Hancock Councilor Lisa McKenzie speaks during a zoning ordinance work session following Wednesday’s regular city council meeting. The city is overhauling its zoning ordinances for the first time in 50 years. (Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — The Hancock City Council approved a grant for a new electric vehicle charger and made other purchases at Wednesday’s meeting.

A $60,326 Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) grant will go toward a charger at a public lot on Franklin Street. The $21,074 local portion of the cost will come from the Downtown Development Authority. The utility contribution will be $11,403.

The Level 3 charger will be capable of charging most electric cars within about 30 minutes.

Houghton also recently approved adding two more chargers on Shelden Avenue.

The Hancock council also approved the purchase of three used two-wheel-drive pickup trucks from the Houghton County Road Commission for $5,000 each.

The council also purchased two automated external defibrillator (AED) units with pads and batteries for $6,577 from American AED. The units will replace older ones in Hancock Police Department patrol cars. Most of the funding came from a $6,552 Portage Health Auxiliary grant.

In other action, the council:

– Held a zoning ordinance work session after the regular meeting to adjust the language regarding the shoreline mixed-use district and food trucks. The council informally agreed to add the sections to the agenda for the June 1 council meeting, where it will discuss introducing them for approval. An updated version of the draft incorporating Wednesday’s changes will be posted on the city website ahead of the council meeting.

– Scheduled a public hearing to adopt the budget on June 15.

– Approved a resolution to rejoin the Houghton County Recreation Authority. The original articles of incorporation needed to be redone after a procedural error. The council appointed Councilor John Haeussler to serve on the board until his term expires in November.

– Heard an administrative report from City Manager Mary Babcock delivered by Mayor Paul LaBine. The city will place an advertisement for surplus or obsolete equipment open for bids. Sealed bids will be due at noon May 27. In addition to the AED grant, the 2021 police grant application for a vehicle will be funded, LaBine said. The vehicle will be delivered in approximately 30 weeks and then equipped within several weeks.

– Heard from LaBine that there will be four at-large city council positions on the November ballot. Eligible residents must have lived in the city for six months prior to the election. Applications must be submitted to city hall by 4 p.m. Aug. 2.

– Heard from LaBine that the city campground opened on May 15. The Department of Public Works did groundwork and updated the bathroom and showers. There will be a Paint a Hydrant event in early June with a cookout to follow at Hancock Beach. Additionally, the Bridgefest committee is looking for float entries for this year’s parade. The deadline is June 13.

– Heard from Councilor Ron Blau about the 64th annual International Guts Frisbee Tournament that will be held July 9-10 at the Hancock Driving Park. Two players with local ties, Dennis Walikainen and Dan Thornton, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

– Approved the Hancock Public Transit ADA Compliant and Reasonable Modification Policy update for 2022.

– Approved $367,166.40 in accounts payable.