For the Gazette

Land was the topic at this week’s Ontonagon village council meeting. While the village council agreed to accept a gift of land from one land-owner, they sent the issue of selling village property to a local business owner.

An Ontonagon property owner wanted to sell a parcel of undeveloped wetland to the village, but after discussing the tax benefits of donating the land to the village, the land owner decided to donate it.

“We told him that if he was to donate the land to the Village, we would send him the appraised value of the property. He then could use this as a tax deduction,” commented Ontonagon village manager Joe Erickson.

At the meeting Jill Johnson, owner of JJ’s Tackle Shop proposed purchasing land by their business. The business is located adjacent to the Ontonagon village marina. Johnson wants to expand their business, and construct a boat storage building.

“We’re looking at hiring up to 15 new people for our business expansion. If I could expand then I could carry more goods and be a great benefit to the community. It would make Ontonagon a destination place,” explained Johnson.

Johnson pointed out that the property she is looking at purchasing is currently not being used for anything.

“It is green space that needs to be maintained. There is no recreation use currently or in any future planning,” said Johnson.

Earlier in the meeting the village council went over a proposal to change a zoning ordinance to allow a resident to open a new business.

Council members expressing the importance of getting new business to the community voted unanimously to support the Axley rezoning request

“We heard earlier in the meeting as to how we need to bring new business to our village. Our business has seen a rapid growth, especially from people coming here from Wisconsin,” said Johnson.

The village council voted to send Johnson’s request to committee.

Erickson talked about the successful Labor Day festivities. He also announced that Aspirus-Ontonagon will be the sponsor of next year’s Labor Day Community Picnic.

The council commended Marcia Aho-Black for her work on Labor Day festivities.

Labor Day committee chair Jan Tucker also thanked the village, village council, village employees, and all the volunteers for making this year’s Labor Day weekend a success.

Erickson reported on the River Street garage. The village received an engineering report as to the installation of a pitched metal roof. The only engineering firm to respond to the bid request was GEI. The engineering cost of $5,200 was approved by the council.

Erickson also reported on Michigan Land Bank. Under Michigan legislation, the village could go into an intergovernmental agreement with the state land bank, without a county land bank.

“Although the property would be under the control of the state authority, the village may be eligible for between $250,000 and $1,000,000 in funding to address blight,” concluded Erickson.

The council set a meeting for the blight committee to go over the village’s blight ordinance.