City approves property transfer for Tractor Supply

By Pat Maurer
Correspondent

A property transfer was approved at Monday’s City Commission meeting.
Through the Urban Cooperation Agreement (UCA) with Grant Township, a request from Dillon Properties Management, LLC (Tractor Supply Company), to transfer approximately 3.25 acres located at 10600 South Clare Avenue from Grant Township to the City, was on Monday’s agenda.
City Manager Jeremy Howard explained, “In condensed terms, the UCA provides any property owner within the geographical boundaries of the area defined as District I the opportunity to request the transfer of jurisdictional control of their property to the City. Once the transfer is approved, it moves the property to District II which enables the property owner to receive available city services. If such a request is received, both governmental entities are required to post a notice of a public hearing to receive comments pertaining to the request. Following the conduct of the hearing, the governmental units are obliged to enter into an agreement transferring the jurisdictional control of the property after 30 days.”
In his report to the board, Howard noted that the Lake Shamrock Dredging and Dam Project had been paused due to extreme cold forming ice in front of Shamrock Park and locking the barge in for the time being. He said,” We gained 6+ inches of ice in a matter of a week. As soon as we can we will resume. For the hydraulic dredging project, Savin is also paused because of the ice on the lake with their 2 hydraulic dredges. They were able to install the booster pump just before the storm that will help when they can start moving silt again hopefully after it warms up a little as predicted. The Dam feasibility study work is continuing and phase II of the DRRGP grant submission is on track for submission by the end of January.
He also reported, “In case you missed it, MLive recently wrote an article entitled “3 Michigan cities to visit in 2024”. It is always nice to see Clare recognized for all that we have going on in and around the community. Check out the article online at https://www.mlive.com/life/2024/01/3-michigan-cities-to-visit-in-2024.html.”
He also reminded the Commission that the annual joint meeting with the Planning Commission is set for February 14 at 5:30 pm before the Planning Commission’s regular meeting at 6:30 pm.
In her Treasurer’s Report to the City, Treasurer/Finance Director Vicki Corlew reported all accounts balanced and reconciled as of December 31, 2023. She also reported, “It was brought to my attention by the Clare County Treasurer that we were not disbursing the taxes from IFT (Industrial Facilities) properties correctly. After talking with the county and the State of Michigan I now understand how they are supposed to be done. In going back and looking at how the disbursements were done compared to how they are supposed to be done the city has sent Clare Public Schools too much money. I have sent a letter to the school explaining the error and asking for them to send the money back. The money that we overpaid the school needs to go to the County and the State.
Other business at the meeting included:
The continuation of the Fire Services Agreement with Wise Township was approved.
The payment of bills totaling $318,472.68 was approved.