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IM awarded grant for tennis courts

IRON MOUNTAIN — Tennis courts on Iron Mountain’s east side will be resurfaced with the aid of a $58,000 state grant.

“They’re definitely in need of it,” City Manager Jordan Stanchina told the city council Monday. “We’ll hopefully get those done this year if the timeline allows it.”

The city will provide a $20,000 match for the Recreation Passport grant, one of 22 awarded statewide. Administered by the Department of Natural Resources, funding is derived from sales of the Recreation Passport, the $11 annual pass that gives residents vehicle entry at state parks and recreation areas and boating access sites.

In all, $1,468,900 in Recreation Passport grants will help communities complete renovations and improvements, the DNR said. Projects were chosen from among 73 applications seeking $4.8 million in funding.

Stanchina said the city will obtain engineering proposals to oversee the work on four courts located near Eastside Field.

In other action, the city council:

— Approved a new three-year contract with the union representing Iron Mountain firefighters. The contract calls for pay increases of 2.75 percent, 2.25 percent, and 2 percent and is retroactive to July 1. Health insurance coverage will change to a high-deductible, $2,000/$4,000 plan, with a city contribution to a Health Savings Account. Employees will pay 20 percent of the cost of premiums.

— Agreed to seek engineering proposals for 2018 Small Urban street paving work. The city will commit $52,750 to gain $211,000 in state funding to resurface Vulcan Street from Fourth to East Grant streets; Margaret Street from Vulcan Street to Stephenson Avenue; and Grant Street from Stephenson Avenue to Millie Street.

— Authorized the purchase of 20 portable Motorola radios and accessories from Elcom Systems of Marquette for $11,943, the low quote among three solicited. They will replace fire department radios that are nearly 18 years old.

— Reviewed a quarterly revenue report from Heather Lieburn, chief financial officer. Most notably, the city received $94,739 in local community stabilization payments from the state in 2017, about $80,000 more than in 2016. The payments offset revenues lost through Michigan’s personal property tax reform, voted into law in 2014.

— Heard Stanchina report 47 deer were taken during the 2017 managed archery hunt.

— Learned that the Saturday in the Park fundraiser for City Park is scheduled for July 22-23. Mayor Dale Alessandrini said Friends of City Park will likely try to replace accessory playground equipment this year.

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