Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette From left, Houghton Police Chief John Donnelly, Gail Kotajarvi-Gerard, Eric Waara and Amy Zawada at the Houghton City Council Meeting. Donnelly encouraged Houghton residents to take down their bird feeders for two weeks due to sightings of a bear in the area.

HOUGHTON — It was a fairly routine meeting of the Houghton City Council Wednesday consisting of reports from City Manager Eric Waara and Houghton Police Chief John Donnelly and the council approving an ADA policy change and charter changes.

The meeting began with Waara reporting the success of the painted fish project that took place all over the city. Waara said the project continues to be a hit with the families of those who painted the fish who came down to explore the city and find their particular artist’s fish. Suomi’s restaurant also has participated in the event on their own, with painted fish being given to the restaurant by citizens which are now hung outside of it. Waara also reported the cruise ship, Victory II, that docked in Houghton last week will return next week.

Donnelly reported a bear has been roaming around Houghton. Donnelly said his department has taken action to create loud noises such as turning on their sirens when they have the chance to drive the bear away. Donnelly said citizens need to put their bird feeders away for two weeks to deter bear from the area.

Donnelly also had reminders for safety during the upcoming Bridgefest. “We want to make sure that we try to keep the spectators as safe as possible,” Donnelly said. “Remember, you’re supposed to actually throw the candy from foot, not from vehicles. And the reason being, we don’t want to have the candy in front of another vehicle, having kids getting too close to you out there.”

The council then approved an American with Disabilities Act policy change which involved Houghton adding the transit director as the ADA Policy Coordinator. Treasurer/Transit Gale Kotajarvi-Gerard currently holds this position.

The council approved resolutions 2025-1985 through 1988, which revolve around language and formatting within the city’s charter. Waara said earlier in the year the council approved four charter amendment language resolutions for proposed changes recommended by the charter commission.He said the attorney general’s office requested further changes.

Waara said three of the changes are simple formatting with the third resolution being wording changes and clarifications. “Still says the same thing. But they have their attorneys down there, which felt this is the way they wanted it to read, and it says the same stuff,” Waara said.

In other action the council appointed Tracey Sleeman to one of the two open Downtowbn Development Authority positions.