By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Danielle Foster, 2007 Blossomtime Festival's Ms. Congeniality, was honored before the start of Monday night's City Council meeting.
Foster, a recent graduate of Niles High School, was given a key to the city by Mayor Mike McCauslin.
"I'm not sure what it opens," McCauslin said with a laugh, "but we're proud that you are representing Niles."
Foster thanked the Mayor, council members and all who attended for letting her be part of the meeting.
"I'm very happy to be here. The Blossomtime pageant has been a tremendous experience for me," she said.
Foster plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College in the fall, where she will major in business and communication.
Council members went on with their regular meeting schedule, approving several events on the night's agenda.
A 9 percent increase for Niles Utilities Department customers was also approved, meaning customers can plan on seeing around a $4.20 increase on their bills.
AEP Indiana Michigan Power, from whom the city purchases electricity, had costs that exceeded estimates by $270,817 for the last six months of 2006, an analysis revealed. A subsequent study determined a 9 percent increase would help to make up the difference, which the council approved.
Also Monday, the council approved the Police Department's request to purchase replacement soft body armor vests and tactical carries from CMP Distributors, Inc. of Lansing at a cost of $3,657.
The council also conformed with the new Berrien County Clean Indoor Air Regulation by prohibiting smoking in workplaces and public places in the city. Smoking is allowed outside public buildings, but smokers must be at least 25 feet from the entrances.
Among the list of events approved in the consent agenda was the Fort St. Joseph Museum and Western Michigan University's Anthropology Department's request to hold the fourth annual Fort St. Joseph Archeology Open House in Riverfront Park at the fort site on June 23 and 24.
Also approved was the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 3, with a rain date of Wednesday, July 4 scheduled. The event will take place at the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport.
In the city council member's report, Tim Skalla said the new fence in Silverbrook Cemetery is in place and ready to be painted.
"It's exciting. The Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery will be giving their first tour when Plain Oaks Community College visit Niles," Skalla said.
He added the group will tour the cemetery and visit some of the historical sites around town.
"If you haven't seen it yet, take a trip to the cemetery. They have done a great job," City Administrator Terry Eull said.
Also approved were:
Street closures to hold a block party during the Arts in Motion event to be held in downtown Niles June 22.
The Four Flags Crop Walk coordinators to hold the annual event in the city to raise funds to fight hunger on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
Accepting the quote of $7,093 from Fire Inc. of Coloma, MI for the purchase of four Scott Ska-Pak AT Supplied Air Breathing units and mobile Air Cart for use by the Fire Department.
Accepting the proposal of $48,690.00 from Siemens Power Transmission &Distribution, Inc. of Cedarville, for the purchase of voltage regulators for use by the Electric Division.
A contract with Michigan Safe Sidewalks of Ypsilanti in the amount of $25,000.00 to initiate a sidewalk grinding program to help eliminate trip hazards in various areas within the community.
adopting resolutions to establish the City millage rates and administrative fee to be levied on the 2007 tax rolls as follows:
A. Resolution to establish the City millage rate for the 2007 tax year;
B. Resolution to establish the additional City millage rates for the 2007 tax year prescribed by Act 5, Public Acts of Michigan, 1982; and
C. Resolution to establish the 1 percent administrative fee for the 2007 tax year.