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Owosso city manager outlines recycling deadline, lead service‑line work, drainage and downtown redevelopment
Summary
City Manager briefed council on state recycling requirements (90% curbside coverage by Jan. 2028), a TMF grant to identify about 700 service lines with a 2025 program to replace roughly 600, water-main work completed on Dewey and Tracy streets, drainage issues tied to the Chipman Chapter‑20 drain and downtown cleanup funding, including a $180,000 land‑bank pledge for City Club building cleanup.
OWOSSO, Mich. — The city manager used the Dec. 2 meeting to brief the council on several infrastructure and redevelopment matters that will shape city planning and budget work in 2025.
Curbside recycling: The manager summarized an amendment to PA 451 that he said requires cities with populations over 5,000 to provide curbside recycling to 90% of residents by Jan. 2028 and advised council to begin public conversation by the end of 2025. He said the Cook Family Foundation is negotiating to support public outreach and listening sessions countywide, but noted Owosso cannot rely solely on county drop‑off sites because it is the only municipality above the statutory population threshold in the county.
Lead service lines and water work: The city was awarded a TMF grant to identify about 700 additional water service lines; the manager said the 2025 replacement program aims to replace approximately 600 identified lines. He told council the city is already more than halfway through replacing lead and galvanized lines and that federal guidance on an accelerated EPA timeline remains unclear.
Drainage and Chapter 20 drain responsibilities: The manager discussed persistent drainage issues affecting West Towne and the Chestnut Street river crossing tied to the Chipman drain, which is treated as a Chapter 20 drain. He said the city would be responsible for 51% of engineering or physical work costs and staff will coordinate with the drain commissioner, township, MDOT and county.
Downtown redevelopment and cleanup: Manager reported the county land bank pledged $180,000 toward cleanup at the City Club building (117 Exchange), and staff are evaluating access for heavy equipment and whether to preserve the historic facade. Manager said facade preservation would be costlier and council will likely need to decide whether to contribute additional funds.
Other updates included completion of 2024 water‑main replacements on Dewey and Tracy streets, occupancy of new apartments at 114–116 West Main, and planned HVAC and electrical upgrades for the municipal building; the manager noted a potential 18‑month lead time for a replacement emergency generator and that he is exploring alternatives.
