City manager reports progress on 35 South Groesbeck apartments, RRC certification and cost‑recovery ordinance review

City Manager Brown updated the commission on several operational and development matters, including a rental redevelopment project, the city’s pursuit of MEDC redevelopment certification and a review of public‑safety cost‑recovery procedures.

Brown said representatives of the new ownership of the 35 South Groesbeck rental complex have been working with Community Development to finalize outstanding items; once those are handled a full certificate of occupancy and resident move‑ins are expected. “We expect all remaining issues will be handled in the near future and a full certificate of occupancy would follow,” Brown said.

Brown also reviewed the city’s commitment to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) certification process. He said the city has submitted process summaries and included existing downtown development plans and a public‑participation plan as part of the RRC requirements; MEDC feedback is pending.

On public safety, Brown said administration has worked with Substation Sergeant Tim McFadden to revisit the cost‑recovery ordinance intended to address repetitive, resource‑heavy calls for service at individual locations. “We have met and discussed this issue several times with the sergeants and we've prepared new processes and procedures, to help us enforce the provisions of this ordinance as is necessary,” Brown said, and indicated the commission might see related actions in the future.

The report also noted ongoing MDOT coordination on street repairs and quarterly reimbursement for trunk-line maintenance, improvements to ball diamonds and parks programming, and DialRide service usage of over 19,000 users during the reported period.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about income restrictions for units at 35 South Groesbeck; Brown said there are no income requirements. Several commissioners praised the cooperative work with the sheriff’s substation and welcomed progress on the redevelopment project.