Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining Gazette Tim Scarlett, a member of the Portage Lake District Library Board of Trustees, addressed the Houghton City Council at its meeting Wednesday.

HOUGHTON — The Portage Lake District Library is seeking relief from a looming financial situation and has turned to the City of Houghton for advice. During the public comment period at its regular meeting Wednesday, the council heard from Library Trustees Treasurer Tim Scarlet. Scarlett said that since Chassell Township withdrew from the district, the library has faced financial issues. “Right now we’re in need of an additional fifty thousand dollars,” Scarlett said. He indicated that the library has had to reduce both hours and staff in order to deal with its financial problems. Scarlett indicated that the 20 year-old library building is owned by the city, and rented by the library boad. “The City owns it, but we’re responsible for maintenance.” Scarlett said the facilities HVAC system needs to be replaced at a cost of about $120,000. Scarlett said the library is asking the council to consider suspending rent for two years, which would give the library “a time to recover.”

Scarlett said seeking outside assistance through grants or other means is challenging given the ownership of the library. “It’s awkward to ask for money for a building the city owns.”

Scarlett said the library is also seeking advice. “I bring this to you,” he said. “We want to know what you, the city, wants us to do.”

No action was taken on Scarlett’s address to the council.

In his report to the council, City Manager Eric Waara said that earlier this week the city’s public work crew addressed a water main break on Sharon Avenue. He said the crews repaired the problem. Later in the meeting Councilor Mike Needham, who lives near the area of the break,” complimented city crews, saying he was impressed with how quickly they handled the situation.

Waara reported that banners honoring veterans are on display at Veterans Park.

He said the severe winter has got city crews running a bit behind on its normal spring tasks. “We’re still sweeping streets and we’re running about a month late on many projects.” He said last weekend’s Spring on a Wing was a “big hit,” and said the city is bringing back the Locavore event Memorial Day Weekend after a brief hiatus.

Waara said, routine parking deck inspections are ongoing and that the city is planning some interim work on the Subway Deck.

He told the council that the Downtowner Motel has changed ownership, but due to regulations the iconic motel sign on Shelden Avenue mus come down, but added, “Better things are coming.”

The council adopted a resolution to vacated portions of Hubbell Sreet, College Avenue and Oak Street, along with the attached alleys.

Waara reminded the council that at one time, College Avenue ran right though the Michigan Tech campus. While these parcels are essentially part of the campus, the streets had never been formally been vacated. With the council’s actions the properties ares now, officially, part of the Michigan Tech Campus.

Waara also acknowledge a donation of American flags from Lucas Axford of Lake Linden. He said city crews have mounted the flags on light poles in the city.