March 2004 Status Report

It is my pleasure to submit my monthly status report for your review and information. If I failed to discuss an item that you would like additional information on, please do not hesitate to contact me. As you know, these items are not listed in any priority.

1. Well Building No. 1

We closed on the well building this past week. The owners are already in the building, beginning their remodeling for a new salon and spa. I do not have an opening date for the new business, but I'm sure they will move along very quickly with the renovation.

2. House Bill 4234

As you know from an earlier e-mail, the House is considering legislation that would exempt the first $10,000 in value for personal property. As my e-mail explained, this would have a negative impact on the City. We could lose approximately $80,000 a year in tax revenue. If you haven't already done so, I would ask that you contact Sandy Caul and urge her opposition to the proposed bill. If it passes in the House, then we will have to move our fight to the Senate.

3. Fire Funding

I believe I sent you a copy of an e-mail I sent to Commissioner Miller regarding his question on a guarantee that any additional liquor tax would be earmarked for the fire fund. It would appear that that is the language in the bill and the intent of the framers of the bill. The City Manager of East Lansing is putting together a lunch meeting at the upcoming MML Legislative Conference when communities interested in this issue can meet to discuss a strategy to ensure that this bill gets fair consideration in both houses. The Mayor and I plan to attend to that luncheon.

4. Water Lawsuit

As you know, there was a hearing before Judge Chamberlain a few weeks ago regarding the question of whether or not we should place this issue on the ballot. We have not received a decision as yet, nor did he indicate when he would issue one.

5. Family Recreation Center Survey

The survey has been mailed to about 2,000 households. According to Chris Bundy the target date for compilation of the survey results is no later than April 19th. The Task Force will then make a recommendation to the City and County as to whether or not they feel there is a need and support for such a facility. If we decide there is, then the consultant will proceed to Phase II, which is conceptual designs, costs and possible locations.

6. Future Work Sessions

Over the next few months we have a number of work sessions planned that I would just like to highlight here.

March 22 Light Pollution Ordinance
April 12 Summer Sewer Credit and Parkway Watering
April 26 Capital Improvement Plan
May Principal Shopping District and Rental Inspection/Code Enforcement
June Commission Budget Priorities and Discussion of GASB 34 Audit Requirements along with other audit changes and how they impact the form of the audit report

As you will recall, during our goal-setting session you indicated you would like an opportunity to meet on a quarterly basis to talk about issues or concerns. You also indicated you felt you needed more time than in a normal work session, perhaps two or three hours. We really did not determine what kinds of issues or subjects you would like to talk about; therefore, might I suggest that we use a Monday evening in June as a starting point and talk about budget priorities. If this is not what you had in mind when you discussed this idea, please let me know so that we can structure something accordingly. It may be something that we just have to tinker with until we get a format you are comfortable with. Any thoughts you have on this issue would be appreciated.

7. Joint Meeting With Union Township

We have tentatively scheduled a joint meeting with Union Township for April 20th at 4:30 p.m. at the Union Township Hall. Will you please let Jana know if you will be able to attend a meeting at that time. As you know, we have not had a joint meeting in quite some time. We do not have an agenda at this time, but we will develop one and get it to you before the meeting. The intent is to have the meeting go no more than an hour.

8. Fire Chief Selection Process

I just wanted to take this opportunity to advise you that we are still involved in a selection process for the new Fire Chief. I will keep you advised of the status.

9. Mt. Pleasant Realty Building Fire

It is obviously unfortunate that fire struck the building and it had to be torn down. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Fire Department, Building Safety Department, Water Department and Street Department on how well they worked together. The effort displayed by everyone involved insured that this event was handled professionally, and decisions and corrective actions were taken in a very, very timely manner. I also want to thank Jack Neyer for his willingness to work with these departments in insuring the safety of not only those fighting the fire but the citizens as well.

I have sent a letter to Jack Neyer indicating our desire and willingness to assist him in any way we can with his rebuilding effort. In my phone conversation with him he indicated that his intent is to build on the current site, and we have already provided him with information regarding Brownfield Development loans and grants that may be of assistance to him in his rebuilding effort. We will continue to work with him throughout this period and through his reconstruction.

10. City-County Meetings

We continue to meet with the County on a regular basis. Quite a bit of our time in the last few meetings has been spent meeting with Chris Bundy and Sue Ann Kopmeyer regarding the status of the work of the Family Recreation Center Task Force and consultant. We have also been planning for a diversity training session for both the City Commission and County Board. Hopefully we will be able to get some dates for that training in the near future.

11. Allie Langlois Development

As you may recall, Allie Langlois made an offer to purchase a lot the City owned on Douglas Street. It backs up to one of CMU's parking lots. We are in the process of proceeding to closing on this property, and she should be starting construction of the rental units in the very near future.

12. New Hires

I would like to advise you of the following new hires. Wil Milliken will begin work shortly as a Fire Equipment Operator. Curt Hoyt is a new Heavy Equipment Operator I in the Street Department, as is Devin Nelson, and finally, we have hired Andy Keehbauch as a Water System Operator in the Water Department. I welcome all of these individuals as new employees of the City.

13. Capital Improvement Plan

We have officially begun the budget cycle with the review of departmental Capital Improvement Plans. As you know, this is a five-year plan for capital improvements throughout the city. We will be assembling the Plan over the next few weeks and will present it to you at the second meeting in April. By Charter you are required to adopt the plan by the first meeting in June.

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