Dennis LaForest
Waste Management Update: At the February 11th City Commission meeting Joe Denczek from Waste Management (WM) provided the City Commission a wealth of information regarding trends and developments in recycling, refuse disposal and the WM’s effort to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. He cited St. Johns as a leading community in terms of curbside recycling. One new program highlighted-“Recyclebank”-allows municipalities and its residents to earn recycling points which can be redeemed from a rewards catalog. The City is investigating the utility of registering for this program. Joe also mentioned that the WM fleet of trucks is converting to compressed gas fuel-efficient vehicles, with the hope of lessening the impact on the environment and achieving cost-savings.
Ed Mikula Recognized For Library Board Service: Not too many residents are willing or able to put in 20 years of committee service. Mr. Mikula was recognized by Mayor Beaman and the City Commission for doing just that, as a member and long-serving President of the Library Board. After receiving his plaque for his outstanding library board service, Ed whispered to the mayor that he also had put in 20 years as a member of the St. Johns Zoning Board of Appeals. We thank Ed for his outstanding service! For residents who wish to serve on citizen committees, please contact City Clerk Mindy Seavey for more information (989) 224-8944, ext. 223.
City Arts Policy Approved: The City Commission approved a public arts policy at its February meeting. This policy was developed by staff, and enunciates a purpose and set of goals for our city arts program. Having a formal arts policy in place gives the city certain advantages in competing for certain kinds of grant opportunities. It also is an acknowledgment that public art has intrinsic value for a community and its local culture. Within the policy statement is an acknowledgment of the important role the Clinton County Arts Council has played for more than 30 years in promoting the arts for our region.
Road Improvements, Part II: As I mentioned in my last newsletter, City staff and elected officials have an eye carefully trained on the State Capitol as Governor Snyder continues to advance his major road reconstruction initiative. While everyone seems to agree many Michigan roadways are substandard, there is no consensus for how to pay for road reconstruction and improvements.
Furthermore, even if a federal or state funding source is identified, municipalities likely will be left to fend for themselves in terms of improving local streets. Nothing in Gov. Snyder’s proposal addresses local street issues. Municipalities without a special street millage or bond issue must rely on what is called “Act 51” revenue for street maintenance. This is gas tax revenue collected at the pump, some of which is distributed to local communities based on a state formula that accounts for the total linear feet of streets and roadways in each Michigan municipality. If gas consumption is interrupted by consumers’ usage, then those dollars diminish substantially.
Last year St. Johns received approximately $460,000 in Act 51 money, which was not enough to even fund the modest street maintenance program implemented in 2012. The City utilizes our general operation dollars to fill the gap that the gas tax (Act 51) under-funds. Act 51 dollars falls short each year by almost 30%. Given the high cost of street reconstruction, low revenue projections and Act 51 street funding history, the outlook for improving our city streets is bleak.