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Residents press council on refuse service and water-meter rollout as city manager outlines ARPA spending
Summary
City Manager Lisa reported ongoing issues with Priority refuse service, said the water-meter replacement is about 40% complete, and reminded council that roughly $4.9 million in ARPA funds remain; multiple residents urged stronger enforcement and raised concerns about water-rate increases.
City Manager Lisa told the Lincoln Park City Council staff are continuing daily work with Priority, the contracted refuse hauler, to address missed pickups, broken bins and other service complaints. "Overall complaints have gone down from the recent weeks, but there are still some issues," Lisa said, adding staff receive daily delivery updates from the contractor and have asked for bin-repair follow-up.
Lisa also reported the city is about 40% through a multi-district water-meter replacement project and that HydroCorp is sending follow-up letters to residents who did not respond to the initial notice. She said a small number of properties have caused delays because valves required additional work.
On budgetary matters, Lisa reminded the council that about $4.9 million of previously awarded ARPA funds remain available and must be spent by the end of the calendar year. She said a large portion of the remaining allocation is intended for retention-basin and pump improvements and water and sewer infrastructure work.
During citizen communications, several residents raised related service concerns. Richard Kudrak thanked the mayor and the Exchange Club for the Field of Flags display but said Priority crews often operate on unscheduled days on his street and expressed frustration: "I don't know what the hell they're doing," he said. A separate resident, Larry Kelsey, recounted recurring problems with successive contractors and warned that steady water-rate increases could force residents into delinquency, citing examples in other Michigan cities.
A resident who identified himself as David asked why 18-wheelers continue to use Goddard despite 'no truck' signage and said heavy traffic will damage recently repaved sections; council members and the chief offered to speak with him after the meeting about enforcement options.
Council members asked for clearer, dollar-based illustrations of water-bill options in upcoming presentations; Lisa agreed to include example bills so council can see the direct effect of proposed changes. Staff will continue daily tracking of Priority performance and proceed with the water-meter replacement schedule while preparing ARPA-funded infrastructure projects.
No formal policy change or new contract award was enacted at the meeting; the council handled these items as reports and public comment.
