Aldermen voted Monday at their city council committee of the whole meeting to ratify a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Union Local #627, representing city public works employees. City Attorney Lisa Scalf said three leading operator positions were added to the roster. She said members of the bargaining unit would receive a four percent salary adjustment for each year of the contract.
Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann delivered her quarterly report for February through April. She said the sewer plant treated 209 millions gallons of water during the period and that the water plant pumped 206 million gallons. Ohrtmann said there were two water main breaks and seven boil orders were isssued. “All water testing has remained in compliance,” she said.
Ohrtmann said street crews completed 210 hours of snow removal, 573 hours of street repairs, and 180 hours of storm sewer maintenance. She said oak tree pruning was done in the cold weather as wilt can spread in warmer months. The public works director said lead connections were tested at 60 homes and she is waiting to receive results.
Marketing and Downtown Development Director Savannah Ballard presented her quarterly report. She said the downtown business occupancy is at 92 percent with six storefronts available. Ballard said the communitywide events calendar is now online.
Ballard said the February through April period was quiet in terms of downtown events. “Things are picking up now,” she said, also noting that there were 500,000 views on the city web page of the TJ Maxx store opening, with 1,000 likes expressed. There were 127,100 visits to the city Facebook page and 14,200 visits to the Downtown Macomb Facebook page.
A quarterly report was also submitted by city grant writer Jessica Biddenstadt. She said 28 grants totalling $17.3 million were received with nine grants totalling $1.7 million in process. Biddenstadt said she is awaiting word on five applications totalling $5 million that were submitted during the quarter. She said another 10 grant applications have been submitted so far for the May through July quarter.
In other business Monday, aldermen discussed a proposed ordinance creating Macomb Business Development District #1. City resident Kaden Albright told the council that he favors the special district. He said East Jackson Street would benefit from more sidewalks. Albright also said more development is needed in the area behind the Hy-Vee store, and that maybe there should be concentrated management there.
Also discussed was a request from St. Paul’s School for a special event liquor license for the St. Paul’s Raising Saints Block Party from 5 to 11 p.m. on July 19. Principal Laura Cody said the annual block party, which began in 2017, has raised more than $10,000 for children’s support activities.
