by Karen Mead-Elford, co-editor
Owosso City Council met for a regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 4. A public hearing on the special assessment of Ryan Street resulted in several residents expressing related issues before council. Those commenting included Brian Suggs, Brandie Cords, Mike MacKenzie, Steven Tisher, Lisa Frolka, Don Bronson and Linda Durfee. The special assessment deals with Ryan Street, between Chipman Street and Cedar Street, and a proposal for street reconstruction. The initial proposal involved narrowing the street from 32 feet to 26 feet – saving Ryan Street residents approximately $50,000 in the assessment process. Many of the residents present for the meeting were critical of narrowing the street. Owosso Public Utilities Director Glen Chinavare stated that a traffic study showed that 500 or less vehicles use Ryan Street daily. Some of the residents shared they think the study is not accurate. Ryan Street runs east and west, parallel to Stewart Street, connecting Owosso’s Dutch Town area. Ultimately, council moved in agreement with the residents attending that evening, with the decision to split the estimated $50,000 between the city and property owners on a 60 to 40 percent basis – allowing for Ryan Street to remain the same width. From here, the next step the city will pursue will take place after bids are received. Ryan Street is part of the five-year street reconstruction plan the city has been working toward.
After Shiawassee County Commissioner John Horvath, District 2, discussed information related to the new jail proposal, and Eddie Urban, of Owosso, asked the city to replace a sidewalk along his property, Tom Manke, of Owosso Township, approached the council expressing his doubt on the Ryan Street traffic count. He first thanked council for listening to the Ryan Street residents and then questioned if he would need to file a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) to obtain the count information. Jeff Daniels, of Owosso, was also at the meeting seeking further guidance on an ongoing trash removal issue.
The consent agenda included authorizing step four in the special assessment on Williams Street, between Shiawassee and Washington Streets, along with a number of board and commission appointments and the purchase of a water line push camera for the amount of $23,500. A purchase authorization for two trucks for DPW from Signature Ford Lincoln Mercury was also approved.
Items of business involved approving two grant applications from MDOT for street work on North Street, between Shiawassee and Hickory Streets, and also on Gould Street, from Oliver to Moore Street. Both were approved.
The next meeting is planned for Tuesday, Feb. 19, directly following Presidents Day.
