ESCANABA — The Escanaba City Council revisited concerns about the use of bicycles on Ludington Street’s sidewalks at its meeting Thursday night. Currently, the use of bicycles and skateboards is prohibited on the sidewalk by a city ordinance, but the ordinance is not enforced because the Escanaba Public Safety Department does not want skateboarders or cyclists on the roadway.

A pedestrian exiting a business was struck by a bicyclist on the sidewalk last year, prompting the city to take a hard look at the existing ordinance. City staff has been directed to provide the council with possible changes for the sidewalk ordinance, and in the past the council has heard input from both the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority and Escanaba Public Safety.

During Thursday’s meeting, the council set a public hearing on the issue for the next regular council meeting on June 21. While the hearing will allow for the council to hear from the general public, council members hope to gain input from business owners on Ludington Street at the meeting.

At the hearing, input will also be sought about the use of sidewalk displays by businesses and whether or not these displays pose a hazard.

Thursday, the council members also approved entering into a Waterways Grant agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for upgrades at the Escanaba Municipal Marina, accepted a bid from Bosk Corporation for the stripping and repainting of 90 fire hydrants in the city, held two public hearings related to community development block grants issued to Northern Machining and Kobasic Creations, LLC., and entered into executive session to consult with legal council about the dark store tax tribunal issue.