By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer
LAWTON – During the Lawton Village Council’s Tuesday, Feb. 13 meeting, the council approved a motion to table a resolution to amend a contract between the Village of Lawton and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The amended contract would place a cap on federal funding, and state that the village is responsible for maintaining existing sidewalks. Council members brought some concerns and questions to the floor and would like MDOT to respond to those questions, seeking answers by Feb. 27, for the federal cap being added prior to agreeing to the contract amendment.
The council also approved a bid from Kalin Construction for $999,291 for the North Main Street utility extension project. Village Manager Hackenberg said that Kalin was the lone bid, and it came in under what the expected cost was. According to Hackenberg, it would make the project more cohesive, as it will be occurring in tandem with the Main Street Project, which Kalin was also awarded the bid on. He said having the same company handle both projects that are occurring simultaneously will help serve the community with a quicker process and better communication, seeing that there is only one contractor to work with.
Village President Josh Appleby presented a contract amendment update for the construction on Reid’s Corner in downtown Lawton. The amendment will include marketing and tabulating bidding expenses, as they were not included in the previous contract. The amendment will still be covered under grant expenses. No motion was needed by the council as it is budgeted and falls under Lawton Village Manager Todd Hackenberg’s jurisdiction.
The council approved a bid of $55,200 for concrete from Advanced Poured Walls for a proposed pickleball court at Chauncey Lewis Park. The bid was the lowest of several received. It will need final approval from the state DNR before the project can proceed.
The council approved a bid of $18,252.88 from C-Comm, Kalamazoo, for new police radios. Lawton Village Police Chief Greg Cordes told the council that the police radios are all programed by the same company which causes scheduling constraints. Even if ordered now, they will not be programed until approximately June, which creates a several month backlog for programming due to this issue. Police Chief Cordes stated that though it is slightly over what was presented in the budget, it is still the least inexpensive option for the necessary new police radios.
Village Manager Hackenberg said a new village police car has been ordered and is being built, and equipment has been ordered. He said that if the village were to delay the purchase another year, it would cost an additional $30,000.
Lawton Village Council member Nicole Smith addressed the council stating that leaves weren’t picked up on one part of the street, and residents bagged leaves at some addresses in Concord Hills. Smith said that an ice storm came through and resulted in downed tree branches. Smith said that according to the village ordinance, village employees will go through the village following a storm and pick up branches. Smith suggested to the council that a system be put in place to let village residents know exactly where the village will pick up, to make it more organized for residents.
Smith said she knows the village Department of Public Works is working hard to complete this, however, with addresses that don’t have sidewalks, she believes it becomes a safety issue, and wonders if the village doesn’t have the manpower to do pick-ups as frequently. Smith offered a solution of having dumping sites for things so that residents may do their own drop off in between.
Village Manager Hackenberg said he understands the need for a better system; however, communications are going out via village newsletters and the village website.
Council President Appleby said that DPW foreman, Jim Stermer, may have new ideas as well to see how the village can help find a solution. Village Manager Hackenberg said he was contemplating doing brush pickup in April and May, and hiring someone from 8 a.m. to noon on
Saturdays to have drop-off available for residents. However, Hackenberg said nothing has been finalized.
It was brought up that the Antwerp Township Transfer Station offers free brush drop off on Saturdays during the winter months, and Tuesdays and Saturdays during spring and summer, noting the free service for all township residents. Antwerp Township residents can contact the Antwerp Township Hall to receive a card for drop off as well.
The council also mentioned that the recently installed IRIS system will help with communication with leaf and brush pickup notifications.
The council approved a resolution to update authorized signatories for all Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program sub-grant agreement with Southwest Michigan First and all associated documents for the project to the floor. In approving the resolution, it will allow new Village Manager Hackenberg to replace former Village Manager Lisa Imus as the primary signatory for the RAP grant. Clerk Brittany Rathbun will remain the secondary signatory.
Village President Appleby said a recent inspection of the Lawton DPW building’s attic uncovered lots of old treasures, with much of the items donated to the Lawton Museum.