IRON MOUNTAIN — Dates are set for the annual spring rubbish dropoff in front of the public works building in Iron Mountain, available to residents only.

Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 15; 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 16; and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

A new rule this year will allow just one mattress per household, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said.

“We have to limit how many we take,” Stanchina told the city council Monday, noting mattresses are a challenge for waste processors. They take up a lot of space and don’t weigh enough to generate adequate tipping fees, he said.

Most processing facilities now add a surcharge for accepting mattresses. The recycling market for them is also weak.

Complete rules for the free dropoff service are available at https://www.cityofironmountain.com/DocumentCenter/View/3454/2024-Spring-Rubbish-Drop-Off.

The public works building is at 125 N. Stephenson Ave., with the entrance from Fleshiem Street behind Campioni True Value.

In other action, the city council:

— Reappointed David Hendrickson, Kim Harder-Webb, Michael Christy and Sonja Matzke to four-year terms on the Downtown Development Authority. Joe Linn was appointed to a four-year term while Anthony Miller will serve a partial term expiring April 4, 2025. Other current members are Megan Blomquist, Lucas Davidson and Stanchina. Lisa Villringer did not seek reappointment and Holly DeGroot recently resigned.

— Increased the wage rate for eight to 10 seasonal workers hired annually. The new scale is $15 per hour for new hires; $15.50 in the second year; $16 in the third year; and $16.50 in the fourth year. The former scale was $13.25 per hour for new hires, with 50-cent annual increases up through the fourth year.

Stanchina explained it’s been a struggle the past few years to get applicants, as the city’s wage rate was on the lower end. He had suggested a rate of $14.50 for new hires, but the council moved it higher, along with the second-year scale. Previous experience may advance an employee on the step schedule as well.

The workers are split, with four to six at Cemetery Park and three to four at public works.

— Noted the water department will flush hydrants beginning Monday, May 13, through Thursday, May 16. Some areas may see low water pressure or discoloration during this time. The work starts on the north end of the city.

— Approved a request from the Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency to vacate 275 feet of alley north of West J Street between Prospect and Carpenter avenues. Staff had reviewed the request and identified no concerns. There are no city utilities within the right of way and no objections were raised during Monday’s public hearing.