HANCOCK — The Hancock City Council convened on Wednesday evening and re-elected Paul LaBine to serve as mayor for another one-year term.

LaBine, who has been Hancock’s mayor since November 2020, was the sole nominee for the position and received votes of support from all seven council members.

Councilors Kurt Rickard and Whitney Warstler both received nominations for the mayor pro-tem position. Because Rickard was the first to be nominated, the council voted on his nomination first. He received seven votes of approval, making him the new mayor pro-tem. Rickard was nominated for the role by Councilor Haeussler, who has served as mayor pro-tem for the past year.

After these votes, the council turned its attention to an administrative report delivered by City Manager Mary Babcock.

Babcock welcomed the new Department of Public Works (DPW) director, John Erikson, and also announced that a new full-time office staff member will be joining City Hall.

She then provided a brief update on the Hancock Business Jumpstart Program, a new initiative from Hancock’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) that will provide financial incentives and other assistance to Hancock businesses.

“This is going to help or assist businesses coming into Hancock to support them with rent for a certain amount like six months, as well as possibly helping with other incentives up to $3,000,” she explained. “This is a trial period and we’ll see how this program works for the DDA.”

Babcock also provided the council with a progress report on dog park construction. “The fence has been started, it’s not quite finished yet but everything is going really well.” she said.

“Our main point this year is just to get it open, and we have very minimal amenities for the winter,” she continued. “But we’re looking forward to see where we go next spring. So, the dog park committee will be coming back together and figuring out what amenities we would like to add.”

Lastly, Babcock announced that the “Whoville in Hancock” celebration will take place on Nov. 26. Festivities will include a tree lighting and parade, and the celebration will be attended by Santa.

Babcock stated that anyone interested in volunteering at the event is welcome. “We are always looking for volunteers,” she said. “Anyone interested in volunteer hours, please let us know.”

The Holiday Home Decorating contests will be held again this year, and interested individuals can register with City Hall.

Later in the meeting, the council voted to approve $5,130 for repair and painting of the West entrance of City Hall. The council also approved a proposal from architecture and engineering firm OHM. Under this proposal, OHM will use MDNR RIF grant funding to make trail drainage improvements at Tezcuco and Navy Street.

“About a month ago, you [the council] accepted a grant from MDNR for this funding for this project.” Babcock explained. “The grant is $9,000 and it will all go to OHM because that’s what the grant was intended for, just to have them review and design alternatives for that area.”

The council approved the motion, and after a brief public comment period the meeting was adjourned. The next Hancock City Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Hancock City Hall Council Chambers.