Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
At Wednesday night’s Hancock City Council meeting a budget was unanimously adopted after an opportunity for public comment on the document came and went with no participation. Several members of the council commended City Manager Mary Babcock on the process used to arrive at the final document. Babcock says the main change was to work on the budget in a piecemeal fashion.
Next year’s millage rate will be 14.86, slightly higher than last year, but still third-lowest for a city in the Upper Peninsula, says Councilor John Haeussler. That includes the recreation millage, which is up for renewal in the August general election.
Babcock says that rezoning efforts have been halted somewhat until there is clearer guidance on a bill before the State Legislature. Hancock’s council has already adopted a resolution opposed to the loss of local control over oversight of short term rental properties, like AirBnB and VRBO. Houghton has also come out against the proposed legislation. She now expects the work to wrap up in September.
Other measures approved by the council Wednesday include an agreement with the University of Illinois for a Phase One Archaeological survey of the business park site on Lake Annie Road. The cost for the first survey totals $6,000. Phase Two involves work on-site once construction has begun, and should bring the total to around $20,000 for both parts. It is a requirement of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the United States Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Babcock says nothing is expected to be found, but if a culturally significant site is discovered. it could alter the parameters of the proposed business park.
She says the city tried to work with Michigan Tech, but Illinois is better equipped to fulfill the job in this particular instance.
