Watervliet Commissioners set 2024 meeting schedule with change of start time; Police Grant for body

The Watervliet City Board of Commissioners set their 2024 meeting nights to the first Tuesday of the month except for the August, September and November will be the second Tuesday of month. But all meetings will be starting at 5:30 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m. if agreeable to Jeff Allen whom was not present at the December 5 business meeting.

Approvals granted by board

A resolution (21-2023) was passed at the meeting, approving the Watervliet Police Department’s application in seeking a Risk Reduction Grant. This grant will be for ten body worn cameras, a docking/download station and IT upgrades. The projected cost would be $7,086.59 and the grant is for $5,000.00.

The commissioners gave their approval for payment to Maner Costerisan for final payment of $6,200.00 for the 2022/2023 Audit. Also, they approved payment to Hoosier Equipment for rebuilding of rodder pump at cost of $24,289.94.

The board approved Michael Bumstead to finish out the term of Commissioner LaRatta, whom resigned in February.

Committee & department updates

The Watervliet Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is working on events for 2024 surrounding the Main Street Oasis Park.

Watervliet Police Department reported handling 96 calls, nine arrests, 71 traffic violations, 87 warnings, 14 tickets, seven vehicle accidents, and four arrest warrants. Their cadet should graduate Dec. 12. Two new police officers were hired.

The Clerk’s Office will have three elections next year to supervise. Clerk Melanie Marvin attended the state training for clerks.

Community Development Director/Engineer Alan Smaka is securing geographic information system (GIS) drawings of updated water and sewer lines. He also discussed the state mandated regulation regarding lead and galvanized pipes by 2025. They will need to investigate inside of some homes, to see if 18 inches from the connection are lead or galvanized piping. Per the state mandate, by 2025 it must be replaced by the city.

The city is now in the investigation mode to calculate how many homes may be involved. They started this process with an outside team two years ago, but this did not work out as planned. City workers will now take over this role to investigate a few homes to get an idea of how far spread this may or may not be a problem.

The public works report reflected a leak that was fixed by Lane Automotive on M-140 and the sewer drain has been temporarily fixed on Prospect Street.

City Manager report

City Manager Danielle Tiedeman discussed a meeting that city officials had with Surf Internet on fiber optics. Surf Internet is a fiber-optics provider offering three packages to residents with free installation in homes. If consumers sign up in the initial phase, they will have a life time cost of one of three packages; $55, $65, and high speed $85. The city manager has a meeting coming soon with Comcast. There is also ATT in the area for internet service. More information will be released at the next commissioners meeting as they gather information. She also mentioned that MEC is looking at the township for internet service. Currently, high speed internet is only at the schools.

Tiedeman and Smaka reviewed accomplishments for the year and what they are carrying over to the next year.

Master Plan presented

Stephen McGuffey of the Planning Commission presented the Master Plan. The Master Plan has to be updated every five years or sooner, the last plan was in 2018.

McGuffey explained they had a subcommittee formed, called the vision committee, to help identify the development opportunity and economic opportunity for growth. The city board approved the Master Plan as presented. This now is sent to the township and the county for their input. They will have 63 days to review and comment on the city master plan. There will be a final public hearing before being adopted.

Finances

Watervliet commissioners approved invoices/expenditures for the month totaling $150,923.82 and payroll of $67,980.08 for a grand total of $218,903.90.