The boundary survey, title work, and environmental assessment, including a Baseline Environmental Assessment, have been completed on 3.01 acres of Bliss Clearing Niagara (BCN) property; the purchase agreement has been reviewed by legal staff for both BCN and the city and has been delivered to BCN for its final review.

 

The council approved closing on the property, but not before Councilwoman Brenda McNabb Stange protested not being able to see the final version sent to BCN. She argued any changes made by attorneys should be seen by the council.

 

She was not satisfied with Community Director Dan King’s explanation that the changes were the result of language differences with the Germen legal staff for BCN…“There were no major changes. It was just language.”

 

“Any impact on taxpayers should not be made by lawyers…why we are always up against the wall on these things?” she asked.  City Manager Jeff Mansfield said it was the nature of the business to be up against the wall... he argued for some flexibility, noting, “we trust the city staff to work out language differences.”

 

The council also approved an agreement with Advantage Plumbing and Drain for a 4.1 acre parcel of property to be purchased by the city. The survey and title work have been reviewed and accepted and the closing will move ahead.

 

Two reminders from Monday night’s council meeting: The DPW staff will be making a single pass through the city beginning April 15. Residents are urged to place yard waste, small branches, twigs, and leaves, between the sidewalk and curb before the pickup and do not place the piles in the street.

 

And, The Hastings Fire Department annual Pancake Breakfast will be May 11 at 110 East Mill in Hastings from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. The firefighters will do an extrication demonstration at the station at 9 a.m.