City Council Hears City Park Ideas, New Water Shutoff Policy

With a light agenda Tuesday, the Clawson City Council spent most of its meeting discussing updates on a new water shutoff policy and the status of the Parks & Recreation committee's initiative.

City Park plans

If there is one thing on which most city officials agree, it's that the City Park could use some improvements. On Tuesday, the council discussed the areas in need of updates, including the tennis courts, football field, track and baseball/softball fields. 

A Parks & Recreation committee has been assessing the needs of the park for almost a year and brainstorming solutions. The committee's primary focus is resurfacing the football field with artificial turf and expanding the track for dual and quad track meets.

The group has been exploring funding streams and breaking down the costs, said Councilman Samuel Moore, who sits on the committee. The football field, lights and track alone would cost about $1.2 million, Parks & Recreation Director Mickey Alderman told Clawson Patch. 

Several residents have volunteered to help fix up the park and do some painting, Mayor Penny Luebs said.

A professional baseball team owner's brought more attention to the needs of City Park this summer. David Martin, of Summit Professional Baseball, because of opposition among residents who were worried about increased traffic and noise. This stirred up a lot of conversation among residents who said they wanted to explore other ways to update the park.

Recently, there has been damage to the roof of the locker rooms at City Park caused by kids who jump the fence at the top of the football field bleachers, officials say. The city is working to have the fence extended so no one can climb over it, City Manager Mark Pollock said. "We don't want kids to have access to the roof," Pollock said.

New water shutoff policy to take effect on Jan. 1

On Jan. 1, 2012, residents can expect a implemented.

The city is working on a policy for residents who don't stay up to date on their bills. The city rolled over more than $400,000 in taxes to residents with unpaid water bills this year, City Manager Mark Pollock said – meaning the city pays the water bills but adds the cost to residents' tax bills.

Currently, residents receive a bill quarterly on the 15th of the month. That bill is due on the 20th of the following month, Pollock said. Under the new policy, they receive a late notice on the 21st, with a late fee applied, due within 10 days. If they still haven't paid by then, the city will issue a shutoff notice indicating they will turn off the water if the resident has not paid within seven to 10 days.

"We're not looking at this as a punitive measure," Pollock said. "We just want people to pay their water bills on time."

New city intern introduced

The council introduced Liz Carnegie as the city's new intern, who will work through December. Carnegie will be focusing on community outreach and her first project is the Clawson Food Bank at .

There will be food bank pickups at the church on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 for needy families. The community can make food donations in drop boxes at , and various Clawson businesses.

Homecoming Parade date OK'd

Council approved a request by the  Student Senate to hold its Homecoming Parade on Oct. 7. 

Correction: Residents receive a bill quarterly on the 15th of the month.