Voters to decide fate of contentious chicken proposal

At Monday’s Tecumseh City Council meeting, council members voted 6-1 to place the petition wording allowing residents to keep backyard chickens within the city limits on the November 3 election ballot. Councilmember Ron Wimple was the dissenting vote. “I would like to applaud Lee [Walsh] and Jessica [White-house] and the others that worked so diligently to get the signatures,” said Council-member Gary Fox. “I think that’s a great example of democracy in action. And I feel that with the division the issue has caused on our council as well as in public, I agree we need to put this on the ballot.”In April, residents began a petition drive after council voted twice denying a request by residents to create a backyard chicken ordinance that would allow residents to keep such animals on their property. Only 650 signatures were needed for the petition to go before council, who could have voted to accept the petition language as submitted. Of the 950 signatures that were collected, the city clerk verified 824 as registered voters.“I respect the committee that went and gathered the signatures,” said Wimple. “But foremost, they came to city council in the beginning trying to work with the city to try to get a city chicken program in place. That never materialized. They ended up being punished for coming to the city with their proposal. I just see this as Gary [Fox] said, it’s government work from the grassroots level. And even though there’s a motion and a second before us, I cannot support that motion at this time.” Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch announced to council Monday that he would be stepping down from his position with the city. Welch said he would be moving to Ann Arbor with his wife to start a new career there. Welch said the decision was “bittersweet, but one of those that had to be made from time to time.” His last day will be sometime in the middle of July this year, he said. Council unanimously approved a tentative letter of agreement with the Police Officers Labor Union. The contract is effective July 1 and goes through June 30, 2018. The contract calls for one-and-a-half percent wage increase each year for the first two years and a two percent wage increase in the contract’s third year. Welch said the next step is to prepare the union contract, which would then come back before council for the approval of the signing. Monday, council also approved the purchase of the Movies in the Park equipment for a total of $16,449. The city crowdfunded $17,011 and received a grant from the Michigan Economic Develop-ment Corporation, increasing funding to $31,661. The purchase of the equipment includes a 20 x 11-foot inflatable screen; high-definition projector; pro-audio mixer; two 450-watt speakers; Blu-Ray player; screen repair kit; air blower; and various cords. The equipment will be purchased from Open Air Cinema in Lindon, Utah. During Welch’s City Manger’s Report, Welch noted the fountain at Adam’s Park, located next to City Hall, was no longer working. “The DPW [Department of Public Works] has been babying it for the last four or five years and I think it’s officially done,” Welch said, adding that the only way to fix the fountain is to dig it up. He noted there were other issues with it as well though he is working on ideas on how best to use that space going forward. Welch also commented on the lack of mowing at the former Tecumseh Products Company. He said notices had been sent to the property owner, but due to the high cost of mowing the property — $2,000-$3,000 each time — the city is working with city attorney Scott Baker to attempt to go a different route so the city’s not stuck with the bill. Often the charge for the city completing the mowing goes on the property’s tax bill. In other business:• Council approved the Parade of Lights event for Saturday, June 27 • The City Manager’s Report noted Tecumseh Police Department Officer Brett Coker has been promoted to sergeant, which took effect May 10• Council approved the Tax Increment Financing and Development Plan for the SmartZone Local Development Finance Authority for the cities of Adrian and Tecumseh after no comments were made at a 7:35 p.m. public hearing• Council adjourned into closed session for labor negotiations

Tecumseh Herald

 

110 E. Logan St.
P.O. Box 218
Tecumseh, MI 49286
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800-832-6443

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