By Staff
Dowagiac's Housing Incentive Commission awarded four grants totaling $1,300. Projects approved included re-roofing, new windows and complete house paintings.
This was the fourth meeting of the fiscal year. At this point $1,690 remains from the $10,000 2004-2005 appropriation, which has addressed 26 applications.
Flag pole leaning
by monument
Two incidents last week resulted in damage to city property.
The first involved a driver hitting a lamp post and flag pole near the World War I monument on Main Street.
The driver was charged with OUIL. The city will be filing an insurance claim for damages.
The second damage incident involved the Rotary Park restroom. Its door was kicked in. Aside from damage to the door and lock, no other damage was noted.
The Police Department is investigating the matter.
Water and sewer
rates to increase
City Manager Bill Nelson expects to bring before City Council a recommendation for water and sewer rate adjustments for first reading in April.
Based on preliminary review by Dowagiac's consultant, city officials expect the composite rate increase to be just under 5 percent, with sewer being somewhat more and water somewhat less.
This will result in an increase of about $1.75 per month for the average residential customer.
Other proposed changes include increases in penalties for late payments and increases in re-connection fees.
Also, the administration will be proposing a refund of utility deposits for those customers who have remained current with their payments for 12 months.
Police conducting
traffic survey
Police Chief Tom Atkinson will be conducting a community-wide survey regarding traffic safety issues.
Survey results will allow city officials to target those areas that appear to have the most resident concerns.
One tool in assisting with this enforcement effort will e the leasing of a radar trailer for two weeks per month for six months. This lease will be funded by the award Dowagiac Police Department received from AAA Michigan for innovative traffic enforcement.
Pothole patching
and other projects
City crews are in the process of patching potholes that developed during the winter throughout the community.
The city is also in the process of evaluating bids for an upgrade of the filter system at the wastewater treatment plant. This evaluation will take several weeks. Nelson hopes to have a recommendation for City Council's consideration "within a month or so."