By Gari Voss
Correspondent
The Allegan City Council took action to address safety items plus approved requests to keep the city moving forward.
Emergency Sirens
Though the City of Allegan is not required to have sirens for their emergency system, there are four strategically placed around town. Currently, the siren that has been on the fire station is outdated and will not be replaced in its current state. City Manager Joel Dye suggested that the siren be declared surplus and given to the fire department to sell.
Council members had questions regarding the ability of the other three sirens to adequately inform residents in case of an emergency. Fire Chief Nick Brink shared how the strength of the other three sirens overlapped and covered almost all of Allegan.
West Shore Services suggested four plans and furnished quotes for each.
- Reinstall the old Thunderbolt siren with new mounting parts and a pole in an agreed location: $8,800
- Purchase and install a refurbished 2001 AC/DC remote warning SRN siren with mounting parts: $17,600
- Purchase and install a new Federal Signal 2001-130 AC/DC remote warning siren with all mounting parts: $27,200.
Do nothing: $0
Chief Brink answered questions regarding the possibility of moving the remaining three sirens. Brink felt that movement would be possible but expensive. Besides, the area not covered with the full sound will still receive the warning from other sirens.
The Council approved placing the siren in surplus and gave the fire district permission to sell it. Any replacement will not be considered at this time.
Boardwalk Repairs
Discussion addressed the request to authorize a purchase order for Riverworks Construction to make repairs to the Riverfront Boardwalk in the amount of $87,610.00. Abonmarche had conducted an evaluation of the Boardwalk and discovered that the section from Hanson Park to the Veteran’s Monument required repair. Director of Public Works Doug Kadzban explained that $100,000 had been set aside in the budget for this project. The bid from Riverworks Construction was $87,610.
In response to questions from the council, Kadzban explained that the work would replace joists and timbers. It is anticipated that the repairs will be made by this fall. The purchase order request was approved.
Wings of Hope
The Council approved the request from Wings of Hope Hospice to hang their butterfly display banner on the Riverfront railing from September 8 – 12, 2023. Each butterfly is purchased in memory of or to honor a loved one. This is an annual summer drive to raise funds for patient care.
Commission Reports
Mayor Galloway summarized the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting. Time was taken to hear an update on the Streetscape Project. As the group looks forward, the Wayfinding Signage Steering Committee continues to work with Heslip to create a high-quality signage system for Allegan.
Discussion regarding snow removal included the fact that no bids had been received for the coming season. A request had been made to include the sidewalk in front of Country House Furniture and the Regent Theater. Can the Dept. of Public Works take on this project?
Council member Bill Morgan shared that the Public Spaces Commission met. During the meeting, members stated that the Water Street Boardwalk needed attention before winter. A decision was made to have a community clean-up done on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, if this was good for the city staff.
Peter Savage inquired about the status of the repairs to the Oakwood Cemetery brick pillars along Arbor Street.
Jeff Morrie shared that four new Marmo Maple trees would be planted along Riverfront Park.
Parker Johnson shared colors for the Streetscape furniture, Dye shared that plans were being made to begin a tree donor program, and the board discussed recycling as an element of the downtown project.
During the August meeting, the commissioners will have a field trip to the Girl Scout Property. This will postpone the presentation of the draft Allegan Parks Master Plan.
Eddie Quiñones-Walker brought up and shared ways to share the Native American presence in the Allegan area.
City Manager Dye explained that the Zoning Board of Appeals met on July 13, 2023. Those present appointed Jon Cook as Chairperson for 2023 then Cook appointed Jason Watts Vice-Chair. The members then approved the reduction of the front yard setback so the resident could add a front porch.
Finance Department
The City Council approved accounts payable in the amount of $1,431,747.66 and payroll in the amount of $147,901.65 for a total disbursement of $1,579,649.31.
A request by MDOT to authorize a transfer of the $104,000 remaining from the FY2019 airport funds to the Coleman A. Young Airport in Detroit, Michigan was approved. Allegan cannot use these funds because of their status at that time. In 2019, Frankfort made a similar transfer to Allegan. This allows Coleman Young to benefit and keeps Allegan from sending the funds back to the Federal government. If sent to the federal government, future funding allocations to Allegan would be reduced.
Downtown Project
The June 2023 Downtown Infrastructure and Streetscape Project Progress Report showed that about 2.8 M has been spent thus far. Overall, the work is going well. - Work continued along Brady Street, Hubbard Street and the Riverfront – Curbs have been installed on Brady and Hubbard Streets (Water Street to Chestnut).
- Staff purchased tables, chairs, and benches at a 5% discount.
- Different light poles and post top lanterns were selected and had been reviewed by the DDA, Public Spaces and City Council.
Work planned will include. - Sidewalk removal and replacement and base course asphalt will be installed on Brady and Hubbard Streets.
- Conduit will be installed along Brady and Hubbard Streets.
- State Street and the 2nd Street Bridge will be opened.
- Riverfront Sewer work will continue.
- Work will begin on Locust Street.
Items of additional issues the project team is actively tracking: - Finalizing the decision on which type of removeable bollards will be installed at the entrance to the Riverfront Park off Hubbard and Brady Street to better control vehicle access and protect pedestrians during events on the riverfront.
- Staff is looking at installing video cameras at corners of Trowbridge and Locust Streets and Hubbard and Brady Streets.
- Staff is working with the library for the removal of a mature tree whose root system has to be removed due to the underground infrastructure.
Parcel Adjustments
The request was approved to divide Parcel #03-51-200-004-00, located at 925 River Street.
The land split is requested for a family member.
The request to approve the proposed plot amendment to combine Parcel #03-51-100-061-00 and -190-027-00 on the west side of Sherman Street. One parcel does not have legal frontage, so the owner would like to create one parcel.
Lakeshore Advantage Contract
Approval of the FY2024 Lakeshore Advantage Contract was given for a 3-year lease with an agreement of a 6-month clause if the agreement is severed.
Saunders Chiropractic
The Council approved a 3-year lease agreement with Dr. Rocky Saunders for the office in City Hall.
Historic District Commission Appointments
Sara Ramaker and Marjori Cantwell were appointed to the Historic District Commission with terms set to expire on December 31, 2026.
Past Concerns
Dye shared that he had received positive comments regarding Friday and Saturday music. To address the concern with double booking Saturday concerts, organizers were okay with having 2 events happening simultaneously.
Morgan expressed the concern that at least half a dozen properties have demonstrated no improvement in adhering to ordinances.
Andrus shared that she had followed up with Paul Wiley’s request for assistance with gypsy moths. Wiley is willing to do a walk and talk through the cemetery to identify the destruction to the trees. Thoughts were shared to become involved in a spray program. Public Spaces could work on this to get permission from property owners. If involved in a spray program, the county would need to be included.
Zeter inquired as to what had been done to assist Mr. Jones understand the Ready to Serve (RTS) fee that is paid by all property owners. The fee ensures that a “clean” line of water is available when the occupant returns from a lengthy vacation, an unoccupied property is occupied, etc. The money collected goes back into maintaining the system.
The Council set a date for a closed session to evaluate the city manager.