The Three Rivers City Commission will convene for a regular meeting tonight July 18 at 6 p.m. at Three Rivers City Hall (333 W. Michigan Ave.). Topics for the evening will include the potential appointment of Bobbi Schoon as Finance Director, as well as an update on the recent Constantine sewer main break. 

• The first item on the agenda will be presentations and recognitions for both Executive Director for Commission on Aging Pamela Riley, as well as County Housing Director Clayton Lyczynski II. 

In new business:

• The commission will consider authorizing the use of the fund balance in the amount of $31,450 and approve a purchase order to Wightman for design, bidding, and construction engineering for the Memory Isle improvements project.
• The commission will make a decision on the approval of a purchase order in the amount of $54,570 to Peerless Midwest for the Fiscal Year 2024 well work. This maintenance will include cleaning and overhauling of the wells.
• The commission will consider authorizing the use of the fund balance and approve a purchase order in the amount of $10,400 to Watco for the Fiscal Year 2023 railroad crossing signals.
• The commission will consider authorizing the use of the fund balance and approve a purchase order in the amount of $32,175 to Northern Construction Services Corp for the emergency replacement of a sanitary manhole in East Michigan at Middle St. The sinkhole was evaluated on July 6, and the bottom blocks of the 10’ deep manhole had collapsed and allowed material to enter and create a sinkhole at the roadway surface.
• The commission will consider appointing Bobbi Schoon as the new City Finance Director/Treasurer. Schoon submitted her application for the position and has since met with City Manager Joe Bippus and Deputy Finance Director Leslie Wilson to discuss her qualifications. Schoon would have to acquire additional municipal accounting skills, and has already met the prerequisites to be accepted into the training programs. If appointed Schoon would be working directly with the Deputy Finance Director and auditors to gain a complete understanding of the Three Rivers finance department operations. Schoon currently serves as the director of the Three Rivers Public Library. 
• The commission will consider the approval of a purchase order in the amount of $17,660.00 to AFC International, Inc for the purchase of the AccuFIT9000 Fit test system. The system will allow the Three Rivers Fire Department (TRFD) to perform OSHA mandated fit tests in-house. This is part of a new system the TRFD is using to perform annual physicals which meet OSHA requirements, decreases time spent, and saves cost for the future.
• The commission will consider approving a purchase order to Stryker in the amount of $54,611.18 to purchase two power load systems. This power load system is compatible with the TRFD’s current ambulance stretchers and helps to reduce work load on personnel loading the stretcher. The system also eliminates the possibility of the stretcher (and the patient) being dropped during the loading or unloading process.
• The commission will consider authorizing City Manager Joe Bippus to purchase three parcels from St. Joseph County tax sale, not to exceed $20,000. The City wishes to purchase  614 Walnut St., 918 S. Lincoln, and Lot #051-220-002-00 on the corner of 10th St. and Madison St. 
• Lastly in new business Wastewater Superintendent Taylor Davis will update the commission regarding the status of the Constantine sewer main break. 

For those unable to make Tuesday evening’s meeting in-person, the proceedings are available via Facebook live on Three Rivers City Hall’s page. 

Beca Welty is a staff writer and columnist for Watershed Voice.