Cement blocks cover sections of a retaining wall on West Ludington Street in Iron Mountain in this April 17 photo. The city plans to lower the height of the stone wall, which may date back more than a century. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo, file)

IRON MOUNTAIN — An engineering firm will research options for removing a stone retaining wall at the intersection of West Ludington and South Pine streets as Iron Mountain prepares to spend federal American Rescue Plan funds to address the safety issue.

City Manager Jordan Stanchina says the wall isn’t in danger of collapsing soon, although it’s been patched many times. Cement blocks have been placed in front of vulnerable sections that are marked with traffic cones and barricades.

No one is sure of the wall’s age, but it may date back more than a century. A sanitary sewer line that runs within it will be reconstructed.

The city council Monday accepted a proposal from Coleman Engineering Co. of Iron Mountain to prepare cost options and a preliminary design for various intersection layouts. Coleman will be paid on a time and materials basis not to exceed $28,000.

Removing the wall would include taking out the upper portion of Ludington Street, which splits when approaching from the east. A topographical survey by Coleman has confirmed the potential to do that, Stanchina said.

The city has until the end of the year to commit its unspent ARP funds. A total of $765,000 was received under the 2021 law and so far $140,000 has been spent on a conversion to LED street lights.

In other action, the council:

— Adopted a statement condemning racism in recognition of the 100th anniversary Aug. 25 of a reported cross burning and Ku Klux Klan induction ceremony on Millie Hill. A local group, Christians for Racial Understanding, will conduct a service of healing on that day and will also plant a tree and place a plaque near the Samuel Bassett Viewing Platform on Millie Hill. “In recognition of this regretful time in the history of our community the City of Iron Mountain hereby proclaims that it remains committed to diversity and to fostering an atmosphere of inclusiveness that respects the dignity and worth of every person without regard to race, color, ancestry, or national origin,” the city’s Millie Hill Remembrance statement reads.

— Approved a zoning change that will allow Valley Mechanical of Menominee to build an office and shop on a 1.37-acre site at 1325 Cedar Ave. north of Cemetery Park. The triangular parcel is zoned B-2 General Business and the requested change is to I-1Light Industrial. Valley Mechanical, which has been servicing the nearby Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center for 15 years, plans to develop the site for equipment and supply storage while also adding an office, shop area and parking lot. A public hearing drew no comments and the change has the support of the city’s planning commission. The area across the street is already zoned I-1, Stanchina noted.

— Awarded a contract to Draze Asphalt Sealcoating of Bark River for crack filling, sealcoating and line striping of the city’s downtown parking lots between West and East A and Hughitt streets, as well as at City Hall. The work will include crack filling on the portion of the BOSS Snowplow lot that sits over the site of a former city landfill. The total cost is $26,747, which is within the budget of $30,000. Eliminating sealcoating and line striping at the BOSS site trimmed $22,453 off Draze’s bid, which otherwise was $49,200. Other bids came from Midwest Asphalt and Gravel of Iron Mountain, $67,606; and Dun-Rite of Marinette, Wis., $87,800. About five years remain on the city’s 20-year parking lot lease with BOSS, at which time the city may be able to turn the property over to the company. The contract with Draze allows for additional crack filling, if necessary, at the rate of 60 cents per foot, said Scott Thomas, department of public works supervisor.

— Approved an application for deer management assistance permits through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Guidelines for a managed archery deer hunt on designated parcels will be the same as in 2023, when 56 deer were culled. “This at least tries to keep up something,” Stanchina remarked, acknowledging an abundant herd roaming the city. The permits are for antlerless harvests and expect that a hunter holding a proper state tag may harvest a buck after registering three antlerless deer. The hunt will open Oct. 1 to registered and qualified archers.

— Adopted a mutual aid agreement for law enforcement services with the Niagara, Wis., Police Department. Incidents where the agreement might apply occur about once a year, said Jeff Solka, director of Iron Mountain police and fire services.

— Scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, on a request from Joseph and Betty LaFave to vacate an undeveloped Michigan Avenue right-of-way on a steep slope between East B Street and the alley to the south.

— Authorized a right-of-way permit, including a $500 one-time fee, to allow M.J. Electric to make a fiber optic connection between its facility at 640 Industrial Drive and the recently acquired former Johnson Equipment building at 633 Industrial Drive. The agreement specifies the city is held harmless and may revoke the permit at any time with 10 days notice.

— Approved the purchase of a battery-operated ventilation fan for the fire department from Pomasl Fire Equipment of Antigo, Wis., at a cost of $5,195, shipping included. It was the lowest quote from among three suppliers.

— Reappointed Mayor Dale Alessandrini as the city’s representative on the Dickinson County Construction Code Commission.

— At a July 29 meeting, approved a revised purchase price of $872.97 for two parcels that were acquired from Dickinson County in the tax foreclosure process. The parcels are normally underwater and are part of the city’s Mud Lake stormwater retention basin.

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