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HANCOCK -- With a little more than two months before the Houghton County Arena transfers to the City of Hancock, the city council appointed members of the arena's future advisory board Wednesday night.
Hancock City Manager Mary Babcock, Department of Public Works Director John Erickson, Councilor Ron Blau will represent the city government on the board. Other members come from organizations that frequently use the arena: Jon French of the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association, Craig Spolarski of the Copper Country Old Timers Hockey League and Chris Salani of Hancock Public Schools.
Last month, the city formally closed on the purchase of the arena from Houghton County for $1.
Portage Lake Multi-Rec, which had overseen operations at the arena since the 1970s, is dissolving as of June 30.
The arena management will fall under the Department of Public Works.
"The purpose of the board will be to discuss and do research amongst the board and then write proposals to the city council for things that need to be done ... this will help us with the operational side of the arena, and try to keep some consistency from this year to next year," Babcock said.
The board will meet every other month, or possibly even quarterly, Babcock said. The first meeting will be at the end of May or beginning of June.
The council also approved $400,000 of improvements and repairs on Poplar Street, including storm sewer repairs Babcock said are badly needed. The repairs cover about two-tenths of a mile on Poplar Street, between Ingot and First streets.
The cost will be split between the city's local street fund, sewer fund and water fund.
In other action, the council:
• Scheduled a public hearing for the city's draft wind and solar ordinance at 6 p.m. May 3. The Planning Commission voted to recommend the draft earlier this month.
• Approved an amendment to a Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy grant project. The city is adding native plants to the shoreline by the Ramada Inn to combat erosion. Planking will be added, since there is not enough remaining city-owned land on the shoreline for a sidewalk, Babcock said.
The project deadline was extended to Sept. 30, and contractual services were increased to $35,000, raising the project cost to $80,000.
• Approved the route service agreement and grapple truck agreement for the scrap tire recycling event, which will be held May 5. EGLE will reimburse the city $3 for each tire, Babcock said. The city will cover the rest of the cost, estimated between $1,000 and $2,000.
"I would prefer not to charge at this time, just because we would really like to make this an avenue to also clean up areas that need it," Babcock said.
Tires will be limited to 10 per person. People who drop off tires will be required to show a driver's license or other information that can confirm their address in the city.
Residents with known stockpiles of excess tires will receive notices from the city about the cleanup.
• Authorized the Hancock Fire Department's application for a special liquor license for a street dance to be held on the Huntington Bank parking deck on the night of Key Ingredients.
• Appointed Frank Fiala to the Downtown Development Authority for a term ending Jan. 31, 2027.
• Reappointed Amanda Lutey and Rick Freeman Jr. to the Rental Code Board of Appeals with terms ending Feb. 28, 2025. John Haeussler was also appointed as the resident representative on the board for the same length of time.