HANCOCK — A longtime Hancock City Council member had his last meeting Wednesday.

Councilor John Haeussler is not running for reelection. Haeussler had been on the council for nine years over the past 12, including serving as mayor.

Haeussler said he would miss council members, but that he was happy to be at his last meeting.

“I’ve made many, many, many friends,” he said. “I’m sure I made a few enemies. Individually and definitely collectively as a team member, I’ve participated in so many things that I consider to be valuable community improvements.”

Council members thanked Haeussler for his contributions to the city.

“It’s important to have good point of views in discussions, and you’ve always been the facilitator for that,” Councilor Lisa McKenzie said. “I appreciate that.”

The council set its organizational meeting for 7 p.m. Wednesday. At least one new member will be officially sworn in.

The council also appointed Dean Woodbeck to the city’s Recreation Commission, replacing the late Deb Mann. His term will expire in September 2023.

In her administrative report, City Manager Mary Babcock said between 60 to 80 people volunteered in the city for the Make a Difference Day. They included Finlandia University, OHM, Superior National Bank, the city’s beautification group and Husky Helpers from Michigan Technological University.

Babcock also reported on the Wednesday morning fire at Gemignani’s. The east end of the city had water pressure issues shortly after the fire due to fire trucks pulling from three hydrants in the area. Pressure was back to normal by Wednesday night, Babcock said.

The Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA) began accepting grant applications for the MI-HOPE program on Oct. 28. Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Redevelopment is the local administrator for the grant, which provided $500,000 for the area. The energy-efficiency grant provides up to $25,000 per grantee for roofing, doors, windows, insulation and other items.

“It’s a great program that has not been available for a few years in this area, and can really have an impact at $25,000,” Babcock said.

Jed Wuebben has bought 820 acres of Paul Tomasi’s property between Hancock Central High School and the city’s new business and technology park. He is looking to build a housing development on the land, most of which is outside city limits in Quincy Township. The city is looking at a Public Act 425 agreement, which will allow it to connect to city infrastructure.

The city is also preparing to sell a city-owned house at 1034 Second St. The asking price will be about $75,000 for the house, which will have a deed restriction requiring it to be a single-family home for at least five years.

Hancock has also received approval from the Michigan Department of Transportation to build a new salt barn at the Department of Public Works garage. The current barn is too small, with the city unable to fit 130 tons of salt it owns, Babcock said.

Michigan Department of Transportation will fund 80% of the work, in keeping with the state’s five-year average of the city’s salt billing.