Posted on February 23, 2021
The Harbor Beach City Council voted to purchase a new pump for its sewer and sell a piece of formerly foreclosed land during its Feb. 16 meeting.
The city council approved the purchase a larger pump for the rebuild of the DPW sewer machine. At a former meeting, DPW Supervisor Mike Jurgess had requested the pump. During discussions, it was learned the present machine would cost about $100,000 to replace. It would be more frugal to repair it by installing a new pump.
Jurgess recommended purchasing the new pump from Sewer Equipment of America for a price of $7,212.83, plus shipping costs. Council agreed. Later, Harbor Beach Mayor Gary Booms told the Tribune the repair would likely keep the old sewer machine going for several years.
The city council voted to sell a city lot to Ciara Marie Legaspi of Harbor Beach.
The lot, formerly known as 606 Bartlett Street, had been foreclosed in 2019. The city purchased the land and structure from the Huron County treasurer, the structure on the land was demolished and the property cleaned up.
City Director Ron Wruble told council there was one bid on the land — a bid by Legaspi for $13,000.
Booms said the bid price would likely, “…. cover expenses we have in property.”
In addition, selling the land would bring in tax revenues from the property’s new owner. After some discussion, council agreed to sell the land to her for her bid price.
Michigan law requires that an annual public hearing be scheduled for the purpose of discussing and adopting the city’s budget and proposed millage rate. In light of this, the city of Harbor Beach will hold a public hearing at its regularly scheduled city council meeting March 1, beginning at 7 p.m. The hearing is to discuss the 2021-2022 budget and proposed millage rates.
For the past couple years, the city has been working on a waterfront enhancement project, and it had received a matching grant from the DNR. Due to the unprecedented rise of Lake Huron water levels, the property is being flooded. Construction on the enhancement is impossible until fill dirt is brought in the raise it above the water levels.
Booms said the city is waiting on state and federal permission to continue the project by raising the land levels above the present Great Lakes water levels. Yet, the matching grant is in jeopardy due to these delays. Therefore, the Harbor Beach City Council has agreed to request an amendment to its agreement with the DNR. City officials will ask that the project period be extended until Nov. 30.
During council reports, Booms relayed some information to the council in regard to the upcoming auction and sale of the former DTE property. Booms said he had received an inquiry as to how the property would be taxed by the city.
The former DTE property is approximately 80 acres, and rests within the city limits. Much of the land is considered lake front property.
A short discussion followed. Any action needing to be taken by city officials will take place after discussions at a later Harbor Beach City Council meeting. Booms said he had heard the March 5 auction has over 450 registered bidders.
During additional council reports, the mayor said U.S. Congresswoman Lisa McClain will be touring the Thumb March 15. She will be in Harbor Beach that morning and will meet with governing members of the city.
The council finished the meeting by discussing types of council meetings allowed by the state during this global pandemic. It was pointed out that there are 3 possible choices for meetings in the future — in house, open air, or Zoom meetings.
“I hope we soon get back to normal,” Booms said.
