Dennis LaForest
Discharge Of Fireworks: With the 4th of July holiday almost upon us, residents are reminded that the City has both fireworks usage regulations and noise restrictions in place. Under state and local law consumer fireworks can only be used legally during national holidays, and on the day immediately preceding and immediately after such holidays. Additionally, the City of St. Johns Police Department enforces “quiet hours” (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) in town through the City’s noise ordinance. A civil infraction or misdemeanor citation can issue for violations of this nature. So if you plan on shooting off fireworks this July 4th holiday, do so no later than 11:00 p.m.
City To Save Money By Re-Financing Water and Sewer Bonds: Based on the advice of the City’s financial advisor and bond counsel, the City has initiated the process of refunding and re-issuing certain outstanding water/sewer bonds connected with the financing of major infrastructure improvements. These bonds were initially issued to finance the City’s 2004 extensive sanitary sewer re-lining project. Based on fluctuations and trends in interest rates, it is projected that the City will save approximately a quarter of a million dollars over the life of the bonds by taking this action.
More On Street Improvements: The City has developed a citizen Question and Answer brochure in anticipation of the street improvement millage which is slated to be on this November’s ballot. Entitled “FAQs-Proposed Street Millage”-the brochure answers questions and includes a map of the streets that will be resurfaced over a four year period if the millage passes.
As you may recall, the City Commission authorized the placement of a four mill, four year dedicated street millage on the November 2013 ballot. The Commission took this action in recognition of the poor condition of many city streets along with the fact there is insufficient revenue to keep up with needed repairs, resurfacing and street reconstruction. Also, in light of a recent citizen survey conducted by the City’s Planning Commission more than 60% of our residents indicated that streets are a priority, further advancing the Commission’s action. The money/revenue the City receives annually from gasoline taxes (Act 51 money) fails to address basic street repairs from year to year. The City regularly dips into general operating funds just to cover the most basic street work. It is anticipated that any State or Federal grant programs for local streets will be negligible as road funds continue to dwindle.
As the brochure and map show, City staff has developed a detailed approach to use the revenues should the millage vote pass. The map depicts not only the streets to be improved, but the four year timeline for the contemplated improvements and locations. Care has been taken to deal with deteriorating streets in four separate quadrants of the community, insuring that all neighborhoods will receive benefits from this dedicated millage. That said, the proposed millage will not cover all needed street repairs.
The information found in the street improvement brochure is also available on the City’s website at: http://www.cityofsaintjohnsmi.com/assets/PagePDFs/home/Street-Millage-2013-Brochure.pdf.
Map – http://www.cityofsaintjohnsmi.com/assets/PagePDFs/home/Street-millage-proposal-2014-2017-24×36.pdf