City of Milan

Town Hall & Business Forum

November 5, 2014

Mayor Michael Armitage

• Welcome• Introductions• Outline

▫ Budget▫ Communication▫ Streets▫ Public Safety▫ Public Works▫ Economic Development▫ Parks and Recreation▫ Community Enhancements▫ Administrative

• Questions - Please hold all questions until the end

Budget

• Budget and general fund balance history

• General operation millage rate remained at 14.40 mills.

• New senior, voter approved, millage of .50

• Fire department billing ordinance

• Water/Sewer utility increase of 14%▫ Utility history leading up to

• Water / Sewer 14/15 Summary before increase Revenues projected $2,815,362 Expenses projected $3,035,589 Net difference ($ 220,227) shortfall

Budget

• Water and Sewer Usage

▫ 2012 versus 2013

Budget

Looking Ahead:

• Long term budgeting.

▫ 2015-16 goal is to create a three year balanced budget with five year projections.

• Institute a Capitol Needs Assessment to be reviewed each year in conjunction with budget.

• Look for new revenue sources & budget savings

▫ Sponsorships

▫ Internal efficiencies

Communication

• Facebook page launched on January 1st

• Almost 1800 likes

Communication

• Through a grant from the Ypsilanti Area Visitors Convention Bureau, the city was able to contract with New Moon Visions to research the city brand, which included surveying the community. New logo and tagline in next phase.

• A new website is currently under development.▫ Increase functionality for residents, visitors, and

possible investors. ▫ Update the visual appearance and branding of the

city.

• Reactivated the use of Nixle.• Increased the number of press releases• Media training for all employees.

Streets

• Asset Management Plan

Streets

• S. Platt Rd Bridge replaced through a grant from the State of Michigan.

Before

Streets

• S. Platt Rd Bridge replaced through a grant from the State of Michigan.

After

Streets

• The city partnered with the Monroe County Road Commission to rehabilitate Wabash, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

• Monroe County covered the costs for mobilization for the whole project through a state grant program, called “Roads and Risks Reserve Fund.”

• By joining in this partnership, the city saved an estimated $30,000.

Streets

Looking Ahead:• $350,000 small urban grant for 2015

construction of North St. between First St. and Michigan Ave.▫ Includes $45,000 from County milage

• $564,000 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant for intersection improvements at S. Platt St. and Redman Rd.

• $350,000 small urban grant for 2017 reconstruction of E. Lewis Ave between North St. and Dexter St.

• The development of a special assessment district for Milan Crossings is in progress.

Public Safety

• Red barrel for prescription drugs has been added to the police department lobby, through a grant from CVS.

Public Safety

• Mayor Armitage appointed Jesse O’Jack as city prosecutor in January.

• Mutual aid agreement signed between the PSAPs of Washtenaw County in September 2014.

• Traffic studies around schools and in Uptown Village.

• Weather radios placed in

all city-owned public buildings.

Public Safety

Looking Ahead:• 911 phone upgrade to bring the system ready for emerging

technology, such as Next Generation 911.

• Secure way to make additional information available IF you call 911.

• The city will see cost savings by implementing in conjunction with a state project.

• November 10th

Current

Public Safety

Looking Ahead:

• Crime mapping.

• City ordinance revisions.

• Updated police policies.

Public Works

• On January 1st there were 26 city owned street lights not functioning. A procedure has been implemented to insure timely repair.

• 233 DTE Energy

streetlights were

converted to LED,

saving the city over

$14,000/year.

Public Works

• New recycling program was implemented to increase recycling and avoid price increases over the next 3 years.▫ Recycling has increased over 13% since rolling out the

new program• Project tracking and work order systems have been

implemented to increase efficiencies.• Radios are being assigned to DPW workers.• Wade Trim contract extended one year; to go out to

bid in 2015.• Saw grants for storm and sewer system submitted,

expected to be received in 2015.• New procedure for snow plowing.• First community to join MuniRent.

Public Works

• Mooreville sewer MOU reached, avoiding litigation and strengthening our relationship with York Township.

Public Works

Looking Ahead:

• Iron filtration project. – Spring 2015

• Water/Sewer repairs on North Street – Summer 2015

• Crack sealing projects – Fall 2014/Spring 2015

• Conversion to LED streets lights in the Downtown.

Economic Development

• City was an administrator for a job creation grant, allowing Jaytec to hire 50 new employees.

• Agreement with the Monroe County Business Development Corporation for services.

• Communication continues with Ford Motor Company, but no new developments.

• Applied for the Michigan Main Street program.

• City Administrator attended the International Council of Shopping Centers “Deal Making” event in Chicago.

Economic Development

• 7 new homes built in 2013

• 15 new homes built to date in 2014

▫ 215%

• Photos of Eagle Springs & Meadowbrook

• Milan Crossings

▫ New Developers

▫ Slated to start construction in the spring

Economic Development

New businesses in 2014

Milan Coffee Works The Morning Owl Don Juan Mexican Bar & Grill Milan Drugs C K Antiques & Restoration Lori Nemeth Photography Now and Then & Again Little Pharmacy Open Door Boutique Milan Floral and Gifts Brooklyn Sidetracks

Coming Soon

Five Star Health & Fitness

Economic Development

• Economic Development Plan Implementation▫ Target Businesses and Developers

DDA Targets Dexter Street Targets Kroger Strip Targets

▫ Site Visits

• Fast Track Program▫ For new, expanding or relocating businesses, we recognize the

need to offer a business friendly environment. The city is committed to streamlining and simplifying, where possible, its permitting processes.

▫ Fast Track Team, which consists of the Mayor, City Administrator, Planning Director/Building Director, Planning Commission Chairman and Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman can be assembled quickly to review plans, sit with developers or business owners and craft a development plan that will help "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process.

Economic Development

• Develop Milan Promotion marketing Piece

• Stay active with ICSC, MEDC, Chamber of Commerce, etc

• Staff Meetings on the Road▫ Retention is just as important▫ Visit local establishments once every month to conduct staff meetings

• Façade Improvement Programs▫ Streetscape – Dexter St▫ Signage, Awnings, Front Façade – DDA

• Downtown Design Guidelines▫ Maintain historical integrity

Rehab or new construction

Parks and Recreation

• City has applied for a grant through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for improvement in Wilson Park.

• $63,000 in private grants and donations have been secured for the project.

Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation

• Grant received from the Community Foundation of Monroe County for handicap accessibility at Nature Park.

• Restructure of the Youth Football Program and the transition of the 7th and 8th Grade league to the Milan Parks and Recreation. This program will now include Kindergarten – 8th Grades. ▫ Received a grant from the Greater Milan Foundation for the

assistance in testing and repair to our helmets.

• Working with property owner on a potential donation of land for park space in Eagle Springs.

• Working cooperatively with the Youth Soccer Club, Milan Youth League, Horse Groups, and Milan Flyers.

Parks and Recreation

• Successful events: ▫ Concerts & Movies the Park

▫ Coffee Off

▫ Grandma and Me Tea

▫ Daddy/ Daughter and Mother Son Dance

▫ Egg hunt

Parks and Recreation

Wilson Park

Nature Park

Parks and Recreation

Looking Ahead:

•Addition of Park Rule Signs in the Parks

•Add Pet Waste Receptacles and Bags in the Parks

•Collaborate with outside service organizations to pool resources to bring bigger events to the City

•Working with the DDA to install bike racks in the Parks.

•Possible implementation of the return of the Farmers Market

•Explore possible Lake Improvements - Grants

•Joint event with the City and the Milan Dragway

Community Enhancement

• Grant from DTE Energy

for 30 new trees in

neighborhoods.

• Replaced dead landscape

in the civic complex.

• Lake and Riverbank clean up

▫ Fall and spring

Community Enhancement

• Enhancing décor through the work of the Beautification Commission of the City, Moving Milan Forward, Milan Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Milan Area Community Foundation.

Community Enhancement

• Championship

signs designed and are

being installed.

• Blight issues are

being addressed.

• Attention given to

corridors and gateways,

in addition to downtown.

Administrative

• City Administrator Jade Smith.

Administrative• BS&A software upgraded.• New computers citywide.• Health care plans changed to comply with the health

care laws.• Campus security upgrades in progress.• Improving workflow processes.• Updated special event form.• Professional photos of staff.• Nursery School lease.• Contract for services with Milan Seniors for Healthy

Living• Fuel purchase agreement with the schools.

▫ Annual savings are approximately $5,000

Administrative

Looking Ahead:

• Blight▫ Implemented a blight program ▫ Enhancements to come – self reporting

• Economic Development▫ Pursue new development and commerce

• Budget▫ Eye on the budget to keep on upward trend

• Staff Development - Customer Service▫ Service industry standards are important to me and service is a priority to retain

and obtain new residents and businesses.

• Capitol Needs Assessment▫ Aging infrastructure and buildings ▫ Need a long term action plan to address

Questions