Good conversations
Houghton council discusses several issues
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HOUGHTON -- The Houghton City Council met in regular session Wednesday, and while the council didn’t take action on many items, considerable time was spent discussing a few issues both with members of the public and among themselves.
The future of the popular Pewablic Street Community Garden was discussed at length with members of the garden present to answer questions. A concern is the garden is looking for property to expand. Councilor Brian Irizarry said he was in favor of exploring expansion, but how that expansion is feasible needs to be explored. Councilor Buck Foltz asked how the garden benefits the community as the volunteers had stated. The volunteers said in addition to providing opportunities for residents to grow produce, the organization offers classes, holds events and donates produce. The council took no action other than to continue to explore any opportunities for expansion that should arise.
There was a lengthy discussion on glass recycling which was joined by Brendon Presnell of the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region. After the often spirited discussion, no action was necessary by the council.
In his report to the council, City Manager Eric Waara presented several timely issues. Waara said the city’s recent insurance bill reflected an increase of more than 80% or about $150,000. Of particular concern was the fact the new bill came in after the city had passed its fiscal 2026-27 budget. Waara said he was able to address the increase by making budget adjustments. The city will explore other insurance options.
Once again, the fate of four vacant buildings on College Avenue was discussed. “The has been the bane of our existence for several years” Waara said. In 2021 the owner of the properties proposed they be torn down to make way for the construction of new student housing. “The houses were then stripped essentially of everything usable,” Waara said. Soon after the housing project was deemed to expensive, “and it was back to the drawing board,” Waara explained. He said the city went forward with a Dangerous Building notice. Under Michigan la, a dangerous building notice is an official written warning issued by a local government when a structure is damaged, unsafe, or violates building and fire codes. It requires the owner to repair, secure, or demolish the property.
Waara said after moving forward with a Dangerous Building notice the owner of the properties, responded informing the city, the owners were not ignoring the city and were committed to the long term objective of constructing apartments. Waara told the council “This is the third or fourth time I’ve heard this.”
Councilor Mike Needham asked if, in Waara’s opinion this response is different and if it was his opinion to move forward with the Dangerous Building actions. To which Waara replied “something’s got to be done.”
Waara said the Bridge Street project is continuing with pavement pulverizing wrapping up this week and paving scheduled for next week.
Irizarry asked Waara if he had any insight to the recent closing of Applebee’s Restaurant. “We heard about it on Facebook like everyone else,” Waara said, adding that decisions like this are made at the corporate level and generally don’t involve local municipalities. “There appears to be some activity there, but these decisions generally aren’t made locally.”
Waara reported the annual hydrant flushing is taking place and if residents notice discolored water, they just simply need to run water for a few minutes until it clears up. Waara reported the city’s annual sewage flow report showed a 2% reduction. “That’s good,” Waara said. “It means we’re playing less.”
Waara said city crews reported a sink hole near the city’s snow dump. He said after consideration from the Mine Inspector, the best course is to simply fill the sink hole with no further action required.
The council did take action on accepting and approving bids on MDOT’s Transportation Work Authorization (TWA) for paving work in preparation for the upcoming Portage Lake Lift Bridge Project. The project will repave the “S” curve north of Montezuma down Bridge street, through the parking area behind the Ambassador deck and down Quincy Street to the Shelden Avenue Crosswalk, All of the Asphalt in that black will be removed and replaced. While most of the cost will be incurred by MDOT, the city’s share will be about $70,432 which will be taken out of Parking, DDA and Local Stree funds.
The council accepted the low bid for the Bridge St. and Quincy Street paving project. “The city bids it out and MDOT plays,” Waara said. The two bids received were $416,384 from Bacco Consruction and $415,740.15 From Payne & Dolan Construction, a difference of just $643.85. “In all my experience, I’ve never seen two bids come in so close,” Waara said. The council unanimously accepted the Payne and Dolan bid.