EAST TAWAS – The first phase of the Harbor Park Redesign project, as laid out by East Tawas Parks Manager Eric Braun and Parks Board Chairman Mark Elliott – during the July 1 meeting of the East Tawas City Council – is to remove the commercial building previously known as the “Bait Shop.”
The project, which will be ongoing through 2027, when work is slated to be done on US-23, has been designed to enhance the public space in this park by providing more green space for recreating, as well as improving the aesthetics of the harbor in general.
The redesign includes a reconfiguration of the sidewalks to improve access to the beach and movement throughout the park, to add an aesthetically-pleasing privacy wall between the campground and the park. Access by vehicles from the extension of Newman Street will no longer be available, and it will become a pedestrian zone only. The new layout will also allow for the addition of one more campsite to be added to the campground.
As the council discussed the project with Braun and Elliott, they focused mainly on the timeline of phase one as it relates to the two current leases in the Bait Shop building, which are Freakin’ Pickles and Harbor Park Cafe. Knowing that their leases are nonrenewable, if both businesses are interested in early terminations of their leases at the end of the summer season, then the project can commence this coming fall with the building’s demolition. If either of the occupants would like to maintain their lease until its end in February 2025, City Manager Brent Barringer said that the leases would be honored.
In the redesign report submitted by the parks board, the project’s timeline – if leases are ended early – lists the tasks for October and November 2024 as being building demolition, fountain pump room construction, the installation of barrier fencing and landscaping. If leases go to term, this work will proceed in March and April 2025.
Once all the details were understood, Mayor Bruce Bolen confirmed that the parks board’s goal that evening was to request a resolution allowing the beginning of phase one of their redesign project, with the timeline dependent on the leasees’ preference for the discontinuation of their leases.
“This is a big thing, the building has been there a long time. Has there been enough feedback from the public?” Bolen asked, of Braun, Elliott and Barringer. Once they answered in the affirmative, Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Bolen motioned to approve the Harbor Park Redesign project’s conceptual plan which includes the demolition of the Bait Shop, with the timeline contingent on the termination of the building’s leases. Council Member Blinda Baker seconded the motion, which carried 7-0.
During reports from departments and staff, the council learned details about issues that arose due to the morning storm that occurred on June 25. Barringer shared that city hall was without power for most of that day, and he would like to consider installing a generator so that staff can continue to service their residents.
Moving on to East Tawas Department of Public Works (DPW) topics, DPW Manager Jeff Seyfried said that a good portion of storm debris had been cleaned up throughout the week, but there was still more to do. Once they are able to complete that, his team will get back to their regular schedule of yard debris pickup.
Following this, Chief of Police Frank Anthony shared that, of the 15 fire runs during the time of the storm, five were deemed as non-emergency. Additionally, their new hire, Officer Jeremy Renshaw, has officially begun his duties and is in the process of getting up to speed.
Barringer then outlined a proposal by the local library, to create an outdoor space for their patrons to enjoy. They are proposing that they pay for the design and construction of the space, while requesting that the city be willing to take responsibility for maintaining it.
Also, the East Tawas Business Association (ETBA) is requesting that they be allowed to string lights across Newman Street on the first block off of Bay Street, which would be positioned at an appropriate height required by the city’s zoning ordinance. One light had been strung as of that day, so that the council can view it prior to moving ahead with further lights. The ETBA is proposing that they fund this lighting project and care for it, while requesting that the city finance the cost of its electricity.
Barringer also gave an after report on how the second annual “Tawas Lake Day” event went on Saturday, June 29. He shared that it was well-attended, and that the audience participated in both a lengthy question-and-answer period after the morning’s speakers, as well as an afternoon lakeside workshop on how to identify and remove the invasive aquatic plant, Eurasian watermilfoil. (See separate story for more information about the event).
Lastly, in Barringer’s staff report, he took a cue from several residents who had spoken in support of golf cart use on public streets, during the public comment period.
Barringer told the council that he and Anthony are in the midst of researching golf cart use within cities, and are planning to get back to the council soon with that information. Mayor Bolen responded by requesting that this topic be put on the agenda for their next work session.
In other business, Barringer updated the council on the topic of the easem*nt requested by Consumers Energy, that has been previously reported on in this publication. The owner of the property that is involved, Mike Herrick, is happy with the poles that Consumers will be installing and was present in the audience, affirming Barringer’s report.
Mayor Bolen restated the resolution in regards to this easem*nt, adding in the appropriate adjustments in the its language based on the new specifications.
Council Member David Leslie moved to adopt the resolution for the easem*nt with the changes, which was supported by Council Member Joe Kolts and carried unanimously.
Under new business, City Clerk/Treasurer Julie Potts informed the council that Northland Area Federal Credit Union requested that the city close an old and unused bank account. A resolution is required, in order to proceed with this; therefore, Mayor Pro Tem Bolen made a motion to adopt a resolution to close the dormant account. The motion was supported by Leslie and approved in a 7-0 vote.
Also under new business, Barringer introduced Brent Long from the audience as a potential alternate on the city’s board of review, which listens to appeals by residents on the assessed value or tax value of their property, as well as its classification. Long is currently on the board of appeals. Kolts made a motion to approve Long’s position as an alternate, which was supported by Baker and carried 7-0.
