IRON MOUNTAIN — A plan is being explored to protect Dickinson County against economic shocks or disruptions while responding as well to injury from the pandemic, the Iron Mountain City Council learned Monday.

City Manager Jordan Stanchina said a local task force will have its next meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Kingsford City Hall. The purpose is to plan further steps and engage more stakeholders for feedback.

The effort was initiated by the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission, which has received federal support to create a regionwide economic recovery and resilience strategy.

Goals might include developing public-private partnerships to address ongoing problems, including housing, talent supply and infrastructure; growing the cybersecurity industry and related industries; supporting the growth and expansion of manufacturing; creating opportunity zones; and promoting a regional food system.

“Since the (Dickinson Area Economic Development) Alliance is currently conducting strategic planning efforts, we agreed to include CUPPAD for discussion on where both processes may align,” Stanchina told the council.

CUPPAD, based in Escanaba, is a state-designated planning and development commission that serves Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee and Schoolcraft counties. The regionwide plan would include strategies specific to each county.

Members of local units of government are encouraged to attend the Jan. 25 session, Stanchina said.

In other action, the council:

— Agreed to replace a yield sign with a stop sign for traffic northbound on Union Street at the intersection of Detroit Avenue near Crystal Lake Boulevard. Although there haven’t been many accidents, a resident correctly pointed out there isn’t enough clear vision to the west to warrant a yield sign, said Ed Mattson, director of police and fire services. “It should have been a stop sign the whole time,” he said. Installation is expected before the end of January.

— Heard council member Ken Clawson question the timing of traffic lights on A and B streets at the intersections with Carpenter Avenue. The Michigan Department of Transportation determines the status and timing of traffic lights throughout the city, Stanchina said.

— Approved a zoning change that requires new business construction to include a facade that faces the street. The amendment was proposed by the city’s Planning Commission after reviewing recommendations in the Redevelopment Ready Community certification process that began in 2019 through the Michigan Economic Development Commission. The purpose is to create “consistency in development” in commercial areas, Stanchina said. The proposed architectural standard requires business buildings to “include a primary street-level facade that faces the street from which the building’s address is assigned.” The facade must include a window and door area of 30% to 90%. No public comments were offered on the change, which doesn’t apply to existing structures.

— Will consider purchasing a 1/3-acre undeveloped lot south of LiUNA Field. The parcel has been identified as surplus property by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and may soon be auctioned. The city has the first right to buy it but would need an appraisal to determine the cost, Stanchina said.

— Approved buying $8,483 in fire department turnout gear from Allied Fire Sales & Service of Spring Lake. The gear is for new part-time firefighters as well as several current full-time firefighters, Mattson said. The city will be reimbursed $1,830 through a DNR grant.

— Agreed to seek bids for acquiring a pickup truck for the cemetery, a lawn mower for public works and a trailer-mounted heated pressure washer for thawing frozen sewer lines. Bids also will be sought on repairing a floor drain in the public works shop.

— Heard Mattson say it is “very difficult” and a “slippery slope” for law enforcement to order the removal of certain yard signs. City resident John Trester inquired about outdated campaign signs, but Mattson said there’s sometimes a legal distinction between regulated signage and free speech, including whether the sign relates to an actual election.