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October 2003 Status Report
It is my pleasure to submit my monthly status report for your information. If you should have any questions about any of the items listed, please do not hesitate to contact me.
1. Water Referendum
Rob Flynn was presented with a copy of a petition from Gladys Mitchell to once again seek signatures to place the issue on the ballot. This time the language is the same language that was adopted in the City of Redding. If they get the sufficient number of signatures to place it on the ballot, it is Rob's opinion that it would go on the next general City election, which is in November of 2004. We will keep you advised of the status of this matter.
2. Master Plan Update
Just a reminder that the next focus group meetings for the master plan and visioning process will be held October 28th and November 11th at 7:00 p.m. at the high school cafeteria. I have enclosed for your review a copy of the comments received during the Vision Fair held in September. There is a lot of interesting information in the document, and if you get a chance you may want to review that before the next focus group meetings.
3. Construction Projects
According to Duane Ellis, all of our summer construction projects are now completed. Broadway Street was finished within the last few days. Duane also tells me that his engineering staff are already beginning the drawings and surveying work necessary to bid out next year's projects in the spring.
We are still finishing some up some of the park projects. Replacement of the old section of the trail path between the old dam and Mill Pond Park is underway. The new parking lot in Island Park should be paved by the end of the week or the first part of the following week. The shuffleboard courts are nearing completion, and we will probably do the striping next spring. The new track and basketball court in the Eastside Park are nearing completion, so that project is winding down as well.
Needless to say we have had a very successful construction year with a number of major projects completed. My compliments to all involved with these projects.
4. All-Staff Training
Each year we try to develop a program of training which involves all of our employees. This gives them an opportunity to interact with each other and develop ideas that benefit the entire organization. The last two years we have problem-solved issues of importance to the organization as a whole. This year we chose to do training on customer service. The session was led by Marilynn Semonick, who you know, and it was well received. I have also included for your information material that Marilynn prepared for the session. There are some interesting and helpful ideas in the document, so I would ask that you review it when you get a chance.
5. Family Center Task Force
As you will recall, at your last meeting you approved entering into a contract with a consultant to work with the Task Force on the proposed family center project. At their October 21st meeting the County Board also approved the contract, so the consultant will begin work within a very short period of time. As you will recall, the first phase of their work is a needs assessment, including a community survey about the project.
6. Fire Funding
At the Michigan Municipal League Convention in Detroit this year we talked about getting a group of communities together early next year to talk about this issue and begin lobbying for additional funding. I have just recently received a letter from the Mayor of Ypsilanti, Cheryl Farmer, who indicated that she has requested a meeting with Governor Granholm for some time in the next three or four weeks for the ten largest Act 289 communities to talk about this issue. As soon as I receive additional information about the proposed meeting I will let you know.
7. CART
You may have read in CM Life that there will be a new building located in the CART (University Park) area. They will be constructing a 12,000 square foot building on land leased from the University. The firm is called STT and they are a local security firm that provides equipment and personnel for security at facilities around the state.
8. Project 2000
We still have three lots for sale in the project area, and hopefully within the next week or so we may have an offer on one of the lots. We have recently signed a land contract with Village Builders for the 26 acres east of Sweeney Street, and he has made a down payment of $110,000. As you will recall, they will build duplex and quad condos. He has already held meetings with Duane Ellis regarding the design of the streets, and he has asked the City to design the streets since they will be public streets. While public streets, the sales agreement calls for the developer to pay for their construction. We would prefer to do it this way since then we have absolute control over the design and engineering supervision of the work.
9. CMU Reception
A reception of city and community leaders will be held at CMU on November 13th at 5:30 p.m. This event has evolved from the work of the City-CMU Student Liaison Committee. As I get more details I will, of course, let you know.
10. New Agenda Format
We are getting close to the six-month review period that we established when we created the new agenda format. I have only heard positive comments about the format, but if you should have any suggested changes or any questions about the format, please let me know so that if necessary we can revise it before we make a final decision on whether or not to retain the new format.