Mayor Exchange Day
Periodically our City officials team up with another municipality to exchange ideas. We invite their elected officials and department heads to East Tawas and give them a tour of our beautiful city and show off our many wonderful neighborhoods, projects and services. In turn, that municipality invites our City Council and department heads to their area for the same tour. Previous municipalities we’ve shared our City with include:
- City of Essexville in 2009
- City of Frankenmuth in 2006
- City of West Branch in 2005
- City of Rogers City in 2001
- Village of Birch Run in 1998
- City of Pinconning in 1996
2010 Projects
The City received an Energy Efficiency & Conservation LED Demonstration Grant from the State of Michigan’s Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Bureau of Energy Systems. This funding covered the material costs to install LED retrofit kits on the decorative street lighting in our downtown and harbor area. The installation of the LED lighting is expected to save at least 60% on energy costs and is expected to pay for itself in less than 7 years. The City sought bids for the installation of the retrofit kits and the contract was awarded to a local electrical company, Moe Electric.
The Department of Public Works installed storm drainage on two blocks of Grant Street which covered the area from East Westover Street to East Lincoln Street. The project is complete with the exception of the resurfacing with new asphalt which will be completed in the spring.
The City’s Tax Increment Finance Authority recently reconstructed the Sawyer Street parking lot in downtown with drainage improvements, new lighting, a new sidewalk along the backside of the businesses, curbing, a pocket park, landscaping and resurfacing. The City received a USDA grant to help finance the project. Irrigation and additional landscaping will be completed in the spring.
The City is currently seeking bids for improvements to the wastewater lift station located at the site of the State boat launch facility next to the Michigan State Police Post. Improvements will include a new pump, electrical upgrades, new controls, and a backup generator. This lift station services a good portion of the eastern part of the City. The contract will require the improvements to be completed by mid-May.
Ongoing Projects
The City hired R.B. Satkowiak's City Sewer Cleaners to use a camera system to view the inside of the lines in the wastewater system. Problem areas that were discovered were fixed as they were found and the videos will be used by Wilcox Professional Services to develop a Capital Improvement Plan for future improvements to the system.
The City continues to look at options to expand services in and fund improvements to our library. With the help of the Friends of the East Tawas Library and a library committee set up by the City Council, options continue to be explored.
The City Council and Planning Commission have started the process to revise the City’s Master Plan.
Awards & Recognition
Keep Michigan Beautiful Award - 2004 recipient
Michigan’s Cool Cities Neighborhood - 2005 recipient
Michigan’s Promoting Active Communities - 2005 recognition