City of Hudson

City Manager Weekly Report

March 28, 2008

Water Tower progress

A news story will appear shortly in the Daily Telegram concerning the water tower project. Our new reporter, Dan Cherry met with P-Nut and me to talk about the project. I’ll make available at the Council meeting, a series of photos, which P-Nut has taken at each stage of the construction to date. A few days ago, the steel work was completed and the tower has been topped off.

The crew worked throughout the winter, no matter what the weather was like, working up on cranes and platforms. As an aside, the crews have been staying at the Sunset Acres motel, which has meant many nights where Angie Riley had the “No Vacancy” sign lighted.

City Newsletter

Our second edition of the city newsletter will go out with the April 1^st utility bills. An advance copy is attached for your review. Angie Hanawalt, our office assistant, prepared the newsletter. Any errors or omissions are my responsibility. The next newsletter will be for July 1^st.

MDOT-Traffic Count

The traffic warrant for Church and Main Street will likely occur in May. MDOT has asked that we suggest a day for the count to be conducted, which we will be most happy to accommodate their request. We are happy for obvious reasons. The cable that will run crossed the road will likely be out for two days, but the actual warrant study will cover a 12 hour period is my understanding. I’m certain that Thompson Park, community center, and other traffic will make heavy use during that time period.

Leaning Utility Pole

You have seen it for years…. that leaning utility pole located at the alley entryway and Lane Street. The pole dates back to the 50’s and has been leaning for quite a few years. After begging Consumers Energy for about 9 months, they surveyed the pole location and understand the need for it to be replaced.

The replacement of the pole will mean that power will be off for 3-4 hours. This will involve the entire block, on Main Street, N. Church, Railroad, and Lane Street. I’ve suggested that the work be conducted on a Thursday, beginning after 1 pm.

Consumer’s Energy and the city will send a written communication to the businesses and residents affected, well in advance of the work. This will include the police department building, so for that time period, the building will be on generator power. I’m looking at April or May for the pole replacement.

Easter Bunny had rabies

Sometimes you just get a sick rabbit or at least it feels like that at times. Just before the Easter holidays, a number of code enforcement letters were sent to residents and property owners. The letter pertained to junk and debris left at the curb and in yards. Each letter includes a photo or photos of the property showing the obvious violation. Residents are given a 5 or 10 day period to correct the violation. Some of these properties are repeat violators, and at least two will likely be issued citations.

So if you are in need of a love seat, there is free one at the curb on Pleasant Street. The city is authorized by ordinance to remove the junk and debris and bill the property owner or place as a lien on the property. In most of these cases, the violations involve rental properties.

Including the photos with the letters is having a noticable affect. Property owners have really responded, even a thank you or two from landlords. So the rabbit did not get beat up with angry calls this time around.

Mayor Exchange

The dates for our exchange with the Village of Paw Paw have been firmed up. We will host Paw Paw on Wednesday, May 14^th, and will visit the Village on the following Wednesday, May 21. They seem to be equally excited about the exchange. The Village Manager has suggested that we have less touring, and more time for discussions and information sharing between the elected officials, and the department heads.

Letter’s seeking donation for the Exchange will be sent out shortly. We have a $300.00 plus balance left over from last year. Suggestions from council members would be most welcomed. A planning committee will be pulled together shortly, so if you are interested in participating, please let me know.

Bridge Inspection

The bridge inspection was conducted last Friday, on March 21^st. A bridge inspection engineer from the firm of Fleis and Vandenbrink conducted the inspection, and is completing the necessary report. The city has maintained a comprehensive file of all bridge inspection activities over the past several years, and Jones and Henry provided the city their files as well. Jon Moxie, the engineer, commented on how well documented the city file was for the bridge work.

MDOT has a listing of engineers in Michigan that are qualified to perform the inspection. Fleis and Vandenbrink are listed as having a qualified engineer and they will be conducting the bridge inspection today.

MDOT has focused attention on timely bridge inspections, since the recent failure of the bridge in Minnesota. This week, a bridge along I-75 caused a problem with falling debris from the bridge onto the expressway. 

People and Places, and Events

Deputy Clerk Judy Tanner-

Congratulations are in order for Judy Tanner upon her being awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree, with a major in Accounting. Judy previously completed an associate’s degree with a major in Business Administration. Both degrees were awarded by Jackson Community College.

That’s not all folks; Judy is continuing her studies towards a bachelor’s degree. She is currently enrolled in an economics course, so perhaps she learns who’s at fault for the recession. Kudos’ Judy!

Museum Auction

The annual Hudson Museum benefit Auction will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2008, at the American Legion Hall. The cost is $15.00 per person. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm. RSVP Louise Vande Zande at 448-8841. The proceeds raised at the Auction are the primary fundraiser to support the Museums operations. Even if you are not able to attend, auction items are needed, and a donation would be welcome. This is the only fundraiser the held to maintain the museum.

Spring and fall clean up- The Clean ups for spring and fall have been scheduled with Allied Waste. The spring clean up will be held on Saturday, April 19, and the fall clean up will be held on Saturday, October 18^th.

MML Capital Conference, Lansing, April 2, 2008

The annual MML legislative conference will be held in Lansing on April 1-2, 2008.

Meeting Dates

• CANCELLED -Planning Commission, March 31^st.
• City Council, Tuesday, April 1^st.
• MML Legislative Conference, April 1 -2, Lansing
• Kiwanis Money Auction, April 19^th at Legion Hall
• May 3, 2008 Museum auction and dinner, Legion Hall
• Mayor Exchange Week, May 17-23
• P.A.L.M. Bike ride, June 24, 25^th at the High School, Approx. 600 bike riders expected.
• Alumni Banquet, Saturday, June 28^th

Resource Reading Materials

• Hillsdale News, article on the library building, March 25^th.
• MML Legislative Link, March 24, 2008
• State beefs up measures against blight, March 21, 2008

Please contact me with questions or concerns. Office number is 448-8983 and City cell number is 517- 403-0485.

 

Frank Goodroe

CHARGE/FEE LIST

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Utility Bills:

Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.70 per 1000 gallons/$8.57 ready-to-serve

Water Non-Resident…………………………………… $3.40 per 1000 gallons

Water Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14.70 per quarter

Sewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.45 per 1000 gallons/$16.70 ready-to-serve

Sewer Non-Resident…………………………………… $6.90 per 100 gallons/water used

Refuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34.00 Normal/$32.00 Senior Citizens

Penalty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15% of balance due

Turn On/Turn Off Fees………………………………… $35.00 during working hours (7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)

                                                $55.00 after working hours (after 3:30 p.m.)

Miscellaneous:

Copies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 each copy

Lenawee County Road Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 each copy

Hillsdale County Road Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 each copy

Flood Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 each copy

Michigan Residential Code Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00 each, plus shipping and handling

City Code Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See City Staff for Application

Freedom of Information Act Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 each page of request

Dog License (Available December-February Last Day).. $10.00

Building Permits………………………………………. Charges per basis

Community Center Rental & Deposit …………………. Deposit and Rental per basis

Park Rental…………………………………………….. $25.00       

Cemetery:

Cemetery Lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $375.00 Resident; $562.50 Non-Resident

Burial Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250.00 Full Burial Weekday

      $100.00 Cremation Weekday 

      $300.00 Saturday

      $350.00 Sunday

Cemetery Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 per square inch

Water/Sewer Tap-In:

(Fees listed below plus time and materials)

Pressure Sewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $1,500.00

Gravity Sewer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500.00 Main line in existence

                                                $1,000.00 New Main line existence 9/1/95 or later

Water Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $500.00 in existence before 4/1/96

                                                $1,000.00 installed after 4/1/96

Rezoning Request: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200.00 per request

Variance Request: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75.00 per request

Annexation Process:  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $500.00 per request

Act 198 Requests:  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $250.00 per request

Klm:forms:fee list.doc Dated: 09/21/07