By By JAN GRIFFEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Niles City Council plans to meet Wednesday night to discuss a proposal it will make to the Niles Township Board of Trustees to operate its police department.
Niles City Administrator Terry Eull said city and Niles police department officials have put together a proposal to provide full-time, comprehensive police services in Niles Township.
The township officers would be employees of the City of Niles, if the Niles Township board approves the city's proposal.
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey is also vying for the opportunity to contract for police services in Niles Township. He has been negotiating with township officials for more than a year.
The city's committee of the whole will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the city council's chambers at the city's fire station on East Main Street in Niles, across from the entrance to Silverbrook Cemetery.
Also at that meeting, the council will learn details of a proposal from Chemical Bank Shoreline to purchase from the city two lots it owns between Fourth and Fifth streets on Main Street.
The bank plans to build a new facility at that location, which is located next door to the Star building, owned by Leader Publications, publishers of the Niles Daily Star.
In other business at its meeting Monday night, the council:
evaluated the job performance of Eull during a 15-minute closed session. After that session, the council reconvened, gave Eull high praise for his job performance, as well as a three percent pay increase. Eull's salary, with the increase, is $91,500 per year. He also gets a longevity bonus worth 10 percent of his base pay each year on his work anniversary date.
approved spending about $22,000 to complete the faade renovation at 227 E. Main St. That money will be matched by grant funds.
supported a resolution urging the Michigan legislature to continue financial support of Amtrak's Blue Water Lines, which operates through the city. Funds to support that Amtrak service have been removed for the state's proposed budget for next fiscal year.