{"id":35008,"date":"2013-05-30T20:59:17","date_gmt":"2013-05-31T00:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miserybay.usanethosting.com\/wordpress\/?p=35008"},"modified":"2013-05-30T20:59:17","modified_gmt":"2013-05-31T00:59:17","slug":"city-134","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/city-134\/","title":{"rendered":"City Manager's Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

laforesth.jpgDennis LaForest
\nBallot Measures For Street Improvements Approved<\/strong>: At the May 28, 2013 City Commission meeting a resolution was unanimously passed which puts a proposed dedicated street millage one step closer to an eventual vote by the public this November. The proposed millage would create a four year street improvement and maintenance program funded by a 4 mill increase in property taxation. This millage increase would raise approximately 3.2 million dollars over its four year term.
\nCity Staff is in the process of identifying the local streets and roads that would be improved or reconstructed through this program. Once completed, this information will be shared with the public prior to the election. Because this dedicated millage will “sunset” after four years, not all of the streets within our 41 mile network will be upgraded. Over the next several months local residents and property owners will receive detailed information about this millage proposal, what can be accomplished with the funds raised and what streets will be treated and on what timeline.
\nNoxious Weed Ordinance Enforcement<\/strong>: City Ordinance 93.50 requires that noxious weeds be cleared before reaching the seed-bearing stage and lawn grasses be cut before reaching 8″ in growth. The ordinance also mandates that any accumulation of dead weeds, grass or brush be cleared by the occupant\/owner of premises. This ordinance applies to unoccupied structures as well as occupied residences and buildings. More than 50 violation letters have been sent by the City Clerk to local property owners in the last month. If non-compliance persists for 10 days after a letter is received the St. Johns Police will issue citations and the City will do the needed work and charge the occupant or owner of the property.
\nAnnual Reports Presented To Commission<\/strong>: Over the last several City Commission meetings City Department heads and supervisors have presented annual reports to the public body. Reports from Public Safety (Police and Fire), Public Services (Water, Sewer, and Public Works Departments) the Recreation Department, the Briggs Library and Community Development were reviewed and approved by the City Commissioners. Copies of departmental annual reports are available for residents to review at the City Offices or on the web at www.cityofsaintjohnsmi.com<\/a>. Contact City Clerk Mindy Seavey at 989-224-8944 ext.223 for more information.
\nDowntown “Battle Of The Bands” Event Coming Up<\/strong>: The St. Johns Principal Shopping District Board will sponsor “St. Johns Summerfest” on June 22, 2013, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Rotary Park Pavilion on the Railroad Depot Grounds. Four bands will provide entertainment as they compete for a $1,000 cash prize and local bragging rights. Besides great classic rock music, you will find good food and cold refreshments. Don’t miss the fun. Mark your calendars for a great evening in historic downtown St. Johns.
\nCity Is Awarded “Public Art” Grant<\/strong>: The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) has awarded the City a “Public Art for Communities” grant for $10,000. These grant funds will be used to commission the creation of a public art piece\/sculpture by a local artist for placement on the St. Johns Depot Grounds. LEAP awards public art grants as part of a larger arts and cultural development program for area communities. The City has organized an Arts Committee which will select the artist and approve the proposed art piece. The grant requires that the sculpture be installed no later than April 30, 2014.
\nHazel Findlay Expansion<\/strong>: The City Commission recently adopted the St. Johns Planning Commission’s recommendation that the Hazel I. Findlay facility application to add on an Occupational Therapy wing be approved. The OT addition will allow Hazel Findlay staff to expand and better serve its clientele. Construction of the new unit is already underway.
\nBengal Township Fire Agreement<\/strong>: Bengal Township has renewed its contract with the City for fire suppression service coverage for the eastern half of the township. Utilizing the St. Johns Fire Department for services outside the city promotes regional cooperation, reduces duplication of services and allows for cost-savings for each municipal unit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dennis LaForest<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-city"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}