The City of Hastings has reconstructed part of East State Road, but put the work on hold when they found that continuing the work to the city limits was just too expensive at this time. Department of Public Services Director Lee Hays told the City Council that the Michigan Department of Transportation has agreed to allow the city to reallocate $342,000 in grant funding originally meant for East State Road to resurface a number of downtown streets later this summer.
Also, Monday, the council approved a two-year agreement with Wade Trim to provide a licensed operator for the water and wastewater plants for $119,648 the first year and $119,412.72 the second year. George Holzworth of Wade Trim, is the operator at the wastewater plant and will also operate the water plant.
In other business, the council held first readings of two ordinances; one to amend city sign regulations and the second to amend the ordinance covering Distributed Antenna Systems.
The council will have a second reading at its next meeting and likely make a decision on both.
Also approved was the installation of a propane filling station at 1633 South Hanover Avenue requested by Randy Hart on behalf of Rusty Bible. The proposal to have one 1,000 gallon tank to fill smaller propane tanks was submitted some time ago, but lacked site plan approval. “The site plan was approved with all the requirements and is ready for your approval,” City Manager Jeff Mansfield said.
Also, the council:
* approved Boy Scout Michael Moore installing blue bird houses at Bliss Park behind the semi truck parking area.
* approved a resolution to stay certain ordinances to accommodate the 42nd annual Summerfest in August.
*approved the Local Development Finance Authority’s restated five year “Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan” for the LDFA district.
* approved the application of a $30,000 grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs by Community Development Director Jerry Czarnecki. Last year, an $18,000 grant was awarded and used for downtown activities.
