By Steve Waldron
A hearing officer appointed by the Village Council, Larry Piper, has received a structural repair plan for the Schnauzer building at 201 N. Grand Street from a structural design architect. The owner has hired a contractor to begin repair work on part of the building.
Piper, with Associated Government Services, said he has advised the owner to have the contractor contact him to review plans and a building permit.
He appeared at a Sept. 18 council meeting with the owner of the residence at 203 Pine Street. The owner has made progress in bringing the structure and the property toward compliance with the village Dangerous Building Ordinance, but it remains noncompliant.
To assist that owner, the Council reached out to Habitat for Humanity to meet with village representatives and the owner to inspect the structure and see if the organization would be willing to support the owner in efforts to bring the structure into compliance.
The Council approved a 14-day moratorium on further actions regarding the structure as it awaits Habitat for Humanity’s decision. Council members reminded the owner that while there has been progress regarding the yard, there is still additional work to be done to address the blight that remains – a trailer parked on the lot as well as the condition of the lawn. An update regarding progress is expected at the October 2 meeting.
In other matters:
- Douglas Wohlberg, CPA, presented the findings of the annual audit for a 12-month period ending February 28, 2023. He reported that the audit found that internal controls are effective, and the general fund and other village-managed funds have healthy fund balances.
- The village manager recommended and Council approved discontinuing efforts to purchase a vacant lot located on the corner of Cass and Grand Street due to costs of potential environmental issues.
- The Council voted to approve the adoption of Kalamazoo County Hazardous Waste Mitigation Program developed in 2022 by the County with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Village Manager Cheri Lutz told the Council that the village’s request to the State of Michigan Water Fund Grant program was denied for 2023. The village will reapply again next year for the annual grant.
- The council approved funding $10,000 for the Schoolcraft Historical Society for needed improvements at the Dr Nathan Thomas Underground Railroad House, a historical landmark which attracts many visitors annually to the village. It will review additional funding in 2024. The Society is in the process of a $95,000 capital campaign for the project.
- Jenny Sportel, a Schoolcraft school teacher, advised the Council that the Schoolcraft Public Schools District has applied for a state grant to remodel the vacant building on the corner of Cass and 14th streets so that it could provide suitable accommodations to support local community nonprofit organizations or small business startups. She will keep the Council updated on progress.
- The village Halloween trick or treating hours will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31st.
