KINGSFORD — The Kingsford City Council has approved new summer hours at the City Hall on a trial basis.

The building would be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to noon Friday. The change would go in effect Monday, July 14, and continue through Sept. 2. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

City Manager Mike Stelmaszek believes foot traffic has slowed at city offices as more people pay their bills online or place them in the dropbox outside of City Hall.

Council member Cynthia Dixon-Miller was against the change, saying at Monday’s meeting she thinks City Hall should be open on Friday afternoons.

But council member Daniel Freeman said cutting back hours on Fridays is becoming common in a lot of the cities he works with and has had a positive result. He would like to see some sort of count done on the number of people who come into City Hall during the trial period.

Council member Dennis Baldinelli pointed out City Hall now is open earlier and later than some other nearby communities.

“Cindy and I are old school. It does still need to be processed, even if paid online. They’re doing a terrific job,” council member Michael Flaminio said of city staff.

Mayor Joe Groeneveld pointed out it would be on a trial basis and if it didn’t work out, they can can change it back.

The council also agreed Monday to hire a hearing officer for $30 an hour. Under a city ordinance that was revised in 2012, Kingsford must have an officer to determine what needs to be done with buildings that are deemed dangerous.

The city has about 15 to 25 buildings that meet that level but because they don’t have a person in that position, nothing can be done, Stelmaszek explained.

“You have to have this person in place to force any action against these properties,” said Kyle Mulka, city assessor.

Stelmaszek and Mulka will interview potential candidates and report back to the board. They will be looking for someone who has experience in areas such as construction.

The council also:

— Gave Todd Dooley permission to have a fireworks display at Flivverfest on Saturday, July 26.

— Learned from Public Works Director Jeff DeMuri that the second Heights water project is going well. In his report to the council, DeMuri noted all of the water main has been installed from Dickinson Boulevard to Westwood Avenue and is in service. Road work will start this week on Dickinson Boulevard and Marquette Avenue, where the curbing is done, for gravel and blacktop. The contractor, Payne and Dolan, will be moving to west of Westwood Avenue.

———

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.