City Manager’s Newsletter

Lansing Street Repaving Project Update: This road reconstruction project will be “buttoned up” by next week. The affected sections were resurfaced this past weekend. Final touches, including the painting of road stripes, will occur very soon. Lansing Street has now re-opened for travel.

Leaf Program And Curb-Side Brush Pick-Up—Loose leaf pick-up by City crews is set for November 16th through December 4th, provided Mother Nature cooperates. The DPW site for leaf-drop off by residents, located behind the City salt storage barn off BR-US 27, is open 24/7.

City staff thanks the many residents who bagged or brought leaves to the DPW collection site. This is an environmentally sound practice. Water quality in mid-Michigan streams and rivers is enhanced when leaves are not washed from curbs into municipal storm water catch basins and storm sewers.

Please note: all curb-side brush collection has been suspended until March of 2010. Residents can haul limbs, branches and other brush to the DPW compost/collection site at any time of the year, day or night.

Fantasy Forest—This popular playground area in our City Park is up and running again following the destruction of parts of the playground equipment by a suspected arsonist. Much gratitude is owed to Cindy Knight for her artwork, and to Dan Zuker, Mark J Fedewa, and Pete Motz for their contributions. Next spring we will be re-sealing the playground and will be performing additional maintenance as needed.

Public Safety/Fire Department Appointments—The City Commission unanimously appointed Charlie Hyler as Chief of the St. Johns Fire Department. Charlie has been with the department for 38 years, and has a wealth of fire-fighting experience.

Public Safety Director Michael Madden, who also serves as police chief, was re-appointed as Director of Public Safety. Both the Fire Chief and the Public Safety Director serve at the pleasure of the City Commission.

Audit Report: Audit Presentation: The 2008—2009 audit was presented to the St. Johns City Commission at its November 9, 2009 public meeting. Abraham & Gaffney prepared the audit, and the presentation to the commission once again indicated the City’s financial condition to be sound. For the ninth straight year the City received the GFOA Award for its excellence in financial reporting. Fewer than 5% of Michigan municipalities receive this annual award. City Treasurer Gregory Teichman and his staff are to be commended for their dedication and professionalism. It was noted during the meeting that City staff and elected officials are confronting the substantial challenge of balancing City revenues and expenditures in the face of the state’s economic downturn and legislative cuts in revenue-sharing.

Clinton County Economic Allaince Report: John Czarnecki, Executive Director of the CCEA, reported to the St Johns City Commission the 2008/2009 accomplishments for the organization. The expansion of Mahle Engine Components, Allied Ring, Michigan Milk Producers, and Quest Software are just a few of the major successes that the organization has been able to provide assistance. The organization is funded by both public and private entities that are committed to retaining and growing new businesses in Clinton County. Additionally, this organization is dedicated to building an entrepreneurship program cultivating that next generation of successful business owners. The City Commission thanked Mr. Czarnecki for all he has done for Clinton County and fully supports the ongoing efforts of the CCEA.

City Commission Needs Interested Citizens To Serve: The City of St. Johns has openings for interested citizens to fill vacancies on various boards and committees. Citizens of the City of St. Johns interested in serving on a board or committee should print off an application from the website at www.cityofsaintjohnsmi.com and send it to the City Clerk’s Office, PO Box 477, St Johns, Michigan 48879 or call 989-224-8944 ext 223.

Dangerous Building Report: The City Commission is pursuing the demolition of a garage that recently caught fire on North Lansing Street. The City Commission set an appeals hearing for November 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. or as soon thereafter that the matter may be heard. The City was informed by the property owner that his insurance carrier was awaiting demolition bids prior to award. The City wishes to work with the owner of the structure to remove it in a timely fashion. This municipal involvement is undertaken pursuant to the provisions of the Dangerous Buildings ordinance.

Santa Parade Of Lights Event: The Downtown Management Board submitted a special event permit to the City Commission for approval of the Santa Parade of Lights for December 4, 2009 at 5:45. The City Commission approved the request with the Honorable Mayor Beaman presenting the key to the City to the jolly man in red. Mark your calendars to attend this official welcoming of Santa Claus to the St. Johns area.