East Tawas officials vote on light pole removal; equipment sale proposal | News | iosconews.com

EAST TAWAS – Among other matters, Walter Stopczynski addressed the East Tawas City Council on Oct. 21, during the public comment period of that night’s council meeting.

Stopczynski, a local property owner, addressed a complaint he received from the City of East Tawas, regarding the storage of vehicles on his lot located on Lauren Street.

Stopczynski stated that he has lived there for 24 years, and has stored his pontoon boat, bass boat and camper on the property. He claims that he has never had a problem there, until now.

He stated that he was told he should just sell his lot because he can no longer store those items on the lot. His options, he claims, are to put an addition on his garage or add a 1,000-square-foot house.

According to Stopczynski, those rules were not in effect when he purchased the lot.

“So my question is, what is my recourse here other than selling my property or building a 1,000-square-foot house?” he inquired. “I already have a house on the lake. I know the rule wasn’t there when I bought the property. Maybe you guys can think about this and tell me something later. Thank you.”

The meeting also included two key discussions, one regarding the proposed sale of a piece of equipment – referred to as a Muffin Monster (MM) – to the city of Tawas City; and the other involving the removal of a light pole in the turn lane in front of commercial lots on US-23 in East Tawas.

The first discussion pertained to the sale of the MM. (More information, such as background into why the sale was requested, will be shared in a future edition of this publication).

East Tawas City Councilman Dave Leslie, who is also chair of the Tawas Utilities Authority (TUA) Board, reported that he had received a letter from the Tawas City attorney in regard to the MM grinder that is in the force main on the Second Avenue pump station in Tawas City.

The two municipalities are 50/50 owners of the MM, and the letter requests that East Tawas sell the MM to Tawas City for $1.

Leslie asked the council to authorize the East Tawas TUA representatives to sell the equipment, as proposed, with the stipulation that when the new bar screen is installed, Tawas City will cease the use of that part.

A lengthy discussion followed the motion, and included talks on such items as the options to repair the MM, remove it now or to sell it.

Seconded by Councilman Joseph Kolts, Leslie’s motion passed 6-1, with Councilman Mike Mooney casting the dissenting vote.

The removal of a light pole, was another discussion of the evening. City Manager Brent Barringer presented a letter of authorization request from Consumers Energy, seeking a change in the standard lighting contract with the city to remove a light pole in the turn lane in front of commercial lots.

Barringer stated that there is a new turn lane under construction in front of commercial property on US-23. The existing light pole is in the way and not needed.

He advised that he contacted all the involved departments for their concurrence, and noted that the light fixture will be removed from East Tawas’s inventory.

Per Barringer, “Consumers needs a resolution to remove the 85W LED as part of a commercial new business contract that made an agreement with MDOT due to required road work in front of the commercial lots.”

Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Bolen made a motion to approve the change in standard lighting contract, to remove the light pole as stated in the authorization request, which was seconded by Leslie and passed unanimously.

In separate topics, Barringer introduced the Huron Pines’ Lake Huron Forever Pledge, a partnership with all shoreline communities along the great lakes.

“A couple of years ago they did a water runoff assessment in relation to a US-23 project. The pledge is really to come back and get us in a position to start looking at more details of that,” he stated. “I think it’s beneficial for the city for the point of grant potential in project cost assistance in some upcoming social projects.”

Per Barringer, there are more issues to consider, such as how discharge into the bay occurs, and how this impacts other areas.

He indicated interest in inviting Huron Pines representatives to give a presentation, explaining the purpose and process of the pledge.

Other matters discussed at the meeting, included the following:

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