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Early end to winter parking ban in IM?

IRON MOUNTAIN — Iron Mountain likely will lift its winter street parking restriction in early April this year, essentially matching its neighboring communities.

The council is expected to shave a month off the seasonal parking restrictions after a public hearing set for 6:30 p.m. March 6. City staff recommended the move.

Kingsford and Norway already have winter parking bans that extend from Nov. 1 to March 31, City Manager Jordan Stanchina noted. But Iron Mountain now keeps its restrictions in place through April.

“Residents park on the boulevards during the winter months in order to comply with the winter parking ban. The frost protects the boulevards from damage in the winter months,” Stanchina said. “But during the spring thaw, significant damage is being done to the boulevards. The most damage is done during the month of April.”

Residents park on the boulevards when they do not have alleys or garages to park in during the winter, he explained.

This is not only an eyesore but can damage the streets. “It tears up the pavement,” Stanchina said.

The milder winters locally, with highs of 50s and 60s over the past week, warrant adjusting the ban as well, he added.

If the ordinance is amended, the change would take effect in 30 days, or April 6, Stanchina said.

In other action, the council:

— Agreed to hire Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Co. of Southfield, Mich. at a cost of $8,900 to complete an analysis of the city’s unfunded liability from its retiree health insurance benefits. The federal governmental accounting standards require the city to have this report completed every three years. The last actuarial was done in 2014 and showed a liability of more than $28 million due to the city’s outstanding current and future retiree health insurance.

— Approved a special use permit for Christine Bourassa to care for up to 12 children in her home at 1115 S. Kimberly Ave. The council stipulated Bourassa provide a copy of the state-issued daycare license.

— Reviewed a request for proposals the Planning Commission put together to hire a firm to update the city’s master plan, which Stanchina said the state requires be done every five years. The city’s plan expired at the end of 2016. The item will be brought to the March 6 council meeting.

— Approved the mid-year budget amendment provided by Chief Finance Officer Heather Lieburn. The changes include adding $55,870 to the capital improvement fund — $24,581 for the Crystal Lake Boulevard project, $4,394 for the Department of Public Works building roof and $26,625 for the Hughitt Street project.

The capital outlay will increase by $35,550 under the equipment replacement fund. It was noted the city financed $460,000 and paid $32,013 in cash for the new fire truck. There was also the charge of $3,537 for the legal fees for the purchase agreement. This money was in the equipment replacement fund reserves, since the city has been saving for a fire truck.

Finally, the water capital improvement fund will increase by $234,713. This includes $82,857 for the Crystal Lake Boulevard project and $151,856 for the Hughitt Street Project. Lieburn noted the amendments were due to projects being completed in the current fiscal year but budgeted in the previous fiscal year.

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