Possible sidewalk plan could include special assessments

Acting on a request from Tecumseh City Council, City manager Kevin Welch presented information on Monday regarding areas in the city that lack sidewalks. Welch provided council a map indicating areas without sidewalks. “There are subdivisions in the city that I don’t believe were ever intended to have sidewalks such as River Acres, part of Herrick Park,” said Welch. “However, there are gaps in other areas of the city. I’m sure installing some of the sidewalks would not be the most welcomed thing that you ever decided, even probably less welcomed than what you might do about a city manager.”Currently, the city requires sidewalks be apart of site plans for new construction. In order to install sidewalks where homes have already been built, the city can create a special assessment district where the homeowner pays for the installation or the city foots the cost. The special assessment process takes 90 to 120 days as public notices must be sent out along with scheduling public hearings, said Welch, who suggested council begin such a process in January of the year the work would be completed. “We got spots in the city that definitely need them and we need to work on that,” said councilmember Gary Naugle.Welch said he has received some complaints where sidewalks are missing, especially on North Union Street. Both councilmember Ron Wimple and Mayor Jack Baker said they want to keep abreast of the situation. “The special assessment process is rather lengthy, as you [Welch] had indicated, and perhaps it would be better if indeed this council decides to take that avenue that we would address that under the new city manager because it’s not something that we really want to start and have somebody else pick the ball up,” said Baker. “I personally would rather have the new city manager involved with that from start to finish if indeed that’s the route.”Welch said he would have it on his list of things for the next city manager to do.Council approved end-of-year budget amendments for the 2014-2015 fiscal year Monday evening. With the current amendments approved, the city is adding $26,000 back into the general fund balance, according to Welch. That’s $11,000 more than was projected when the budget was adopted last year. “The estimate is you performed a little bit better than we originally anticipated,” Welch told council. “Again, we still have a couple of weeks left and there’s always a few surprises here and there.” Council approved a new fundraiser at Globe Mill Pond called Endless Feast that will raise money to help end childhood hunger in Lenawee county with proceeds benefiting the Communities in Schools of the Tecumseh Area backpack program and the Lenawee Boys and Girls Club. The fundraiser is Thursday, Aug. 6, and will feature a locally-sourced farm-to-table dinner prepared by Chef Alan Merhar and a table seating 100 people lining the banks of Globe Mill Pond. Tickets are $100 and include live entertainment, beer and wine. In other business, council: • Approved the beer tent at Evans Street Station for July 17 through July 19• Appointed Dan Meikle to the Historic Preservation Commission to a vacant seat with a term expiring January 2017