×

Council establishes civil fines

ONTONAGON – The Ontonagon Village Council established fines for civil violations of municipal ordinances.

Village Manager Joe Erickson said most of the violations this time of year will be for winter parking problems, but the resolution adopted Monday will also covers violations concerning open burning, zoning, building codes and the junk ordinance.

Erickson said the ticket books are in and the council agreed with his suggestions for the fees to be a $50 fine, plus $25 for costs for the first offense; a $100 fine, plus a minimum $50 in costs for the second offense; and a $500 fine, plus a minimum of $50 in costs for subsequent offenses.

As part of the ordinance the village established the Village of Ontonagon Municipal Ordinance Violations Bureau to be staffed by the clerk and treasurer. People whose grass has to be cut will be fined a maximum of $75 per violation.

Otherwise unanimous, Village Trustee Tony Smydra abstained from the vote because he thought the $500 fine excessive.

Village President Ken Waldrop suggested the village offer to waive the fine, if homeowners cooperate and fix the problem causing the violation.

The village council also approved the Village Recreation Commission recommendations in its Capital Improvement Plan, including purchasing new ice making equipment for the Rec Building with a Department of Natural Resources Passport Recreation Grant of up to $75,000, with a $25,000 matching grant in the next fiscal year.

In other action, the village pledged $400 to UPSET West, at the request of Ontonagon County Sheriff Dale Rantala who did not attend the meeting.

“I feel that having a team dedicated to our area is a great thing,” Rantala wrote in a memo to the council accompanying the pledge form. “The UPSET based in Marquette does do excellent work when in our area but we are a long distance from them so travel expenses are incurred when working cases in our area. Having a team near Ontonagon is working quite well and I encourage contribution to them to help rid our area of drugs and the crimes that are associated with it.”

The village set meetings for Jan. 30 at the council chambers: A budget workshop will be at 3 p.m., to be followed by a meeting with the Housing Commission at 4 p.m., if convenient for the commission.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today