City Working to Repair Lift Stations

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The March 13 Harrison City Council meeting began with adoption of Council meeting minutes of March 2 and March 16 Council bills. That was followed by the Mayor Dan Sullivan’s report which included the words “It’s till winter” and “Have patience.”

Visitor Vikki Paulus requested Council to do more about feral cats in the city, a request spurred by the death of a neighbor, leaving their inside-outside cat to fend for itself. She sought action from the City regarding Animal Control’s seeming lack of response, although another neighbor had gone to Animal Control and secured a live trap to use. The cat has not been seen.

Old Business began with Fire Department Officer Appointments, which had been tabled at a previous meeting as Fire Chief Barry Wallace Jr.  had not been available for questions. Those questions related to the shift from two captains to three captains, and the pay structure involved.

Wallace explained that Remi Lipovsky is on a different pay structure, established with the City.

Justin Cavanaugh, city manager, interjected that the Fire Department Ordinance establishes three chiefs, but no other officer positions. He said that ordinance should be updated to reflect what Council would have so the chief could make such decisions within a defined parameter.

Council member Connie Huffman inquired how officer qualifications are established, and Wallace noted a lot of it is training. And response is determined not by how long that person has been on the department, but how much time they have put into the department.

“The officers that I moved around this time have put in extra time, have taken the officer classes, have reached out and taken additional classes on their own merit and without any prodding or extra incentive to make them take these classes,” he said. “So, these people have put in the initiative to step up to be a higher qualified officer. I thought if we’re moving other people up the ranks, I felt it would be a good time to move these people up, as well.”

Cavanaugh explained that there had been two assistant chiefs, but as there is now only one, there is less wage payout to the department.

When asked about the department budget going forward, Wallace explained that two of the three captains cannot go higher because of their position with the State of Michigan. He said there is no current intent to add more officers, and elaborated on the qualifications of the two advanced captains and what the expertise they bring to the department.

Council then moved to approve the Fire Chief’s designated Fire Department officer appointments:  Assistant Chief Arnold “Buster” Vasher; Captain Jeff Vasher; Captain Steve Schummer; Captain Tracy Loy; Lieutenant Remi Lipovsky; and Lieutenant Jim Lockwood.

It was determined that Cavanaugh would update the Fire Department Ordinance to reflect the set amount of officers.

Discussion of City Council compensation has been ongoing, as a motion made in 2022 regarding compensation was made incorrectly, leaving the one made in 2019 as the last good vote – therefore, the amount Council is bound to follow was lowered from $60 per meeting back down to $30 per meeting as of January 2026. It had been learned that such compensation must be changed by ordinance, not by motion, and such compensation by ordinance cannot take effect until after December 2028 when the current 2024 Council terms expire. That compensation increase would take effect Jan. 1, 2029. Council chose to change from a per-meeting rate, and settled on an annual compensation of $2,000 for Council members and $2,400 for the mayor. The city manager was directed to draft an ordinance amendment establishing Council compensation.

Reports of Committees and Department Heads began with Chief Wallace, who thanked Council for allowing him to take a Chief Officers Class, saying it was very good and that he had learned quite a bit, and recommended all the officers take it at some point.

He also reported 105 runs year-to-date, including powerlines, a structure fire and a couple vehicle fires. Wallace said Fire I and II classes would end that week which included two instructors who, once certified, will lead to the department having six instructors. That would be equivalent to one-fourth of the department being instructor certified. He also noted community engagement work which included working with the City of Harrison, townships, VFW, and schools which are all asking for fire department representation at their activities.

“We’re already filling up the calendar with things to do,” he said, adding his appreciation for Anita Yager providing event information so the department is aware. “We’re going to try to hit as many of them as we can, but we can’t commit to every single one of them, because there’s a lot. I feel like we’re getting at least two or three requests a week for a fire truck at an event.”

Wallace said he and Remi Lipovsky had toured Hillside and Larson Elementary to meet teachers and introduce themselves.

“Went to Hillside a few weeks ago, sat through lunch, played outside at lunch,” he said. “Somebody told the kids Remi likes to play Tag, so he spent 15 minutes running away from chasing kids. It was rather entertaining.”

The first probationary firefighter training was the week prior, and Wallace said it went well. A new applicatnt was to be interviewed that week, and if hired would bring the department up to 23 or 24: up three since the first of the year.

Wallace then expressed his appreciation for all the work that had been done by his predecessor Chris Damvelt.

“He’s laid out a pretty good foundation for us, and we’re just trying to build off of that,” he said. “I appreciate all his work, and you guys’ support, as well.”

DPW Superintendent Sam Russell noted having gotten out the street sweeper at the beginning of the previous week, only to have it put away by the end of the week to plow snow.

“Our next trick is to get the leaf truck out again,” he said. “The guys are a great bunch of guys … I praise them every day. I can call them anytime, and every single one of them will come in, get their jobs done. It makes it very easy for everybody when everybody participates – and they do a great job. It’s a great bunch of guys you employ back there.”

Russell then reported issues on Lift Station 9 which lost power, problematic because water was still running with no ability to pump wastewater. The generator had been placed, but the manual transfer switch from Consumers Energy to the generator [placed in 1971] was described by Russell as “dangerous.” This resulted in flames shooting out of the box. Council then moved to approve purchase of a replacement transfer switch, permits and installation by Heckman Electric at a cost of $2,651.

Russell also noted problems with the interface on Lift Station 2 on Hillcrest and said he would be getting quotes for that repair.

Clerk Kathy Maharas informed that the leave-water-run order has been lifted. Her quote for the month was “The Water Department keeps things flowing; the election decides who’s steering the ship.”

Treasurer Tracy Wheeler-Clay informed she had officially closed the 2025 tax season, adding, “And, until July, no presents from me.”

Cavanaugh reported having attended the recent Michigan Municipal League Conference, describing it as one of the better ones he had attended. He said governor candidates spoke, and that one of the breakout sessions was on small communities which he found beneficial, particularly for developing an assets management plan.

He noted direct congressional spending which can be offered on short notice, and advised Council that it would be prudent to have projects pre-engineered and at the ready and in-hand which could be pulled out quickly to show what that congressional money is being requested for.

Cavanaugh informed that the Welcome to Harrison sign that had been destroyed a few weeks prior already had been reimbursed by MML, minus depreciation. That sign is in the process of being replaced, with the goal of it being completed by Memorial Day.

Something Cavanaugh said was being pushed at the MML Conference was the Elected Officials Academy through MML which offers different tiers of credentialling: something he said could be beneficial to Council members.

He also updated Council on where things stand with the HAEDCO property, noting the City is looking at working with the County Land Bank which could offer more incentives, i.e., Brownfield housing, tax incentive financing.

Cavanaugh also noted Zoning Ordinance review, and the large number of items that are set to be repealed – all ongoing.

New Business saw Council approval of:

-DNR Spark Grant Pay Request No. 3 in the amount of $176,696.28

-Well 4 Flowmeter Replacement in the amount of $3,916.44

-EGLE DWSRF [Drinking Water State Revolving Fund] Application Proposal Fleis & VandenBrink in the amount of  $9,750

Council meets next at 6 p.m. Monday, April 6 at Harrison City Hall, 2105 Sullivan Drive.