Negaunee Mayor Don Gladwell expressed concern about ice fishing debris left to sink into Teal Lake during a regular meeting of the Negaunee City Council. Pallets and other debris on the lake on May 3 are pictured. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

NEGAUNEE — With the last of the snow finally melted, Negaunee officials are focusing on litter on Teal Lake and downtown economic development.

The Negaunee City Council Thursday unanimously approved a resolution requesting up to $25,000 in technical assistance from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for an economic development strategic plan and downtown streets-cape project.

City Manager Nate Heffron said he learned of the potential for funding the project through the Project Empire initiative from historic preservation professional Jessica Flores who was hired by the MEDC in March to help the downtown district gain a spot on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The resolution approved by the council will pave the way toward Redevelopment Ready Community status with the state among other things, Heffron said.

“I am moving in this direction,” Heffron told the council, “because obviously the money is there. I think this is the best path for us to going for a long term solution for economic development.”

As part of the process, experts will come to Negaunee to look at traffic patterns as well as the buildings in the city, Heffron said, in addition to working closely with Flores.

He said in the short term he would still work with local agencies like the Lake Superior Community Partnership to work toward the city’s development goals.

Councilman Jason Wallner said he saw the resolution as a move forward.

“I appreciate you looking at all possible things and avenues for economic development,” Wallner said. “And I believe this will also go hand in hand with the capital improvement plan that we discussed last month in order to get that RCC eligible status.”

In other business, Mayor Don Gladwell requested future action regarding litter related to ice fishing on Teal Lake after the remnants of at least two ice shanties sank during the spring thaw.

“As you all know, we had a huge discussion last year about what we wanted to do with Teal Lake, and some of those that were here in attendance made comments about the litter, it happens every year. And after seeing what I’ve seen this year it’s ridiculous,” Gladwell said. “So I guess I would ask, and it doesn’t have to be done now, but in the next few months to get with the Chief of Police or the DNR about what can we do to enforce this.”

According to the Department of Natural Resources website, a person placing a shanty on the ice for fishing “shall permanently affix their name and address on all sides of the shanty at least two inches in height. The letters shall be readily visible and consist of materials not soluble in water,” the site states.

According to Michigan law, any shanty on Upper Peninsula waters is to be removed by midnight on March 31 each year.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.By LISA BOWERS

Journal Staff Writer

NEGAUNEE — With the last of the snow finally melted, Negaunee officials are focusing on litter on Teal Lake and downtown economic development.

The Negaunee City Council Thursday unanimously approved a resolution requesting up to $25,000 in technical assistance from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for an economic development strategic plan and downtown streets-cape project.

City Manager Nate Heffron said he learned of the potential for funding the project through the Project Empire initiative from historic preservation professional Jessica Flores who was hired by the MEDC in March to help the downtown district gain a spot on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The resolution approved by the council will pave the way toward Redevelopment Ready Community status with the state among other things, Heffron said.

“I am moving in this direction,” Heffron told the council, “because obviously the money is there. I think this is the best path for us to going for a long term solution for economic development.”

As part of the process, experts will come to Negaunee to look at traffic patterns as well as the buildings in the city, Heffron said, in addition to working closely with Flores.

He said in the short term he would still work with local agencies like the Lake Superior Community Partnership to work toward the city’s development goals.

Councilman Jason Wallner said he saw the resolution as a move forward.

“I appreciate you looking at all possible things and avenues for economic development,” Wallner said. “And I believe this will also go hand in hand with the capital improvement plan that we discussed last month in order to get that RCC eligible status.”

In other business, Mayor Don Gladwell requested future action regarding litter related to ice fishing on Teal Lake after the remnants of at least two ice shanties sank during the spring thaw.

“As you all know, we had a huge discussion last year about what we wanted to do with Teal Lake, and some of those that were here in attendance made comments about the litter, it happens every year. And after seeing what I’ve seen this year it’s ridiculous,” Gladwell said. “So I guess I would ask, and it doesn’t have to be done now, but in the next few months to get with the Chief of Police or the DNR about what can we do to enforce this.”

According to the Department of Natural Resources website, a person placing a shanty on the ice for fishing “shall permanently affix their name and address on all sides of the shanty at least two inches in height. The letters shall be readily visible and consist of materials not soluble in water,” the site states.

According to Michigan law, any shanty on Upper Peninsula waters is to be removed by midnight on March 31 each year.