Brad A. Barrett

The meeting included a special presentation honoring Logan Snyder, a local youth, for his heroic actions in rescuing his family. Key agenda items involved authorizing a 16-month professional service agreement with H2O Compliance Services, Inc. for the Cross Connection Control Program. The Council also approved the sale of two retired police vehicles to Grace Quality Used Cars and awarded the bid for the 2013 Street Patches Program to One-Way Asphalt Paving & Excavating, Inc. Furthermore, payment was authorized to Oak Construction Corporation for work completed on the Bentley Park improvement project. A major item of business was the approval of Amendment #3 to the Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for District #13 (Wesener Building) and the approval to submit a preliminary Downtown Infrastructure Grant application to the MEDC for parking and trail improvements, earmarking up to $125,000 in matching funds.

The City Council meeting included discussions and actions on several key items. The consent agenda addressed adopting the 2018 Boards and Commissions Meeting Schedule, adopting the 2018 Income Threshold Poverty Exemptions, approving several Mayoral Boards and Commissions appointments (including Scott Newman, Matthew VanEpps, Susan Osika, and Bradley Kirkland), authorizing a contract with Kennedy Industries, Inc. for the repair of the WWTP tertiary pump, and authorizing Change Order No. 1 to the 2017 Street Program contract with Malley Construction, Inc. Items of business included considering the authorization of a lot split for 524 Martin Street and preparation for City Manager candidate interviews. Discussions during citizen comments involved the Parks and Recreation Plan Update, including concerns about perimeter fencing and proposed improvements to soccer field parking lots, the closure of an alley south of Allendale Avenue, and the Historical Commission's non-resident membership composition. The council also addressed required repair authorizations for the Fire Department's ladder truck, budget revisions, and the sale of an old city vehicle.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda, which incorporated a special presentation on the City of Owosso's 175th anniversary. Several public hearings were conducted concerning amendments to Industrial Development District No. 1 to include property for Machine Tool & Gear, Inc., and an application for a New Personal Property Tax Exemption for the same company, both of which were subsequently approved via resolutions. The Council also addressed resolutions for Special Assessment Districts concerning street reconstruction for Bradley Street (No. 2011-01), Cass Street (No. 2011-02, approved after initial failure and parcel removal), Cedar Street (No. 2011-03), Clinton Street (No. 2011-04), Genesee Street (No. 2011-05), Howell Street (No. 2011-06), Oliver Street (No. 2011-07), Stewart Street (No. 2011-08), and alley improvements for Oliver, Water, Williams, and Adams Streets (No. 2011-09). Other significant actions included approving a lease agreement for the Collamer Park Community Garden, awarding contracts for the 2011 Curb & Gutter, Seal Coat, and Sidewalk Replacement Programs, approving the purchase of portable toilets, awarding the bid for three heart monitor/defibrillators for the Public Safety Department, authorizing the purchase of additional trash receptacles, and adopting the General Appropriations Resolution for the 2011-2012 City Budget and the Downtown Development Authority millage levy. Citizen comments raised issues regarding the defibrillator bid, the city website's condition, and requested postponement of the defibrillator decision.

The City Council meeting agenda included several items for action. The Consent Agenda featured the approval of a request for a neighborhood block party requiring a street closure on East Oliver and North Gilbert Streets. It also included the approval of two contract amendments with OHM Advisors: Addendum No. 11 for engineering services expanding the Hintz Road Wellfield and developing the Vandekarr Road Wellfield for $91,000.00, and Addendum No. 12 for design engineering services to replace an aged filter backwash pumping system and high service piping for $143,400.00. Further consent items involved authorizing Warrant No. 572 and affirming June 2019 check disbursements. Items of business included considering an agreement with the Michigan Municipal League for a Non-Union Wage and Classification Study and determining the agenda for a 5th Monday meeting. Communications included various June 2019 departmental reports.

The primary discussion focused on Major/Local Street Funds and a Street Bond Proposal. Due to budget concerns, the City determined it would not undertake its usual street program. Discussions included the inadequacy of a proposed $4 million bond, leveraging funds with grants, managing debt costs, and the necessity of raising construction standards, which increases maintenance costs. The Council also considered delaying the bond question until the November election to allow staff to develop a comprehensive 5- to 7-year plan. Other topics included Storm Sewer Projects, the CDBG revolving fund rules needing updates before further use, and the upcoming departure of the current Housing Program Manager. The Mayor indicated a plan to further discuss the street bond at the June 30th meeting.