water funds.
“We do not have a formal policy for this...There’s been this verbal thing hanging around. That’s why it was brought up for the agenda,” she said. “It’s not in our ordinance at all and we’re operating at a huge deficit on these funds.”
Although the water that fills pools is not going through the sewer treatment plant, Stewart argued it still reduces the revenue for a fixed cost.
“Whether you flush five gallons or flush a thousand, you still have to have a sewer treatment plant, and those costs associated with that are still there. We’re not covering our costs. And on top of not covering our costs, we’re reducing our revenue and increasing our costs further,” she told the council.
City attorney Jeff Swartz did not address whether a credit should be given or not, but said any policy should be in writing.
“I spent some time looking through your city code and did not find anything that said that whatsoever,” he said. “If you want to have a policy that says people can do that, you should probably put it in some sort of ordinance. Otherwise, the concern will be, ‘Well, somebody got a credit for this and somebody didn’t.’”
City hall hours modified
The council approved modifying city hall open hours for the next three to six months to allow for staff training and completion of some tasks without interruption. City hall will be closed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, then reopen in the afternoons. The regular open hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will remain in effect on Monday and Wednesday through Friday.and run the city,” Weipert said.
