{"id":39056,"date":"2014-01-30T21:59:55","date_gmt":"2014-01-31T01:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miserybay.usanethosting.com\/wordpress\/?p=39056"},"modified":"2014-01-30T21:59:55","modified_gmt":"2014-01-31T01:59:55","slug":"city-145","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/city-145\/","title":{"rendered":"City Manager's Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nSign And Donation Box Ordinances Adopted<\/strong>: At its January 27, 2014 meeting the St Johns City Commission adopted two ordinances recommended by the St. Johns Planning Commission and presented through Community Development Director Dave Kudwa. The sign ordinance updated regulations regarding commercial signs to include specifications for digital display, sponsor signs, special event signs and temporary signage. During discussions it was noted temporary signs such as yard signs, signs affixed to light posts, pennants, sandwich boards and banners were being used throughout our commercial districts. Please be aware temporary signs are not permitted in residential districts (with few exceptions such as political and garage sale signage), and are only allowed in other zoning districts through the permitting process. Signs are not allowed in the public right of way.
\nThe adoption of the donation box ordinance has the effect of prohibiting outdoor receptacles used to collect used clothing and other donation items. Commercial enterprises all over the country are starting to install donation boxes on both public and private property without permission. This development is a consequence of the growing market and higher prices paid for recycled textile items. The purpose of the ordinance is to eliminate these unattended boxes and the unsanitary and unsightly conditions that often result when garbage, trash and other items (e.g., tires, appliances) are left at the site. All ordinances can be found on the City’s website at: www.cityofsaintjohnsmi.com<\/a>.
\nClinton County Waste Management<\/strong>: Kate Neese made a presentation to the City Commission regarding the county’s recycling programs for area residents. Kate emphasized the Special Collection programs that are sponsored twice each year for difficult to recycle items such as expired medications, motor oil, antifreeze, electronics and tires. The City was commended for its curbside recycling program and also its annual Spring Clean-up, both very popular programs with city residents. Clinton County offers a written pamphlet entitled “The Garbage Guide” which describes in detail the various waste disposal and recycling programs being currently offered. Questions regarding recycling in Clinton County can be emailed to: conserve@clinton-county.org.
\nStreet Millage Will Appear On Summer Tax Bill<\/strong>: The 4 mil street millage won approval in 2013 by a significant majority. This temporary tax increase will first appear on the 2014 summer property tax bill for City residents. If your taxes are paid from your mortgage escrow account it might be wise to alert the lender to this development so that proper reserves accrue.
\nMazzolini Reappointed As Fire Chief<\/strong>: The City Commission reappointed Dean Mazzolini as St. Johns Fire Chief of the Fire Department. Dean has been a member of the city fire department for 31 years. He has served as chief since 2011. A special thanks to not only Chief Mazzolini but to all those firefighters that serve and protect our community.
\nNew Principal Shopping District Director<\/strong>: Recently-appointed Executive Director of the St. Johns Principal Shopping District Dan Redman gave a short presentation before the St. Johns City Commission at the January 27 public meeting. Dan stressed his interest in networking with downtown business owners as well as the need to recruit new businesses to our downtown. Dan can be contacted at 989-227-1717.
\nReal Winter<\/strong>: Extended cold and heavy snow and winds have had a real impact on the City’s budget for snow removal and road salting. The City continues to make every effort to clear city roads and streets in a timely manner so as not to disrupt travel and to insure the safety of motorists. We appreciate your patience as city workers take on the task of maintaining our thoroughfares during the winter months. And remember to use caution and reduce speed wherever there is snow cover or icy road conditions.
\nSpray Park Update<\/strong>: City officials met with vendors regarding preliminary design elements of the proposed recreational spray park being planned for installation at the old Veteran’s Memorial Pool site in the City Park. To date $195,000 has been secured in grant funds and donations for this project. Thanks to all who have volunteered their time and\/or donated funds to this cause. Persons or businesses wanting to be part of this growing effort are encouraged to call City Recreation Director Bill Schafer at 989-224-8944, ext. 227.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","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-39056","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\/39056","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=39056"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39056\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}