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April 2003 Status Report
It is my pleasure to submit my monthly status report to you for your information. If you have any questions on the items listed, please do not hesitate to contact me.
1. Skate Park
The contractor was in town on Wednesday and has been installing the metal sides on the ramps. When the weather is a little warmer they will be able to install the insulation. We are still anticipating completion by the middle of May.
2. Construction Projects
Many of the 2003 construction projects, including the sidewalk replacement project, have been started, with bids due on others yet this month. Unfortunately, as I was in the process of preparing this report the contractor for the Main Street project once again cut the phone cable in front of City Hall. It took about 17 hours to restore service. While many of the projects have already begun, the construction of Corporate and Packard Streets will not start until later this summer and continue into fall.
3. Public Safety Building
We have been having quality problems with the tile in the main hall in the building. The contractor was back last week and replaced the entire floor to our satisfaction. Bill Yeagley informs me that they are moving closer to an arbitration hearing on the outstanding issues with the design firm.
4. Tribal 2% Requests
I have been asked a few times when the Tribe will make their allocations. The normal schedule is for the announcements at the end of May and November.
5. Project 2000 Tax Case
No decision has been handed down on this matter as yet. We originally estimated that it would be spring or early summer before a decision was reached. There is really nothing we can do but wait until we hear from the Tribunal.
6. Goal-Setting And Agenda Meeting
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for committing a day and an evening to these two efforts. I think both of them were very productive. We will try to have a resolution on the new agenda format ready for your consideration at the next meeting.
7. Mt. Pleasant Center Committee
The Committee met again this week. At the meeting it was decided that we would begin forming recommendations that we can present to the City, County and Union Township. Additional information is being gathered to assist us in making our recommendations. It will probably be June before the recommendations are presented to the various legislative bodies.
8. Family Recreation Center Committee
As I have mentioned before, the Task Force has been appointed. Its first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, April 29th, at the County Building. The role of the Task Force is multi-faceted to include research of design options, construction and operational financing mechanisms, governance issues, location; seeking public input on the above issues; and then making recommendations to the City and County. It is anticipated that this will take approximately nine months.
9. City-CMU Student Liaison Committee
The last meeting of the school year was held this past week. Topics discussed during the year included parking, trash (especially illegal dumping), diversity within the community, unruly behavior at special events (particularly homecoming), with some ideas discussed on how to deal with each issue. It was decided that we would hold a neighborhood block party once again this fall, and that CMU would hold a reception for students and City officials in the fall.
10. Center For Applied Research
MMDC and CMU are continuing their efforts to attract new companies to the incubator building and the park. You may have read that the high-tech dendrimer firm located in the park recently received a three million dollar Department of Defense grant.
11. Temporary Traffic Control Orders
We have implemented the following temporary traffic control orders. We will present them to you at the appropriate time for final consideration.
#1-03: Install "No Parking Here To Corner" signs on the north side of South Drive at Brown Street.
#2-03: Install "No Parking" signs on the east side of Brown Street between North Drive and South Drive.
#3-03: Install "No Parking Here To Driveway" signs on the north and south sides of the driveway entrance to 1217 Eastwood Street.
12. Pending Retirements
You have asked that you be notified of pending retirements. Mary Cook, Dave Goffnett and Alice Spayd plan to retire in the next few months. Mary is an Office Professional III and will retire from the Building Inspection/Code Enforcement Department in late May after nearly 14 years with the City. Dave has been with the City since 1972 and will retire from his position as WWTP Superintendent in July. Alice Spayd is an Office Professional III in the Finance Division and has been with the City for 26 years. I am sure you join me in wishing each of them a long and happy retirement.