The latest Lowell City Council meeting clocked in at less than 30 minutes and was punctuated by a tense moment over statements made during the public comments portion of the meeting.
Councilmember Marty Chambers was absent from the meeting. All other councilmembers were present.
Reminder About Rebuild Creekside Kingdom Dates
During public comments, Theresa Mundt was first to speak.
“I heard this rumor that we have this playground going up,” she said.
Mundt is co-chair of a project to rebuild the Creekside Kingdom playground. The project is an initiative of the Lowell Rotary Club, which raised private funds to pay for a new play structure in Creekside Park.
The previous playground has been dismantled, and all in the community are invited to come assist with building the new King Milling Creekside Kingdom. Workers of all skill levels, including those with no prior experience, are welcome to be part of the effort.
Food and childcare will be provided, according to Mundt.
Comments About Coffee with Council
There was a tense moment during the comments of the next person at the podium, resident Perry Beachum.
He held up the newsletter that is included with water bills and said, “It surprised me that it talked about Coffee with Council….and that that would be a place to talk about the 425 agreement and whatever else is on your mind.”
Beachum went on to say that he was surprised because he had been told by another resident that City Manager Mike Burns had discouraged that person from attending Coffee with Council. The person allegedly told Beachum that Burns said it was just the same few people complaining each month and would be a waste of the resident’s time.
“That’s a lie,” Burns interjected, leaning forward in his chair. Mayor Mike DeVore held up his arm and indicated that Burns should not speak further.
Beachum went on to say that DeVore had noted at the last meeting that council meetings are not the appropriate place for residents to ask questions. “I think the place is with Coffee with Council,” Beachum said, adding that he hoped more people would attend.
Beachum then asked if the previously announced public hearing on the 425 agreement with Lowell Charter Township had been canceled. Burns said he would wait and make his comments during the manager’s report.
To conclude his comments, Beachum expressed concern about rising water and sewer rates and said it did not seem as though the developer was covering any of the costs associated with running water and sewer lines to I-96. He wondered how much the city would need to spend to accommodate the development’s needs as compared to the cost of upgrades to the water and sewer system without the development.
“Heart Doesn’t Feel Good About Lowell”
Dale Latva was the final person to speak during public comments. A Riverside Drive resident, Latva said he had been in the Upper Peninsula and missed the previous meetings which discussed diverting traffic away from the road.
“I really resent the diversion, personally,” he said. “I can’t turn at the (Riverside) corner and go all the way up to my house.” He thought most people drive the speed limit and adding speed bumps or police patrols would be an effective way to address those who do speed.
As for resident concerns about the city’s decision not to loop a water line down the 900 block of Riverside, Latva said it was “disgusting” that his neighbors would not be getting new lines like those being installed along Monroe and Washington during those projects. He also hoped that councilmembers weren’t “making it personal” when residents shared their concerns.
A resident of the city for more than 40 years, Latva said, “My heart doesn’t feel good about Lowell right now because of what’s happening on Riverside Drive.”
Council Votes
There were two pieces of business on the agenda, and Lowell councilmembers passed them both unanimously with little discussion. The votes were for the following:
- $46,000 to mill and overlay Grant Street, a one-block stretch of road
- Adoption of a resolution proclaiming September 20 as POW/MIA Recognition Day
City Manager’s Report
During his report, Burns said he and the city attorney had decided to reschedule the public hearing on the 425 agreement. The new hearing date is Sept. 18, 2024, and the Wednesday special meeting will be held at 6pm. The change was made to provide time for councilmembers to review updates to the expected agreement language.
Main Street reopened last week at the behest of the Michigan Department of Transportation. “The State of Michigan was putting pressure on the contractor to open before Labor Day,” Burns said. As a result, the contractor found and used concrete that cured in three days, rather than the usual seven.
At a previous meeting, Burns said work on the intersection had been delayed when AT&T discovered it had some underground boxes there.
The beach at Stoney Lakeside remains closed because of elevated e. coli levels. Burns said it is not normal for the levels to remain elevated for so long, and staff is trying to determine the cause.
The city has been approved for assistance from the MDOT Technical Assistance Center. Burns will be meeting with the center to see where grant funds might be available to complete bridge work on Brook Street.
Councilmember Comments
During the final comments of the night, Councilmember Eric Bartkus said he had recently toured the Valley Vista neighborhood and found that Laurie Gail and Elizabeth Dean Streets are in poor condition. He noted that they are scheduled for repairs in 2029 and 2030 but added, “I don’t think those are going to make it (that long).”
In regards to comments about Riverside Drive, Bartkus said he thought diverting traffic had made a significant difference in pedestrian safety, particularly for those crossing the road to Sabor Mexicano.
As for Coffee with Council, Bartkus said he didn’t know what to say regarding Beachum’s comments on the matter, but he did appreciate him sharing them. He hoped more people would come to Coffee with Council. “I’m surprised so few people come to those,” he added.
Councilmember Jim Salzwedel thought it might be time to look at a different time for Coffee with Council, which is currently held on the first Saturday of the month from 8-10am in the Chamber building on the Riverwalk.
“Saturday mornings are tough for people,” he said.
The meeting adjourned at 7:27pm. The next regular meeting of Lowell City Council will take place on Monday, Sept. 16, at 7pm in Lowell City Hall.
Look it’s the Mike and Mike Show. Bad cop..Good cop…nice move Mayor. Just like my previous comments. The Mayor and City Manager don’t like to answer questions. Guess what? It’s not news to anyone. It just took Perry Beachum to say it. Nice work Perry! Looks like the big boy seats are getting a little hotter. Right Mike and Mike? Better get the water flowing out to the highway..just leave enough for the heat under your seat!