City Tackling Waterline Mandate Costs

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The Dec. 15 meeting of Harrison City Council began with adoption of the previous Council meeting minutes and the day’s Council bills. Members also heard an update from Justin Cavanaugh, city manager, regarding budget figures versus actual amounts as of Nov. 30, as well as end of year budget adjustments.

Sullivan’s focus then turned to a proclamation which had been prepared to honor outgoing Fire Chief Chris Damvelt. After reading aloud the many accolades contained therein, the two took a moment to immortalize the moment in a photo.

Council then heard a presentation by Andy Campbell of Bendzinski & Company regarding its completed Water Rate Study for the City, along with recommendations for Council’s consideration. Campbell offered several cost and payment scenarios, none of which can be handled without taking on considerable debt to accomplish them. Suggested were varied rate increases, each involving monthly rate hikes year over year through roughly 2040. He said the current annual increase has been about $1.25, but that to fully fund the mandated work in the time allotted using only water billing would require a $4 monthly increase, year over year for the anticipated 15 years. Campbell said Council could choose a middle ground of $3, or an amount of its choosing, but the expanse would remain the same.

The overriding expense is a direct result of the Lead and Copper Rule instituted by the state [EGLE] which mandates all residential water lines be inspected, with any lead or galvanized pipe to be replaced. And, the City’s obligation which used to end at the curb stop, now includes all line from the main to 18 inches inside the building. Campbell said the current assumption of annual cost for the mandated work is $42,000, with inflation. To put that in perspective, the City’s current budget is $430,000 for operations, maintenance and debt.

Campbell explained that the issue of the mandated remediation had been litigated, and that municipalities’ only option was to comply with the rule. Justin Cavanaugh, city manager, noted having spoken to the local legislator because Michigan’s constitution states “no unfunded mandates.” He was told the constitution doesn’t require the city to have a water system. [The unacceptable alternative, of course, would be hundreds of individual wells – leaving one to wonder who would be required to pay to inspect them?]

Also cited was a state average monthly water cost of $45, while locally that cost currently is $33.

Campbell added that the days of receiving a grant with a 20% match had inverted to become more of an 80% match, and that in the current political climate, the likelihood of the City acquiring any grant funding to assist with the exorbitant cost was at best negligible.

Under Reports of Committees and Department Heads, outgoing Fire Chief Chris Damvelt made his final incident report, citing 390 runs year-to-date. He also informed Council that this year’s Lighted Christmas Parade had fewer entries than the previous year and suggested next year’s parade be done on a Saturday. Damvelt noted the winning parade entrants as Up North Coffee for Most Lights, and Clare County Central Dispatch for Best Use of Theme.

He reported that his department had availed itself of the DNR’s Excess Property Program, and had that day picked up a military surplus 2021 side-by-side.

Damvelt also took some time to thank everybody at City Hall, which included him becoming a bit verklempt. He assured that he would still be part of the department, but as firefighter, not chief. He said he expects to be doing a bit of driving, but not fire/accident scene management.

Assistant Fire Chief Barry Wallace, who will assume the role of fire chief, spoke to say he appreciated all the work Damvelt has done for the department, stepping up when the department needed him, adding, “I can’t thank him enough.”

DPW Superintendent Sam Russell’s report included offering his thanks for Cavanaugh’s organizing and having the employees’ Christmas party. He also added more detail regarding the work generated by the waterline replacements, including weakened roadways resulting in pipe damage, as well as excavating under patios and driveways to access the lines – all of which adds to the cost and time required to complete the work.

Kathy Maharas, billing clerk/administrative assistant, offered her water quip: “Faster than a reindeer, more reliable than an owl, we are the Water Department.”

Treasurer Tracy Wheeler-Clay reported that taxes had been sent out and that she was working on the year-end.

Cavanaugh spoke of the then upcoming Grinch Day at The Venue on Main, sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and 989 Furniture.

Reporting for absent Mike Freeman, zoning/code enforcement officer, Cavanaugh noted 120 cases from January through December, to include lawn mowing and blight; that $10,057 had been brought in. He also said there had been 67 permits issued in 2025, which was down from 2024. Cavanaugh also noted the City’s updated online forms which are fillable PDFs.

Under New Business, Council moved to:

-Adopt Resolution 2025-30: 2-26 Fee Schedule Update. Those services/fees include: Parcel Combination at $50 for two parcels, plus $25 for each additional parcel; Boundary Adjustment at $75 base fee, plus $25 for each additional parcel; Parcel Split at $75 base fee, plus $25 for each additional parcel; and Land Division (Act 288 Review) at $150 base fee, plus $50 for each additional new parcel.

-Adopt Resolution 2025-31: Appointing Mike Freeman and Justin Cavanaugh to serve as Zoning Administrators and Code Enforcement Officers for the City of Harrison, noting either person may act independently in the performance of those duties.

-Adopt Resolution 2025-32: Approval of Treasurer Bond Amount of Tax Collection Compliance, increasing the Treasurer’s Crime and Faithful Performance bond to $2 million, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to implement this coverage with the City’s insurance provider.

-Approve the DNR Spark Grant Park Project Contractor Change Order 2 in the amount of $5,989.92

-Approve DNR Spark Grant Park Project Engineer Change Order 2 in the amount of $4,500.

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After Council adjourned its regular meeting, it reopened as the Zoning Board of Appeals to hear a variance request for construction at 440 N. Lake St. in Harrison. Two ladies, who were representing their ill mother who owns the property, explained that they were trying to see through to fruition the longtime dream/intention of their father to upgrade the residence which would be home for their mother. The plan called for the addition of a living room, replacing a portion of the structure which had been razed. The plan also called for impingement on the lakeside public easement. After much explanation, questions and answers. Council moved to allow the construction on the condition that no part of the dwelling could go beyond the property line.

Council meets next at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5 at Harrison City Hall, 2105 Sullivan Drive.