The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Council Briefs
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2008
News from the regular February City Council meetings.
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In an effort to introduce Saline's many organizations and commissions, Mayor Gretchen Driskell initiated a new program in which representatives speak at council meetings with an overview and update of their efforts. The first presentation was given by Saline Area Social Services Director Sue Brown.
"Many residents aren't even aware there are neighbors who need food, clothes and assistance. Others aren't aware there is a social services organization in our city," Brown said.
Saline Area Social Services serves needy families in the Saline School District and collects monetary contributions, food and clothing donations throughout the year from its office at 131 E. Michigan Ave.
Two honored
Saline Parks and Recreation Director Carla Scruggs presented two awards on behalf of the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association to local groups. The Saline Youth Council was honored at the state level for its innovative program, Dress for Less, in which students sold lightly worn formal dresses to raise money for their efforts. They earned more than $1,000 in last spring's sale. (View video at www.salinereporter.com.)
Scruggs also brought up members of the Saline Rotary Club who raised funds and built a covered pavilion at the Saline Recreation Center's Tefft Park. Based on the nomination, the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association recognized the Saline group for its stellar community service efforts.
Tax abatement granted
DiggyPOD Inc., located on Industrial Drive, prints books, newsletters and brochures and plans to add $259,200 worth of new equipment to expand the company's short-run book printing capabilities. The Saline City Council granted tax relief on this improvement for a four-year period.
"Two years ago only about 5 percent of our business was from outside Michigan. Now that number is 35 percent. We want to keep our company here," said Tim Simpson of DiggyPod. "We are one of the highest technology printing companies in the state."
Banners for sale?
Downtown Development Director Art Trapp was sent back to the drawing board again to hone his proposal to charge groups $250 to fly their promotional banners from 16 light poles downtown for up to 30 days. Some council members thought the amount was too little, while others thought the charge might be cost prohibitive.
The idea is to allow nonprofit groups the opportunity to promote their community event by flying flags that they pay to produce from prominent downtown positions. A new policy should restrict banners used for charitable or fund-raising purposes and those promoting a ballot proposition or candidate for public office.
Fees going up
Increases in a number of services provided by the city of Saline were approved this month. Those increases that may affect residents include a $15 increase to $165 for sidewalk snow removal, rate increases of $5 to $25 for facility rental at the Saline Recreation Center, a 20 cents per page hike for requests filed under the Freedom of Information Act, and new fees of $10 for copies of police accident reports, up from $3.
The next regular meeting of City Council will be held 7:30 p.m. March 3. Meetings are open to the public and televised on the community access channel.
Compiled by Staff Writer Sue G. Collins. She can be reached at 429-7380 or scollins@heritage.com.
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