SHELBY - Monday, Shelby Village Administrator Phil Morse was pleased to share some very exciting news with the council. “After years of work by many, many people on behalf of Shelby, today I received notification from the MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corporation) that we are now a certified Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC),” his report to the council read.
According to the miplace.org website, “Redevelopment Ready Communities® (RRC) is a voluntary technical assistance initiative offered through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to empower communities in shaping their future by building a strong foundation of planning, zoning, and economic development best practices.”
“The Redevelopment Ready Community certification is one sign of many that shows that Shelby is on the move. The RRC designation is going to provide tools and resources that will advance our vision of a safe and appealing Shelby. I’d like to express my appreciation to my predecessors, Jae Guetschow and Brady Selner for getting the ball rolling on the certification,” Morse said.
In other business, at Morse’s invitation, MSU Extension District Director James Kelly gave a brief presentation to council. Morse wanted to provide council members with information they may want to access or direct others with questions to.
Kelly shared a brief history of how the Extension Service got started 170 years ago and provided a packet listing the many programs and services available from MSU Extension.
“We have so many resources,” Kelly said. “Consider us a part of your network.”
Most people are familiar with the 4-H program, seen most often at the Oceana County Fair, however one of the Extension Service’s goals is to educate the entire community, he said. Not only is the local extension a huge agricultural resource for farm producers, but it also has staff and programming available to help individuals, families, businesses, local municipalities, and nonprofit organizations. He encouraged the council and those in attendance to reach out if there was anything they ever needed help with, chances are MSU has a program that could help.
Morse updated the council on several projects currently happening within the village and within his office, including the construction of a new DPW pole building, development of the new website and text communication tool, completion of the Sixth and School Streets crosswalk, welcoming new Administrative Assistant Amy Bowditch, working on proposed ordinances and attending various meetings.
The only expenditure approved by council Monday was $6,377.91 to Mears Service Center for brake repair on “Blue,” the village’s 2001 plow truck. The village only has one other plow truck in its fleet. DPW Superintendent Jeremiah Helenhouse relayed to the council that the truck’s brakes have been going out for some time, and staff need to be careful how they park as the brakes go out of adjustment quickly. There is currently $3,500 budgeted, so a budget adjustment will need to be made to cover the expense. This quote was the only one sought as they are the only ones available to do this kind of work in Oceana County; the next closest places would be in Muskegon or Grand Rapids.
