May 7, 2021 By Mike Kruzman / news@whmi.com
The next time Brighton residents are free to attend an in-person City Council meeting, theyâre likely to not recognize that the room theyâre sitting in is the same room as before.
By a slim 4-3 margin, Brighton City Council approved a complete makeover of council chambers, Thursday night. Clerk Tara Brown presented the plans as recommended by 3 members of the council that included Mayor Shawn Pipoly, Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Gardner, and Councilwoman Renee Pettingill.
Clerk Tara Brown described a general feeling of accessibility with better ADA compliance, security features, and audio-visual equipment. The dais will be a half-circle with bullet-resistant panels recommended by police Chief Rob Bradford. New AV equipment will give the City more remote options and allow them to bring back their 9am replays of council meetings. Lighting improvements will be made along with the installation of multiple
April 26, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com
There is a mix of familiar and new names seeking seats on the Howell City Council as well as the Mayorâs seat.
The deadline to file for the August primary was last Tuesday, with a total of eight candidates filing for three open seats. The six top vote-getters in the August primary will move on to the November general election. Among those seeking election are two incumbents; Jeannette Ambrose, who was appointed in 2018 and is seeking election to a second term; and Jan Lobur who was first appointed to Council in 2015 and was recently appointed Mayor Pro-Tem.
April 21, 2021 By Mike Kruzman / news@whmi.com
The City of Brighton has awarded a contract for a much anticipated, multi-million dollar road project.
Brighton City Council has approved the Northwest Neighborhood Road Reconstruction Project contract to Dunigan Brothers. DPW Director Marcel Goch said they had 6 submissions come in, with Dunigan being the low bidder.
The resolution awards Dunigan Bros. Inc. $6,656,722.37, with a 15% contingency, for a total of $7,655,230.
The City recently contracted with Dunigan for the Rickett Road Phase 1 project.
City Manager Nate Geinzer said it was a team effort to get to this point and they are proud of all the work staff has put in.
Howell city officials are considering creating a social district, as is Brighton.
Several communities in the state have taken advantage of state legislation passed last summer. Michigan established social district permits that allow businesses to sell alcohol to customers who then consume it in public spaces such as sidewalks and parks within the boundaries of the social district.
Howell City Manager Paul DeBuff said city staff, Howell Main Street, Inc. and the Howell Downtown Development Authority have been working on a plan. The city council is expected to discuss the potential social district at 7 p.m. Monday. It s kind of a trendy thing happening across the country, DeBuff said during an April 12 meeting of the city council.
April 13, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com
The City of Howell is the latest community to explore the possibility of creating a social district.
Council met virtually Monday night, where City Manager Paul DeBuff stated staff has been discussing the possibility of creating a social district, sometimes called a refreshment district, which expands the legally allowed area for alcohol consumption within boundaries usually defined by signs. Under a new permit law through the state, a municipality can set up a social district where alcohol can be sold by licensed establishments to customers who can then consume the beverages within the commons area of the district. DeBuff noted it would likely be downtown but the district can really be set up anywhere, with some statutory guidelines to follow. He said usually plastic cups are involved with logos and no glass and some districts are typically open in the evenings Thursday through Sunday.