Financial considerations part of sidewalk assessment program

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh City Council held a public hearing on Monday night to hear comments regarding the proposed 2010 Sidewalk Special Assessment District in the area of Nokomis, Brown and N. Union Streets.

Resident Judy Furrow, who lives on Wenonah Street, said that this is the second time in her 15 years of residency that her property has been tapped for sidewalk repairs.

“I have no problem with paying for my part, it’s just part of being a citizen,” she said, but questioned why a street such as Herrick Park on the corner of Maumee goes unnoticed. “Children going to school have to walk in the street there,” she said. “My biggest concern is safety for the kids. It’s very dangerous.”

Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch said that he’s not sure specifically why that area has never been addressed, but noted that part of the selection process for the program includes the city’s ability to financially support its share of the improvements. He said he would review the situation in that area.

Tony Menyhart, who lives on Logan Street, said that he has seen an increase over the years in people walking in the community, and asked why streets that don’t have sidewalks on either side have never been addressed with installations on at least one side.

Welch said that the program has focused a lot on maintenance rather than installing new sidewalks, largely due to cost considerations.

“The city couldn’t afford to install sidewalks everywhere,” he said. Newer subdivisions have been required to include sidewalks, but older ones were not. Welch said the sidewalk assessment program was temporarily set aside because of costs, but the city is trying to do what it can to keep it going.

“Criteria includes how heavily the sidewalk is used and what kind of slipping or tripping hazards may be there,” he said.

A second public hearing was approved and will be held on Monday, Oct. 4, at 7:35 p.m.
The council members also approved a special events permit for the 17th annual Appleumpkin to be held on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9-10. Council member Jack Baker asked event chairperson Jan Fox to consider utilizing other city parking lots in future years.
“I’m just not comfortable with the fact that the same businesses are affected year after year,” said Baker. Fox said she would look into the possibility of rotating the lots.
In other business, the council members:

• Approved a special events permit to close M-50 from Pearl to Maumee Streets on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9:45-10:45 for a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
• Approved the closing of Maumee Street between Russell and Mohawk for a car show at ididit on Oct. 2, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Reappointed Dr. Don Phelan, Paul Bidwell, Edward Burt and Mildred (Chris) Gentz to the Zoning Board of Appeals for three year terms.
• Heard public comment from business owner Steve Pixley, who said limo services are still coming into the Tecumseh community and operating illegally. He shared information from a regulatory specialist with the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding violations by the visiting companies and asked why the law was not being enforced locally. Mayor Harvey Schmidt said Welch would look into the matter and report back to the council members.