Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton City Council member Brian Irizarry reads his proposed resolution that would shorten the public comment period from the current five minutes to three minutes. The measure failed to pass.

HOUGHTON — A Houghton City Council member’s attempt to shorten the length of time the public can address the council was soundly defeated by the rest of the Council. At its regular meeting Wednesday, Counselor Brian Irizarry introduced Resolution 2016-2013. Under current City Council Rules, members of the public are given two opportunities to address the Council on topics that may, or may not be on the agenda. One opportunity occurs near the beginning of the meeting and the other is prior to adjournment. Current rules allow members of the public five minutes to speak in either or both of the opportunities.

Irizarry’s resolution would limit the time to three minutes during each of the opportunities. Addressing his fellow counselor’s Irizarry said, “If there were a long queue of people waiting to address the council this (resolution) would reduce the time they’d have to wait.” Irizarry said the purpose of his resolution is to give more opportunity for people to address the council. He said the three minute limit is a common practice for public comment. “I found three minutes to be an adequate amount of time to present points.”

Irizarry added that if the three minute limit were to be adopted, it would allow someone two three-minute opportunities to address the council, for a total of six minutes, longer than the current five minute limit.

Several other council members took an opportunity to comment on the resolution, with none offering support.

Councilor Mike Needham said, “After 15 and a half years on the Council and Downtown Development Authority, I recall maybe two times that people exceeded the five-minute limit.” Needham cited Irizarry’s comment that the resolution was a good solution to a problem. “But I’m not sure there is a problem,” he said.

Council Philip “Buck” Foltz was a bit more direct. “This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen,” Foltz said. “I don’t understand it and I wonder what your agenda is.”

Councilor Jan Cole said listening to the public is about the most important thing the Council does. “I think its fair to give the public time to speak. I think changing (time limit) is the wrong step.”

Mayor Robert Megowen echoed the other councilors. “I think it’s important for people to talk to us. Our job is to listen.”

After the councilors weighed in, Irizarry’s motion failed to pass by a 1-6 margin, with Irizarry casting the lone vote in favor.

The council did pass a resolution earlier in the meeting, adopting a policy prohibiting the use of excessive force against non-violent civil rights demonstrations. They also adopted a policy banning the discrimination on the basis of disability in hiring or employment practices. The council also adopted a grievance procedure that may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complain alleging discrimination but on disability in providing services. Both passed unanimously.

The council approved the purchase of two pieces of property, one at 509 Shelden and the other at 326 Shelden.

In his report to the Council, City Manager Eric Waara said the city has applied for a Destination Development Grant from Visit Keweenaw to establish kiosks to be used during the holidays. Waara said last Saturday’s Locavore was a big hit and the city is continuing to gear up for the summer season.

Waara did report an ongoing problem with graffiti in the city, for the second straight season. “We believe there is one person responsible for this. We’re asking the public, if you see something, say something.”

Waara said the sale of the Downtowner Motel has closed. “The new owners are cleaning it out. It’s exciting to see what going to happen there.

He said, that across the stree from the Downtowner, the renovation of the former Kirkish Furniture building is progressing. The apartments in the upper floors should be ready by the fall, and the restaurant on the street level should be open by the winter.

Houghton High School Senior Class Treasurer Lucy Anderson reported to the Council that about three dozen senior volunteers worked cleaning up the downtown and planting flowers. Mayor Megowan presented Anderson a check to be used toward the senior graduation party.