With a growing number of vacancies across most city boards, the Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday discussed a variety of options to encourage more involvement from the community.
Tom Lowry
The Three Rivers City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to schedule a public hearing and first reading of a proposed city ordinance amendment that would give citizens more time to pay their water bills before late fee penalties are applied.
Assistant City Attorney John Barnes was recognized by the Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday for over 30 years of dedicated service.
The Three Rivers Promise announced this week that it has raised $415,000 since the program was unveiled a year ago.
The Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday approved the use of over $1 million of the city’s fund balance to demolish the old Three Rivers Hospital, which City Manager Joe Bippus says has become “a public nuisance” after falling into disrepair decades ago. The project is expected to begin in the spring, and take approximately six months to complete.
City Manager Joe Bippus announced Friday that Ronald “Scott” Boling will be the next Three Rivers Police Chief, succeeding longtime Police Chief Tom Bringman who retired in November. Boling most recently served as police chief of the Schoolcraft Police Department where Bippus has previously been employed as a patrol officer in addition to his duties as city manager. It is unclear whether Bippus still serves in any capacity with the Schoolcraft PD.
Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and Commissioners Torrey Brown and Pat Dane were sworn in this week during the commission’s organizational meeting on Monday, November 8.
The unofficial results are in, and according to St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald, Torrey Brown has defeated fellow write-in candidate Lucas Allen by a “wide” margin in the race for Three Rivers at-large city commissioner.
Lucas Allen, 42, registered as a write-in candidate for the At-Large City Commissioner race Monday, joining fellow write-in candidate Torrey Brown. The seat is currently held by incumbent Clayton Lyczynski who is not seeking reelection.
The Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday approved two special exception use permits for marijuana dispensaries that will be established along US 131 in Three Rivers.
Downtown Three Rivers resident and First District City Commission candidate Justin Mitchell told Watershed Voice Wednesday he is bowing out of next month’s election for personal reasons.
The City of Three Rivers announced Tuesday that Halloween trick or treating hours within city limits will be observed from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, October 30 instead of on Halloween Day
Executive Editor Alek Haak-Frost writes, “Neighborhood skateparks, basketball courts, and open grass with no entry fees are paramount for low-income residents, and with Tuesday’s decision to approve the allocation of $17,000 to extend the Memory Isle basketball court from a half court to a full court, as well as the installation of a second hoop, the city commission chose to invest in an incredibly important and underserved demographic within our community.”
The Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday adopted its 2021-22 FY budget and user fee ordinance update, including the much discussed water and sewer rate increases, following two public hearings held at Three Rivers City Hall. The meeting marked the first time commissioners met in person this calendar year.
The Three Rivers City Commission will hold a public hearings at its next meeting on Tuesday, June 1 to consider updates to its user fee ordinance, including increases to the city’s water and sewer rates, as well as its 2021-22 FY budget.
Water and sewer rates in the City of Three Rivers are expected to increase in 2021-2022 as a result of unfunded mandates from the state related to lead water lines and water treatment, as well as local infrastructure projects slated for the next couple of years.
The Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday held the first of two scheduled public hearings to discuss proposed amendments to the city code that would allow marijuana facilities within city limits as special exception uses, and get further public input on the matter. Following a lengthy discussion and public comments from a handful of citizens, a thin majority of commissioners expressed support for the proposed changes.
At-Large Three Rivers City Commissioner Clayton Lyczynski will not seek reelection this fall, citing a desire to prioritize time with his daughters who are fast approaching graduation.