Rob Hayes, Novi director of public services and city engineer, gives an overview of construction in the city this season.
Four major construction projects will be going on in Novi this summer. The resurfacing of Grand River Avenue between Novi Road and Haggerty Road has already begun and is expected to be completed in September. The three other major projects are the following:
A look at who is up for election in August.
If you're planning to run for office under a party affiliation this fall, you have until 4 p.m. today to turn in your paperwork. That's the deadline for partisans who may end up running in an August primary. Independents have until July 19 to declare their intention to run for office. Also on the ballot this August, the city is asking residents to raise the road millage rate to improve the quality of neighborhood and city roads. Here's a list of candidates, and the districts they aim to represent, as of Tuesday afternoon: Novi falls in the 11th district, and candidates will be running for a two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The candidates so far are Republican Kerry Bentivolio of Milford, and Democrats William F. …
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The city's finances are stabilizing, City Manager Clay Pearson said.
The Novi City Council approved the city's 2012-13 budget at its meeting Monday night, boasting a cut to the overall tax rate that will not cause any decrease in public services. The council cut the millage rate from 10.5416 to 10.2 mills, which is estimated to save the taxpayers nearly $1 million. "I think we're the only city in the country that can boast of that feat. We're reducing your taxes without any reductions in the services that we're providing to you," said Novi Mayor Bob Gatt. This will be done by cutting the drain revenue fund millage in half from 0.6851 to approximately 0.34. The drain fund is used to manage the regional storm water system and to protect wetlands and natural resources and is a separate fund from the general …
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The Novi City Council decided to add the issue to the August ballot.
Which Novi roads do you think need to be repaired? Show us by plotting a point on the large map. Better roads or smaller taxes? Novi residents are asked to make this decision when voting on whether to increase the city's road millage in August. The Novi City Council voted Monday night to put the issue on the ballot in the upcoming election. Currently the city’s limit for “specific street and highway improvement purposes” is 1 mill, which was then reduced to 0.7719 mills by the Headlee Amendment. The proposed increase is to 1.5 mills. "It is a critical, imperative matter that the city maintain its road structure and maintain it in the fashion that the Novi residents have come to respect and deserve," said Novi Mayor Bob Gatt. Although this …
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Voters could choose to pay more for better roads this August.
Which Novi roads do you think need to be repaired? Show us by plotting a point on the large map. Novi residents who want to see their local roads repaired might have the opportunity to do something about it this summer. The City Council is considering putting an increase in the road millage to a public vote this August. At the council’s budget meeting Wednesday night, alll council members stated their support for adding the increase in taxes to the ballot; the council will officially vote on whether to do so at its meeting on Monday. Currently the city’s limit for “specific street and highway improvement purposes” is 1 mill, which was then reduced to 0.7719 mills by the Headlee Amendment. The proposed increase is to 1.5 mills. Although …
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8:37 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Need to hear more about the increase for road repair. I am against the ring road. Question why not thinnk of extending a road to go through Taft road? more ›
At Wayne State University in Farmington Hills, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters gathers advocates to urge support for legislation that will prevent Stafford loan rates from doubling.
If federally subsidized Stafford student loan rates double this year, thousands of dollars in additional interest may hit Walsh College student MiVida Burrus' family doubly hard. During a news conference Tuesday at Wayne State University Oakland Center in Farmington Hills, the Troy mother of three said her daughter has chosen to follow her example of seeking higher education. Both rely on Stafford loans to cover the cost of tuition. "Raising the interest rate hurts me, and it hurts my family," Burrus said. "It kind of dampens our dreams and keeps us from believing that we can ever reach the goal that we set out, which is to have that degree, to have that job and be a productive society member." The family is, by no means, alone. …
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11:32 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2012
Unfortunate I know students who are now working and looking for every way they can to defer their loans-they don't have initiative -they complain about their lot in life but they have plenty of money for tech gadgets, tons of time for near constant texting, money for beer and "hanging out" with their little group--so they find another window-employers that will reimburse tuition for post grad -so… more ›
The Novi City Council took action on several economic developments at its meeting Monday.
More drive-through restaurants could be coming to Novi soon after the Novi City Council asked the Planning Commission to look into allowing it for several parcels south of Grand River Avenue, including the Main Street area. Property owners in that district have submitted a request to allow drive-throughs, including at the existing Panera Bread. The Planning Commission will discuss the matter, hold a public hearing and bring back a recommendation to the Council in the future. The city already allows drive-throughs in the area for banks and pharmacies, but not for restaurants. Council member Andrew Mutch said he has a concern about allowing fast-food drive-throughs in the area and would support accessory use only. "I wouldn't want to see a…
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2:16 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I am a 15 yr. novi resident and am angry about the council turning down an opportunity for the added jobs this pub could generate, and provide a needed tenant for the fountainwalk area. God knows over the years that this area needs all the help it can get. My vote will reflect my feelings, at those that turned down this license. Ernie Mcgregor more ›
Many crashes are avoidable, according to the Department of Transportation.
While there were fewer crashes, injuries and fatalities in Michigan road construction work zones in 2011 than 2010, officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation are still urging that every caution be taken when behind the wheel. Last year, there were 4,633 crashes, 1,312 injuries and 18 deaths in Michigan work zones. Those numbers are down from 2010's statistics: 5,632 crashes, 1,488 injuries and 23 deaths. "While this data suggests some improvement over 2010, drivers must remain focused at all times when they get behind the wheel," State Transportation Director Kirk Steudle said. "Many of these crashes are avoidable and the life you save could be your own." Orange barrels have been prevalent in Novi for a several years, most …
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In a vote of 4-3, the council decided not to go ahead with the construction project in this fiscal year.
Funding for the long-planned Ring Road project, a three-phased plan designed to revamp traffic flow around Grand River Avenue and Novi Road, was removed from the 2012-13 city budget by Novi City Council at the Council's special budget meeting Saturday. The Council did agree to bring the matter back up for discussion in January, at which time a possible amendment could be made to the budget to include the project again. The project would extend Crescent Boulevard from Novi Road past Big Boy to Grand River Avenue, and it was originally included in the budget with a $3,297,000 price tag. Several city council members said their main concern was that the city should not be paying all of the cost on such a big expense and that additional funding…
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The tax rate will be official once the council passes the next fiscal budget.
Novi City Council voted to lower the tax rate for residents next year by asking the city staff to lower the millage rate for the drain revenue fund in the 2012-13 budget. The new tax rate will not be official until the council passes the city budget, which is expected to be done as early as May 7. The council agreed in a vote of 7-0 to lower the overall millage rate from the long-standing 10.5416 mills to 10.2 mills, which is estimated to save taxpayers nearly $1 million. This will be done by cutting the drain revenue fund millage in half from 0.6851 to approximately 0.34. The drain fund is used to manage the regional storm water system and to protect wetlands and natural resources and is a separate fund from the general fund. The drain …
Kelly
8:03 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Perhaps this council can take over the management and budgets of MI schools! Wouldn't that be nice! more ›