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DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac City Council addressed several routine financial resolutions and approved a state grant for the city’s South Front Street renovation project during its meeting Monday at city hall.

The council unanimously approved a resolution to accept a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for the South Front Street renovation project.

The grant covers Phase 1 of the project, focusing on Mill Pond Park at the end of South Front Street. The work includes redoing the footbridge, adding kayak and water access points and creating new trails and parking. The grant will provide $300,000 toward the total project cost of $512,000. The application was originally submitted in April 2024 but was delayed at the state level. 

The city plans to move forward with construction starting in the spring. While the city had hoped to have design work ready for bidding now, it will likely be ready next year.

“​​Usually, we see these grant agreements come in the springtime,” said Assistant City Manager Amanda Sleigh. “With budget concerns at the state level, they were delayed but we’re ready to get those projects moving.”

In other business, council approved two resolutions levying special assessments for delinquent utilities and one for outstanding mowing and blight invoices. Twice each year, the Building and Customer Service Departments review accounts to develop a list of billings that are six months or more past due. These outstanding balances can be placed as liens on the property tax bills. Approved by the council, the liens will now be placed onto the Winter 2025 tax bills for collection.

Council also approved an updated personnel policy regarding sick time. The change was driven by recent state-level amendments to the employee sick leave policy. The amendments combine existing sick time into a single time bank of 72 hours to comply with state requirements. The policy now also formalizes that part-time employees will earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The change was made to ensure that no employees lose any time off previously given.