Rebecca Holsworth of Channing takes a shot during their girls' 13-14-year-old age group game during Gus Macker action in Ishpeming in August 1999. Behind Holsworth from left are Kasey Willis and Vanessa Anderson from the opposing Hancock Dawgs team and Kathryn Holsworth of Marquette playing with Holsworth for the Alley Yoopers. (Journal file photo)

By JIM ANDERSON

The Daily News

IRON MOUNTAIN — Gus Macker basketball returns July 14-16 as four blocks of Carpenter Avenue will be closed from Ludington Street south to West C Street.

Organizers have requested enough space for a 400-team tournament after last year’s event drew 230 teams, or 920 players.

Along with Carpenter Avenue, Iron Mountain City Council on Monday approved closing, as needed:

— Two blocks each of Hughitt Street and West A Street, from east of Prospect Avenue running east to the railroad track.

— Two blocks of West B Street from the driveway of Main Street Pizza east to the west end of the Kingsley North parking lot.

“This will allow them to expand beyond 250 teams, if necessary,” City Manager Jordan Stanchina said. “If not, all courts will be on Carpenter Avenue.”

The closure begins at 5 a.m. Friday, July 14, and extends through 7 p.m. Sunday, July 16.

Last year’s tournament had the backing of 121 sponsors, including 30 major sponsors and three signature sponsors — a national record for Gus Macker. Proceeds benefit the Imagination Factory Children’s Museum.

In other action, the city council:

— Heard Stanchina report some details still need to be settled in a contract with GFL Environmental for automated trash collection. Wheeled carts will be introduced once the agreement is in place.

— Renewed, for one year, a 2-mill property tax levy within the Downtown Development Authority district. A five-year levy has expired, but the renewal is only one year in the event the city decides to expand the district, or alter its boundaries. The levy of 2 mills, or $2 per $1,000 of taxable value, is expected to generate about $55,000 for the 2023-24 fiscal year budget.

— Will continue to be a part of the K.I.N.D. drug enforcement team in Dickinson County. The updated agreement includes a charge of $1.25 per city resident, up from 75 cents. Stanchina noted this isn’t a cash contribution but rather $9,370 in annual police overtime absorbed by the department. Ed Mattson, director of police and fire services, said K.I.N.D. is “a very good organization” and delivers “a huge bang for your buck.”

— Approved the purchase of a new arrow board for work zones from MacAllister Rentals of Traverse City for $6,550. A previous attempt to buy a used board from Midway Rentals and Sales of Kingsford didn’t work out.

— Amended its water utility billing policy to allow 15 days for payment for those billed monthly, up from 10 days.