CITY OF OWOSSO
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SYNOPSIS
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2024
PRESENT: Mayor Robert J. Teich, Jr., Mayor Pro-Tem Susan J. Osika, Councilmembers Jerome C. Haber, Emily S. Olson, and Nicholas L. Pidek.
ABSENT: Councilmembers Janae L. Fear and Daniel A. Law.
PROCLAMATIONS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Parkinson’s Awareness Month Proclamation. Mayor Teich read aloud a proclamation of the Mayor’s Office declaring the month of April 2024 as Parkinson’s Awareness Month in the City of Owosso.
Promotional Ceremony – Fire Department Employees. A ceremony was held recognizing the promotions of Owosso Fire Department employees Brian Matthies to Captain and Don Lound to Lieutenant.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing - Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate – 344 West Main Street. Conducted a public hearing to receive citizen comment regarding the application from Curwood Place LLC for an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate for the property located at 344 West Main Street. The following people commented in regard to the requested tax abatement: Justin Horvath, Ashley Connelly, Sarah Kopko, Keith McKenzie, Perry DiClemente, and Tom Manke. The Council moved to approve the abatement for a period of 8 years.
Public Hearing – Proposed Brownfield Plan #23. Conducted a public hearing to receive citizen comment regarding proposed Brownfield Redevelopment Plan #23 – Woodland Trails/Washington Park Redevelopment Project. The following people commented in regard to the proposed plan: Samantha Seimer, Justin Horvath, Mark Semans, and Jeremy Morgan. The Council moved to approve the Brownfield Plan for District No. 23 as proposed.
CITIZEN COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Justin Horvath, SEDP president, praised the governmental entities that came together to bring state grant dollars to the City to assist in the remediation of the property at 117 W. Exchange Street.
Brent Jones, SEDP vice president, commended the County Land Bank for the work they’ve been able to accomplish on a number of long-needed projects in the county. He went on to say that he appreciated their responsiveness in dealing with the last-minute availability of funds for the 117 W. Exchange Street remediation project.
Tom Manke said he spoke with the sheriff prior to the meeting and was told that the rumor alleging there are illegal residents staying at a local hotel are untrue.
Greg Brodeur, County Commissioner District 2 and County Land Bank member, was proud to note that three of the projects scheduled for blight elimination are in the City of Owosso.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda was approved as follows:
Set Public Hearing - Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate – 300 West Main Street. Set a public hearing for Monday, April 15, 2024 to receive citizen comment regarding the application from Shook Riverside Development LLC for an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate for the property located at 300 West Main Street.
MDOT Local Street Inventory – Decertification of Division Street at Railroad Right-of-Way. Approved decertification/vacation of Division Street within the railroad right-of-way between Monroe Street and Corunna Avenue to update the local street inventory per Public Act 51 of 1951.
MI-HOPE Grant – Additional Funds Acceptance. Accepted additional awarded funds in the amount of $160,000 for Michigan Housing Opportunities Promoting Energy Efficiency Grant # ARP-2023-37-MIH (MI-HOPE) to complete home improvement projects for an additional eleven selected residential homes in accordance with the MI-HOPE Grant Program Guidelines.
Bid Award – MI-HOPE Grant Project. Authorized contract with Merkel & Kenney, Inc. for the MI-HOPE Grant Project in the amount of $192,341.00 to complete home improvement projects for eleven selected residential homes and further authorized payment to the contractor upon satisfactory completion of the work or portion thereof in accordance with the Program Guidelines.
Professional Services Agreement – CIS James Miner Connection Project – Engineering Services. Approved Addendum No. 2024-01 to the Professional Engineering Services agreement with Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering, Inc. for engineering and construction administration services related to the CIS James Miner Connection Project in an amount not to exceed $577,000.00 and authorized payment up to the contract amount as terms of the contract are fulfilled.
Contract Authorization – Ambulance Services to Rush Township. Authorized agreement with Rush Township to provide ambulance service coverage on their behalf in exchange for a charge to the Township in the amount of $40,307.50 annually plus charges for services provided.
Bid Award – Woodland Trails Sanitary Sewer Repair Project. Authorized contract with Apex Excavating & Underground, LLC for the Woodland Trails Sanitary Sewer Repair Project in the amount of $72,805.00 plus a contingency in the amount of $10,000.00 upon prior authorization, and further authorize payment to the contractor upon satisfactory completion of the work or portion thereof, contingent upon approval of related Brownfield Plan #23 and Woodland Trails Development Agreement.
Bid Award – 2024 Streetlight Project – Materials Purchase. Approved bid award to Spring City Electrical Mfg Co. for the purchase of 26 Regency Lamp posts and Yorktown LED Luminaires in the amount of $115,518.00 and further authorize payment to the vendor upon satisfactory delivery of product.
Bid Award – 2024 Streetlight Project – Installation. Approved bid award to J. Ranck Electric, Inc. for the 2024 Street Light Project installation in the amount of $504,191.25, plus a contingency in the amount of $10,000.00, and authorized payment to the contractor up to $514,191.25 upon satisfactory completion of project or portion thereof.
Purchase Authorization – John Deere 325G Compact Track Loader. Waived competitive bidding requirements, authorized the purchase of one John Deere 325G Compact Track Loader from A I S Construction Equipment Corporation in the amount of $115,464.11 utilizing Sourcewell Program ULNV0020, and further authorized payment to the vendor upon satisfactory delivery of the equipment.
Purchase Authorization - Ferric Chloride. Authorized a purchase agreement with PVS Technologies, Inc. for Ferric Chloride utilizing the Lansing Board of Water & Light Consortium
2024 Competitive Bidding Program in the amount of $1,168.00 per dry ton, with an estimated annual contract of $99,864.00, and further authorized payment to the vendor based on unit prices for actual quantities required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
Purchase Authorization - Sodium Hypochlorite. Authorized a purchase agreement with JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc. for Sodium Hypochlorite utilizing the Lansing Board of Water & Light Consortium 2024 Competitive Bidding Program in the amount of $1.81 per gallon, with an estimated annual contract of $97,740.00, and further authorized payment based on unit prices for actual quantities required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
Purchase Authorization - Bulk Lime. Authorized a purchase agreement with Graymont Western Lime Inc. for the purchase of bulk lime for the Filtration Plant and Wastewater Plant, utilizing the Lansing Board of Water & Light Consortium 2024 Competitive Bidding Program in the amount of $189.00 per dry ton, with an estimated annual contract of $158,760.00, and further authorized payment based on unit prices for actual quantities required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Blight Grant Agreement – 117 West Exchange Street. Approved the Blight Grant Agreement with the Shiawassee County Land Bank to secure partial funding for clean-up of the collapsed building at 117 West Exchange Street.
Woodland Trails Development Agreement. Approved the Woodland Trails Development Agreement between the City of Owosso, the Shiawassee County Land Bank Authority and the Woodland Trails Condominium Association of Owosso to ensure the reimbursem*nt of funds in exchange for the remediation of sewer deficiencies and acceptance into the public system.
Proposed Property Sale – Twenty-One Day Posting. Authorized twenty-one (21) day posting period for the proposed sale of the city-owned Amos Gould House located at 515 North Washington Street in the amount of $360,000.00.
Consumers Energy Electric Facilities Easem*nt – Armory Parking Lot. Approved a permanent easem*nt through City-owned parcel 050-470-000-001-00 (Armory Parking Lot) for the construction, operation and maintenance of new electric facilities to service the property at 300 West Main Street.
Parks and Recreation Millage Request. Approved resolution authorizing placement of a millage request for capital improvements to the City’s park system on the August 6, 2024 Primary Election ballot.
Unpaid Utility Charges. Authorized the Annual Notice for the collection of unpaid utility charges and the intent to lien therefore in compliance with Chapter 15, Section 15.4(c) of the Owosso City Charter.
COMMUNICATIONS
Brad A. Barrett, Finance Director. 2024-25 Proposed Budget. (This item was received at the meeting.)
CITIZEN COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Tom Manke encouraged Councilmembers to drive out to Lions Field and see what it looks like now that it’s been rehabbed. He went on to note two local businesses that have expanded without asking for tax abatements. Lastly, he asked if the basem*nt of the building on Exchange Street will be filled with sand or concrete.
Gary Beal said he was pleased to hear that the Gould House is on its way to being sold. He asked how the proceeds of the sale will be spent. He also suggested that Council should consider giving an annual honor to a local group or resident recognizing them for all of their support.
Kori Shook thanked the Council for scheduling a public hearing on her tax abatement request for 300 W. Main Street.
City Manager Henne responded to Pastor Beal saying the Historical Commission will decide how the proceeds of the Gould House will be spent.
Mayor Pro-Tem Osika thanked Ms. Shook for the work she is doing on the Matthews Building.
Mayor Pro-Tem Osika asked Council to reconsider the date for the budget work session noting that it is currently scheduled the same night as the annual fund-raiser for the Child Advocacy Center, directly affecting a number of meeting participants. She asked that the group consider rescheduling the meeting for a different day. The Council moved to set the budget work session for Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Pro-Tem Osika invited everyone to attend the Child Advocacy Center’s annual fund-raiser on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
NEXT MEETING
Monday, April 15, 2024
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS OPENINGS
Building Board of Appeals – Alternate - term expires June 30, 2024
Building Board of Appeals – Alternate - term expires June 30, 2025
Zoning Board of Appeals – Alternate – term expires June 30, 2024
Zoning Board of Appeals – Alternate – term expires June 30, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
Robert J. Teich, Jr., Mayor
Amy K. Kirkland, City Clerk
Note: Complete printed copies of the minutes and any ordinances contained therein are available to the public at the Office of the City Clerk and the Shiawassee District Library – Owosso Branch during regular business hours or on the Internet at www.ci.owosso.mi.us.
Publish: April 19, 2024
