Updates on Sage Creek and PD Succession Plan on city agenda
IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City Commission had a full agenda in front of them for their regular bi-weekly meeting Tuesday night of this week.
Among the agenda items was an update on a new stretch of sidewalk that runs along M-53 and under the railway bridge, just south of Third St.
After months of planning and coordination between several agencies, the concrete walkway, under the railway bridge overpass, is nearing completion.
The new concrete walkway goes past the bowling alley north to Third St., a section that previously had no sidewalk.
The new $217,000 sidewalk along Van Dyke, near Third St. in Imlay City, is nearing completion.
Now, the walkway makes a full connection to businesses south from First St. and north to Third St.
City Manager Craig Horton says the $217,000 price tag is covered by funds in the City’s Sidewalk and Streets millage fund.
Imlay City Commission member Ted Sadler was among those from the city involved in the project and was pleased to see it has become a reality.
“With that project close to being done, it now connects a section that previously did not have a safe place for people to walk,” Sadler said. “This new sidewalk is really nice. It’s great to see.”
Finishing touches, including a decorative safety railing on a cement wall, was yet to be installed last week.
Talks are still underway between the city and officials from CN Railroad regarding the possibility of having the bridge painted.
In other commission news, City Manager Horton was expected to give the members an update on the sale of city property.
Owners of the Memphis-based Sage Creek Winery have expressed interest in purchasing property on Third St., that formerly housed the Imlay City Fire Department and DPW, for possible expansion. The company intends to move their production phase of the business to Imlay City.
Horton had indicated he expected to move the process along quickly, but attorneys for both sides pumped the brakes and met June 8th in a negotiation session to see if a deal could be reached.
Previously, a city attorney had said the city wants to do what is best for both parties and “not give the property away.”
The Commission was also slated to discuss further a Succession Plan by the police department that included a request for two addditional officers.
No monetary value, of what the plan meant financially to the city, was presented. Chief Brett Selby was to work with Horton to come up with a cost.
Horton had said it was difficult to move forward, until negotiations with police officers concluded.
