Grant City to Hold Public Hearing on Five Abandoned Buildings

The City of Grant City will conduct a public hearing on five different abandoned buildings on the Square on November 1st at 6:30 pm. The city has done inspections for all of them and found that none of them were structurally sound. The buildings in question are the Francom building, the Dogman building, the State Farm building, the Masonic Lodge, and the Hole in the Wall. 

The city is in the process of trying to get funding for the demolition. The city has gotten quotes, and the estimated cost to demolish all of them is around $180,000. They are seeking an emergency grant, CDBG funding, and other sources. 

The final version of the Strategic Plan will be done by December 31st. The city is still in the process of working on goals.

United Fiber, which is providing Internet service to the city, is participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program, which gives a $30 discount for Internet service for up to 12 months. The program is renewable. There is a limit of one benefit per household.

City Administrator Meggan Brown reported that the city had gotten reimbursed through a Solid Waste Grant for picnic tables it had purchased. 

The city approved signing an agreement to do the survey for the Wastewater project, which will bring the city into compliance with DNR regulations. 

The main portion of the High Street waterline project will be completed shortly. Water lines along Lovers Lane are deteriorating and will need to be fixed or replaced.

Two buildings have recently come up for sale. The old car wash next to High Street and the old Bowling Alley are up for sale. 

The city will paint the basketball court so that it can be used for pickleball. The city has a net for it, but they need a fence.

Public Works Director Carl Staton reported that chip and seal work has been done on the streets and that more gas meters have been put in. Crews were working on a sewer line on 3rd street and winterized the pool. The city has gotten a new lawn mower and a mini excavator. They will check for a leak on their side of the line near the school. Tyson Troutwine has successfully completed his gas certification.

The council approved offering level billing for water as they do for gas. It does not apply if there is a leak on the customer’s side of the line. 

The city received two inquiries about auditing the city for 2022 and 2023.

The city compiled a list of past due taxes. There are some past due from 2004 to 2022. Some people have passed away, while others have gone bankrupt. The total amount of past due taxes owed the city is $73,206.81.

The council voted to donate $100 to the Tri-County Health Department.