NORWAY — A mountain bike trail system from Marion Park to Piers Gorge is one step closer to reality after the Norway City Council on Monday allowed local residents working with the Dickinson County Bike Path Committee to start phase one of the project.

Phase one consists of creating beginner-level trails up to 2 miles in total length on city-owned property from the park pavilion to south of Oak Crest Golf Course, Norway Parks and Recreation Committee Member Beau Anderson said.

All costs and equipment, including tools, chain saws, leaf blowers, marking flags and signage, will be covered by the bike path committee, Anderson noted.

Although the trails will be designed with mountain bikers in mind, hikers also would be able to use the beginner-level trails, resident Steve Viehl said.

Subsequent phases, which Anderson said will take place over several years, will create moderate and advanced trails on properties further south and west owned by the city, Norway-Vulcan Area Schools, Verso Corp. and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Council members were enthusiastic about the idea, with Lee Meneghini calling Marion Park a perfect trailhead with parking and restrooms.

The council, at City Attorney Grant Carlson’s suggestion, also agreed to draw up a license agreement and get proof of insurance from the bike path committee.

In other business, the council:

— Scheduled a public hearing about Walnut Street parking for the Oct. 16 council meeting. Council member Mark Bubloni has suggested restricting parking to only one side, as parking on both sides now leaves only a narrow path for school buses and other traffic.

— Chose Litostroj of Slovenia instead of Norcan of Canada to replace all six turbine runners at the Sturgeon Falls Hydroelectric Facility, at a cost not to exceed $3,081,992. The vote was 4-1, with Mayor Paul Hayes and council members Candy Brew, Scott Popp and Meneghini in favor of Litostroj, and Bubloni against.

Work on the project tentatively is scheduled to start next summer. Funding will come from the electric fund, insurance reimbursements and bonds the council also approved Monday. If all goes according to plan, City Manager Ray Anderson said customers shouldn’t see a rate increase.

— Approved change orders on the city’s ongoing water/sewer improvement project to deduct $5,544 from the sewer portion, add $21,752 to the water portion and extend the completion date by three weeks. Bruce Hawkinson of Mead & Hunt said Bacco Construction likely will be done close to the original Oct. 21 completion date but still wants an extension to Nov. 11. Project funding comes from U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development grants and loans.

— Agreed to participate in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Redevelopment Ready Community program to be eligible for Community Development Block Grant funding.