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City of Eaton Rapids

Michigan's Island City

News

March Mayor’s Corner

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Happy Spring Eaton Rapids! 

Some of you may have seen a recent article in the Lansing State Journal regarding the Horner Mill property. The City has been working with the owners of this property to bring it into compliance. As you know, the buildings are in severe disrepair. Recently, we started working with Eaton County Treasurer Bob Robinson and the county land bank to apply for a State grant that by working with the owners and the city, would provide funding to start demolition and clean up of this property. If awarded, this will be the start of bringing this property not only into property maintenance compliance, but the start of finally removing this eyesore and start working on possible redevelopment. While the grant funding will not provide for removal of all buildings at once, it will be a start and after 20 plus years of nothing happening, I for one am very excited to see this blight removed from our city. 

Something I mentioned in the State of the City address was the restarting of a Citizens Academy. Several years ago, the City held an academy for residents to learn more about the city government, how our city departments work, including our Department of Public Works, Public Safety and City Administration. I would like to know if there is an interest from our residents to do this again. If you would be interested in being a part of this academy, please let me know. If there is an interest, we can start working to put this program into action. You can reach me at my email pcolestock@cityofeatonrapids.com. This would be for City of Eaton Rapids residents only. 

The Downtown Development Authority has announced this year’s façade grant opportunity for the downtown business/building owners. This grant can help with exterior repairs and upgrades of up to $5,000. Applications can be picked up at City Hall and are due by 4pm on April 28th. 

Enjoy your March! 

Mayor Pam Colestock 

City of Eaton Rapids – City Hall Closing Wednesday, February 22, 2023

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This is to serve as a closing notice for City Eaton Rapids, government non-emergency operations (City Hall). The City of Eaton Rapids non-emergency government operations (City Hall) will be closing at 12:00 pm today, February 22, 2023, and will reopen for normal business on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 8:30 am.

The safety of the public and our employees is of highest importance. The ice warning issued by the National Weather Service, expected deteriorating travel conditions throughout this afternoon, and into tonight necessitates the closing of City of Eaton Rapids non-emergency government operations (City Hall).

February Mayor’s Corner

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 I don’t normally like to start off writing about sad news, but I would be remiss to not mention how hard of a week this has been for so many. After I got home from last week’s council meeting, there was breaking news of the active shooter at MSU. I watched as many of you did in utter disbelief. I received a call from our Police Chief stating he was sending officers to assist. Several deputies, officers, firefighters and EMT units throughout the county went to assist where they could. It’s not surprising, whenever there is a crisis, people jump in to help without flinching. People from all over sent resources to assist those directly affected. This is proof that evil does not win. It might touch our lives and cause a great deal of pain, but it does not win. We stand with everyone at MSU! 

City Council is working on the new Recycling Center. It’s turning out to be a longer process than I had hoped, but we have momentum with a few grant-funding opportunities that could assist us in building the new center and that is very exciting. We should learn more by summer if we will be awarded funding, and once we know, we can start putting the actual plans into place. We are looking to build a facility in the south industrial park on city-owned property. This is a collaborative effort between the City, Eaton Rapids Township and Hamlin Township, and we appreciate their engagement in this effort. More details to come! 

One thing I mentioned at last week’s State of the City address is in 2022 City Council appointed 27 new/re-appointed citizens to our various boards. That is a huge accomplishment, and I appreciate all of our board members, and City Council for approving these appointments. We can accomplish so much when we have full participation in our boards. We still have a few spots remaining on our Zoning Board of Appeals and Local Officers Compensation Committee, so if you’d like more information, please let me know. We are also looking for volunteers to help serve on our events committees. If you’d like to help, please reach out to Corey Cagle, at ccagle@cityofeatonrapids.com. 

As of this writing we are just 32 days away from spring! 

Mayor Pam Colestock 

Job Opening City Treasurer/Finance Director

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The City of Eaton Rapids is in search of an experienced City Treasurer / Finance Director. The ideal candidate will have experience in public sector finance including but not limited to budgets, audits, investments, grant reporting, pension systems and experience with millages and tax increment financing. An individual in this position must have the ability to critically think, analyze data, and engage with stakeholders including the City Manager, City Council, Department Directors, DDA and LDFA.

The City Treasurer/Finance Director position is supervised by the City Manager.  Educational requirements include a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, public administration or related field, Master’s Degree preferred. Three to five years in professional accounting or financial management in a municipal setting.  Three years of supervisory experience preferred.

Salary Range from $70,000 to $79,000.  Comprehensive benefit package including paid time off, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, and life insurance, employer retirement contribution, and participation in Michigan’s Municipal Employee Retirement System pension benefit program.

To apply, please submit your resume and three (3) professional references to Yvonne Ridge, City Manager at yridge@cityofeatonrapids.com

January Mayor’s Corner

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 For this month’s article, I would like to reflect on a few things that City Council accomplished in 2022. We had some challenges, but were able to keep our focus on what was best for the City, which is our top priority. We worked through the hiring of a City Manager, and while we had to part ways with one, we welcomed another one mid-year and that has been a very positive experience. We changed the Quality-of-Life department back to Parks, Recreation and Events and with that, promoted Parks Coordinator Corey Cagle to Director of Parks, Recreation and Events. We are excited about having more events this year! 

Council made the tough decision to close the recycling center located at the DPW; however, we created a committee in conjunction with our township partners, to develop a new location and facility for recycling for the community. We are really excited about the plans for this, so please be watching for more information coming soon! 

The Planning Commission started reviewing the revised Zoning Ordinance. Once that is completed, their recommendation will come to City Council for review and final adoption. We are shooting for them to wrap up their review in April, then Council will start their review. There will be public hearings on this so I will keep you updated as we get closer to that time. 

The Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) changed their meeting times from every other month to monthly, so they could work on pressing issues in a timelier manner. They most recently approved new signage that will be installed this spring at both the north and south industrial parks. 

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) started the new year with a new Main Street Director but is ending the year with the director leaving. The DDA is starting the new year with a fresh focus on how to best move forward with the Michigan Main Street program but will be working alongside the Eaton Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, and other entities to collaborate for future projects. 

I will be giving our annual State of the City address at the February 13th City Council meeting. This will highlight accomplishments of the past year, but will also lay out some goals and objectives for this new year. You are welcome to attend, both in person and virtually. 

Have a great January! 

Mayor Pam Colestock 

211 of Central Michigan

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If you or anyone you or anyone you know has fallen on tough times, there are resources available to assist! Whether the needs are for food, utility bill assistance or mortgage/rent payments, please reach out for assistance. All you need to do is dial 211 from any phone and free, confidential services are available. You’ll be connected to an operator who will take some information and details of your situation and needs, then they will direct you to resources that are available to you. Please do not hesitate to use the resources available to you to prevent build-up of past due payments and late fees. You may also visit https://www.mi211.org/ for more information and online resources.