By Milan Eagle Media
• Increased the amount of “match” the city is promising for the pavilion project at Wilson Park to 40%. By increasing the match, the city expects to have a better chance of receiving the grant from the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund. The total anticipated cost is $370,000 for the new pavilion, relocating the ice rink, soccer field lighting, rain gardens, picnic tables, and other amenities. Donations so far are $60,111.
• Approved a contract between the City and the Milan Children’s Nursery. The preschool has been paying $200 per month rent for many years. The new contract calls for $350 per month starting Oct. 1, 2014. The rent will go up each year as follows: $450 per month starting Oct. 2015; $550 starting 2016; $650 starting 2017; and $750 starting 2018. The city installed a new roof on the preschool building this summer. The preschool received grant money from the Greater Milan Area Foundation to improve its playground, and move the playground away from traffic.
• Increased the retainer for the city’s prosecutor, Attorney Jesse O’Jack, from $800 per month to $1,000 starting Sept. 1, 2014. O’Jack requested the increase based on the number of times he is required to go to court on behalf of the City of Milan, which has gone up from once per month to three times per month. Police Chief Gerard Scherlinck stated that the prosecutor’s duties are expected to increase in the future as the city enforces zoning and blight laws more strictly.
• Accepted a proposal from Puuri Engineering, LLC of Dexter, Mich. to perform engineering services for the Redman-Platt Road Intersection project. The engineering services are required by the Michigan Department of Transportation, since the MDOT is paying a grant of $564,000 towards the construction work. The City is paying Puuri up to $6,000 for design work and $16,000 for the construction phase. Construction is expected to take place during summer 2015 while school is out. The new intersection will include three lanes in all four directions, plus sidewalks, curb, and any necessary water or sewer work.
• Heard a report from Police Chief Gerard Scherlinck on the recently-installed tornado sirens. One was placed on a pole next to the Milan Fire Department. He says the city saved money on the one placed on a pole near Symons Elementary School because the electrical connections could be extended from the other pole, rather than installed new. The budget for both sirens was $12,000 and the final cost came in at $11,300.
• Approved the mayor’s appointment of Michael J. Lehman to the Brownfield Development Authority. This authority has not been active lately, but Mayor Armitage stated there may be some development coming which will require this authority to start meeting again.
• Approved the mayor’s appointment of Martha Churchill as City of Milan representative to the Saline River Greenway Alliance, with Dave Baldwin as alternate. Also approved the mayor’s appointment of Martha Churchill to the River Raisin Watershed Council..
• Received a report on the Saline River Greenway Alliance, by Martha Churchill, noting that the group handles a “stream search” every year to check for micro-organisms in the river.
• Sold two small parcels of land to Milan residents. The slivers of land are located along the Ann Arbor Railroad track, part of so-called “Railroad Street” from West Main to Second Street. “Railroad Street” is a railroad right-of-way and was never intended for street traffic. Jim Gilson and Matt Belford are purchasing the parcels at $1 each. Soon “Railroad Street” will be closed to through traffic.
• Adopted a contract with Milan Seniors for Healthy Living, setting out the terms for the City of Milan to pay tax dollars to MSHL from the millage that was passed by the voters.
• Listened to a presentation by Steve Warren of OHM Advisors, explaining a street map which indicates which streets in Milan most need attention. After hearing the presentation, council members discussed various ideas for raising the taxes to keep up with road repairs. Some of the worst streets in Milan, according to the OHM map, were Canfield/Anderson; Gay; Second Street from Church Street west; Lee; and the Cherry/Elm Street neighborhood.
• Voted to join Michigan Main Street. It costs nothing to join, the first year. The organization includes numerous cities throughout Michigan who are improving their historic downtowns in an effort to attract business and development.
• Agreed to a contract with G&B Asphalt for $29,515 to pave Wabash north to the railroad tracks, and pave the space between the two tracks. If the railroads approve, and weather permits, the work could be done by early November.
• Council reviewed the bids received from various companies for crack sealing on city streets. The best bid came from K & B Asphalt at $1.20 per pound of asphalt applied, up to $15,000.
Agreed to retrofit some streetlights in the downtown area to LED, at a cost of $7,930 for 13 lights. The present street lights are considered rather dim; Police Chief G. Scherlinck stated that a more brightly lit downtown will help make the area safer. The City will pay $4,930 for the project, assuming the Downtown Development Authority will approve its share, $3,000, at its November meeting.