Mount Pleasant CDRA delays decision on Atkinson water extension; board seeks cost estimate and clarity on grant match

The Mount Pleasant Community Development & Renewal Agency continued discussion May 12 about a proposed water extension to serve the Fred Atkinson property and deferred a decision pending more information. Executive Director Monte Bona suggested completing the utility connections as a special project so the work would not require formal bidding. Chairperson Mike Olsen said the city needs a project cost estimate before proceeding.

Minutes record that developer/participant Dave Oxman discussed an economic development grant of $25,000 connected to the property and told the board it requires a 50/50 match. The minutes further state Oxman questioned whether the cited $50,000 in-kind match could realistically be met; the document does not reconcile the arithmetic or provide further detail on match sources.

Board members expressed that additional information and time were necessary to review the Atkinson proposal before making any decision. The minutes note the original agreement was that the buyer would be responsible for installing utilities, a point Chairperson Mike Olsen raised during discussion. No motion to authorize construction or a waiver of bidding requirements is recorded in the minutes.

The board approved the Heritage Area Grant application and postponed invoice-register approval to the June meeting; the water-extension request remains under consideration with next steps to include providing a project cost estimate and clarifying grant-match requirements.