The Mayor provided an overview of the city's budget, projects, and initiatives. The budget faces a shortfall for water and sewer utilities which may require a 14% rate increase. Grants were received for infrastructure projects including a new bridge and street repairs. Economic development efforts have attracted new businesses and homes. Parks, recreation, and beautification programs were discussed along with administrative improvements around technology, security, and processes.

1. City of Milan
Town Hall & Business Forum
November 5, 2014
Mayor Michael Armitage

2. • Welcome
• Introductions
• Outline
▫ Budget
▫ Communication
▫ Streets
▫ Public Safety
▫ Public Works
▫ Economic Development
▫ Parks and Recreation
▫ Community Enhancements
▫ Administrative
• Questions - Please hold all questions until the end

3. Budget
• Budget and general fund balance history
• General operation millage rate remained at 14.40 mills.
• New senior, voter approved, millage of .50
• Fire department billing ordinance
• Water/Sewer utility increase of 14%
▫ Utility history leading up to
• Water / Sewer 14/15 Summary before increase
 Revenues projected $2,815,362
 Expenses projected $3,035,589
 Net difference ($ 220,227) shortfall

4. Budget
• Water and Sewer Usage
▫ 2012 versus 2013

5. Budget
Looking Ahead:
• Long term budgeting.
▫ 2015-16 goal is to create a three year balanced
budget with five year projections.
• Institute a Capitol Needs Assessment to be
reviewed each year in conjunction with budget.
• Look for new revenue sources & budget savings
▫ Sponsorships
▫ Internal efficiencies

6. Communication
• Facebook page launched on January 1st
• Almost 1800 likes

7. Communication
• Through a grant from the Ypsilanti Area Visitors
Convention Bureau, the city was able to contract
with New Moon Visions to research the city
brand, which included surveying the
community. New logo and tagline in next phase.
• A new website is currently under development.
▫ Increase functionality for residents, visitors, and
possible investors.
▫ Update the visual appearance and branding of the
city.
• Reactivated the use of Nixle.
• Increased the number of press releases
• Media training for all employees.

8. Streets
• Asset Management Plan

9. Streets
• S. Platt Rd Bridge replaced through a grant from
the State of Michigan.
Before

10. Streets
• S. Platt Rd Bridge replaced through a grant from
the State of Michigan.
After

11. Streets
• The city partnered with the Monroe County
Road Commission to rehabilitate Wabash, Ohio
and Pennsylvania.
• Monroe County covered the costs for
mobilization for the whole project through a
state grant program, called “Roads and Risks
Reserve Fund.”
• By joining in this partnership, the city saved an
estimated $30,000.

12. Streets
Looking Ahead:
• $350,000 small urban grant for 2015
construction of North St. between First St. and
Michigan Ave.
▫ Includes $45,000 from County milage
• $564,000 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
(CMAQ) grant for intersection improvements at
S. Platt St. and Redman Rd.
• $350,000 small urban grant for 2017
reconstruction of E. Lewis Ave between North
St. and Dexter St.
• The development of a special assessment district
for Milan Crossings is in progress.

13. Public Safety
• Red barrel for
prescription drugs
has been added to
the police
department lobby,
through a grant from
CVS.

14. Public Safety
• Mayor Armitage appointed Jesse O’Jack as city
prosecutor in January.
• Mutual aid agreement signed between the PSAPs of
Washtenaw County in September 2014.
• Traffic studies around schools and in Uptown Village.
• Weather radios placed in
all city-owned public buildings.

15. Public Safety
Looking Ahead:
• 911 phone upgrade to bring the system ready for emerging
technology, such as Next Generation 911.
• Secure way to make additional information available IF you call 911.
• The city will see cost savings by implementing in conjunction with a
state project.
• November 10th
Current

16. Public Safety
Looking Ahead:
• Crime mapping.
• City ordinance revisions.
• Updated police policies.

17. Public Works
• On January 1st there were 26 city owned street
lights not functioning. A procedure has been
implemented to insure timely repair.
• 233 DTE Energy
streetlights were
converted to LED,
saving the city over
$14,000/year.

18. Public Works
• New recycling program was implemented to increase
recycling and avoid price increases over the next 3
years.
▫ Recycling has increased over 13% since rolling out the
new program
• Project tracking and work order systems have been
implemented to increase efficiencies.
• Radios are being assigned to DPW workers.
• Wade Trim contract extended one year; to go out to
bid in 2015.
• Saw grants for storm and sewer system submitted,
expected to be received in 2015.
• New procedure for snow plowing.
• First community to join MuniRent.

19. Public Works
• Mooreville sewer MOU reached, avoiding
litigation and strengthening our relationship with
York Township.

20. Public Works
Looking Ahead:
• Iron filtration project. – Spring 2015
• Water/Sewer repairs on North Street – Summer
2015
• Crack sealing projects – Fall 2014/Spring 2015
• Conversion to LED streets lights in the Downtown.

21. Economic Development
• City was an administrator for a job creation grant,
allowing Jaytec to hire 50 new employees.
• Agreement with the Monroe County Business
Development Corporation for services.
• Communication continues with Ford Motor
Company, but no new developments.
• Applied for the Michigan Main Street program.
• City Administrator attended the International
Council of Shopping Centers “Deal Making” event
in Chicago.

22. Economic Development
• 7 new homes built in 2013
• 15 new homes built to date in 2014
▫ 215%
• Photos of Eagle Springs & Meadowbrook
• Milan Crossings
▫ New Developers
▫ Slated to start construction in the spring

23. Economic Development
New businesses in 2014
 Milan Coffee Works
 The Morning Owl
 Don Juan Mexican Bar & Grill
 Milan Drugs
 C K Antiques & Restoration
 Lori Nemeth Photography
 Now and Then & Again
 Little Pharmacy
 Open Door Boutique
 Milan Floral and Gifts
 Brooklyn Sidetracks
Coming Soon
 Five Star Health & Fitness

24. Economic Development
• Economic Development Plan Implementation
▫ Target Businesses and Developers
 DDA Targets
 Dexter Street Targets
 Kroger Strip Targets
▫ Site Visits
• Fast Track Program
▫ For new, expanding or relocating businesses, we recognize the
need to offer a business friendly environment. The city is
committed to streamlining and simplifying, where possible, its
permitting processes.
▫ Fast Track Team, which consists of the Mayor, City
Administrator, Planning Director/Building Director, Planning
Commission Chairman and Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman
can be assembled quickly to review plans, sit with developers or
business owners and craft a development plan that will help "cut
the red tape" and expedite the approval process.

25. Economic Development
• Develop Milan Promotion marketing Piece
• Stay active with ICSC, MEDC, Chamber of Commerce, etc
• Staff Meetings on the Road
▫ Retention is just as important
▫ Visit local establishments once every month to conduct staff meetings
• Façade Improvement Programs
▫ Streetscape – Dexter St
▫ Signage, Awnings, Front Façade – DDA
• Downtown Design Guidelines
▫ Maintain historical integrity
 Rehab or new construction

26. Parks and Recreation
• City has applied for a grant through the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources for
improvement in Wilson Park.
• $63,000 in private grants and donations have
been secured for the project.

27. Parks and Recreation

28. Parks and Recreation
• Grant received from the Community Foundation of
Monroe County for handicap accessibility at Nature Park.
• Restructure of the Youth Football Program and the
transition of the 7th and 8th Grade league to the Milan
Parks and Recreation. This program will now include
Kindergarten – 8th Grades.
▫ Received a grant from the Greater Milan Foundation for the
assistance in testing and repair to our helmets.
• Working with property owner on a potential donation of
land for park space in Eagle Springs.
• Working cooperatively with the Youth Soccer Club, Milan
Youth League, Horse Groups, and Milan Flyers.

29. Parks and Recreation
• Successful events:
▫ Concerts & Movies the Park
▫ Coffee Off
▫ Grandma and Me Tea
▫ Daddy/ Daughter and Mother Son Dance
▫ Egg hunt

30. Parks and Recreation
Wilson Park
Nature Park

31. Parks and Recreation
Looking Ahead:
•Addition of Park Rule Signs in the Parks
•Add Pet Waste Receptacles and Bags in the Parks
•Collaborate with outside service organizations to pool
resources to bring bigger events to the City
•Working with the DDA to install bike racks in the Parks.
•Possible implementation of the return of the Farmers
Market
•Explore possible Lake Improvements - Grants
•Joint event with the City and the Milan Dragway

32. Community Enhancement
• Grant from DTE Energy
for 30 new trees in
neighborhoods.
• Replaced dead landscape
in the civic complex.
• Lake and Riverbank clean up
▫ Fall and spring

33. Community Enhancement
• Enhancing décor through the work of the
Beautification Commission of the City, Moving
Milan Forward, Milan Area Chamber of
Commerce, and the Greater Milan Area
Community Foundation.

34. Community Enhancement
• Championship
signs designed and are
being installed.
• Blight issues are
being addressed.
• Attention given to
corridors and gateways,
in addition to downtown.

35. Administrative
• City Administrator Jade Smith.

36. Administrative
• BS&A software upgraded.
• New computers citywide.
• Health care plans changed to comply with the health
care laws.
• Campus security upgrades in progress.
• Improving workflow processes.
• Updated special event form.
• Professional photos of staff.
• Nursery School lease.
• Contract for services with Milan Seniors for Healthy
Living
• Fuel purchase agreement with the schools.
▫ Annual savings are approximately $5,000

37. Administrative
Looking Ahead:
• Blight
▫ Implemented a blight program
▫ Enhancements to come – self reporting
• Economic Development
▫ Pursue new development and commerce
• Budget
▫ Eye on the budget to keep on upward trend
• Staff Development - Customer Service
▫ Service industry standards are important to me and service is a priority to retain
and obtain new residents and businesses.
• Capitol Needs Assessment
▫ Aging infrastructure and buildings
▫ Need a long term action plan to address

38. Questions