IRON MOUNTAIN — About a thousand feet of sidewalk will be replaced in Iron Mountain thanks to a program that will have labor donated by LiUNA Local 1329.

The city received 21 applications from residents willing to pay for materials at an estimated cost of $2.50 per square foot.

Mayor Dale Alessandrini, who will help coordinate the project, said there should be enough crews to finish the work this spring. “We’ll get them done one way or another,” he said during this week’s city council meeting. Applications were due March 15.

Local 1329, which represents members who work in the construction industry in the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin, is providing instructors and trainees.

In other action, the council:

— Opened bids for removal of about 15 trees at Cemetery Park, funded through a $41,000 grant from the Michigan Urban and Community Forestry Program. The bids include $25,000 from St. Vincent Tree Service of Aurora, Wis.; $36,500 from 1st Down Tree Service of Iron Mountain; and $50,000 from All American Tree Services of Battle Creek. The bids will be reviewed by staff.

— Voted 6-1 to initiate the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police accreditation program. A 3-2 vote March 4 to enter the program was insufficient, as four yes votes were required, City Manager Jordan Stanchina explained. Among other things, the accreditation system offers software to help agencies determine if their policies need review, enhancement or creation. A team of trained assessors verifies that applicable standards have been successfully implemented.

The annual cost to participate will be $6,325, but the initial cost will be lessened by a grant of up to $3,538 from liability insurance carrier Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority and additional aid from

MACP, including the application fee of $1,800 and two years of power standards at $550 per year.

Council member Mark Wickman voted no, saying if the “relatively new” program is eventually mandated by the state there may be other grants.

— Learned the city has so far failed to qualify for a state grant program that helps communities identify lead service lines in need of replacement. Iron Mountain is in a second-priority group, seeking $595,604 in funding with $48 million available statewide, Stanchina said.

“We aren’t fully eliminated, as it looks like there could be some additional funding,” he told the council. The program administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is meant to help communities take advantage of federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dollars for lead line replacement, which are available through fiscal year 2027.

— Established May 11, 2024, as Don Khoury Day in Iron Mountain, honoring the owner of the Wishing Well downtown store who died Nov. 28 at age 82. Khoury operated the store 54 years and the city’s resolution recognizes his “remarkable talent for the repurposing of discarded items into furniture and ornamental fixtures” as well as his “spirit of hospitality, captivating stories and the strength by which he stood by his convictions.”

— Scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Monday, April 15, on a request from Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency to vacate 275 feet of an alley north of West J Street between Prospect and Carpenter avenues. The property is between the DICSA office building at 1238 Carpenter Ave. and the Results Broadcasting building at 212 West J St. The city has identified no concerns, as there are no city utilities within the right of way.

— Discussed possible improvements to the dog park surface at City Park, including astroturf, but reached no conclusions. The park recently reopened after being closed due to muddy conditions.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.