Year in Review 09
1. County sees business growth
Despite an economy that has been less than encouraging, Gratiot County has seen some positive signs of recovery in 2009.
Beginning in late 2008 and continuing into 2009, Ithaca-based Cartridges Are Us has seen steady growth. The growth started in November 2008 when CAU announced its decision to
expand its existing manufacturing operations in the South Ithaca Industrial Park/Renaissance Sub Zone. With the $1.6 million expansion the company expected to created 75 new jobs
within the next several months.
Within months of the announcement the business announced additional expansion and in May of 2009 Cartridges Are Us’ new Union Street location in Ithaca enabled the company to
hire 150 additional employees, bringing total local employment to 229. The company is now Gratiot County’s second largest private employer and is Ithaca’s largest employer.
In October of this year another Gratiot County business announced an expansion – Pioneer Hi-Bred Research Center.
In 1986, the first such research center on North Wisner Road was established but it is not big enough. The company now has eight full- time and two part-time workers at the center,
in addition to lots of seasonal workers, according to Julie Kenney, a spokeswoman for Pioneer Hi-Bred.
With the cooperation of local farmers, Pioneer’s employees test corn hybrids.
“This new research center will further expand our efforts to provide products that fit the specific needs of farmers in this region,” Randy Minton, a Pioneer business director, said in a
press release.
The new research facility will be built in an industrial park in Ithaca and will be about 22,000 square feet. It will contain labs, administrative offices and conference rooms.
“Pioneer will maintain operations at both research centers when the new center opens in the middle of next year,” Kenney said.
Activities will be split between the two facilities and the work will expand, she said.
“The new center will expand corn product development and testing efforts for farmers in northern environments,” she said.
Kenney said that the company plans to hire up to 10 people within the next three years.
2. St. Louis sees some progress in contamination clean-up
For the past year the Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality have been conducting a variety of studies and taking soil and water
samples from the St. Louis area to determine the extent of the contamination in St. Louis in areas surrounding the site of former Velsicol Chemical Company.
Tom Alcamo, project manager for the EPA and Scott Cornelius, project manager for the DEQ have been working together to present a feasibility study for the cleanup of the site. Their
recommendations will be made to an EPA National Remedy Review Board in January.
The EPA created the Review Board in January 1996 as part of a comprehensive package of reforms designed to make the Superfund program faster, fairer, and more efficient. The
Review Board is a peer review group that understands both the EPA regional and headquarters perspectives in the remedy selection process. It reviews proposed Superfund cleanup
decisions to assure they are consistent with Superfund law, regulations, and guidance.
Alcamo presented members of the Pine River Community Advisory Group with guidelines for presentations to the Review Board in June of this year.
The Review Board meets quarterly and the Velsicol site is tentatively scheduled to be presented in January.
Alcamo explained that 30 days prior to the meeting with the Review Board, a site information package must be sent to the board for review. The materials being sent for review are
kept confidential.
“The package summarizes the key remedy selection issued in regard to the site,” Alcamo said. “The package must support the preferred cleanup strategy.”
As part of this package, the CAG, city of St. Louis and the state are to include a 10 page summary to support the cleanup, according to Alcamo.
“It is a good idea that all those involved work together,” Alcamo said in June.
He suggested the city and the CAG work together to present a cohesive plan. Each group will be allowed a 10 page report.
“It should highlight the impact of the contamination to the community,” Alcamo suggested.
For its part the CAG will be submitting a 10 minute video to the Review Board.
Two weeks prior to the Review Board meeting, Alcamo said there would be a conference call to clarify questions.
At the Review Board meeting both Alcamo and Cornelius will have an hour to make presentations to the board followed by about two hours of questions.
“We have to defend our decision for the type of cleanup we are recommending,” Alcamo said.
Preliminary Review Board recommendations will be given at the end of the day and final recommendations will be made two to four weeks following the meeting.
At this point the EPA region responds to the recommendations and the information is released to the public and then placed in the site files.
The proposed plan will then be made available for public comment and an official public hearing will be held.
If the plan goes according to schedule, Alcamo said the plan should be ready three to five months after the meeting.
Alcamo suggested the CAG and city focus their reports on the plant site and the residential area surrounding the site.
3. Alma seeks sewer help
Alma city officials came a step closer to solving the ongoing city-wide sewer problem in June when they approved spending more than $83,000 for a sewer study.
The study will be completed by Rowe Inc., an engineering firm.
City residents have been battling basement flooding for years and the problem appears to be getting worse, due in part to the fact that many – but not all – homeowners have their
home drainage systems linked to the sanitary sewer system.
The problem is citywide, but the area most impacted is believed to be on the west side of the city – basically from Alma College to the golf course.
At one time storm water could drain into a sanitary sewer. Then a federal law made that illegal and said that storm water systems had to be separate from sanitary sewers.
“Older homes probably are plumbed correctly, as are newer homes,” Phil Moore, city manager said in June. “However it’s the homes that fall in between that are the problem.”
When heavy rains hit the area, local sanitary sewers cannot handle the excess drainage and basements flood.
“The first part of the study will concentrate on the northwest and downtown areas,” said Moore.
By obtaining grants and loans from the Department of Environmental Quality, the city hopes to be able to assist homeowners in properly connecting to storm water systems.
But it’s a lengthy process.
The application deadline for the next DEQ grant cycle is June of 2010, but many steps must be taken before the city can apply for the grant.
The engineering firm will spend from now through December conducting studies to determine where the problem lies – this includes inspecting homes for improper storm water
connections. Council members must revise the city ordinances to facilitate the program. From January 2010 to June 2010 they will be devising a plan of action and in June 2010 the
city will apply for the grant. The state will notify the city of the awards in October of 2010 and if all goes as planned the project can begin in the first quarter of 2011.
Without the low interest loans from the city, property owners would see almost double increases in their sewer bills.
The city held public information meetings in June to discuss the issue with property owners.
“We were fairly pleased with the sessions,” Moore said. “Many people are volunteering to have their homes inspected. They want to have the problem solved. I would say the majority
of them were receptive to the plan.”
4. Work on Alma College Hogan Center continues
Several months into the Hogan Athletic Center renovations at Alma College and work continues to be on schedule and going strong.
The $10.2 million renovation of the old physical education building includes a 29,000-square-foot arena and convocation center along with renovated locker rooms, athletic training
space, natatorium, coaches’ offices and classrooms in the existing Hogan facility.
When all is said and done come August, 2010, there will be a new home court for the men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the volleyball team.
“Everything is on schedule and up to date,” Mike Silverthorn, Alma College Director of Marketing, said in July. “There are, of course, several phases that are being completed and all
the phases scheduled to be done come fall, when the students return, are on schedule.”
The new addition to the Hogan facility is designed to be Alma College’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building, the nationally recognized mark
of sustainable construction. The renovations also will enhance the sustainability of the overall facility, says Alma College President Saundra Tracy.
Sustainable components of the new facility will include use of recycled content in ceiling panels, carpet, rubber and vinyl floor tiles, bleacher construction and sub-floor system in the
new arena; light pollution reduction; water efficient landscaping; maximized energy performance; water use reduction measures; and energy star compliant roof system.
The new arena will seat 2,430, with additional floor seating of 600 for non-athletic events. The new facility will be handicap accessible, with a ground-level entrance, new elevator, and
6,600 square-foot lobby with new concession stand and restroom facilities. The basketball court will feature a four-sided, ceiling-hung scoreboard over center court, floor-mounted
basketball goal supports, and theater-style seating on the “home” side of the court.
Interior work began March 16 while on April 20, coaches and staff vacated the Hogan Center for temporary office space in the Stone Recreation Center as a construction fence was
installed around the worksite.
Work will continue in 2010 with renovations to the pool, locker rooms and second-floor lobby along with the conversion of Cappaert Gymnasium to a practice gymnasium.
5. County moves forward with wind energy zoning
Windmills could become a common sight in parts of Gratiot County as early as 2010.
Initial steps were taken to create an ordinance to guide the placing and construction of these giants on last spring during the Gratiot County Planning Commission’s public hearing.
County Commissioners passed the final ordinance during their regular meeting in May.
Three companies are currently pursuing wind power in Gratiot County.
The company with the largest portion of windmills, Mackinac Power, LLC, is looking at the northeastern portion of the county to install its windmills. Mackinac Power’s proposed
project would total as much as 200 megawatts.
The second largest project, under a company named Tradewind Energy, would be located in the southwest portion of the county. It would consist of about 100 turbines.
The third company, Bebee Wind Power, LLC, is looking into placing wind turbines in the central part of the county, in the Ithaca-Breckenridge area.
Gratiot County consists of sixteen townships, six of which are county zoned. The other ten, however have individual zoning but look to the county for zoning.
The flat, open terrain of Gratiot County makes it one of the windiest inland areas of the state, ideal for wind power. However, another factor has heavily influenced the location of these
proposed wind projects. When a wind farm or large number of turbines functions in an area, they must be able to deliver their supply to the power grid – and the location of what are
known as transmission lines make this possible and cost-effective. Two transmission lines bisect Gratiot county, one running east-west in the southern portion, and the other
east-west around Alma and St. Louis.
This gives these developments a feasible way to deliver wind energy. Otherwise, transmission lines would have to be constructed to handle the extra load, which can be extremely costly.
Other than just being green energy, the turbines will have other positive effects on Gratiot County. For those who lease land to a company for the positioning of a wind turbine, they can
create guaranteed income.
It would also increase the taxable value of the townships in which the turbines are located, and alleviate tax burdens on businesses owners and residents. Townships in the Thumb
area of the state have more than doubled their taxable value because of the positioning of wind turbines.
Blake Showers contributed to the above article.
6. Mystery wells are drilled in Gratiot County
In December of 2008 Arcada Township discovered several test water wells were being drilled within the township.
The test wells were drilled on property on Van Buren Road east of Winans Road and on property on Luce Road, south of the Pine River by the engineering firm of Malcolm Pirnie, a
large U.S. firm which focuses on environmental issues. It isn’t clear who hired the firm, but speculation is that it was the insurance company currently in litigation with the city of St.
Louis over contamination of the city’s water supplies by the former Velsicol Chemical Company.
A group of concerned citizens in Arcada Township have requested a public information session and public hearing regarding the wells; however, no such hearing will be scheduled
until a permit request for full-production wells is made to the Department of Environmental Quality.
According to Timothy Benton, district supervisor for the DEQ Lansing District Office Water Bureau, the test well work that was going on in the township was intended to identify
potential sites that may be suitable for installation of public water supply wells. He noted that there are DEQ procedures in place to address the issues raised by concerned citizens.
These concerns include fears that private water wells will be impacted by the production wells – should the wells be approved.
Although the DEQ has indicated the wells are for public water supplies, neither Alma nor St. Louis city officials claim to know who has ordered the drilling. Both city managers have
said they were notified by the DEQ that test production wells were being drilled – as is required by law – but in February of this year neither municipality has knowledge of who is
drilling them.
According to the DEQ, the engineering firm that drilled the wells will make a decision on whether they wish to turn any of the test wells into production wells. Should they decide to
proceed they will then have to make an application for a production well permit with the DEQ.
“The third party consultant will come to his own conclusion on the yield of the well,” said Mark Joseph of the DEQ Lansing District Water Bureau office. “He will take the information to
the persons who hired him and then it will come to the DEQ for review.”
Joseph said at that point it would be the time for concerned citizens to make the request for a public hearing on the matter.
He added that the granting of a production well permit would be based on the Department’s own geological study of the area.
“Our own study would determine a safe pumping rate or if there are other variations that must be considered,” Joseph said.
Joseph stressed that currently the wells in place are test wells and no permanent application had been made. He added that the test production wells have already been pumped with
no adverse affect on residential wells.
“Right now the third party firm is simply trying to see how much water there is down there,” Joseph said.
7. County grapples with animal control issues
Gratiot County officials and concerned citizens spent much of the year discussing issues surrounding the county’s animal control and are working toward a solution for finding homes
for unwanted pets.
Members of several animal rights groups attended the Gratiot County Board of Commissioners meeting in February in the hope that they could convince Commissioners not to renew
a contract with R & R Research.
However commissioners – citing the county’s budget constraints – voted to renew the contract.
Since the contract renewal, two Gratiot County citizens, former county administrator Brian Smith, and Dawn Little, Gratiot County Animal Control officer held several meetings to
discuss options and work on tentative steps to address concerns of animal right’s groups.
“These are informal meetings,” Smith said in February. “We are taking small steps, but are looking at ways to get adoptable pets out to the public. We are looking at getting them listed
on Web sites such as Pet Finders.”
Smith said they were also looking at ways to better educate pet owners about caring for pets and promoting spaying and neutering.
Smith noted that the number of litters being dropped off at the shelter has been steadily decreasing over the past several years.
“I think more people are getting their pets spayed and neutered so we are making some progress,” he said.
Smith added the county has been asked to have the shelter open longer hours as it is currently open 19.5 hours per week. He explained that the county budget is such that there aren’t
enough funds to increase hours or hire more help. He noted liability issues prevent the county from allowing volunteers to work at the facility.
“When the shelter isn’t open they (animal control officers) are out on the road,” Smith said. “Dawn and Tom (Clark) come in on weekends on their own to care for the animals.”
Gretchen Harrison of Alma, who is one of the citizens meeting with Smith over the past several weeks, said she was pleased that commissioners are supportive of their efforts.
“They all want animal control to do well, reduce euthanasia rates and see an increase in adoptions,” Harrison said. “I’m disappointed they renewed the contract with R & R, but we will
go from there. Dawn and the others at animal control work hard and I appreciate what they do.”
Since February photos of animals turned into the shelter have been placed online for adoption. The number of dogs being sold to research facilities has declined.
8. County Parks Near Completion
After months of planning, work at Gratiot County parks is nearing completion.
Upgrades to the Reed Park include a change in the route/entrance, additional parking, three new pavilions, a playground and bathhouse. The entire park will be in compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
The plans call for a 35-by-50 foot bathhouse which will include a special needs changing room, eight unisex toilets, two baby changing stations and a foot washing station.
Each of the new proposed 20-by-40 foot pavilions will have electricity and water available.
The upgrades to the park were paid for through a $495,000 Trust Fund Grant from the DNR. The county’s match for the grant is $185,000.
9. County grapples with furniture purchase
It may not be groundbreaking news, but county commissioners grappled for several months over furniture purchased by the county clerk for the clerk’s office.
At issue are six refurbished work stations purchased by county clerk Carol Vernon earlier this year at a cost of $8,227.40.
The refurbished work stations were designed to fit the space in the clerk’s office and were purchased from Kentwood Furniture in Grand Rapids. The stations were refurbished from
previously owned furniture but did have to be measured to fit the space available in the clerk’s office.
Vernon had used a growing fund that generates revenue through election fees. The purchases were approved by the county’s Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting
September 1.
The Programs Fees Reserve fund, which was established in 1977, has been continuously used throughout the years and generates revenue from election fees collected by the
county from schools and local municipal governments. The majority of the funds for the recent purchase came from a reimbursement from the state owing from the presidential
primary election the county organized, according to Vernon.
However, later in September Commissioners reversed their decision to pay for the furniture citing Vernon had not followed county policy by seeking bids prior to its purchase nor had
she asked permission for the furniture prior to its purchase.
County policy states that any capital outlay for equipment over $5,000 must be approved by the County Board.
After Commissioners voted during the county’s finance committee meeting on Sept. 17 to not pay for the work stations, Vernon requested Commissioners get a legal opinion from the
county attorney. The county’s attorney spoke with Commission Chair Mark Knowles, District One, and former county administrator Brian Smith, who was employed with the county at
the time the work stations were purchased.
The attorney ruled since there was no competitive bid on the work stations the contract between the county and the supplier was void.
“I would be willing to withdraw my claim form and request a second bid,” Vernon said during the Sept. 17 meeting. “I apologize; it was my fault, I did not get a second bid. I certainly
want to do it right. I think it’s the best thing to do.”
Commissioners also voted at that time to remove the line item Vernon had used for the furniture into the general fund.
After contacting Kentwood Furniture it was learned that there would be a $7,500 re-stocking fee plus the freight cost for returning the furniture.
Knowles said he had discussed the purchase with Vernon.
“We discussed this rather heatedly,” Knowles said. “To me there is no logic in returning the furniture. I would like to pay the furniture bill and be done with it.”
“We have taken two votes on this and I think it is not the responsibility of the county or county commission to pay for this,” Jan Bunting district four commissioner said.
Bunting added that she felt Kentwood Furniture should not have delivered the furniture without a contract from the county.
Several commissioners expressed a desire to put the issue behind them.
“I think that at the time Kentwood Furniture had reason to believe they had a legitimate contract,” Bill Dilts, district five commissioner said. “At this point we have $8,200 in furniture
upstairs. We can pay to have it returned or we can pay it and move on. It is time to put this matter to bed.”
Commissioner Rolland Merignac, district seven commissioner agreed.
“We are all adults here and it is time to move on and end this,” Merignac said in November.
10. Alma changes zoning in the downtown district
Concerned citizens filled Alma City Hall in April as Alma Planning commissioners studied a proposed zoning ordinance change that would allow tattoo salons in the downtown district.
About 45 area citizens filled the Alma city council chambers in April for a public hearing regarding an ordinance which would allow tattoo salons in the downtown business district in
Alma.
The zoning ordinance change request, which was unanimously approved by the planning commission, was originally brought before the city commission in January, 2009 by James
Watson, owner of Permanent Images Tattooing in Edmore.
Watson wanted to open a salon at 126 E. Superior St., downtown Alma.
Although the request was originally made to the city commission, it had to be presented to the Alma Planning Commission as it involved a change in the zoning ordinance.
Previously tattoo salons were allowed within the city in a B-2 zoning district, which is located along Wright Avenue.
However, Watson wanted to locate his salon in the downtown area, which is a B-1 zoning district. Current zoning requirements in the downtown area restrict tattoo salons within 1000
feet of schools, parks and playgrounds. Planners recommended reducing that requirement to 500 feet. The ordinance also restricts the number of salons allowed downtown.
While some in attendance at the April meeting supported the idea of a tattoo salon downtown, others did not and there was a lengthy debate over the changing of the ordinance, but
eventually the ordinance was approved by planners and city commissioners.
After approving the zoning ordinance change, planning commission chair Tim Lambrecht explained that the change was for the ordinance only and that Watson would still have to
apply for a special use permit. The planning commission makes the final decision on special use permits.
Watson was granted the special use permit and has opened his business in the downtown area.
More from News Archive
Budget cuts continue to plague area municipalities and schools, and finding ways to work within budget constraints continues to cause headaches for local governments as they work
to find ways to do more with much less.
Yet, despite the less than favorable economic forecasts, the county has seen several business expansions and new businesses come into the area.
The following is a list of the top 10 news stories for the year.
The Gratiot County Sheriff’s office is investigating an armed robbery that took place at approximately 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22 at the Middleton branch of Commercial Bank.
While Alma city officials continue to work to relieve the ongoing city-wide sewer problem, the city’s attorney, Charles Fortino will be negotiating with some individuals who have filed
claims with the city for compensation.
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