Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton City Manager Eric Waara addresses the city council at Wednesday's meeting. Next to Waara, is City Clerk Amy Zawada.

HOUGHTON — The folks who decorated downtown Houghton with nearly 200 colorful wooden fish last summer are back, and this time they’ll be putting up stars. At Wednesday’s regular meeting of the Houghton City Council, Julie Waara of the City of Houghton Beautification Committee and Elise Nelson of the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw addressed the council during the public comment period.

Waara reminded the council of last years painted fish project which was a collaborative effort of the City, the museum, Houghton-Portage Township Schools Art Department, and the Portage Lake District Library. About 180 colorfully painted fish were placed on display in Downtown Houghton. The “galleries” includes the Waterfront Walk on Pewabic Street and along the waterfront trail near the Portage Lake District Library.

This year, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the nation’s bicentennial and 250th birthday, organizers hope to decorate the city with stars. “We want to give visitors and others, another thing to see, and something to smile about,” Waara said. Nelson showed the council rough templates of the stars which will be made from the same waterproof material as the fish, many of which are still on display downtown.

Last year boxes of the fish cut outs were sent to the three organizations to be used as canvases where art students, volunteers and patrons could get creative and paint a fish to be put on display. While many of the fish are still on display, Waara said they will be moved to a different location to make way for the stars.

A gathering will take place on February 28 at the Carnegie museum to begin the star-painting process.

Wednesday’s meeting began with a meeting and public hearing of the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals. The public hearing was to discus a rear yard variance for a solar array at 1401 Sugar Maple Lane. Property owner Rob Minerick requested the variance to install a smaller second solar array near the current array. Minerick said the variance was requested due to the unique topography of the lot, saying he did not wish to cut down any trees. “We believe this request meets the intent of the City ordinance,” Minerick said.

City Manager Eric Waara said that neighbors had been notified and there has been no correspondence regarding the request. Following the hearing, The Board convened a meeting where the request was passed unanimously.

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In his report to the council, Waara said all recent activity of the Department of Public Works can be easily summed up. “All they’ve been doing is moving snow.” He said city crews have been cutting down banks and remind residents to move vehicles in the evening so they don’t get clipped by city equipment. In other news, Waara said the potential sale of the Downtowner Motel didn’t go through as expected but there is another potential buyer. He said work is progressing on the Gateway Development near Franklin Square and on the former Kirkish Furniture building.

Waara said he’s been meeting with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials regarding the upcoming project on the Portage Life Bridge. He said MDOT said they will try to limit delays, understanding the increased activity inthe summer months. “MDOT wants to keep the bridge open and running a normally as possibly,” Waara said.

The City Manager noted that Michigan Tech’s Winter Carnival is a week away and that this year there will be a couple of one-nighter snow statues built on the city’s Downtown Pier.

Counselor Mike Needham asked Waara if he’s heard anything regarding the prospect of Meijer locating in Houghton. “No,” Waara said. They still have their site, it’s not for sale and they pay taxes on it.” Waara said shopping culture changed as a result of COVID. “The way people shop is different now than it was before.”

In his report to the council, Police Chief John Donnelly said officers responded to 130 calls since the last council meeting (Jan 14), made two misdemeanor arrests, answered 12 calls for help and recorded 37 traffic accidents.

Donnelly reminded the Council and the Public that the annual Pigs N Heat hockey game is this Friday at Michigan Tech’s SDC.

The council approved the application of Dominick Thelein for the city fire department, adopted a resolution regarding the City’s transit budget and adopted a resolution authorizing publicationof a Notice of Intent to Issue Revenue Bonds in 2026. “In order to get a low interest rate, the first step in bond issuance is to authorize publication of a Notice of Intent,” Waara said.