IRON MOUNTAIN — Natural or “green” burials may be permitted in a portion of Iron Mountain Cemetery Park later this year, the city council learned Monday.

“Hopefully by summer we’ll have something ready to go,” City Manager Jordan Stanchina said during a Zoom meeting.

The city began exploring the idea after a community presentation in 2019 by the Keweenaw Green Burial Alliance. For a green burial, the body is not cremated nor infused with embalming chemicals that might get into the soil. It instead is placed in a biodegradable coffin or shroud and buried without a vault.

Though usually less expensive than a conventional burial, the option is available at just a handful of cemeteries across the U.P.

Council member Bill Revord said it’s a personal choice the city can accommodate. “It’s a viable option that we should have available,” he said.

The Chassell Township cemetery last month added more than two dozen plots after selling out 40 sites created five years ago, The Daily Mining Gazette reported.

Stanchina, however, noted Marquette put in 250 green burial sites about 18 months ago and has had just one burial and one grave purchased for future use. “Regardless, we’ll get something open,” he told the council.

Iron Mountain staff has identified two cemetery sites carrying the potential for 600 to 1,400 graves, Stanchina said. Initially, though, there would be one area for 25 to 50 graves, he said.

The burials do not allow for above-ground markers or headstones. Individual graves would be identified with buried rebar, Stanchina said.

Beside site selection, the city will be working on pricing.

“Also, it will be necessary to establish rules and regulations for how a burial will take place,” Stanchina said.

In other action, the council:

— Extended a lease of city land for the Michigan State Police post at 1916 N Stephenson Ave. The rate will be $46.36 per month through June 2025, with a 4% payment escalator for each five-year renewal through 2035. Mayor Dale Alessandrini asked if the rate should be higher, but Stanchina said the state pays only $1 for many other leased properties. Revord questioned why the lease is renewable only at the option of the state but did vote in favor.

— Received a report showing 34 deer were culled during the city’s managed archery hunt. That’s down from 48 two years ago but up from just 14 in 2019.

— Agreed to advertise several items on the Wisconsin Surplus online bidding site. The city looks to sell a 2000 garbage truck, a 2009 police car, a 1997 street sweeper and a slightly used diesel engine.

— In accordance with a revised state law, adopted a resolution to carry forward property tax reductions for people who qualify for poverty exemptions. The city has five individuals who now qualify, Stanchina said.

— Acknowledged but took no immediate action on an email inquiry from Roberto Angotti of Italy on building Iron Mountain’s sister city relationship with Sassoferrato by having an Iron Mountain squad play an exhibition baseball game against an Italian team. Angotti also suggested a screening in Iron Mountain of his documentary, “Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza.”