A. CEDAM Fellow Application

The MEDC and the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) are offering a fellowship program to assist communities with Economic Development activities specifically related to the Redevelopment Ready Communities Program. We have engaged this program but haven't yet received certification. I applied for a fellow this week in coordination with DDA Main Street. If accepted, we would host a fellow for 15 months who would be tasked with assisting us in three primary goal areas: more and better housing; RRC Certification; and, broadband/fiber expansion. Our total cost would be $6,000; I would anticipate a serious effort at these same goals would cost more than this amount.

B. Infrastructure Projects

We are moving forward with some smaller infrastructure projects around town for the coming construction season. The first of these is a sewer extension down Rose Lane (off May Street) to support home construction planned for this neighborhood. We are currently seeking EGLE permits for the work and expect a spring or summer construction. As part of this, we hope to address a couple bad sections of May Street, specifically at May and Carpenter with asphalt. Later in the year, we anticipate construction in the Palmer Parking Lot and along Pine River Lane for water main upgrades. We had contact this week with the DNR about coordination for the Palmer work.

C. COVID-19 Preparations

At this point, there are two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan and both are in the metro Detroit area. I have been in communication with my colleagues in Boyne City and East Jordan and we have been sharing information received from the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. I have also been reviewing preparedness information from the Michigan Municipal League and the ICMA on what local governments should do to prepare their personnel and residents. Ultimately, the best advice is for good sanitation and hand washing and special vigilance for older residents. This is a good time to remind our residents that they can make utility payments over the phone or via the internet to avoid going out if they are unwell or at particular risk (or just want a convenient option). We do plan to move forward with Winterfest Activities at Mt. McSauba this weekend. Obviously planning for other future events will depend on guidance we receive from health leaders going forward.

We do offer sick leave to our full-time and many of our part-time employees. We will continue monitoring our workforce to ensure essential public services are managed. At this point, I do not feel it is warranted to close buildings or reduce availability because our services are essential but I will keep apprised of recommendations from health professionals moving forward. I have attached a fact sheet from the CDC about the virus and would suggest you check out information available from the Michigan Municipal League by clicking here. 

We continually review our procedures, including cleaning practices, to ensure we are following the guidance of health professionals. As always, concerned residents should call if they need extra assistance or have questions.

D. Handicap Parking

In the next couple of days, our staff are cleaning up and adding new signage around handicap parking spaces downtown. We also plan to add a handicap space in the Kusina lot near Antrim Street. This will leave us with one space in this lot, one behind Petals, two next to Charlevoix Fitness, four behind Central Drug, and two in the DeWitt lot along with two by the Marina. Each public lot downtown will have at least one space with a couple others in other locations. We anticipate at last two additional spots will be created in the Palmer Lot when construction is complete. The DDA Main Street is also working on a map that can be distributed to easily show handicap spaces and procedures for those with a sticker who can't find a space.