City offered $15,000 for 412 New York

Published 9:57 am Tuesday, November 11, 2008

By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
A resolution of intent to sell property at 412 New York Ave. to April A. Ferris for $15,000 was adopted Monday night by Dowagiac City Council.
As purchaser, Ferris, of 58634 M-51 South, agrees to pay closing costs and to bring the home up to code.
The issue must remain on the table for 21 days before the council can take final action Nov. 24.
The property was acquired by the city through the HUD Dollar Homes Initiative on Jan. 23, 2008.
Ferris submitted her bid Oct. 22.
City Manager Kevin Anderson said Ferris fits the intent of the initiative by being a first-time home buyer who falls within the required income range.
Proceeds from the sale must be used for public purposes for the betterment of the community.
According to city records, the two-story, single-family home contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Built in 1890, its estimated true cash value is $53,769.
In other Nov. 10 business, the council gave final approval to amending water rates and service fees to reflect waiving the 200-percent utility rate surcharge charged for large customers outside the city limits for Southwestern Michigan College's 12-inch water main extended to its campus last summer for dormitory housing.
First reading occurred Oct. 27.
The council authorized Finance Director David Pilot to pay out $294,690.86, including $129,626.86 for bills and $165,064 for payroll.
Council members reflected on Election Day Nov. 4 and Veterans Day today.
Last Tuesday's strong turnout proved "that when the people speak, they can be heard," said First Ward Councilwoman Lori Hunt.
"I've never seen (City Clerk) Jim Snow so excited in my life as he was Tuesday," added Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Comstock. "He and his assistants did a great job. I hope people come back out like that and vote again."
Third Ward Councilman Leon Laylin suggested honoring poll workers with a resolution at an upcoming meeting for their 16 1/2-hour day.
"You don't realize that it starts long before the polls open," agreed Mayor Donald Lyons. "I was up there after the polls closed just to thank the folks who put in such a long day. One lady told me she was up at 4:30 to be here."
"With the training session they also have to go through, it's a big commitment," Laylin said.
Third Ward Councilman Dr. Charles Burling encouraged citizens "to remember our veterans (today). Especially keep in your prayers the people who are serving us right now. We're well-blessed as a nation to have people who are willing to come out and vote for elections, but we're even more blessed to have guys and gals who will stand up to defend us."
Snow, city clerk for 25 years, said 209 voters cast ballots between 7 and 8 a.m., which Lyons calculated, "There are 3,600 seconds in an hour, so 200 voters through in an hour would be one every 18 seconds."
The council ended its brief public meeting in closed session with City Manager Kevin Anderson to discuss negotiations related to the purchase and sale of real property.
"There have been some events taking place here in the last several days that I think we're all aware of that have brought some opportunities to the fore that had not been contemplated when this agenda was put together last Thursday," Lyons said, adding that there would be no action taken afterward.