Circus location request is tabled
by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor
There were a variety of agenda items acted on or discussed at Monday evening’s quiet, yet short, Onaway City Commission meeting.
One agenda item involved a circus coming to town during next year’s Fourth of July celebration. The date would be July 5.
The Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce has submitted a park-use application in hopes of hosting a traveling circus on Maxon Field; however city staff has concerns about allowing heavy equipment to enter the field during a time when Onaway Little League teams are still playing.
Commissioners received a copy of the application and grid showing where everything would go.
“If there is rain or moisture, that field gets kind of soft, that outfield does,” said city manager Joe Hefele. Members of the Department of Public Works share the concern, as does the clerk, who recommended the chamber seek an alternate site. They encouraged the chamber to approach the Presque Isle Economic Development Corporation about using the property by the airport.
Chamber president Connie Gibson was expected to be at the meeting, but could not attend to participate in the discussion.
Hefele asked for a motion to table to allow the chamber to explore perhaps some other spots. “This isn’t happening tomorrow,” he said. “There is no way to predict what the weather is going to be. If it is completely dry, it might not do any damage. If we get three days of rain before it, it could tear the whole field up.”
A motion to table was accepted. The commission approved a request from Awakon Federal Credit Union (AFCU) to replace a grass strip along M-68 in front of the Washington Avenue business with concrete.
AFCU says people are parking in front of the credit union, where they have always parked, and tromping down the grass on their way to the front door.
Because the grass is dead, the area gets pretty muddy when it rains and people bring this mud in on their shoes on rainy days, creating a headache for the clean-up crews, Hefele stated in his manager’s report.
The Michigan Department of Transportation advised CFO Scott Pauly to go before the city. Pauly, who was in attendance, said that since the M-68 project is closed there was no funding available, so AFCU will bear all costs.
The commission approved the request and the project started earlier this week. The commission also approved the request of Deb Artrip for the abondonment of the portion of undeveloped “alley D” between North Lynn and North First, in block 13 of Young’s addition.A notice had been published in the Outlook.
• In other business, Aurora Gas Company president John Tierney was in attendance to request an amendment to the franchise ordinance with the city.
“In the event that Aurora felt that it needed rate relief, and we could not come to an agreement with council, the obvious next step is to take it to the Michigan Public Service Commission for a resolution,” said Tierney.
The amendment, if approved would add clarity to the ordinance by allowing either Aurora Gas or the city to go to the state.
Hefele said the ordinance language is unclear. Tierney has spoken to city attorney Mike Vogler and
• Commissioner Jessie Horrocks and Hefele made a blight enforcement trip Sept. 1. Hefele said “things looked pretty good,” but a few tickets were mailed out.
• The next city commission has been rescheduled from Oct. 7 to Oct. 10.
• During commissioner reports, Chuck Abshagen remarked that he continues to be “very happy” with the agreement that was worked out with the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Department. He said there not only has been high-visibility from the sheriff’s department, but the Michigan State Police as well.