Highlights of May 10 Utica City Council Meeting

GM Amateur Radio Club approved for Charitable Gaming License
Robert Corr of the GM Amateur Radio Club (GMARC), which was requesting approval for charitable gaming license, gave a short presentation on the special service club, which meets regularly at Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica. Corr described the services the 501C3 nonprofit club provides to the community, including helping to provide communication services to police and the community in times of emergency.  Council approved the request and mentioned that GMRAC planned to hold events at Snookers in Utica.

Council Approves Vendor for Canoe & Kayak Rentals at Heritage Park
Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan invited vendor Outdoor Escorts, LLC, a provider of canoe and kayak rentals, to present a proposal to open up a portion of the Clinton River, between Yates and Heritage Park, to recreational canoers. That stretch of the river would provide a safe and enjoyable experience for casual canoers, according to Jerry and Renee Reis, who operate Outdoor Escorts.  Noonan said the company was given a great recommendation by the Macomb County Planning & Economic Division and called it a perfect idea. Outdoor Escorts was given a one-year agreement to use the east side or Heritage Park for a pick-up and drop-off point for recreational canoers.  Bill Lang, superintendant of the Department of Public Works called it a “win-win” as the arrangement will mean more newcomers to downtown Utica.  Also, Jerry Reis said that Outdoor Escorts will police the river for garbage and ensure that all equipment is removed each night.

Building Inspector Resigns
City Council received and accepted a resignation letter from long-time building inspector Ed Durbin, whose last day of work was April 30.  Noonan said the city wanted to extend its appreciation for Durbin’s many years of service and wished him well.

DPW to Buy Paint Striping Machine
Bill Lang, superintendant of the Department of Public Works, requested and received approval to purchase a paint striping machine for $5,450.  The machine will replace the push cart and spray cans the city is currently using to stripe city streets. Owning the machine will lower both material and labor costs, according to Lang. Estimated costs of outsourcing the work to a vendor are $8,500 annually, so the city would offset the cost of the machine in less than two years. In addition to saving money in the long run, the city will also be able to buy paint in volume, which is better for the environment, Lang added.

Heritage Park Bridge to Open by this Weekend
The long-awaited Heritage Park bridge has been installed and should be open by this weekend, in time for runners of the 5K race scheduled for 9 a.m. May 14, according to Lang.  People can still register for the race at www.hansonsracearrangment.com . The hike and bike trail at Heritage Park will be dedicated late in July, Lang added.

Utica will Renew Membership in Urban County CDGB Program
City Clerk Cathy McGrail informed the council that she received notice that Utica needed to renew or opt out of its relationship with the Macomb Urban County Community Development Block Program (CDGB), which is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing. Noonan said that the program is a “godsend” as it takes care of much of the multitude of paperwork needed to apply for these grants and told the clerk to renew. The council approved the motion.

Mayor to Send Letter to Utica Community Schools about Combining Elections
City Clerk Cathy McGrail expressed appreciation to the workers at the May 3 Utica School Board election, during which 281 residents cast their votes. Mayor Noonan said she wanted to send a letter to the superintendent of Utica Schools as well as the Board of Education endorsing the idea of combining these types of future elections when possible.  The cost of an election to the city is between $40,000 and $60,000, “essentially the salary of a teacher,” Noonan said. Combining elections during these dire times, she added, would prevent a “ridiculous waste of money.” Council supported Noonan's idea.

Heritage Luncheon/Student Government Day
Mayor Noonan announced that library director Marsha Doege and DPW superintendent Bill Lang will be honored at the Heritage Luncheon, taking place May 11, at Dave & Busters. The Heritage Luncheon kicks off Michigan Week, which includes Student Government Day, May 17, when 10th-12th graders from Utica High School will replace city council for a half-day to get a firsthand look at how the city government is run.