The Wayland City Council is grappling with the possibility of getting out of the business of leasing parking lots for public use altogether.
Discussion surfaced at the council’s first-ever all-line remote meeting Monday evening after City Manager Josh Eggleston noted he has been asked about the lot between Aqua In Vino and the Henika Library, owned by Dr. Bruce Sexton. The city in days gone by had leased the lot and adjacent alley for $2,600, but the Downtown Development three years ago pulled out of the arrangement.
Sexton inquired about establishing a new lease agreement, but it appears a majority of council members prefer no longer having such arrangements.
Councilwoman Jennifer Antel said the DDA had conducted a study on the city’s parking needs, and it was found that available public parking downtown was more than adequate.
“The DDA has been talking about getting out of leasing,” she said. “How can we pay for a study and then ignore the results?”
Suggesting a plan in which the city pays Sexton one dollar more than he pays in taxes, Eggleston said, “I don’t want the city to pay more than what taxes bring in for the property.”
The city manager reported he had offered to have the city pay $1,100 annually and take care of repairs, striping and plowing of the lot.
Councilman Rick Mathis said he would like to see that plan executed on a yearly basis because property taxes change annually.
Mayor Tim Bala’s suggested that Sexton either submit a proposal in writing for the next on-line meeting or appear at the next meeting at City Hall.
Until recently, the city had leased the American Legion parking lot east of House Chiropractic, but it appears its use primarily has been by customers.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the council:
- Approved the mayor’s appointment of Mark Williams to a four-year seat on the Planning Commission. He succeeds Virgin Gleason, who decided against seeking another term after serving since 2011. Andrew Shelest was reappointed for another term.
- Learned from Police Chief Mark Garnsey that the city department has gone to two shifts of 12 hours per day for seven consecutive days, then 14 days off in an effort to minimize Coronavirus risk to officers. Councilman Joe Kramer added that ambulance workers now have been reduced from three to two per shift.
The chief also said Officer Mark Riemersma has been selected as one of 20 recipients of a Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. Garnsey and Lt. Mark Rookus plan to attend the ceremony June 23 at Boyne Mountain.
- Discussed closing down the tennis courts at the City Park because basketball players can transmit COVID-19, but decided against such a move.
“I don’t want to have all recreational activity eliminated” during the current virus crisis, Eggleston said.
The playground structures in the park already have been taped off to keep children away, but it would be difficult to enforce rules against playing basketball.
The leasing arrangement was a waste of hard earned tax dollars. I’m surprised the Council used the study, since they usually do what they want, when they want.