Saline MI
8-21-2012 12:29am

City Council Approves Oktoberfest, Deal with Teamsters, Water for Reenders Development and More

 

Here’s a quick summary of Monday’s Saline City Council meeting.

  • After meeting in closed session City Council voted 6-0 to ratify the deal with the Teamsters Local 214, representing DPW and Recreation department workers. The one-year contract increases pay by two percent and lifts the freeze on step and longevity increases. Workers will pay three percent of their pre-tax income toward their retirement plan.
  • City council approved the purchase of a new Chevy Tahoe from Crispin Chevrolet. The 2013 Tahoe replaces a police cruiser wrecked during a crash July 31. Insurance will pay $15,800 to replace the cruiser, leaving the city to pay $17,210 to purchase and equip the Tahoe for police use. This is the city’s second Chevy Tahoe. Police Chief Larry Hrinik said he does not expect the police department will purchase a vehicle in next year’s budget.
  • City Council approved a request from Reenders Inc. to lift the moratorium on wholesale water sales within the city. Reenders Inc. is building the Linden Square assisted living program at Maple Road and Woodland Drive. Earlier this year, in response to drilling for oil taking place in Lodi Township, city council voted to place a moratorium on wholesale water sales. The company drilling for oil was purchasing city water as part of the process. Reenders will use water to drill a geothermal well and to help control dust on the site. The moratorium remains on the sale of wholesale water for use outside the city limits.
  • Saline Police Chief Larry Hrinik and Saline Police Officer Chris Boulter showed city council how well the “Red Barrel” drug collection operation is working. Boulter produced two plastic bags full of pills and medication dropped off in the barrel since it was installed in late July. The barrel is located in the lobby next to the dispatch desk at the Saline Police Department. The Red Barrel project was created to help families safely dispose of unused medications that can fall into the wrong hands or adversely impact water sources.
  • City council unanimously approved Ocktoberfest and Harvest of the Arts for Sept. 28-29. The event is being organized by Saline Main Street this year.
  • City council approved the annual renewal premium with the Michigan Municipal League liability and property pool for $130.464, a 0.3 percent decrease from last year.
  • During public comment, Pittsfield Township resident asked City Council to reveal all the information he requested about the arrest of Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint. Douglas Smith said the police department has refused to provide the name on the registration of the vehicle Toussaint was driving when he was arrested by Saline Police for drunk driving while on a detail in the city of Ann Arbor. After the meeting, Chief Hrinik said the department provided all the information it can. Hrinik said the information Smith requested came through the Michigan Law Enforcement Information Network channel and, therefore, the police department is not permitted to share the information.
  • Council member David Rhoads said the city’s environmental commission recently met with an official from Waste Management. During the meeting, the commission learned that, on average, the typical Saline resident recycles 50 percent more than the typical resident from a neighboring community. Rhoads also said the commission was pleased to see organizers of Oktoberfest and Harvest of the Arts make requests for so many recycling containers. Rhoads also said SCTN station manager Chase Stanton has agreed to produce public service messages that will air on the station periodically.
  • Council member Brian Marl was absent.
  • Mayor Gretchen Driskell reminded council that the Old Fashion Ice Cream Social will be held at the Weber-Blaess One Room School from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.
  • Saline Parks and Recreation Director Carla Scruggs said Movie in the Park takes place at Mill Pond Park Friday. The event is sponsored by Gym America, who will do demonstrations and monitor the bounce houses. The movie, Rio, begins at dusk. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m.
  • Council member Linda TerHaar reported the South Central Transit District Advisory Committee of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority will meet at the Saline Senior Center from 7-9 p.m., Sept. 11. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss revisions to the five-year transit program plan for the region.
More News from Saline
I'm interested
I disagree with this
This is unverified
Spam
Offensive