Dog park developments, Houghton County Arena consideration, and caring for MDOT overlooks

Councilor Ron Blau was absent.

Meeting Highlights

Siri interrupted the meeting early on, but was quickly silenced. It’s worth a chuckle.

Understand?

The council accepted this correspondence from the Keweenaw Co-op regarding their reason land purchase agreement.

The Gitzen Company Wholesalers also moved to Hancock from beneath Houghton’s parking deck.

During the administrator’s report, City Manager Mary Babcock thanked voters for approving the recreation millage renewal, updated the council on park work and improvements, city events, and progress on the funding and creation of the new dog park. Plans for a joint event between Hancock and Houghton are being nailed down for the first weekend in September, to include live music, fireworks, and more. The building west of St. Vincent DePaul is having facade work done before new businesses move in.

City Manager's Report

A request to the city from the Quincy Mine Hoist Association for $5,000 toward clearing the land south of the Quincy Hill lookout on U.S. 41 went without vote or discussion after it found no support.

Funding Falls Flat

During the second public comment session at the end of the meeting, there was further discussion about the desire and responsibility to maintain the overlook.

More Discussion

The council agreed to a lease for the property the dog park will be on. I haven’t read the lease, but it sounds like it was a 50-year lease at $1/per year. Babcock said the $50 would be paid upfront, and councilors roundly thanked the property owners for their generosity.

Lease Agreement Discussion

The council also created a 3-person ad hoc committee to formally consider some property acquisitions, specifically the Houghton County Arena, although other acquisitions are possible, too. The members are Mayor Paul LaBine, Mayor Pro Tem John Haeussler, and Councilor Will Lytle.

Ad Hoc Committee Creation

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