Six miles of mountain bike trails on Pewabic Hill east of downtown Iron Mountain offer loops with beginner level, intermediate and expert lines. Dickinson Trail Network, which spearheaded a years-long effort to turn the neglected mine site into a top-notch trail network, will have a ribbon cutting at noon Saturday, Sept. 6. A $183,200 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund assisted the project. The trails are on 85 acres of city property that once held the Walpole Mine. (Dickinson Trail Network photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — A cost estimate for improvements needed to keep Iron Mountain’s deer pen operating could be in hand by the city council’s next meeting Sept. 2.

City Manager Jordan Stanchina said he hopes to have enough information for council members to “make an informed decision” after they’ve had time to consider it.

At the city’s request, Ingalls veterinarian Dr. Barry Wehner this summer drafted a care plan to meet requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Among his suggestions are improvements to the pen’s water supply at City Park, and removing antlers in the fall to guard against injuries.

After an inspection conducted in May by USDA veterinary medical officer Dr. Brianna Waldrop, the city was ordered to overhaul the pen or close it down.

If the city decides to keep the herd, Wehner has recommended culling aged and infirm deer on a regular basis. He’s also called for a half-acre to 1-acre enclosure that includes a gate and privacy cloth to aid in treating and handling the animals.

The herd has been a City Park attraction since at least the 1940s. Waldrop, after her May visit, instructed the city to improve the 6-acre enclosure and develop a care plan under supervision of a local attending veterinarian. The city understood the exhibit could be ordered closed if it failed to comply.

In other action Monday, the council:

— Scheduled a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, on a proposed 10-year lease renewal for Mountain View Ice Arena. A renewal was first proposed in February, but questions came up about the non-profit organization’s bylaws. The city leases land for the arena to the organization, which is responsible for use and maintenance. There is a nominal $1 annual fee. The new bylaws stipulate only one board member per household and a maximum of two three-year terms. Additionally, financial statements will be presented at each meeting and both the Dickinson Area Hockey Association and Iron Mountain Skating Club will have a seat on the board.

— Learned that construction costs paid to Iron Goat Trail Building LLC of Quinnesec for the recently completed Pewabic Hill mountain bike trail totaled $225,318 — nearly matching the bid price. Paperwork needed to close out a $183,200 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is nearly finished, Stanchina said. Dickinson Trail Network, which pledged a $64,000 local match, plans a ribbon cutting at noon Saturday, Sept. 6.

— Accepted the low bid of $13,900 from 1st Down Tree Service of Iron Mountain to removal 38 trees and stumps, as well as 19 stumps only, at various locations. The award is contingent on the bid meeting specifications. Among five bidders, the next-lowest was Bill Neuens Landscaping of Iron Mountain at $19,325.

— Appointed Jonathan Ringel to fill a vacancy on the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

— Agreed to join two partial settlements of opioid lawsuits. The city expects to receive $6,314 over 15 years from a settlement with Purdue Pharma and owners, the Sackler family. A second settlement involving multiple drug manufacturers would pay $987.

— Scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, on a request from James Kroegel to vacate 30 feet of an undeveloped right-of-way for Milliman Street north of West Grant Street. There are no city utilities within the right-of-way.

— Gave permission, as in past years, to Kingsford High School to use City Park trails for a cross country meet. The meet will be 1:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.