By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Clare City Manager Jeremy Howard updated the City Commission Monday evening on the progress of the dredging of Lake Shamrock which includes a project to upgrade the dam at the east end of the lake.
Howard said, “Mechanical dredging by the City is continuing and we have completed the move of the barge site and the hauling road to the end of Shamrock Court as planned.”
He continued, “The operator will now be working on the area in front of what used to be the public beach at Shamrock Park, removing the sediment and ‘island’ that has formed there.” He noted that Savin Lake Services “is still waiting on EGLE (the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy) for the official permit so they can put the hydraulic dredges in the water, but work on the holding cell at the airport has begun.”
He told the board, “The Dam feasibility study work is continuing. Luke (DPW Director Potter) and I recently met again with the engineers working on the project to continue moving the project forward.” He said he, the engineers and Potter also “met with EGLE, who was onsite doing an inspection of the dam.”
The long-awaited connection of the Pere’ Marquette Rail Trail through the City is another step closer to being accomplished with the approval of the Michigan Department of Transportation TAP Grant agreement. According to Howard’s Agenda Report, “The City has been working with MDOT and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) on a proposed project that will complete the ‘gap’ that exists …in the City of Clare.” The project will extend the path “along the abandoned rail corridor and road right-of-way from the Moose Lodge east to Fourth Street in the City” and continue east “to tie into the existing … trail at Pine Street.”
Howard also told the Commission that a new Clare business, Back Alley Pizza, was the winner of the recent Pitch Competition and $10,000 first place prize hosted recently by the Mid Michigan Development Corporation. “Look for them to open soon downtown,” Howard said. He added that Sweet Louise Candy & Gifts was the second place and People’s Choice winner of $2,420 and a $2,500 media package. He said Wildflower and Wren Market also won a $2,500 media package.
He noted that Malley Construction has completed work on the North Rainbow street project, and that work has begun on the Airport Apron and Taxiway project at the airport.
After Public Hearings, In business at the meeting September 2nd, two parcels of property were approved for transfer from Grant Township to the City under the Urban Cooperation Agreement. The transfer enables the property owner to receive city services that are available. No Public Comment was given for either transfer request.
The first, a parcel, at 10647 South Clare Avenue was approved by the Commission.
The second parcel transfer, five acres presently owned by Jim Paetschow, was requested by ALDI, Inc. and also approved by the City Commission.
Other business at the City meeting included:
*Approval of a Clarendon Glen PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Ordinance was supported and approved;
*The first reading for a Utility Collection Ordinance Amendment was supported and approved regarding security deposits for rental properties being applied to unpaid utility bills;
*Approval of a charitable gaming license for the Clare Wrestling Club;
*Approval of Election Inspector Compensation;
*Approval of bills totaling $53,304.80.
Photos:
The new road and site for the barge at the lake end of Shamrock Court.
An aerial view of the dredging area around Shamrock beach.
The holding cell for material dredged from Shamrock Lake located on the City’s Airport property.