The council Monday heard from Quinnesec residents Jim and Amie Tefft, who encouraged the city to close the deer pen to allow such future uses as community gardens, trails, birdwatching stations, pickleball courts, an ice rink or even an outdoor theater.

“The enclosure, now reduced to just about two football fields in size, seems to fail in providing the necessary environment for the herd’s physical and emotional well-being,” they said in a statement that was also posted on social media.

Diane Luczak of Iron Mountain rejected the Teffts’ idea of allowing the deer to return to the wild but suggested “rehoming” them, or possibly castrating the bucks and letting the herd die away. Currently, there is inbreeding that’s not healthy, she said.

In October, City Manager Jordan Stanchina had recommended the council consider whether the deer pen is worthwhile, especially when the animals are abundant in many city neighborhoods.

The pen now has 24 deer, which is high by historical standards, and the city was told during a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection that the covered enclosure available to them is too small.

Also, the condition of some individual animals has been questioned by the public, though Stanchina noted that some deer have remained in the pen past age 16 or even 19. That’s more than 10 years beyond what they might survive in the wild.

Inspectors also emphasized that the public should be prohibited from feeding deer unless approved food is available on site.

Council member David Farragh said visitors are likely to ignore such warnings. “They’ll stand in front of the sign and feed the deer,” he said.

Other concerns raised by the Teffts, among others, include a depleted tree canopy and a pond that may be inadequate to share with other wildlife.

Council members agreed, at Stanchina’s suggestion, to “open up the conversation” on the future of an attraction that has been a part of residents’ lives through several generations.

“I think it’s time that something should be done with that deer herd,” council member Ken Clawson said.

The council has yet to address the issue as an agenda item, but that could happen as soon as its Feb. 3 meeting.

In other action Monday, the council:

— Reviewed a 2023-24 fiscal year year audit report with Danielle Hoppe of Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC, revealing a $7 million improvement in the city’s long-term unfunded liabilities. The report comes after the state in 2023 provided a $3.24 million Protecting MI Pension Grant. With that payment, the city’s Municipal Employees’ Retirement System has an estimated $6 million in obligations that aren’t prefunded. Meanwhile, health insurance obligations to retirees that aren’t prefunded are estimated at $34 million, which is down from $36 million.

In addition to the grant payment, the improvement is the result of updated actuarial studies.

— With $138,000 available in the equipment replacement fund, will seek bids for the purchase of a used backhoe. DPW currently has a 2001 model that will be auctioned if a replacement is found. A new backhoe could cost $180,000 or more, Stanchina noted.

— Will seek bids to purchase a used half-ton pickup truck. The city’s equipment replacement fund includes $35,000 for such a purchase, with a new truck also an option.

— Approved the purchase of a new Husqvarna FS520 self-propelled walk-behind concrete cut saw and four blades from Midway Rentals and Sales of Kingsford for $8,050. Department of Public Works Supervisor Scott Thomas solicited quotes from seven suppliers to obtain the best pricing.

— Learned that the city’s GIS map has been updated with high-resolution aerial photos. The new map replaces one from 2005. A link is available at https://www.cityofironmountain.com/547/GIS.

— Approved auctioning two items on the Wisconsin Surplus online bidding site — a 2017 Dodge Charger police car in need of repair and a Coltri breathing air compressor and fill station that has been replaced with a new one at the fire station.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.