Saline MI
7-02-2013 2:10am

Council Studies Transit Proposal, Tightens Up on Fireworks Ordinance

Here’s a rundown of the news from the July 1 meeting of Saline City Council:

Council Talks Transit at Work Session

City council learned about the different ways the Ann Arbor Transit Authority might be able to serve Saline residents. Months after plans for a county-wide transit authority were scuttled, city leaders and AATA officials continue to talk about models for funding and service.

AATA presented a proposal including a daily connector from the city to Briarwood Mall, express runs from Saline to downtown Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan, a community circulator route linking the city, Woodland Drive, and Saline High School and Wal-Mart, and a Dial-A-Ride Service. AATA officials would roll out services over five years, with the eventual cost to the city being about $175,000 annually. Officials estimated in year one of the program, a smaller offering of services might costs the city $35,000 annually.

The proposal received a mixed reaction. No one on council was as enthusiastic in their support as council member Jim Peters was in his opposition to the idea. Peters said 14 of the 15 people he talked to were against the idea. He said he didn’t think bus service was the right fit for Saline.  Mayor Brian Marl said he thought transit could provide necessary service for the elderly and disabled. Councilor Dean Girbach said transit is becoming more attractive option for Saline residents employed at the University of Michigan, where parking is becoming an expensive proposition.

Marl said he supported the concept of public transportation for many reasons, but said he also had to weigh those reasons against the cost – something he’s sensitive to after voting to raise property taxes on Saline residents.

Marl said the city would continue to work with the AATA to find an affordable way to provide transit service to residents.

In other news:

·         Council passed a new ordinance that adds restrictions to the fireworks ordinance. City residents can now only discharge fireworks between 8 a.m. at 1 a.m. on holidays, the day before holidays or the day after holidays. Council voted 6-1 on the ordinance. Councilor Lee Bourgoin voted against the proposal, saying he thought the $500 penalty was too high.

·         City council accepted a memo from Parks and Recreation Director Carla Scruggs regarding People’s Park and the sale of the 207 Monroe Street property. Council, however, decided not to take action on the memo and decided to postpone deciding on a broker to assist in marketing and selling the property.

·         Council voted 7-0 approve a $13,218 bid from American Rentals for the Saline Celtic Festival tent rental and installation.

·         Council voted 6-1 to approve an “economic fact sheet” that will be available at city hall, the Rec Center and library, as well as at upcoming townhall meetings. Council member Lee Bourgoin voted against approving the flyer, saying the years highlighted in the flyer do not give a true picture of the city’s financial picture.

·         The next Saline City Council meeting will be broadcast live on SCTN (Comcast Channel 18).

·         City council asked DPW Director Jeff Fordice to find a University of Michigan engineering intern to conduct a sidewalk inventory.  The DPW staff is stretched too thin to conduct the study in a timely manner.  The inventory is designed to help the city determine which sidewalks must be repaired.

·         Councilor Jim Peters noted that the Parks Commission’s Green Thumb program is underway. Residents can nominate neighbors with nice gardens and yards for the Green Thumb award.

·         Councilor David Rhoads noted that the Environmental Commission is going to try to address the falling residential recycling rate in the city. Rhoads said recycling has declined significantly in recent years. “We want to focus on a way to ramp up recycling efforts,” he said. One idea is to create a public service message on SCTN.

·         Mayor Marl said last week’s industry summit was well attended and productive. It was organized by Kathy Corfman, the city’s business ambassador. Marl said the city received valuable input from Ann Arbor SPARK and the MEDC. He also said the city will form a committee with the help of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce to begin implementing economic development policies recommended by SPARK. A summit for retail and services businesses is expected in the fall.

·         Councilor Dean Girbach said the city’s Main Street program was visited by experts from the National Main Street program. He said the two-day visit should provide a lot of feedback and direction for the young program, which is dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Saline.

·         Mayor Marl gave his mid-year State of the City address.

 

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