Belleville DDA allocates $2,400 to fix damages to kayak/canoe launch

Over the past few weeks, damage has been done to the kayak/canoe launch in Horizon Park in the City of Belleville.
At its regular meeting on July 20, the Belleville Downtown Development Authority allocated $2,400 to pay for the replacement equipment and installation costs necessary to repair the structure.
DDA Coordinator Carol Thompson provided pictures showing the ADA bench support/sign holder that was removed in June and the two rollers removed from the launch in July.
Thompson said they have to replace the items stolen and figure out how to make it more secure, since the DDA has a contract with the Department of Natural Resources to maintain the launch. The MDNR paid for most of the launch project.
A bracket and instructions on how to use the ADA facility were taken and last week they were taking rollers, Thompson said.
Thompson said the rollers come in a set of five, at $1,267, and the DDA just needs two now, but the others could be kept for future repairs. That would be the cost for whatever they charge for installation, which was as yet undetermined.
Thompson said EZ Dock OIM of Caro charges $600 each fall and spring for maintenance. She said they have filed a police report and their insurance has a $1,000 deductible.
“They tore off the bracket from the boat launch, the bolts are gone, the brackets are gone and some bolt holes are damaged,” she said.
Jim Chudzinski, who recently was named to the DDA, suggested some ideas to make it more secure and said he would find time to go out and look at it.
Thompson said one of the parts comes out for the winter months, so the bolt can’t be welded in, as suggested.
“I think somebody stole it for the aluminum,” Chudzinski said, noting what they need to do is make it more secure.
Kids probably pried up the rollers, he said, and they’re probably lying at the bottom of the lake.
Thompson said, despite the no swimming signs, people have been swimming off and climbing up the launch which will eventually break it down. She provided pictures of more proposed signs for the launch.
“We have a contract with the MDNR that we will maintain it,” Thompson said.
“We need to get it repaired and get it fixed … and we need better security,” Chudzinski said.
Treasurer Sabrina Richardson Williams made a motion to allocate $2,400 for repair, seconded by Vice Chair Denise Baker and the motion passed unanimously. It was noted some will be paid by insurance.
In other business at the 40-minute meeting July 20, the DDA:
• Discussed the District Maintenance 2016 Revised Calendar draft that outlines what the DIA would pay the city for maintenance in the DDA district. The previous agreement has expired and the City and DDA are negotiating for a new agreement. The DDA wants to cut back and has gone out for bids. A possible private contractor for mowing parks and municipal property is being considered and changes in weed control, along with a suggestion for using Act 51 funds for snow plowing major streets. Kelly Bates, new president of Victoria Commons Homeowners Association pointed out some things that need to be done at Village Park. She asked about replacing the aerators with fountains, but was told that was too expensive; and
• Was informed that ten pieces of Detroit Institute of Arts’ Inside/Out art will be installed at locations around Belleville within the DDA district and will stay until October. The installation date is scheduled for July 28. In 2011 there were six paintings installed by the DIA.