Jackson: Formal offer for Bippus

Municipal officials from Jackson are poised to make a formal offer to Joe Bippus to become city manager.

Bippus, who currently serves as Three Rivers city manager, was identified last week as Jackson’s choice for the job. Jackson officials said a contract offer was to be presented to Bippus Thursday after hammering out details of the contract during a work session Wednesday night.

Bippus, 44, currently makes about $90,000 a year. The Jackson position was advertising a salary between $110,000 and $120,000 annually.

Constantine – Riverfront acquisition

The village of Constantine has agreed to pursue a land-acquisition grant in order to secure 3-1/2 acres of riverfront property.

Council members earlier this week agreed to seek from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund 75 percent of the value of the property in question. The land is owned by Water Street resident Aaron Cullifer, and the state grant would pay him three quarters of the $27,000 value of the property.

Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the village must come up with a 25 percent match in order to secure the land, which abuts the east end of Riverview Park and would be developed as an extension of Riverview Park and its existing boardwalk.

Honeysett said the grant would require a survey of the property, closing costs and fees involved with transferring ownership of the property. He noted, however, that the grant application will include those expenses and as a result, would pose little out-of-pocket expenses for the village.

Update – TR hotel property

Three Rivers Mayor Al Balog inquired Tuesday about the status of the former Three Rivers Inn. Balog said he wasn’t sure if the former hotel had passed various inspections since it has reopened recently after being closed a number of years.

Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson told Balog that plumbing, mechanical, electrical and building inspections of the Broadway Street property all yielded positive results. Tomlinson added that the fire-suppression system also is in compliance with local codes.

Tomlinson further noted that an outstanding water bill has been reconciled and the operators of the business have been cooperative in working with city officials. He said it is operating as a hotel, and appears to be drawing tenants who pay for accommodations by the week.

More clean-up money for Essex property

Three Rivers city officials on Tuesday agreed to add $16,000 leftover from last year’s spring pick-up to a pool of $240,000 devoted toward cleaning scrap piles at the abandoned Essex Wire property.

Municipal officials had debated whether to earmark the city’s $16,000 toward a future clean-up effort or use it to enhance the clean-up effort at the Essex site.

Commissioner Daryl Griffith voted against the plan, indicating he would rather see the $16,000 be used toward a city clean-up event.

Street names will not change

Constantine village officials on Monday decided to not take action on a proposal to rename either White Pigeon Street or White Pigeon Road.

After nearly an hour of discussion on the matter two weeks ago, the issue was back on Monday’s agenda. Village officials decided to honor the request of the majority of people who offered input on the debate and leave the names of both streets unchanged.

Trustee Robert Brewer said it was clear most people were against the proposed name change and he added that the village council spent too much time on the subject.

On account of not taking action one way or the other, the proposed name change becomes a moot point and will not be brought up again for discussion.

Proponents of the name change said the similar-sounding routes can be a source of confusion for emergency personnel. There are 68 addresses between White Pigeon Street and White Pigeon Road; 43 are on White Pigeon Street, 25 are on White Pigeon Road.

Bippus gets Jackson offer

Jackson municipal officials have offered the job of city manager to Joe Bippus.   Bippus, 44, is currently Three Rivers’ city manager. He has been with Three Rivers for more than 10 years.  Contract negotiations will be worked out with Bippus.  The salary range for the job is reportedly between $110,000 and $120,000.  Bippus was the only one of three finalists for the Jackson post to undergo a second interview, which took place Thursday night. The offer to Bippus was extended at the conclusion of that meeting.

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