Let’s Talk Trash: Beginning July 1 Granger will become the City’s solid waste and recycling contractor. This change is the result of Granger being the low bidder for this residential service. While routes and pick-up days will remain the same, there will be a significant change in recycling.
Granger will provide each residential customer with a 96 gallon wheeled receptacle called a “Curby” in place of the recycling bins currently in use. Granger will begin dropping Curbys off at residences the first week of June. Because Granger’s contract does not begin until July, Do Not Use the Curbys until after July 1. Continue to use the Waste Management bins until that time. We expect that Waste Management will pick up their bins on their last week of service, but if they don’t you can keep them or recycle them by putting them in your Curby.
While the types of recycling items Granger accepts is essentially the same as Waste Management, please take time to read the information packet that will be attached to the new recycling receptacle delivered to your residence. It contains useful information regarding garbage and recyclables. Also, garbage will continue to be picked up using the green bag system. You will receive more information regarding Granger and the service it will provide the City in coming weeks.
City’s 2015-2016 Operating Budget Is Approved: After holding a public meeting on May 26th, the City Commission passed the City’s operating budget for the next fiscal year by unanimous vote. By carefully crafting the budget of each department, the City expects to provide the same level of services for the public in an environment where tax revenues essentially remain flat while the costs of goods and services are variable. The City’s overall economic health is good, with property values improving slowly but steadily and the number of residential foreclosures down when compared to past years.
Lansing Street Improvements: The City has recently been informed it has been awarded a Small Urban Grant in the amount of $375,000 to improve Lansing Street between Higham and Lewis Streets. Spicer Engineering has been selected to prepare the construction documents for MDOT and Tri-County Planning. The grant requires a 20% match from the City. Construction will begin on this project in the spring of 2016 and will be completed in this 2015/2016 fiscal year.
2015 Street Millage Projects Set To Begin: Street resurfacing and other important improvements of curb and gutter for year two of the City’s four year dedicated street millage program is underway. As mentioned previously, the first phase of reconstruction will involve sections of Gibbs, Swegles, Lincoln, McConnell, Traver, Kibbee and Sickles Streets as well as Greengate Drive, Meadowview Drive and Parkview Drive. A second phase will be initiated after Mint Festival. This phase will involve improvements to Ottawa and Prospect Streets in Quadrants #3 and #4 of the City. For more information about this program and a color-coded map indicating where construction will occur, please visit the City’s website at: http://cityofstjohnsmi.com/
Once at the site click on “2014-2017 Street Millage Proposal Map”.
Spray Park Update: The City and other entities and individuals are engaged in a continuing effort to raise the necessary funds to complete the St. Johns Spray Park. Individuals can donate through the Patronicity program. If $30,000 is donated within the next 30 days the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will match that amount. Visit https://www.patronicity.com/project/st_johns_community_spray_park#/ to learn more about this terrific project and to make your donation. Every dollar will help us reach our goal.
Koenigsknecht Dentistry made another Tidal Wave level donation toward the Spray Park. This makes their third donation at this level in the past three years.
Infrastructure Improvements: The City is continuously reviewing water and wastewater system improvements as budgeted dollars allow. The State of Michigan is instituting a mandatory “Asset Management Plan” that all municipalities are required to develop and submit to the MDEQ, Michigan Dept. Environmental Quality. The plan is to create a cost effective management tool that allows for ongoing review of our systems that meet a defined level of service. The City has been in the forefront of maintaining, operating, and improving all facets of the water and wastewater systems. In 2008-2009 the City invested $4.5 million dollars in renovations to the wastewater facility increasing efficiencies and updating old equipment to improve operations. The City is in the final stage of a $450,000.00 Townsend Road lift-station project that replaces pumps, controls, valves and meters but also included a new force main/pipe into the wastewater facility.
The City is committed to keeping this infrastructure in good condition that will provide a dependable system for present and future customers.