Big Problems, Positive Projects Envelop Bay City All At The Same Time
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Big Problems . . . Big Projects.
The "Center of the Known Universe," as local sage Thomas Tabor Sr. used to call Bay City, is whirling with both positive and negative developments.
The transition from heavy industrial employment, on which much of workforce payrolls and city revenues were based for the past century, combined with national economic turmoil, are impacting the operations of local government and the lives of residents.
The aging infrastructure, energy demands and need to bolster city revenues all play into the evolving landscape of municipal operations and life.
To the credit of Mayor Charles Brunner, City Manager Robert V. Belleman and other officials, the city is exploring avenues with potential to address the myriad needs and cope with budgetary considerations.
SOLUTION: After a week of neck-whipping mind changes, the city commission Monday night adopted a budget that does, after all, lay off six firefighters and plans for periodic closure of the Banks area fire station at Smith and Transit streets. Commissioner Kathy Newsham, who had voted against the layoffs last week, reversed her decision Monday night, allowing the budget to pass one day prior to the deadline.
QUESTIONS: Unofficial reports are that work on the Center Avenue waterline project by Six S Contracting, Inc., of Waterford, has resumed, but about two weeks was lost in testing the lines until water quality was approved early this week. Rumors swirled that bankruptcy of some of the firms involved in the project have occurred but reports are that work continues under funding by insurance bonds. Some connections to homes are being made to the new waterline. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is in charge of the project with Louie Taylor, 671-1535, the public information contact. The contract with the company is still viable, he said.
STREET WOES: With no funding available for street repairs, up to 72 percent of the city's 200 miles of streets may be allowed to revert to gravel, the city manager reported recently. A total of 144 miles of streets are rated 4 or below, with the worst rated 1 and best 10. "In many cases it will be more economical to remove the pavement and grade the gravel roads to allow for traffic," the manager reported.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT: Final stages of approval are underway for a new Social Security building downtown. The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) has approved $341,000 in funding for streetscape and environmental work and construction of a 7,900 square foot building by LGK of Colorado may begin later this year, according to the city manager. State sources said the project will generate $1.85 million in new capital investment and is expected to create up to 30 new jobs. The location is 1115-1117 N. Washington Ave., comprising about 60 percent of the block bordered by Washington to Saginaw and 2nd to 3rd. Owner is the Great Lakes Center Foundation, which purchased the property from Art Dore in 2001. It had been the location of a car dealership and repair facility. The site was the old county market in the early part of the last century.
POSITIVE PROJECT: The city's utility staff is evaluating the viability of wind turbines at sites including James Clements Airport, the Middlegrounds, Veterans Memorial Park, the Bay Metro Water Plant, Marquette Industrial Park, the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Uptown at Rivers Edge. Assistance is coming from Kent Power and Affordable Green Energy of Essexville. Rate consultant Utility Financial Services is developing a possible "Green Rate" for utility customers.
UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT: A man who had entered a city high voltage substation on Sunday, June 21 at 2:24 a.m., was severely burned, leading to an ongoing investigation by police and safety consultants from the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA). City Manager Robert V. Belleman commented: "This is a terrible reminder of the dangers of our high voltage distribution system and the reason why all substations are surrounded by tall fences and warning signs." Neither the location of the substation nor the identity of the burned man were reported.
NEW TREES FOR OLD: City officials are implementing the "Tree Power" program of the American Public Power Association, replacing old trees that may threaten electric lines with new plantings. According to city sources, the line clearance crew has completed work in the Banks area and areas of Bangor Township.
TAX APPEAL PROCESS: While the city is pondering the General Motors appeal of its $1 million property tax bill on the PowerTrain plant, seeking a 90 percent reduction, officials have met with the DoubleTree Hotel "in an attempt to come to a resolution on their tax appeal," according to Mr. Belleman. "It is our hope to settle this without going to the Michigan Tax Tribunal." Legal representation will be sought for some other unresolved appeals, he said, and calculations are being made on revenue at risk.
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