Hancock Sets Arena Board, Approves Poplar Street Project, Begins Budget Work – City Council Meeting Wrap

Hancock continues to ready itself to run the Houghton County Arena.

At last night’s meeting, the city council established a six-member Hancock Arena Advisory Board, to oversee arena operations.

Initial membership includes Jon French from the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association, Craig Sporalski from the Copper Country Old-Timers Hockey Association, and Hancock Schools Athletic Director Chris Salani, along with Ron Blau from the city council, city manager Mary Babcock, and public works director John Erickson.

The city recently purchased the arena from Houghton County, but management of the facility remains under the day-to-day management of Portage Lake Multi-Educational Services until the end of June.

Council members appointed Frank Fiala to the Downtown Development Authority, for a term that runs through 2027. Councilor Rick Freeman was reappointed to the Rental Code Board of Appeals, where he will serve with Amanda Lutney, and former mayor John Haeussler.

The city will spend $400,000 to upgrade utilities along Poplar Street between Ingot and Fir Streets. The public works department will handle the job, beginning with setting up water and sewer re-routes for affected property owners. The road will be repaved when the project is complete.

Council members took their first official look at the proposed solar and wind energy ordinance, which was recently forwarded to them by the planning commission. A public hearing will be held at city hall May 3rd at 6 p.m., in advance of the council’s regular meeting. 

You can read a copy of the draft ordinance here.

The council followed last night’s meeting with its first budget work session. 

Fire Department Treasurer Brian Rimpela discussed some of the department’s scheduled expenses as well as additional needs for personal equipment with the department growing.

Police Chief Tami Sleeman suggested that her department needs a new home. The current facility is overcrowded, with situations especially tight in the public waiting area and the department’s questioning room.

DPW Director John Erickson noted that his department is dealing with an aging fleet of vehicles, and a need for some larger equipment.

The council will hold additional budget work sessions on April 26th and May 17th. Figures need to be in place before the public hearing on the spending plan, which is scheduled for June 7th.