Grant City Targets 16 Problem Properties for Condemnation

The City of Grant City will call a special meeting to condemn the rest of the abandoned houses that it says need to come down. City Administrator Lizzie Jeanes reported to the council at their regular meeting Wednesday that while a few more properties are getting cleaned up around Grant City, there are 16 property owners that need to be called in to the special meeting in question. 

The city is still in the process of getting a demolition grant for the Masonic Lodge. They needed more info, which the city has sent.

Better by Design is in the process of knocking on doors to talk to people and come up with a plan on how many holes they will have to make to look at pipes. This is part of a nationwide process to get lead out of pipes. After that process is done, they will write letters to people telling them what kind of pipes they have.

Jon Claypool is wondering if there is a way to change the zoning on his property around his house to Ag so that he can fence off the front of his house and have a few butcher cows.

The city is in the process of finalizing the want list for the park project. Possible items include four pieces of exercise equipment, a few things for smaller kids, a teeter totter, a four person bouncer, a tether ball pole, a merry go around, and a handicap swing. The grant has to be done by the middle of November and requires a 50/50 match. The council voted to match up to $50,000 for the park equipment grant.

Justin Smith asked if his house could be added to the city sewer project. Jeanes is going to check with the engineer and let him know.

The council voted to renew the solid waste contract with Porter Trash and to attend Great Northwest Day for another year.

Ryan Fletchall reported that the city has replaced meter pits, helped install new gas lines, and that there has been a large number of dog complaints and dogs being picked up. He reported that lagoon levels have been good this year. 

Carl Staton reported that 100 locates came in from Better by Design for the lead service line inventory and that he has been working at getting those completed. He reported completing the new gas line for the new county barn. He ordered eight small commercial meters to change out; he still has 100 new meters to get installed.

Tyson Troutwine reported that Approved Paving came and sealed half the city streets. They will finish this week. The city voted to purchase two loads of salt and hire Kory Nonneman to haul it. The city voted to purchase two loads of sand and have Dirk Groom haul it. Allen Cameron his having his bank cut down and is giving the dirt to the city. 

Clerk Farrah Richey reported that most city phones have been switched over to Verizon. All of the tax refunds have been applied to customer accounts. The council voted to renew the insurance contract with Blue Cross & Blue Shield; the rate will increase 0.2%.