Commissioners approve issues

The Three Rivers City Commission dealt with a variety of items during a relatively brief regular meeting last week (July 17)

The session included three public hearings during which there were no citizen comments. In each case, the commission approved the issue at hand. Specifically, commissioners:

• approved a Special Exception Use Permit for a Massage Establishment and Day Spa at the James Sherman Salon at 105/109 Portage Avenue

• approved a Special Exception Use Permit for a Home Occupation at 618 Portage Avenue

• and approved an ordinance for changes in the zoning designation of five properties that have been brought into the city.

In other business, the commission:

• authorized GEA Westfalia to proceed with the upgrade of the centrifuge at the Clean Water Plant at a cost of $87,495.61

• adopted a “Local Government Approval” resolution from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for a micro brewer license sought by Jon Zapf for an operation at 236 Enterprise Drive, reflecting a change from the 56 North Main Street location originally envisioned

• approved the purchase of a 2013 Chevy Tahoe 2WD police vehicle at a total cost – including equipment and preparation for service – of $34,810

• and authorized the city manager to execute a Community Development Block Grant agreement for infrastructure improvements in the downtown area.

The commission also authorized the city manager to proceed with the purchase of property at 731 North Douglas Avenue at a cost of $17,500 and up to $700 for closing costs. The 4.5-acre parcel is near the city’s main water well field and is also river front property along the Rocky River. According to a staff report on the matter, the city is purchasing the property for two reasons – to protect the well field by controlling the property around it and to eventually construct a pedestrian trail along the river. Money for the purchase and the closing costs will come from the city’s Water Reserve Fund.