Mike Adams, the CEO of juggling stick company Jolly Lama, demonstrates trick for the Houghton City Council, including Councilors Jan Cole and Brian Irizarry during Wednesday’s meeting. Adams hopes to hold a juggling stick competition locally in July. (Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — During the course of a trick, juggling sticks can spin, flip or swoop in as many combinations as the juggler can imagine.

The path to getting them a showcase in Houghton could be more straightforward.

Mike Adams, the CEO of juggling stick company Jolly Lama, spoke to the Houghton City Council Wednesday during public comment about a one-day event this summer where contestants could show off their tricks for a chance to win awards and cash prizes.

Adams, a Northern Michigan University graduate, said his Pellston, Michigan company made about 100,000 of the sticks, which are being sold at places such as K.C. Bonker’s in Hancock. He stood in front of the council to perform several maneuvers with the sticks.

“I think that would easily interest some folks to come and visit Houghton, whether it’s from the U.P. or Great Lakes region, or possibly even Canada, Japan or from Europe,” he said.

Adams hoped to hold the event on the third weekend of June to match his business’s anniversary of June 17, but had worried it would impinge on Bridgefest.

Councilor Robert Megowen saw the event as a perfect fit, and recommended he approach the Bridgefest Committee. Like Adams, he saw it as something that could draw from a large group of enthusiasts, similar to the annual Jibba Jabba snowboarding competition downtown.

“I think people from around the country would probably come to watch, celebrate what you do,” he said.

Adams said he is also in talks with Negaunee and multiple cities downstate. He hopes to have something set in place by the end of January.

City Manager Eric Waara said he would link Adams to the committee for a discussion on the event.

If that weekend doesn’t work, the Ray Kestner Waterfront Park would be open the following weekend.

“We’ll make the connections with you, for you, for the larger group, just to see where this goes,” he said.

In other action, the council:

• Heard a year-end report from Police Chief John Donnelly. In 2024, the department received 2,890 calls for service, up from 2,709 in 2023 and 2,663 in 2022.

• Other 2024 numbers: 11 felony arrests, 80 misdemeanor arrests, 151 civil infractions, 299 property damage accidents and 482 health and safety calls.

• Heard a report from Waara. The city’s second annual Chook Drop on New Year’s Eve had been a success, with another Chook Drop added earlier in the night for those who didn’t want to stay up until midnight. He will also be heading to Detroit on Friday to meet with housing developers who might have interest in building in the city.

• Approved the termination of the parking license for the Daily Mining Gazette, which had included 26 spaces on the site formerly occupied by the Lakeshore Drive parking deck. The city gave a one-time payment of $157,500 to the new owner of the Gazette building, Sisu Ventures, in exchange for agreeing to terminate the license. The cost is $6,057.69 per space — enough to cover the cost of 18.6 years of daytime parking passes, the city estimated. The council had held previous closed sessions over the agreement, as a purchase of real property. The city retains an easement through the property for the public right-of-way on Lakeshore Drive.

• Accepted a clean 2024 city audit from Anderson, Tackman & Co., which can be found on the city’s website. Waara described it as “a good audit,” “uneventful” and “very dry.”

• Approved a balanced transit budget for fiscal year 2026 with revenues of $120,303 in estimated federal funds; $204,445 in estimated state funds and $222,037 in estimated local funds.

The city must file the annual plan to qualify for state matching funds.

• Approved ordering business cards for councilmembers.