November 2003 Status Report
1. Project 2000 Tax Case
As you know, the Tribunal ruled against us in this case. As I advised you, Steve Martineau and I were discussing the
possibility of filing an appeal of the decision. There are two ways to appeal, either ask for a rehearing by
the Tax Tribunal or appeal directly to the Court of Appeals.
You have 14 days to ask for a Tribunal rehearing and 21 days to appeal to
the Court of Appeals from the date of the entry of the judgment.
This means we had to ask for a rehearing to the Tribunal by November 14th
or to the Court of Appeals by November 21st.
We came to the conclusion that we should file a request for a rehearing
by the Tribunal. The major reason
for filing for a rehearing was to give us more time to decide if we should
proceed to the Court of Appeals. We
do not feel we have enough information at this point to file an appeal directly
to the Court of Appeals.
It will probably take some time for the Tribunal to make a decision on
our request for a rehearing. We
assume that the Tribunal will deny our request and, if so, we then have 21 days
to file with the Court of Appeals. Therefore
we may have two or three months before we need to decide to appeal further.
As I indicated in my earlier memo, Bob Kerzka stated that because of his
limited experience before the Court of Appeals, he would not represent us if we
decide to proceed further. This
will now give us time to seek an attorney with the appropriate experience.
Once this person reviews the case he can better advise us as to whether
or not to proceed.
I have also talked to the legal staff at the MML, who will ask the Legal
Defense Fund Board if they will participate in this case with us.
I have also requested a meeting with the director of their legislative
staff to see what if any legislative action we should take.
I do not believe they can help us legislatively at this point; however,
this decision could have serious ramifications state-wide on cities' efforts to
acquire and develop land. I will
keep you informed.
2. Master Plan Update
As I mentioned at the Commission meeting, we have rescheduled the next
strategic plan focus group meeting for December 9th at the High
School. We hope to have a good
turnout, and will probably ask you to make reminder calls as we get closer to
the date of the meeting.
3. Water Referendum
We have heard nothing further from the group as to whether or not they
will circulate a new petition. If
and when I hear anything further on this matter, I will let you know.
4. Fire Funding
There were a couple of amendments to bills in the House that would
increase liquor fees to cover fire funding.
Quite frankly I have heard nothing further about their fate.
I previously mentioned that the Mayor of Ypsilanti was attempting to set
up a meeting of some cities who receive fire funding.
I sent her a letter indicating our desire to participate in such a
meeting. I have not gotten a
response as yet.
5. Industrial Park-South
As you know, we have sold all but ten acres in the Park. A few weeks ago George Dunn approached me about the idea of
providing some curb cuts along Isabella Road in order to allow property owners
to sell some of the land between the backs of their buildings and Isabella Road.
Most of the existing buildings are relatively small in relation to the
total land area. Allowing curb cuts
may open up a market for additional small industrial companies, thereby creating
more jobs and improving our tax base. We
have had discussions with the property owners who have expressed interest. We are now getting costs for extension of necessary
utilities. I am sure further
discussions will be held on this matter.
6. CMU Reception
A reception of community and students leaders was held at CMU on November 13th.
There was a good turnout at the reception and it gave us a good
opportunity to meet with student leaders.
7. Public Safety Building Mediation
As you may recall, we have a dispute with the architect on the project.
Under the terms of our contract with the firm we have to mediate any
disputes. A mediation session has
been scheduled between the parties for December 19th.
8. Employee Holiday Luncheon
The annual holiday luncheon has been scheduled for December 19th
at the Public Safety Building starting at 11:30 a.m.
You are cordially invited to attend.
9. Commission-Staff Holiday Reception
This annual event has been scheduled for December 15th at the
Country Club beginning at 8:00 p.m.
10. Traffic Control Orders
We have four new Temporary Traffic Control Orders as follows:
#9-03:
Install “No Parking Here To Corner” signs at the intersection of Elm
near Neier, and Elm and Cooley Streets.
#10-03:
Install “No Parking Here To Corner” signs at the southeast and
southwest corners of Fancher and Gaylord Streets.
#11-03:
Install “No Parking Here To Corner” signs at the southeast and
southwest corners of Sweeney and Preston Streets.
#12-03:
Install “No Parking” signs on the west side of Bradley Street between
Woodland and Betsy Lane.
As you know, we will monitor these signs over the next three months to
determine their effectiveness.
11. Park Projects
The new Island Park parking lot is finished except for the installation
of the asphalt wearing course and planting trees in the islands.
It really makes a nice addition to the park and will provide much more
parking for events and ball games. The
new shuffleboard courts will be finished in the spring.
The new ball field is nearing completion in the lower level of Pickens
Field.
12. River Of Time
The landscaping for the property was completed this past week except for
seeding. The walk may still be
poured this year if weather permits. If
not, it will be poured in the spring.
13. Family Center Task Force
The consultant has begun their work.
Public meetings are scheduled for December 10th and 11th,
as well as January 7th and 8th. At these meetings the consultants will seek input from
stakeholders, such as sports clubs, schools and seniors, as well as the general
public, on the need for such a project. The
consultant will also use these meetings to fine tune the citizen survey that
will be used to gauge the need and support for such a facility.
The consultant is looking to have their recommendations completed by the
end of April 2004.
14. Environmental Impact Of Fireworks
Please find attached a memo from Captain Theisen regarding requested
information on the environmental impact of the use of fireworks. The memo is self-explanatory.
15. Information Regarding Impacts Of Granting Tax Abatements
During discussion of an industrial tax abatement for Bill’s Custom Fab,
questions were raised regarding the benefits gained for the abatement versus
cost to provide services to the companies involved.
Please find attached a couple of documents. The first is a spreadsheet explaining taxes received for
currently abated properties. Of the
ten currently in place, three are for real property and seven are for personal
property. Of these three real
property abatements, two are for 12 years and one is for 7 years.
Of the seven personal property exemptions, one is for 12 years, one for
seven years, and five are for six years.
A little background on each of these companies might be helpful to
understand why we have granted the abatements.
Great Lakes Coating: The owner of the company was with
another company and started a new company.
George Dunn then worked with the company to get him to locate his new
business and facility in Industrial Park-South. He has a 10,000 square foot building with 40 employees.
Carpenter Enterprises is now Eagle-Picher.
The owner drove by Industrial Park-South on his way north and saw the
shell building. He contacted MMDC,
who worked with him to get the company to locate in the Park.
Their building is approximately 60,000 square feet and they employ 100
people.
CME was a new company that located in University Park in 1987-88.
Their current facility is 200,000 square feet with 350 associates.
Eagle-Picher is a subsequent owner of Carpenter Enterprises.
In fact, they have asked for a new abatement for additional equipment for
their facility.
Konwinski Cabinets was located in the Township and chose to locate
their new facility in Industrial Park-South.
Their building is 10,000 square feet with 22 employees.
ITW Foils was a new company that located in Industrial Park-North.
Their building is 19,000 square feet with 21 employees.
In each of these cases tax abatements were used as an inducement to have
them locate in the park. You could
say that without the abatements they may not have located in Mt. Pleasant.
We also use abatements to help these companies expand here.
Ninety percent of all new jobs are created by existing companies.
George will address these issues in more detail during his presentation.
We have also included for your information the number of Public Safety
calls for the properties in question. My
understanding is that most of these calls are for false alarms.
This, of course, does not include normal police patrol activities or
routine road maintenance or snowplowing. However,
since the roads serving these companies are fairly new, maintenance is at a
minimum. We also mow the grass four
or five times a year.
I hope this answers your questions, but if you should require anything
further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
16. Taxicab Licenses
Comments were raised by a citizen at the October 27th meeting
concerning how other cities deal with cab companies.
Rob Flynn did some research and provides the following facts for your
information. If you should require
anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
|
City
|
Commission
Approval For Operation
|
Commission
Sets No. Of Companies
|
Commission
Sets Fees
|
Commission
Sets Ceiling On Fees
|
|
Midland
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
Lansing
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Flint
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Saginaw
|
|
Yes, 1
company per 1,500 population
|
Yes, every 4
years
|
Yes
|
