Tri-County Citizen

NEWS BRIEFS


REP. MARTIN TO HOST MONTROSE COFFEE HOURS APRIL 19 – State Rep. David Martin will be available from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 19 at the Montrose Township Office, 11444 Seymour Road, Montrose. Martin represents Michigan’s 48th District, which includes the communities of Clio, Davison, Montrose and Otisville, as well as the townships of Davison, Forest, Genesee, Montrose, Richfield, Thetford and Vienna. Anyone who is unable to attend can share their thoughts or set up a virtual meeting by calling (517) 373-7557 or emailing DavidMartin@ house.mi.gov.

NL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE CANCELED – Organizers of the annual New Lothrop Memorial Day parade and ceremony have canceled the event for this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

ORV SIGNS INSTALLED – The Village of St. Charles now has Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) approved traffic signs for off-road vehicles (ORV). The St. Charles Village Department of Public Works recently installed them. During the Wednesday, April 14 meeting of the St. Charles Village Council, Village Manager Hartmann Aue said, “We are one of the few municipalities where MDOT approved and provided the signs. They’re small. By Michigan State Law, ORVs are not allowed to travel on state roads, except to cross at a 90-degree angle. However, the Bad River running through the village makes it necessary to use the M-52 bridge to get from one side of town to the other. The smaller ORV signs indicate where ORV motorists can cross legally.

PARK CLEANUP HELD APRIL 10 – St. Charles Village Manager Hartmann Aue reported during the Wednesday, April 14 meeting that the Coal Miners Park cleanup took place over the weekend of April 10. Aue and Department of Public Works (DPW) employees worked together to clean up the park. He commended them on their hard work. DPW Superintendent Don Ackerman commented that Aue had also worked very hard on the cleanup. Aue commented, “The new dugout roofs are amazing.”

BEAUTIFICATION BUDGETED FOR – During the Tuesday, April 13 meeting of the St. Charles Township Board, Supervisor Don Ackerman reported that the Beautification Day Committee requested $150 for Beautification Day projects. The Village of St. Charles requested $250 for park maintenance. Clerk Regina Smith explained that both of these expenses were budgeted for this year before Ackerman joined the township board. Ackerman, who also serves as the St. Charles Village DPW superintendent wanted to be clear that he serves both the township and village in these overlapping roles. He said, “The money is appreciated. But I try not to wear two hats here.”

BAD CHECK FEES RAISED – St. Charles Township Treasurer Kathy Lorencz recommended the township board raise the fees on nonsufficient fund checks (NSF) during the Tuesday, April 13 board meeting. Township Supervisor Don Ackerman agreed, explaining that the bank charges $15, plus it takes time for township staff to go through the process of dealing with NSF checks. Lorencz said the township has been charging $25 for NSF checks. She recommended increasing the penalty to $50. Clerk Regina Smith reported that the township had only received one NSF check this year. Board members discussed the additional time and hassle in dealing with bad checks. The board voted in favor of increasing NSF check fees to $50 in addition to the check amount.

STC BOARD SCHEDULES ROAD WORKSHOP – At the Tuesday, April 13 meeting, the St. Charles Township Board scheduled a roads workshop for Tuesday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m., before the board’s May meeting. During the workshop, the board will prioritize road improvement projects for 2021. Supervisor Don Ackerman said the Saginaw County Road Commission is getting anxious. They want to order product for the road work.

BUDGET WORKSHOP SET – During its Tuesday, April 13 meeting, the St. Charles Township Board has set its budget workshop for Wednesday, May 5 starting at 5 p.m. During the workshop, the township board will determine how township funds will be spent for the township’s 2021-2022 fiscal budget year.

TOWNSHIP OFFICE OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – Due to the recent spike in COVID cases and Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s recommendation for voluntary closures, the St. Charles Township Board decided at its Tuesday, April 13 meeting that for the time being, the St. Charles Township Office will be open to the public by appointment for essential business only. The purpose is to protect township office workers. Supervisor Don Ackerman said, “They better not shut the state down (again). I think local people need to make local decisions.” However, he did agree that the township office should protect its office workers. There will be a phone number posted on the door so that those who have essential business with the township can call to make an appointment while at the door, if they wish. The board agreed.

FEE SCHEDULE ADJUSTED – During its Thursday, April 15 virtual meeting, Montrose City Manager Neil Rankin informed the council that the fees the city has been charging for various services have not been covering the actual costs incurred by the city. Rankin presented some fee adjustment recommendations to correct that. He explained that costs are increasing. If they don’t increase the fees, then taxpayers end up subsidizing site plan reviews. “We’re just trying to break even with these costs. The city’s fees are currently exceedingly low. There are administrative costs,” Rankin said. He explained that the cost for a site plan review with no issues or complications should be around $1,500. The planning commission sent the new fee schedule to the city council for adoption. The council approved the new fee schedule.

MOSQUITO ASSESSMENT DISCUSSED – The mosquito abatement assessment for the City of Montrose expires July 2021; the mosquito abatement service contract expires in 2022. During the Thursday, April 15 city council meeting, City Manager Neil Rankin said, “We need to address a ballot proposal.” He explained that currently, the mosquito abatement assessment is $30 per parcel. There will be 698 parcels in the city. “At the current rate, we’ve been running off our fund balance. The council has to either go out for bid or approve a millage increase.” Based on the current rate structure increases, he estimates the assessment would have to increase to $45 per parcel. Council members agreed that they want to request bids before placing anything on the ballot.

GROSS APPOINTED TO ELECTION COMMISSION – Former Montrose City councilwoman Deborah Gross applied to fill a vacancy on the city’s election commission. On Thursday, April 15, the Montrose City Council approved the appointment during its virtual meeting. Gross already serves on the Downtown Development Authority; however, that is a non-paid position. The election commission is a paid position. The council confirmed with attorney Otis Stout that the new appointment would not present a conflict.

SETTING SUMMER HOURS – The Montrose City Council approved city office hours for this summer during its Thursday, April 15 meeting. City Manager Neil Rankin informed the city council that city employees were asked about their preferences for summer office hours this year. He explained that last year, the office was open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., without closing for lunch; and closed on Fridays. However, some employees prefer to work five days a week from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Rankin recommended combining the two options, which provides city residents with more accessibility for city services and employees with flexibility. Starting the Tuesday after Memorial Day and running through Labor Day weekend, the city offices will be open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Fridays. The city council approved the new summer schedule.

MAY 4 ELECTION SET – Genesee County will hold an election on Tuesday, May 4. Voters will be asked whether they support continued operation of the 9-1-1 Central Dispatch.

CHESANING ED BOARD APPROVES SCHOOL BUS PURCHASE – During its Monday, April 12 meeting, the Chesaning Union Schools Board of Education approved the purchase of a late model school bus. Operations director Brian Gross explained that school buses are selling very quickly and he was able to secure a 2019 school bus with approximately 30,000 miles from Midwest Transit Equipment for $67,852. With the addition of a security camera and radio the total purchase price is $70,632. The school board approved the purchase, which is funded through the school bus millage. The school board also approved Gross’ request to repair a school bus engine at $20,724.

CUS SAVES WITH REBATE PROGRAM – Chesaning Union Schools Operations Director Brian Gross informed the school board during its Monday, April 12 meeting that he had taken advantage of the Consumers Energy rebate program to retrofit all of the lights in LED lights in all four buildings. This will be worked in as a project for maintenance staff during breaks and over summers. Gross also provided school board members with a lengthy list of projects completed at all three schools.

CURBSIDE KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION A SUCCESS – At the Monday, April 12 school board meeting, Big Rock Elementary School Principal Karla Parker talked about how successful the curbside pre-school and kindergarten registration has been going. Online registration is also available. Parker informed school board members that they already have 70 kindergarteners and 75 preschoolers signed up for fall 2021.

ALUMNA HIRED – Chesaning Union Schools welcomes Faith Deal, who will be serving as a paraprofessional at Big Rock Elementary School. Deal is a graduate of Chesaning Union Schools.

ORDINANCE UPDATE BEGINS – The St. Charles Village Planning Commission began the daunting task of reviewing, re-writing and updating the village ordinance on Thursday, April 15.