By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
In his report to the City Commission Monday, City Manager Jeremy Howard reported that the dredging project at Lake Shamrock is still continuing “on a limited and weather permitted basis.”
He explained, “We are continuing work at the beach area currently. We are also continuing to do some work at the disposal site to clean that area up and make space for further ‘spoils’.”
He also reported on the dam project, saying, “Our engineering firm, GEI, is continuing design work for the dam. Geotechnical subsurface exploration work (soil borings and ground water monitoring wells) is continuing as planned.” He reported that EGLE has approved the City’s preapplication to move to the next phase of the grant process and that the City will be working with GEI to submit the full grant application by the January 31st deadline. “As a reminder,” he added, “we applied for another $2.6 million with a 2.6 million match coming from our state allocation funds for the project. If awarded, this grant will get us very close to the amount that we likely need to complete the full project as currently designed.”
He concluded, “We are still waiting on the grant agreement for the second grant (High Hazard Potential Dams – HHPD) to cover part of the next phase of the project as well.”
Monday’s regular first meeting of the new year began with the swearing in of three members of the City Commission, Bob Bonham, Maegan Jenkins and Carolyn (Gus) Murphy. Each was reelected to another four-year term on the Commission in November. They were all unopposed in their bid for re-election.
Next of the City agenda for January 6th was the recognition of Jaynie Hoerauf, the long-time attorney for the City of Clare, who has retired and was honored for her 28 years of serving the City and the community at Monday’s City Commission meeting.
City Manager Jeremy Howard recommended the retirement recognition for her, saying, “The City Commission is asked to formally recognize Jaynie’s faithful, exemplary and dedicated service.”
The City will continue to be represented in legal matters by Hoerauf and Nevill P.C. in Clare with Heather Nevill serving as City Attorney.
The Commission also approved an industrial property sale and purchase agreement. At the Monday, December 16th meeting , the City Commissioners voted to approve a Purchase and Sales Agreement with Scannell Properties, a real estate developer in Indianapolis, Indiana, who is interested in “potentially purchasing and developing 15.5 acres of land in the newly created Industrial Park #3 at the south end of the City.
Scannell Properties is a privately owned, international commercial real estate development firm specializing in build-to-suit and speculative projects for the industrial, office, and multifamily markets.
It will be the first business in the new Industrial Park #3.
In his report to the City Commission Monday, City Manager Jeremy Howard reported that the dredging project at Lake Shamrock is still continuing “on a limited and weather permitted basis.”
He explained, “We are continuing work at the beach area currently. We are also continuing to do some work at the disposal site to clean that area up and make space for further ‘spoils’.”
He also reported on the dam project, saying, “Our engineering firm, GEI, is continuing design work for the dam. Geotechnical subsurface exploration work (soil borings and ground water monitoring wells) is continuing as planned.” He reported that EGLE has approved the City’s preapplication to move to the next phase of the grant process and that the City will be working with GEI to submit the full grant application by the January 31st deadline. “As a reminder,” he added, “we applied for another $2.6 million with a 2.6 million match coming from our state allocation funds for the project. If awarded, this grant will get us very close to the amount that we likely need to complete the full project as currently designed.”
He concluded, “We are still waiting on the grant agreement for the second grant (High Hazard Potential Dams – HHPD) to cover part of the next phase of the project as well.
Other business at the Clare City Commission meeting included;
*The renewal of the Sheridan Township Fire Protection Services Agreement was approved;
*Board and Committee appointments included JJ Klaus to serve for three years on the Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) and Jason Manderbach to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) each for a three-year term;
*The Treasurer’s report;
*Discussion to submit resident request to the Traffic & Safety Committee.
*Approval of bills totaling $36,339.56.
