Finlandia downsizing, garbage stickers, and fire truck overhaul
Council members chatting with each other and city residents at the meeting. Photo by Juxta Sprague.
At the meeting, City Manager Mary Babcock updated the council on Make a Difference Day, which has been dubbed as “Deb Mann Day” in honor of the late community figure. A new tree has been planted behind the City of Hancock sign near the Krist Station in honor of Deb Mann as well.
Babcock also explained that a new police millage is on the ballot as current officers are working a lot of overtime to maintain 24-hour service due to a shortage of part-time officers. The city has also finished the search for a new Police Chief and will be hiring Tami Sleeman, a Yooper native, who will start later this year.
Babcock also stated that there are many openings for city boards and commissions including the Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Review, Rental Board of Appeals, Recreation Commission, and Planning Commission. New garbage stickers have received mixed feedback, though education efforts are underway.
The Fire Chief also gave a brief update about the state of fire fighting vehicles. He recommended doing an overhaul on the aerial truck, as it would take far less time and money to complete a refurbishment on the existing vehicle than to order a new one. Rough estimates were $300,000 and 3 months to complete a refurbishment compared to $1.6 million and 48 months to deliver a new truck.
Timothy Pinnow, the new president of Finlandia University, gave a short oral presentation to the city council. Finlandia is restructuring to the “reality of being a smaller university” and will be enduring “a lot of painful cuts this year.”
Pinnow expressed that his first five months as Finlandia’s president has been the most challenging of his professional career, though he remains optimistic that the university will soon be in a better position for enacting austerity measures. The total budget has been trimmed by 12% through a number of cuts, including shrinking the employee base and closing the art gallery.
Pinnow also stated that Finlandia will be looking to release some land and buildings as they have more space than they need for their student population of ~400. Pinnow concluded his presentation by offering help to address any community needs that the city council might identify, and expressed interest in working with the city in the future.
Other Items of Note
The city sold a 1995 pickup truck to the Houghton County Fair board for $500.
The recent community recycling program was a success and reached capacity three hours early.
A homeowner in Spruce Haven is trying to buy an adjacent lot without having to build a home on it as required by Hancock city policy. The city council was made aware of potential aftermarket sales that might have already been in violation of the home building requirement.
Local teamsters representing employees of the city have submitted a formal request to reopen contract negotiations with the city.