 |
|
March 2003 Status Report
It is my pleasure to once again submit my monthly status report for your review and consideration. If you have any questions about any of the items listed or if you would like me to cover something that is not in the report, please do not hesitate to let me know.
1. Project 2000 Tax Case
Both the hearing and response briefs have been submitted by both parties to the Tribunal Judge. We anticipate that it will probably be three or four months before a decision is announced in this case.
2. Michigan Municipal League Legislative Conference
Just a reminder that the Legislative Conference is coming up on the 25th and 26th. We do have a number of Commission members attending this year's conference. There may still be time to sign up if you have not done so. I am sure that the major topics of discussion will be the State's budget problems and anticipated legislative priorities for the Senate and the House.
3. Borden Building
The Property Committee will meet with another potential developer for the building on Monday afternoon. I will keep you informed of the status of this project.
4. Temporary Traffic Control Orders
We have instituted three temporary traffic control orders as follows:
a. Install "No Parking School Days 8:00 A.M. To 3:00 P.M." signs on the northeast side of the intersection of Sunset and Highland Streets from the driveway which accesses 532 Sunset Street to 1431 Highland Street.
b. Install "No Parking School Days 8:00 A.M. To 3:00 P.M." signs on the south side of Sunset Street from the north side of the sidewalk access to Vowles School, to the intersection of Sunset and Stockman.
c. Install "No Parking Here To Corner" signs on the west side of Brown Street at the intersections of Maple Street, North Drive and South Drive.
As you know, we first use these temporary traffic control orders to determine if the signs will address the problems.
5. Jamie McDonald
As you know, Jamie has been with us for a few months as a part-time clerical employee in our office. She has taken a full-time position with the University, so we will be seeking a replacement. I don't have a timeline at this point. We will probably not start the process for another week or two.
6. Skate Park
We intend to open the skate park this weekend if the weather permits. I am sure we will have some neighbors complaining about the noise, but it is becoming more and more difficult to keep kids out of the park and now they are back downtown skating.
7. Goal Setting
We have set April 22nd as the date for our goal setting. We are attempting to reach Connie DeFord, who will work with us on commission meeting rules. We are attempting to set it up for the evening of April 21st at the Country Club. As soon as we get in touch with her we will get a date and let you know.
8. Construction Projects
As you know we have taken bids for a lot of our construction work this spring and summer. A few weeks ago we took bids for sewer relining and the contractor is in town beginning to prepare for the project.
9. Audit
In my last status report I mentioned that the auditors had begun their work. I think they were here for six or seven work days and before they left we had a chance to meet briefly with them. They indicated that the audit went very well and is very clean. We will receive their verbal and written report within the next couple of months. At that time we will schedule time at a City Commission meeting for them to present the audit findings.
10. Mt. Pleasant Center Committee
The Committee continues to meet and we have at least two more meetings scheduled within the next couple of weeks. While we have come to no conclusions about the appropriate course of action at this time. I will keep you informed.
11. State Construction Projects
The State of Michigan has a number of projects planned for this year that I would like to highlight for you.
Mission Street: From south of Bluegrass to North Mission Road. Will mill off the current surface and place new asphalt. The work will be done at night with intermittent lane changes from July 9th to August 1st.
High Street: Non-motorized path from Bradley to Watson. Work will start at end of March and finish up around the middle of June.
High Street: They will do joint repair, milling and resurfacing from Bradley to Washington. Work to be done between June 13th and August 15th with intermittent lane closures.
Closed Loop Traffic Signal System: Bids will be let for this system around the first of August. This is the system the MDOT traffic engineer talked about at a previous Commission meeting.