Ortonville to open up Park Concession Stand early and City office to move back into the Armory.

At the Ortonville City Council meeting this past Monday April 19, 2010 new council member Angela Doren brought up the need for the city to open up the concession stand now. There are games being played on the fields now through the Ortonville School and there is an opportunity for the City to bring in some money to help with expenses. Councilwoman Doren is on the park board and they believed that they would be able to have enough volunteers to staff the concession stand. Mayor Dinnel and the other council members were grateful for Angela Doren's commitment to the project. Ms. Doren has been very proactive in the community as a newcomer to the area and her enthusiasm hopefully will be contagious. When you go to watch the games be sure to stop by the concession stand and support the parks.

The City Council also moved to recess the meeting until next week on Monday the 26th in order to look at the budget for consideration on the approval of the Trailhead Park Project. Councilman Steve Berkner spoke to the council regarding the meeting that took place with the Park Board. They have removed the street closure and the parking lot in order bring down the cost of the project and to satisfy some of the concerns that citizens showed in not wanting the street closed. They may later make the street a one-way and add speed bumps. Steve Berkner stated that the EDA, Planning and Zoning, and Community Development were willing to pay for the project out of their budgets over a period of a few years. Steve Berkner stated that they would need somewhere around $69,000 to $89,000 over the next two budget cycles.

It is generous of the EDA, Planning and Zoning, and Community Development to pay for this project out of their budgets. One might question though if after paying out of their budgets would they again come to the city council later when they need more money. That would defeat the purpose of having them pay if they come up later wanting more. The City Council will need to hold them to their budget.

The City Council also looked at the plans for remodeling the Police building for the city office to move into. While the plans are going ahead to remodel the City office will be moved back into the Armory thus saving the $500.00 rental fee now being paid for the building they are in. The move should take place within the next two months. The discussion was that the Police Department would eventually move into the armory after the city office vacates it. Basically they would be "trading spaces?"

Mayor Dinnel brought up the idea of an "Ad Hoc" council member. He proposed having a member of the Ortonville Student Council join the city council and thereby giving the city council input from the perspective of the young people in the community and allowing them to see how city government is run. The student "ad hoc' member would not be able to vote but would be a participant in the council. There was agreement in the council on Mayor Dinnel's suggestion.

On a final note the city council voted to have the meeting packets available earlier. The deadline to put anything of the meeting calendar is now on the Wednesday before the meeting at 9:00 a.m. Anything arriving after that, unless an emergency, would be put on the next city council meeting. This will make it possible for the packets to be ready for the city council members by Thursday or Friday morning.