Van-Rob Tecumseh may add jobs with upcoming IFT

Tecumseh City Council set a public hearing for Monday, Oct. 15, at 7:50 p.m. in order to hear comments on a proposal to add property owned by Van-Rob Tecumseh (formerly Lenawee Stamping) to the city’s current Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) district. Adding the property would allow the LDFA to capture city, county and library taxes paid by Van Rob and then use those funds for public road improvements.“This would give us the opportunity to create a TIF [tax increment financing] district and our intent was to be able to use that to pay for part of the road project on M-50 and Rogers Highway,” said Tecumseh City Manager, Kevin Welch. “This is just a necessary part of the process to create that district.”At a council meeting last month, a resolution was approved regarding city reimbursement from Van-Rob Tecumseh for the city’s match on the road improvement grant. The project involves improvements to Rogers Highway and a new turn lane on M-50 to allow Van-Rob to install a new eastern entrance. The total project cost, including the match at approximately $83,000, is estimated at $332,000.Last month council also set a Public Hearing for Oct. 15 at 7:35 p.m. to hear comments regarding a tax abatement for new investment of personal property by Van-Rob Tecumseh which could bring new jobs to the area. The council also appointed the following individuals to the Tecumseh Local Development Finance Authority for four-year terms, expiring Aug. 1, 2016: Jack Baker, Paul Bidwell, Robert Fox, Richard Johnson, Gary Naugle, Ron Wimple, and Jay Samelak. Also at Monday night’s meeting, the council authorized the mayor and city clerk to sign a deed providing Lenawee County access on a city parcel for the purpose of accessing the Red Mill Dam, to only be authorized should the county establish a lake level district.“The Lenawee County Drain Commission is proceeding with establishing a lake level district for Red Mill Pond, and requested that we give them access to the dam through an easement on our property,” said Welch. “Previously, Tecumseh Products had an access easement for the same reason, giving permission to cross property to get to the dam in case there was something that needed to be done that couldn’t be done from the other side. It’s a necessary part of the process to create that district.” Establishing the legal lake level district would provide funding for dam repairs and maintenance.In other business, the council members:• Gave Guy Manwaring a Certificate of Appreciation for his 18 years of service on the Downtown Development Authority, many as chair. Upon receiving Manwaring’s letter of resignation for personal reasons last month, council member Lawrence Van Alstine stated, “Guy has served the city well over 25 years in various roles and has always been very faithful and supportive of the city of Tecumseh. We should certainly thank him for all of his service.” Manwaring said he doesn’t plan to “completely go away,” and might be able to help the city on occasion in the future.• Heard a report from the city manager that a contingent from Tecumseh, Ontario, would be coming to the city during Appleumpkin on Sat., Oct. 13; and that discussion regarding a resident’s letter on burning in the city led to further discussions and research. Welch said that the city would likely make some future changes to the ordinance so that the rules were linked to what the Fire Department rules state.• Adopted amendments to the city’s water and wastewater extension policy to allow offering water to government entities, including a recent request by the Lenawee County Road Commission facility located on Raisin Center Highway in Raisin Township.• Reappointed Chris Masters and David Stimpson to the Downtown Development Authority and Board.