 |
|
August 2003 Status Report
It is my pleasure to submit to you for your review and information the monthly status report. If you have any questions or comments about the report, please do not hesitate to contact me.
1. Commission Problem-Solving
Just a reminder that we are scheduled for a training session with Dr. Hal Stack on September 12 at noon at the Mt. Pleasant Country Club. We will first serve lunch and then go directly into the afternoon session.
2. Streetscape Project
In my last status report I mentioned that there would be some delay in the installation of the new decorative street lighting. Tony Kulick sent me an e-mail the other day indicating that there is another one or two-week delay from the supplier. It now appears that they will not be installed until the first part of September.
3. Budget Committee
The Budget Committee held its third meeting, and as part of the agenda packet for this week you will receive copies of the minutes from the last two meetings. It's even possible that some of the Committee members have talked to you personally about the work of the Committee and where the budget currently stands. Of course, if you should have any questions about the budget, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
4. Broadway Street Reconstruction
The project is moving along well and should be completed by the middle of September.5. Family Recreation Center
According to Chris Bundy the Request For Proposals has been prepared and mailed to qualified firms to assist the group with various planning aspects of the project including design, capital costs and citizen surveys. The schedule is for the responses to be received in September, contract awarded in either September or October, and then approximately a four-month process with final reports in January of 2004.
6. CART
As you know, the old University Park at Central Michigan University is now known as the Center For Applied Research and Technology. The LDFA heard a presentation from Mr. Bob Berry, Vice President of Information Technology at Central, regarding the status of the project. I have attached copies of a Powerpoint presentation made by Mr. Berry to the Board a few days ago. I thought you would appreciate seeing the status of the project. I am sure that either Mr. Berry or Mr. Dunn would be happy at some point in time to make a presentation to the City Commission on the CART status if you should so desire.
7. Project 2000
Needless to say we have still not had a decision rendered in our tax case. As I am sure you will recall, we indicated we hoped to have a decision some time in the spring. We are now approaching the end of summer and have still not received a decision, nor do we have any indication as to when we will get a decision.
We continue to fine tune a purchase agreement between the City and the successful bidder on the 26 acres of land located east of Sweeney. We hope to be able to present it to you at this Commission meeting. We have also taken bids for individual lots in Project 2000, and we will be presenting bids to you as well at the August 25th meeting.
8. Future Work Sessions
The following work sessions are tentatively scheduled for the next few months:
August 25th Code Enforcement/Dog Waste
September 8th Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission on the proposed Light Pollution Ordinance
September 22nd Citizens Local Government Academy
October 6th General Fund Budget
October 13th Water Ordinance Referendum
October 20th Special Funds Budget
October 27th Water Referendum IssueIf there are any additional items you would like discussed at a work session, please do not hesitate to let us know.
9. Temporary Traffic Control Orders
We have issued some temporary traffic control orders that I will list here for you.
#4-03: Install "No Parking" Signs On The North Side Of Preston Street from Franklin To East Campus
#5-03: Install "No Parking Here To Corner" Sign On The Northwest Corner Of South Drive And Thomas
#6-03: Install "No Parking Here To Corner" Signs On The East Side Of The Street At 108 North Adams
#7-03: Install "No Parking Here To Drive" Signs For Both Entrances To The Oak Tree Village Apartments On Oak Street
#8-03: Install Signage For Two (2) "Two-Hour Parking" Spaces In Front Of LaCross Glass On Broadway Street
10. Bronze Art Gallery
Tony tells me that the RFPs for a design firm for the project will be received shortly. We are, of course, looking forward to the start of this unique project for the community and for the Central Business District.
11. Water Referendum
Over the next few weeks staff will be preparing informational materials that we can provide to the citizens regarding the proposed initiative ordinance. There will be articles in the upcoming newsletter about the issue, and as you can see from the previous item in this status report, we will hold a couple of work sessions on the issue.
12. Vision Fair
We probably will begin to sound like a broken record, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the upcoming master plan Vision Fair that will be held at 7:00 p.m. on September 16th at Finch Fieldhouse.
13. Employee Picnic
We will hold our annual employee picnic Thursday, September 4, at the Island Park west pavilion starting at 5:30 p.m. You are cordially invited to attend and we look forward to seeing you there.
14. Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
Last year we held our first board and commission appreciation picnic, and it was well received even though we had to hold it indoors. We have scheduled another picnic for this year on Wednesday, September 10, at 6:00 p.m. at the west shelter in Island Park. Again, you are cordially invited to attend this event.
15. Construction Projects
Many of our projects are winding down; in fact, our Engineering Department is already beginning to plan our projects for next summer. I will not go into any more detail since Duane Ellis prepares his own status report.
16. Park Trail Along High Street