City Commission talks lobbying services, pole building

MARQUETTE — Here’s a quick update on tonight’s Marquette City Commission Meeting.

Among major topics of discussion: a lobbying services contract. On June 30th, the city commission narrowed it down to two finalist firms, both vying for the opportunity to provide services for the city. That day, the firms gave presentations and answered questions. And tonight, Mayor, Dave Campana had an update.

“We’re tentatively set on picking Karoube Associates out of Lansing to be our lobbyist,” he explained, “What we’re going to do tonight is give permission to the city manager and city attorney to negotiate a contract with them. (If) they get the contract negotiated, they then bring it back to the commission and we’ll vote whether to accept it or not.”

Also on the agenda, the U.P. Substance Enforcement Team asking for permission to construct a pole building for use as a storage facility on city property. UPSET chose a location at the Wastewater Treatment Facility after a staff review and consultation.

“The purpose of the building would be to store their materials, their merchandise, other items that they’re using,” Campana said, “They’re also going to be sharing it with the City of Marquette Police Department.”

The construction costs would be paid for by UPSET.