E.L. approves road bond for use during next 3 years

Cracked roads and uneven sidewalks in parts of East Lansing soon might be fixed after the City Council voted to approve a $1.8-million bond for street improvements at Tuesday’s work session.

The bond will include improvements such as resurfacing, installment and replacement of curbs and work to existing storm sewers to roads across East Lansing. The project is estimated to cost $1.5 million and will take place during the next three fiscal years.

“I think that it’s great we’re looking to invest another $1.5 million into the infrastructure of East Lansing,” said Todd Sneathen, the city’s director of public works.

Sneathen said he expects to begin selling the bonds in the next few months, but because of the economy, city officials might wait until the market becomes more stable.

“We’ll invest in the market when it’s the appropriate time to start selling,” he said.

The council also approved the refinancing of two bonds that already have been established.

The refinancing of the Unlimited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds would save the city $113,945, or 2.2 percent, during the remainder of the bond’s issue, which ends in 2018.

The General Obligation Limited Tax Refunding Bonds, which is up in 2016, would be refinanced to save $242,115, an estimated 5.2 percent.

“If we get any kind of saving, we should go ahead and do this,” Mary Haskell, East Lansing’s finance director, said in the meeting.

All three bonds passed unanimously.

Also on the agenda was an update of Hawk Nest Park, located at the corner of Kiskadee and Buteo drives. Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts Tim McCaffreydiscussed the Hawk Nest Park master plan with the City Council.

The proposed project could receive a $262,500 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and $87,500 from the city for the project. Improvements to the park include a playground, a picnic pavilion and revegetation of the site.

A design plan was submitted to the City Council, and McCaffrey said the department now will move into construction document preparation for the park. Construction on the park is scheduled to begin sometime after Spring 2010.

The council also passed an amended consent judgment for the legal dispute against Hagan Realty and the city of East Lansing.

The city and Hagan Realty entered an agreement to move a house from 612 Virginia Ave. to 170 Stoddard Ave. The city agreed to a $10,000 cap on the costs for relocating utility wires with the move. However, because of unforeseen costs, the cap was changed to $40,000.

The City Council has requested that Hagan Realty pay the outstanding balance of $30,000 for the additional fees. Representatives from Hagan Realty did not comment during the meeting. The City Council approved the consent judgment unanimously.

Staff writer Marissa Cumbers contributed to this report.