Niles City Council Monday night granted permission requested by Fort St. Joseph Historical Association to have the 100-year-old memorial stone lithographed to restore “painted” lettering so it is easier to read.

The association approached Brown Funeral Home, which agreed to cover the approximate $400 cost.

“The association showed responsibility,” Councilman David Mann said.

 

Traffic restricted

 

Council voted 4-2 to close 74.5 feet of the North Main Street alley between Third and Fourth streets to vehicular traffic at the request of Ted Majerek Sr. and 22 signatures in support.

Majerek agreed to pay all costs associated with the closure, including snow removal.

Majerek, who owns property on both sides of the alley, states that due to its narrow, short, steep hill, vehicles strike his building and retaining wall, causing damage to his property.

Barriers will be easily removable during emergencies at the request of the police, fire and public services departments. Pedestrians retain free access.

Mann and William Weimer voted no. Weimer suggested a one-way alley be considered, but Councilman William “Tim” Skalla said the 15-foot, one-inch width cannot accommodate firetrucks and ambulances. “It’s a dangerous situation. You can’t see anything going up.”

“We’re not vacating it, we’re restricting vehicle traffic,” Ric Huff, the city’s administrator said.

 

Plym Park fees go up

 

Fee increases at Plym Park Golf Course were last approved in May 2008 for golf cart rentals. Otherwise, no fees have been raised since 2004.

New fees effective Nov. 13 will generate approximately $12,000 in revenue annually.

Changes include weekday greens fees, nine holes, $9.50 (up 50 cents a round); league greens fees, nine holes, $9 (up $1); weekday greens fees, 18 holes, $16 (up $1); weekend/holiday greens fees, $10.50 (up 50 cents); electric cart, nine holes, $12 (up $1); and electric cart, 18 holes, $24 (up $2).

 

City hall furnishings

and new phone system

 

Council authorized the purchase of Hayworth office furniture with a life expectancy of 20 years for the new city hall, 333 N. Second St., for $23,495 through DBI Inc. of Lansing using the MI DEAL program, which provides discounts of 58 percent to 71 percent of retail, depending upon the item.

Council approved paying $12,298 to buy a new 3CX telephone system maintained for $1,054 per month by APPIA of Traverse City.

The current phone system is 14 years old. The city expects to save about $1,000 per month, Huff said.

 

Replace PPT

 

Mann said Michigan is considering repealing personal property tax at a cost to Niles of $750,000.

“I was hoping they’d replace that money,” he said. “The majority of our taxes comes from the industrial portion, and they’re not planning to replace any of that. Contact your legislators. The city will be in very hard times.”

Mayor Michael McCauslin and several council members thanked Zach Perkins, who lost his District 12 Berrien County Board of Commissioners race to John Klimek, for the way he represented Niles.