City of Belleville negotiates with Wayne Co. over paving costs

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
On Sept. 15, the Belleville City Council reluctantly approved an intergovernmental agreement with Wayne County concerning the resurfacing of East Huron River Drive from Sumpter Road to Martinsville next summer.
At the Dec. 1 council meeting there was some more discussion on what is happening now, as city attorney Steve Hitchcock is negotiating with the county about the cost.
“Our attorney is talking with them saying, this is what we paid on your roads and we think we did our share,” said City Manager Diana Kollmeyer, referring to the work at Five Points and other pieces of the county roadways, especially during the resurfacing of Main Street.
The agreement with the county involved paying $22,525 as the first payment to the county for 50% of the local share of resurfacing the roadway. After bids are taken, if the total cost is more than the $934,950 estimated, with the city’s share $45,050, Belleville could opt out of the project.
The county project is partially funded with federal money.
The funds Belleville would use are state Act 51 road funds and the city doesn’t get Act 51 funds for East Huron River Drive.
City attorney Steve Hitchcock was to look into whether it is legal to use those funds for a county project.
DPW Director Keith Tackett said that is a “grey area.”
The question is whether the city can use its Local and Major street funds on a county road that doesn’t belong to the city, Kollmeyer said.
“They’re concerned about US repairing THEIR roads,” said Councilman Tom Fielder.
The project will mill off the surface and resurface and restore the shoulder with grass. It will take 65 days and would start after the 2015 Strawberry Fest, so it will be done by next fall.
Mike Renaud asked from the audience about the surveying he has seen recently on West Huron River Drive.
Tackett said he talked to the survey crew and they said there are some plans for resurfacing that area, but it would be about two years out.
In other business at the 20-minute, Dec. 1 meeting, the council:
• Set a 7:30 p.m., Dec. 15 public hearing on the proposed Snow Emergency Ordinance that would require vehicles to be removed from streets after an emergency is declared so the streets can be plowed;
• Set a 7:30 p.m., Dec. 15 public hearing on use of the 2015 federal CDBG funds. Of the $57,000 expected, $40,470 is planned for the ADA canoe/kayak launch at Horizon Park. There also will be $9,830 for senior/disabled services city-wide, $1,000 for senior chore services, and $5,700 for program administration and strategic planning;
• Deferred to the Dec. 15 council meeting a closed-door session to consult with the city attorney on the strategy for pending litigation;
• Learned the winners of the Christmas Decorating Contest will be presented with their awards at the Dec. 15 meeting;
• Approved the annual Maintenance, Special Events, and Pavement Restoration permits with Wayne County;
• Approved the official council meeting dates for 2015, generally the first and third Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m. The meetings will be on Tuesdays, instead, on Jan. 20, Feb. 17, and Sept. 8 because of holidays;
• Approved accounts payable of $115,039.98 and the following departmental purchases in excess of $500: to Miss Dig for membership, $980 from the Water Department; and to Quint Plumbing for repair, $948.41 from the Water Department;
• Heard 34th District Court Judge David Parrott express gratitude for the support of the city in his recent successful bid for reelection. He said more than 68% of the voters in the city supported him. “I am deeply humbled and honored. Thank you for your support.” He said, going into his third term, he will continue to adhere to the high standards at the 34th District Court and continue to work cooperatively with the two other judges there. And, he will continue “to dispense justice fairly, and firmly when called for,” he said; and
• Heard Councilman Fielder say that Judge Parrott is part of a group of three judges at the 34th District Court that work well together and have an outstanding reputation. He said in another city, nearby, he has been told the judges don’t talk to one another. He said the City of Plymouth
pays $50,000 to support its district court and Belleville pays nothing, getting an income, instead. “We’re very fortunate,” Fielder said.