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Houghton’s City Council met via Zoom Wednesday night to give members a chance to lay out a wish list of items they would like to see added to the budget for next fiscal year, or beyond. Manager Eric Waara reminded them that there will be federal funds coming in over the next several months that can be spent out to 2024. Houghton’s budget resets on July 1st, so it is unlikely stimulus money will be incorporated into the initial plan, but amendments are possible. There are still a lot of questions over how much area municipalities will receive.
Member Mike Needham talked about paving and sidewalk projects, which received a lot of agreement from other councilors. Needham specifically talked about downtown, saying that sidewalks related to the streetscape project aren’t holding up.
Keeping with the downtown theme, member Robert Megowen said he was worried about losing some tenants for the first time since the facade project reinvented the space. Megowen said he didn’t have specifics, but the economics for small retailers and dining establishments is tough. He hopes the city will step up and do what it can to make the area a destination.
Waara highlighted the possibility to complete “Phase Four” of the city’s overarching sewer and water infrastructure plan through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He said staff will look through the capital improvement plan to see if there are any opportunities that make sense, where the city can leverage its own funds with a matching amount from the state to get repairs completed.
Councilman Dan Salo said he thought it would be appropriate to look at giving Waara and other city staff a raise.
