Escanaba City Council Meeting (Feb. 5, 2026) Strong Fiscal Management, Funds, Infrastructure, Hiring, Business Thriving, and Yacht Clubs! (Lance Jumps in a Row Boat)

(Illustrative Only)

Lance couldn't find an
intro to sculling class so
he decided to just row 
his dingy. Thinking he also
might need to take a water
safety and navigation 
class. Would such classes support
 tourism, local health and a
little revenue for the club
and city? Maybe or Maybe not.

 Even with a dinghy he still
gets a pretty good workout.
He is thinking of heading
downtown to a 
new bistro to try it out
after he is done.
Elleven 10 Bistro

This city council meeting covered a range of topics, from fiscal management to decisions about the yacht club. The town has grown significantly into a hot spot over the past four years as residents and administrators have worked together to build something special. It’s becoming a popular investment and vacation spot on the Great Lakes, supported by strong infrastructure—roads, a port, an airfield, a railway, and high-speed data.

The area is also attracting more social events, including concerts, clubs, ice races, and activities at local museums and historic sites. This enhances quality of life factors in economic development. With all this growth, it raises an important question: what does it take for a small Upper Peninsula town to stay competitive and financially sound?

Ultimately, it requires people coming together around a shared vision and focusing on strengthening the community while creating new opportunities. A type of model is starting to form of how to create economic thriving and comebacks.

Comments on regular need for funding for businesses seeking to expand, housing projects, etc. Escanaba downtown has gained some new businesses and while it is strong for start-ups it also has industrial areas for scalling up successful businesses. An interesting article on 6 Characteristics of Cities Where Businesses Thrive

Feb 5th, 2026 Agenda

• City Council meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on February 5, 2026 at City Hall.
• Agenda included approval of minutes from December 18, 2025 and January 15, 2026.
• No public hearings or unfinished business listed.

• New business items included:

  • Audit presentation by the city controller.: Appears to be that finances and grants were well run with no findings. Increases in assets and cash. Grants and infrastructure development. Increase in long term liability. Pension liability decreased because of investment returns. Electric is going up so perhaps there are ways to maximize that while creating more local electric independence. Just something to think about. 
  • Contract with CUPPAD to update the recreation five-year plan. 
  • Agreement to establish an unendowed agency fund with the Community Foundation for Delta County. A financial fund used for city related projects but don't have clear funding channel. Comments on regular need for funding for businesses seeking to expand, housing projects, etc.
  • Approval of the Yacht Club lease. Some discussion on opening more up to public use. Some discussion on cost and public services. Designating certain days and times when it can be rented by the public might help. A little revenue source for weddings and activities. There may be a beverage issues. Another option might be having club members volunteer for activities around the beach and park. i.e. boating training, etc. 
  • (Thinking out loud....🤔How about a rowing or other watersport activities? Like glass out there some mornings. Not specifically rowing but a variety of recreational activities/rentals, fishing 101, sailing 101, etc. Perhaps purchase year memberships and offer a few classes for the public. Some yatch clubs manage rentals and put on classes. Maybe helps tourism, park appeal, pays the rent and gets the club some money. Another thought is health, recreation, socialization, etc. Just something to think about but run your own numbers. 
  • Btw... If you haven't seen sculling you can look at a video from the San Diego Rowing Club. These guys/gals are awesome! I row there sometimes.👌 UoM and a few other university in Michigan have them as well.  We also have some Finlanders and a touch of Finlander culture here so they may like how the Finnish Row  Now if we keep the innovation juices alive we can start our own UP Sculling Version 🙃 :)
  • Resolution to add streets to the ACT 51 street system.
  • Resolution to change street names in the ACT 51 system.  
  • Discussion on hiring and candidates.
  • Join a number of the available committees.   

Agenda also included appointments, public comment time, and adjournment.