What do you think?

Dear Friends,

Here is your regular update on our County Board meeting at 9am on April 21st at the Government Center. Also, here is a brief and my final update for our City Council meeting later that same day at 7pm. For those of you who wish to continue receiving City updates, I’m pleased to announce that your new Alderman, Dan Wiegand, wishes to continue this tradition. Please contact him at danwiegand@hotmail.com and ask to be included on his list.

COUNTY BOARD
- COMMITTEES AND BOARDS: The County Board Chair is adjusting the committee assignments he made 1 year ago. Based on the input from myself and other County Board Supervisors, I will be serving on the Information Systems, Social Services, and Long Term Support Planning committees as well as the Board of Health and Community Programs Board. Although I will miss serving on the Library Committee, I welcome my new assignment to the Community Programs Board.
- AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT AID: The Board will be considering a resolution asking the State to help fund necessary improvements to the Cherryland Airport. If approved, the State and County would share the expense of installing a perimeter fence, rehabilitating/expanding the existing terminal, reconstructing a taxiway and other improvements. It is economically important to maintain and improve Door County’s largest airport to provide air-transportation for existing and future businesses.
- AHNAPEE TRAIL MAINTENANCE: The County has received a $19,950 grant to maintain and restore the Ahnapee trail. The grant requires a 50% match – another $19,950 – from the County, which will be divided over the next 3 years’ budgets. The trail serves pedestrians, bicycles and snowmobiles and provides safe recreation and travel for citizens and visitors alike.
- MURPHY PARK PROPERTY PURCHASE: The Property Committee is recommending the purchase of a property adjacent to Murphy Park valued (estimated) at $230,000. The purchase is contingent upon 80% or more of the purchase price being covered by grants and donations and the County can decline this purchase if funding is not available.
- INCREASE IN FEES: The Board of Health (myself included) is recommending a $5 - $25 increase to fees relating to private on-site waste treatment systems. This will cover increase in fees the State charges the County and will maintain the County’s current revenue. We will also be establishing fees for On-site soil investigation ($10), Holding Tank Plan Review ($90) and Mound Soil Absorption System Plan Review ($175).
- SEATBELT LAW: If passed, this resolution will ask the State to enact legislation giving law enforcement the authority to pull-over motorists for not wearing seat-belts. $15.2 million in Federal aid would then come to our State. So, if you don’t already, wear your seat belts!
- GRANTS: A $10,000 grant was received to support the Dunes Lake Watershed Study. And, a $2,500 donation from the Boldt Company and a $5,000 donation from the Nature Conservancy will go to support the County’s Greenprinting project (http://map.co.door.wi.us/planning/Greenprint.htm). All these donations do not require any County matching funds.

CITY COUNCIL:
- ORGANZATIONAL MEETING: This will be the Council’s annual organizational meeting. The Mayor will appoint the boards and committees for the new Council. The Council will elect a president and approve of the committee appointments.
- PEDICAB FOR DOWNTOWN: A taxi license is being sought for a pedicab – or bicycle taxi – to serve downtown Sturgeon Bay. If approved, you’ll see a bicycle cab downtown this summer.
- MICHIGAN STREET: The Council will consider an agreement with the State to reconstruct Michigan Street from the Bridge to 4th Ave.
- FUTURE UPDATES: Again, if you’d like to continue receiving these updates, please contact danwiegand@hotmail.com and ask to be included on his list. – Thanks!

As always, please send me your questions and concerns!
Yours,

Ben Meyer