Fracking, Sidewalk Cafe, Tax Break and More on Council's Agenda

Saline City Council meets Monday night.

Council gets to work at 6 p.m. with a work session to tackle upcoming budget.

The regular meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s what’s on tap for what looks to be a busy night:

City Asked to Stop Selling Water to Gas/Oil Drilling Outfit

• Mitch Rohde, CEO of Quantum Signal, the tech firm at Union School, will speak to council about the oil and gas drilling taking place in western Washtenaw County.

Drilling has been proposed for Lodi and Saline Townships. Rohde, a Lodi Township resident, launched the No Paxton website in opposition of the drilling. Residents are worried about possible contamination of drinking wells. Rohde is asking the city to stop selling water to Paxton Resources. In a letter to council, he writes that city water is being used with hydrochloric and nitric acids to drill wells.

Last year, the city council passed a resolution declaring fracking would not be allowed in the city.

Brecon Grille Sidewalk Café Request

The sidewalk café issue at Brecon Grille may be close to resolution. Last year, the city drew heat from some residents who said the café left the sidewalk too narrow and dangerous, especially for seniors and those with disabilities.

Brecon Grille is seeking four four-seat tables on Michigan Avenue and 10 four-seat tables on South Ann Arbor Street. Last year, there were six tables. On South Ann Arbor, the sidewalk would be between the tables and the restaurant. Fencing would be required on the street side of the tables. The application calls for maintaining the 60-inch sidewalk on both streets.

Liquor License Available

City council will consider its options for the additional liquor license it has to grant. The license, granted to the city as a result of the 2010 Census, brings the city’s quota to six. The first five were licensed to Ruby Tuesday, Dan’s Downtown Tavern, Brecon Grille, Mangiamo and Biwako Sushi. Other licenses in the city belong to Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack, Maplewood Lanes and the Saline American Legion.

City to Consider Tax Abatement

City council will consider Saline Lectronics’ application for a six-year tax break on an investment of $676,802.  According to the paper work filed by the company, the new investment will create 12 new jobs

Main Street Asks for Support of Downtown Alley Project

Council is being asked to support a motion in support of the Saline Main Street program’s application for a $2,000 grant that would help fund improvements to the alley behind Mangiamo and Brecon Grill. The “It’s About Place: A Let’s Save Michigan” Context money would be used along with $10,000 of city money and privately raised money for lighting and other physical improvements to create a patio in the city-owned alley.

Tonight's Presentations

Council will hear several presentations, in addition to the one by Rohde.

• Mary Lirones will speak to council about the River Raisin Watershed Council. Council was close to cancelling its membership in the organization after learning the organization was struggling. Lirones asked council to postpone the decision until she could look into the matter. The Saline River is part of the River Raisin Watershed.

• City council will honor Deputy Clerk Jacquelyn Lindimore, who is retiring after 27 years of service.

• City council will present awards to two Parks & Recreation employees. Diane Mukkala will receive the Michigan Recreation & Parks Association Community Service Award. Kevin Taylor will receive the Youth Ports Staff Member of the Year.

• Jody Roberts of Saline Recreation will recognize Saline’s Youth of the Year nominees Maura McCann, Julia Hogikyan and Hayley Byrnes. McCann was honored as Youth of the Year at Friday’s Saline Salutes banquet.

Consent Agenda

In the consent agenda, council will consider:

• Confirming Mayor Gretchen Driskell’s appointment of Thomas Truskowski to the Parks Commission.

• Approving and adopting Driskell’s proclamation of May 19 as National Kids to Parks Day, and encourage residents to make time to take the children to the local, state or national parks.

• Approving and adopting Driskell’s proclamation of April 20 as a “Day of Silence” and encouraging citizens to promote a safe and welcoming environment for the city’s students and citizens, and to stop discrimination, harassment and abuse of lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals.

• Approving and adopting Driskell’s proclamation of May 18-19 as Poppy Days in Saline, and to urge citizens to wear the memorial flower in honor of the young men and women serving in the armed forces, and in memory of those who sacrificed their lives serving the country.

• Approve paying bills of $566,000.