Tecumseh City Council accepts park amendment, receives budget draft

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh City Council approved amendments to restrictions for the John W. Smith Park at its meeting on Monday, April 16, to further clarify that the Community Foundation is allowed to build on the land.

“John W. Smith Park was originally given to the city through a trust with deed restrictions placed on it and these restrictions were amended to make it clear that we can build on that property,” said Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch. “We believe the original restrictions allowed us to as well, but the trustees and the city felt it was best to clarify that so there was never a question as to the appropriateness of this.”

Welch said the action simply helps clarify the situation and allows the Community Foundation to be very assured there was no issue with this type of use for the property. He also noted in the city manager’s report that the city has received formal approval from the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for construction on the property. Both have determined there is no obstruction involved. Krieghoff-Lenawee has begun bidding of the construction which is slated to begin in early May. The city’s Department of Public Works has also begun clearing the land in preparation of the building pad for the AJ Smith Rec Center.

Council also received a draft of the recommended 2012-2013 city budget with total budget expenditures of just under $5 million. By ordinance, the city manager is required to present the budget to council in April. Council is expected to approve the budget on May 7 following a public hearing.

Welch said there were still a few things in limbo, including what the state is going to do regarding the elimination of personal property and when that might take effect, and where state revenue sharing would end up.

“We adopt our budget before the state does, and we might have to make an amendment, which we have done before,” Welch said.
The city also approved bids from Michigan Paving and Materials of Jackson for $71,000 for asphalt paving of W. Pottawatamie St. and W. Kilbuck St. from Union to Adrian streets; and Barrett Paving Materials of Ypsilanti for $63,331 for ultra thin overlay paving of Derby and Stetson streets. Welch said the thin set work was similar to what was done in the industrial park and greatly enhances the life expectancy of the road.

In other business, the council members:

• Approved a letter of agreement with the Police Officers Labor Union allowing an officer to purchase back retirement credit due to a problem that occurred while the officer was on worker’s compensation.

• Approved the 2012 City of Tecumseh Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 28.

• Reappointed Larry Ash and Stacy Downing to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.