By Barb Pert Templeton
The Marine City Commission’s regular bi-monthly meeting on Sept. 18 was nearly 45-mintes in length and all members were present.
Here are some highlights:
Mayor addresses water project
Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche reminded residents that it takes patience to deal with things related to the current water project in the city as well as the road projects. She said like everyone else she lives on a road where construction is going on and she’s also been affected by coming home to a water shutoff. “It takes patience …. and let’s look at the legitimate sources of information and lets tell our friends and neighbors the legitimate information and sources and please contact us whenever there’s any questions or any problems,” Vandenbossche said.
Historical Society quite busy
Georgia Phelan with the Historical Society of Marine City speaks during public comments at the recent Marine City Commission meeting on Sept. 18.
The Historical Society of Marine City is keeping busy with a number of projects in the city this month. Society representative Georgia Phelan said it’s a pretty active group and they will be working on several maintenance items in local parks. She said they gave out four $1,500 grants to residents in the city with their Paint the Town program for improvements to homes exteriors in the city. “That went very well and we hope to do that to some extent in the spring,” Phelan said. She also noted that the group is hosting a “Flying High” raffle where winning ticket holders can enjoy a flight with local pilot Jim Cottrell. For every $20 ticket purchasers get three changes to win the ride.
Bade appointed to two boards
The Marine City Commission approved the appointment of Addison Bade two both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA). The ZBA appointment will be though Dec. 31, 2026 while the TIFA appointment will conclude on June 30, 2028. A memo in the meeting packet from City Clerk Jason Bell stated that the applicant meets all requirements per ordinance/charter to hold a position on a City Board/Commission.
New ADA doors at city hall
In a memo to officials in the recent meeting packet City Clerk Jason Bell explained how the city was recently awarded a Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (MAMC) ADA grant, up to $10,000, for accessibility upgrades/improvements of election polling locations. Bell said his department applied for this grant in the full amount to upgrade two entry doors at city hall with ADA automatic door openers. The grant application was approved and $10,000 was awarded to complete the project. The MAMC required at least two quotes be submitted with the application, and two quotes were obtained, one from Preferred Glass in the amount of $9,600 and one from FBH Architectural Security Inc in the amount of $10,646. Neither of these quotes includes the cost of electrical connections in the building but that can be completed by Sideline Electric and covered under general fund budget. Bell wrote that it was his recommendation that officials approve the purchase and installation of the ADA door openers at city hall by Preferred Glass under the MAMC grant not to exceed $11,000. Officials unanimously approved the project.
Historic city hall update
Historical Society of Marine City representatives Georgia Phelan told city officials during public comments that the group remains dedicated to finding someone to buy and renovate the old city hall at 300 Broadway. She said the group has done several things to that end including providing money for updating the fire suppression system at the building to the tune of $3,000. “A buyer coming in is going to be buying into a community, we’re hoping that they would come in, keep the building and make some component for public use,” Phelan said. “And we want them to have a real feeling for this community and for the support that is here for that building.”
