What to expect at Monday's City Commission meeting

City Commissioners will talk about Youth Recreation Program Funding at their meeting on Monday.  A recommendation is being made to approve a total of 35 thousand dollars to support various youth service initiatives, pending Commission approval.  This includes:

— $6,000 for the Soo Theatre Project

— $5,000 for Tapawingo Farms

— $2,400 for Sault Area Lacrosse

— $2,450 for Hiawatha Skating Club (Ice Credits at the Pullar)

— $8,150 for Soo Michigan Hockey Association (Ice Credits at the Pullar)

— $2,000 for Soo Soccer Associaiton

— $9,000 for Sault Area Little League

The money will come of the city budget for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year.

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Another issue on the Commission agenda is a petition from two property owners along West 18th Avenue.  The owners of the Old Mission Bank and Huron Auto Sales/Skyline Motel properties have signed a petition dated April 24th that suggests the street is in need of improvement.  They ask that the city study what improvements are necessary to the street.  The petition has been made in response to special assessment upon their properties to help pay for construction costs. A recommendation is being made to the commission to refer the petition to city administration for further review of those associated costs. In the city manager’s report, the Engineering Department has discussed the city’s policy of street special assessments — being established at 60 percent for the benefitting property owner and at 40 percent for the city at large.  The discussion adds that there may not be adequate funds available to get the street moved into the next budget year/construction season, even with property owners paying a 60 percent special assessment.

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One of the other subjects on the City Commission agenda on Monday is the hiring of new Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill.  Commissioner Bill Lynn will be saying some words regarding the Wings’ hiring of Blashill, who grew up in Sault, Michigan.  The group is also scheduled to talk about the 2015 U-P Education Summit, and a status update regarding that.