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Council approves $95,000 appropriation for vector-control work; weed-cutting ordinance debate continues
Summary
Council voted 9–0 to approve a $95,000 transfer and appropriation to expand in-house vector-control mowing and maintenance. A related ordinance to shorten the notice period for grass/weeds enforcement drew debate and was not finalized.
On April 15 the Michigan City Common Council approved an additional appropriation to the general fund to expand the city’s vector-control mowing and property-maintenance work, moving the item on third reading by a 9–0 vote.
Councilwoman Moldenhauer, the ordinance sponsor, said the measure shifts $95,000 within the general fund to increase salaries and wages ($75,000), FICA ($5,000), supplies/repairs ($5,000) and tools/minor equipment ($10,000), allowing the city to perform more grass-cutting and lot maintenance with city crews rather than contractors. A resident commenter, Tommy Klobick, praised the vector-control crew’s work and urged the council to approve the funding; council members supported the measure and the third-reading vote carried 9–0.
Separate but related, council members debated a code change that would reduce the number of days a resident has to abate a vegetation violation from 10 days to five days. Councilwoman Moldenhauer said vector-control and the city forester support the change because taller grass requires multiple passes and presents safety hazards for crews. Councilman Przybylinski proposed amendments to clarify notice and delivery methods and to ensure computation of "full business days" for compliance; he urged that days falling on weekends or city holidays be excluded from the five-day count. The council debated procedural points and an amendment motion did not receive a second; the ordinance remained on second reading for further consideration.
Why it matters: the appropriation funds a shift to in-house maintenance that city staff said will reduce contractor expense; the weed-notice debate centers on fairness, due-process and operational efficiency for vector-control crews who must check lots for hazards before mowing.
Status: appropriation ordinance passed on third reading (9–0). The weed/vegetation ordinance remains under discussion; council did not approve the proposed amendments and the item will return to the council for further action.
