Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The city may move forward with downtown improvement plans without grant assistance.
New Baltimore's Downtown Development Authority wants to forge ahead with the highly anticipated streetscape project. DDA Chairman Michael Wojciechowski told city council Monday consensus among the board was to pursue the project itself. "They don't want to spend any more money or time to pursue the MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) grant," he said. Councilwoman Florence Hayman said fact-finding meetings in the city have explored the cost savings for the city handling the bid process, as opposed to resubmitting to MDOT. The project's future has been uncertain in recent months. Judy Sproat, director of planning and economic development, was closely tied to it before her controversial termination. Sproat also worked with the DDA on…
New Baltimore Mayor Larry Smith wants commercial appraisals for city-owned land.
An unidentified buyer wants to purchase city-owned land along the lake. The catch? He needs to know how much it's worth, New Baltimore Mayor Larry Smith said Monday. "We have someone who's interested in purchasing the property," Smith told city council Monday regarding waterfront lots in the historic downtown. He declined to say who the mystery buyer is during his request to seek commercial appraisals for the parcels. The mayor said he was following the city charter in seeking permission from council for the appraisals, estimated to cost about $3,600 a piece, for the former police station and adjacent lot. Council members said they were also interested in having the defunct funeral home building on Main and Maria appraised. The city also …
Site plans to refurbish the historic building on Washington Street were approved Monday night at the New Baltimore City Council meeting.
From distributing medicine to serving up dishes, a historic New Baltimore building is prepping for change. The former Anchor Bay Pharmacy on Washington Street is slated to become a restaurant, new owner Matthew Cipriano told City Council Monday night. Site plans call for the building to be refurbished, with upgrades including changes to the facade and windows replacements, according to planning commission documents. The commission approved the plans Jan. 15 that went before council for authorization this week. Cipriano did not discuss the business in detail during the meeting, but described it as a "restaurant, bar, night club" in a pre-application form for a Class C liquor license in New Baltimore. Building Official Greg Nikkel said …
Monday, January 14, 2013
Little Camille's By the Bay owner Mark Miller told New Baltimore City Council of his plans for the summer festival during the Monday night meeting.
Plans for a music festival in downtown New Baltimore are getting fine-tuned. Little Camille's By the Bay owner Mark Miller told City Council Monday night he is organizing the event scheduled for Aug. 10 in Burke Park. The council agreed to accept the concept, provided he gives specifics once they're available. The concert will have a mix of jazz, blues and grass music that the public will attend for an undetermined admission fee. Organizers are in the early stages of working with a charity and sponsors for partnerships, Miller said. He says the event budget is anticipated to be $10,000-$15,000. Councilman Jeffrey Christie noted that attendees could come by land and water, with the public boat docks expected to be in use by then. …
The regularly scheduled New Baltimore City Council meeting is at 7 p.m. tonight at City Hall on Green Street.
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Monday, January 14
New Baltimore City Council will decide Monday night whether to approve a design contract for the anticipated Department of Public Services' building expansion project. The $31,500 design contract with Partners in Architecture of Mount Clemens is for the addition estimated to cost about $500,000, according to the city. Construction is expected to take place this spring, for completion in fall. Multiple offices and an employee lunchroom are among the project features, Clerk Marcia Shinska said. The DPS building renovations are to be appropriated from the DPS budget, which has a surplus of funds, Councilman Karl Rutledge told Patch last June. The council agenda also includes: The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14 at 36535 Green.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Readers are asked to weigh in on the recently passed ordinance regarding medical marijuana growth.
New Baltimore City Council approved a medical marijuana ordinance earlier this week after months of debates. The council majority passed the proposed ordinance allowing dispensaries in the city's industrial district, an area not far behind the U.S. Post Office off 23 Mile. It requires medical marijuana establishments to be 1,200 feet away from primary or secondary schools and residential cultivation is prohibited in the city. Tell us what your thoughts on the topic in the comment section below.
Mayor Larry Smith said Thursday there have been no decisions about the vacant position.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Mayor Larry Smith said Thursday there have been no decisions about the vacant position.
On the heels of losing the city's lead grant writer and economic development director, New Baltimore officials say the fate of the position is unclear. Mayor Larry Smith informed City Council members via email that he let go Planning and Economic Development Director Judy Sproat Tuesday, Patch reported Wednesday. Smith provided few details about the move. "She's no longer employed and that's as far as I can go," Smith said Thursday morning. He said he doesn't know specifically what will happen to her position. "We're just going to play it by ear and take it how it comes along," he said. In the role she held for more than four years, Sproat helped usher business to the historic downtown, sought grants for city projects and was deeply …
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The Wednesday night Downtown Development Authority board meeting was canceled in light of news Judy Sproat was no longer with the city.
A department head in New Baltimore who was tasked with luring business to the city's historic downtown was let go Tuesday, according to multiple sources. Judy Sproat, director of planning and economic development, was released from her position after multiple years with the city. New Baltimore Mayor Larry Smith notified city officials of her termination in a recent email. The reasoning behind the move was not immediately clear. Smith nor Sproat returned phone calls Wednesday night, seeking comment. Councilman Karl Rutledge said Smith sent city council members a message about Sproat being let go. The decision was not required to go before council for approval because she was an at-will employee. City Council met Monday night in a regularly …
New Baltimore Wastewater Superintendent Craig Higgins was recognized Monday night at a City Council meeting.
New Baltimore City Council recognized Monday night the dedication and service of longtime Wastewater Superintendent Craig Higgins. Higgins was not present during the meeting because he has been placed on hospice in recent days, according to city officials. Councilman Karl Rutledge motioned to recognize his vast accomplishments in overseeing the department, such as waste-water treatment facility upgrades that were completed in 2010. "He has been instrumental in opening and maintaining the waste-water treatment plant," Rutledge said. New Baltimore officials spoke of his kind demeanor, sense of humor and eagerness to advance his department. Higgins has worked for the city for approximately two decades and has a total of 40 years experience in…
kidcat24
4:00 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I hope this isn't someone that will try and squeeze in a big box business there. more ›