By By JAN GRIFFEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Ring Lardner eighth graders, who must attend a municipal board meeting as part of their studies, picked a winner in the Niles City Council meeting Monday night - at least from the students' perspective.
The city council flew through its unusually brief agenda in record time of about seven minutes.
Among the council's decisions Monday was the approval of the use of Riverfront Park this Saturday by the Berrien County Civitan Club for its annual Easter Egg Hunt.
The council also approved a contract with Peerless-Midwest Inc. of Mishawaka, Ind., for $17,000 for the complete overhaul of the pump at the Parker Well.
The council approved two five-year ground leases at the Niles Airport - one to Richard Martin of Granger, Ind., and one to Larry Fischer of Berrien Center.
In preparation of a road widening project slated to begin this spring construction season, the council approved a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the relocation of water services on M-51 from US 12 BR to the north city limits.
And, the council approved a request from the Friends of Niles Riverfest Committee for a $2,500 donation to assist with promotion of Riverfest 2005.
Lastly, the council approved the appointment of Brian Hess of Niles to a four-year term on the Downtown Development Authority and Heather Sander to the Niles Housing Commission to complete the unexpired term of Judith Schick.