Kingsford committee members — from left, Dale Trombley, Jennifer Castro and Ken Wood — stand by an example of the Hometown Heroes banners that are available for purchase to honor local veterans. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News, file)

KINGSFORD — Registration for the city’s Hometown Heroes Banner Program ended March 31 with 24 veterans to be honored, City Manager Mike Stelmaszek reported to the city council.

The program is in its first year; the March 31 deadline was to ensure the banners would be ready in time to install them this spring.

The 30-by-60-inch vinyl banners will hang on utility poles on side streets from just before Memorial Day through Labor Day for three years, then will be given to the sponsor who purchased it for $225 each.

They will be created by Holiday Outdoor Decor of Allentown, Pa. Several other Upper Peninsula communities are involved in the banner program, including St. Ignace and Hancock.

In other business, the council Monday:

— Approved professional construction service agreements with Wickwire P.C. of Iron River for two projects planned this summer, at a cost of $1,800 for each project. Department of Public Works employees will oversee parts of the projects, which will start in July or August, to ensure specifications are being meet. The projects include sewer main installation in the alley between Roseland and Doraland streets and removing and replacing a retaining wall in the alley on Wright Street. The work is part of an effort to better utilize property owned by the city and also Habitat for Humanity Menominee River so it can be used for residential development.

— Heard that spring rubbish collection will begin on Monday, May 4. Collection will start in Ford Addition, and then proceed through the Heights, Garden Village, Breitung and outlying areas. According to a memo from Jeff DeMuri, director of public works, city crews will also collect leaves, brush and garden waste during this time. Only one pass will be made through the city.

— Also learned from DeMuri that the city compost drop-off site is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and, starting April 27, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 31. It is open to city resident only.

— Revised the Joint Sewage Authority Obligation Agreement that will help Iron Mountain apply for funding for a sewer project. Stelmaszek said it won’t affect the city but in the future may help them if they apply for the same funding.

— Heard from City Assessor Kyle Mulka that he and Ken Wood, dangerous building hearing officer, will be assessing 10 buildings deemed dangerous and will start the hearing process April 14. As each building is demolished or fixed, they will add another to the list so there are always 10 active, Mulka indicated.

— Learned from DeMuri that the water department will continue to replace water meters throughout the city, averaging about 25 to 30 per month, until construction season is fully underway, he said in his report. DeMuri also reported that rehabilitation of Well No. 5 is nearly complete, and new flow meters will be installed on all four city wells to better monitor water usage. They are replacing units that are nearly 40 years old.

— Approved the annual donation of $2,000 to the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Community Schools for the summer recreation program.

— Authorized a disbursement/pay request of $69,792.79 and a U.S. Department of Agriculture disbursement request of $205,207.63 for water and sewer project No. 2.

— Authorized a disbursement/pay requisition for water and sewer project No. 3 in the amount of $15,367.78.

— Approved the Borderhounds LE/MC’s request to host the annual Fourth of July parade. The route and set up will remain the same.

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