From Sand Point on a Wednesday evening in June 2024, spectators watch a sailboat race coordinated by the Escanaba Yacht Club while the race committee uses flags to signal the start. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

ESCANABA – The Escanaba City Council is set to consider approving a new lease agreement with the Escanaba Yacht Club (EYC), following several weeks of discussion and public input on the proposed terms.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday at City Hall, 410 Ludington St., Room C101.

Council members revisited the EYC lease in early February, asking club representatives to draft a new agreement that more clearly defines the organization’s role in the community and outlines its ongoing initiatives. The club’s current 10-year lease is scheduled to expire June 1 this year.

Under the proposed agreement, the EYC highlights annual goals tied to community support, as well as contributions to the city’s marina operations and broader publicity efforts.

The updated lease is intended to provide greater transparency regarding the club’s activities and its value to the public as requested by council members.

In prior discussions, council members expressed interest in either increasing the club’s annual rent – currently set at $1 per year – particularly in light of anticipated harbor improvements, or requiring a more detailed accounting of the club’s contributions to residents and transient boaters.

Mayor Mark Ammel commented on the lease agreement during a previous meeting, saying “It seems like the city is interested in allowing the continuance of some measure of the autonomy that the club has had for the use of the building, provided the club makes concessions about either welcoming visitors better, opening things up or some significant changes in programs that actively involve the public.”

Since lease discussions began, several EYC members have spoken during public comment periods at council meetings, emphasizing the club’s longstanding community involvement.

Jim Hanson, an EYC member and former chairman of the Harbor Advisory Committee, pointed to a number of past and current initiatives, including a program in which the club donated the “SSI Can Read” boat to the harbor and brought area students out on the water.

“I also ended up working very closely with Pathways back then and Brenda Crow,” said Hanson. “We started a boating experience for disabled and mentally challenged individuals, and that was a great opportunity to give back to the community to folks who probably would never be on our bay.”

Hanson added that he recently spoke with Crow about potentially reviving the program this year.

Representatives from the EYC are expected to address the board during Thursday’s meeting.

In other business, the council is scheduled to:

– Hold the first reading of the ZBA Membership Ordinance of 2026, which would amend Chapter III of Appendix A of the city’s code of ordinances. The proposed amendment would reduce the Zoning Board of Appeals from six members to five with two alternates, with members appointed by the city council to serve three-year terms.

– Consider a request from Cat-Man-Do to close the 1200 block of Ludington Street for Classic Car & Bike Nights, scheduled for June 10-11, July 8-9, Aug. 12-13 and Sept. 9-10. A second date for the scheduled events is set aside for alternative rain dates if necessary. According to the agenda request, proceeds raised during the events will be donated to a local nonprofit charity, which has yet to be determined.

– Consider authorizing the purchase of new ballistic vests and required accessories from Pro-Tech sales for all Escanaba Public Safety (EPS) Officers, costing a total of $59,653. EPS Director Darren Smith outlined details of his request in the council’s agenda item, stating the vests will replace current outer ballistic vests that have warranties set to expire in April. Smith also noted this is phase 1 of a phase 2 order, which will be funded in full by multiple donors.

– Receive an update on negotiations for the city manager position. Zeke Jackson was offered the role following the council’s last regular meeting and was one of two finalists selected from a pool of 30 applicants.

– Conduct a third public hearing to gather citizen input on the proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.

– Consider a resolution to approve La Cantina’s application to participate in the city’s social district.

– Consider approval of a $32,945 request from Cross General Contracting to begin the design-build phase for new restrooms at the Municipal Dock.

– Enter a closed session to discuss litigation strategy regarding the pending lawsuit Reid Hyken v. City of Escanaba.

—-

Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.