Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet this evening and is expected to again attempt to select a mayor pro tem.

Commissioners initially selected First District Commissioner Carolyn McNary as mayor pro tem during the November 13 meeting, when newly elected commissioners were sworn in. McNary has since declined to continue serving in the role, citing other obligations. 

During the commission’s December 2 meeting, commissioners were unable to reach a majority vote to appoint a mayor pro tem and chose to wait until tonight’s meeting, citing hopes for better attendance. McNary has been serving as mayor pro-tem until a replacement is selected. 

Commissioners will also revisit the purchase of 810 S. Constantine St. The commission approved the purchase during a November 13 meeting, but the approval did not reflect the full purchase amount in the meeting minutes, requiring the commission to approve the purchase again in order to close on the property.

According to the agenda packet, the anticipated cost is $142,283.63, with a possible $7,716.37 in contingencies to be paid from the General Fund balance. City documents describe the property as being “of strategic importance for municipal purposes, community development, and future public use.”

The commission will also consider a funding request tied to a Michigan State Housing Development Authority Neighborhood Community Development Block Grant. The city previously submitted a letter of intent requesting $600,000, but staff are requesting a revision to $700,000 after receiving higher-than-expected cost estimates.

The funds would be used to renovate the upper floors of 111 Portage Ave. into three apartments and to address any structural or infrastructure issues within the building. City staff wrote that once completed, the project would complete the block of renovated buildings in the downtown area.

Because the grant request exceeds $400,000, the city would be required to provide a 1-to-1 match, totaling $300,000 from the General Fund balance. Combined with the grant funding, the project would total $1 million.

Commissioners will also consider approving a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Clean Streams, which plans to construct a new facility at the Airport Industrial Park. According to the agenda packet, the facility would remove PFAS from liquid waste and has received a tax exemption from the state under Public Act 451.

The specific amount Clean Streams would pay the city under the PILOT agreement is unclear.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.