Mold Remediation in Imlay City, MI

IMLAY CITY — Imlay City will not be getting a key grant to fund renovations at the old Department of Public Works (DPW) garage.

Tuesday evening, Mayor Barbara Yockey and City Manager Craig Horton announced that the city’s application for a $100,000 matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) was denied. The city and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) had been hoping to use the grant toward a project to transform the DPW building into a new community event center.

On April 15, the City Commission awarded a bid to Tanis Builders of Imlay City to complete extensive renovations at the DPW building, contingent on approval of the city’s application for the MEDC grant. The city and DDA have each pledged $50,000 to the project.

Horton said it’s discouraging that the city did not receive the MEDC grant but recommended for city commissioners to continue pursuing the vision plan for the DPW building.

“We got an exceptional bid on that project, the type that we’ll probably never see again,” he said. “We need to keep moving ahead, whether it be that the DDA and city both kick in some additional funds…and we can continue to try and get additional grants.”

Horton said the MEDC has offered to meet with city, DDA leaders and Sam Moore, executive director of the Lapeer County Development Corporation, to explain why Imlay City didn’t receive the grant.

Yockey said the city will need to figure out a “plan B” for the DPW building project.

“Obviously, not getting the grant was a huge surprise, as this was something we were counting on and thought we would get,” she told The County Press. “We’ll have to prioritize the most important parts of the project that we can get done now with the funding we have.”

Renovations at the old DPW garage are slated to include metal roof installation, siding repairs, floor repairs, interior insulation work, electrical/heating/plumbing improvements, ADA compliant restroom modifications, installment of new overhead doors and entrance doors, addition of two gas heaters and LED light fixtures and removal/ replacement of facia, soffits, gutters and downspouts.

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Tanis, who owns Tanis Builders, said he would be willing to sit down with city officials to figure out which parts of the project can be completed this year if the city doesn’t receive any additional grant funding. Tanis recused himself from voting on the project bid when it was approved on April 15. His company came in with the low bid of $208,134.

The DDA, with support from the city, is planning to turn the 5,000 square foot DPW garage into a revamped facility to host its Farmer’s Market and special events. The community event center would also be available as a no-cost space for city residents to use for private gatherings.

Christine Malzahn, executive director of the DDA, told The County Press that she is awaiting feedback from the MEDC on the denied grant application and any information on other funding options that might be available for the project. Yockey said the city may also seek grant avenues with the Lapeer County Community Foundation and the Four County Community Foundation.

In other business:

• The city adopted a budget for fiscal year 2025-26 and approved a fee schedule.

• DPW Superintendent Ed Priehs told the commission that he is planning to implement 10-hour workdays for his workers during the summer so they can have more time to complete major projects and repairs.

“During the construction season, when our most extensive projects take place, work tends to carry over past an eight-hour workday,” he said. “I feel like a 10-hour workday will allow us to be more productive and efficient with our time, and there’s potential to save quite a bit on overtime.”

Priehs said his staff is onboard with the 10-hour workday, while commissioners expressed a consensus of support for the change, saying it could represent cost savings for the city. No action was needed from the City Commission.

• Priehs said planned renovations at Imlay City Hall will begin next month, including installation of a new roof, parking lot repairs and door replacement. City Hall will be open for business during the project.

• The City Commission approved an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance under the section governing permitted uses in B-2 zoning districts. City Manager Craig Horton said there were several personal care, medical and business service establishments that have been operating downtown for many years that were not allowed under the city’s B-2 zoning designation, such as hair salons and an urgent care facility.

“We realized that a large number of businesses that are currently downtown were not allowed downtown (under the old B-2 zoning), and we felt that needed to be amended,” he said. “We worked with our engineers, and they revised the section. The Planning Commission also reviewed these changes, approved them and passed them on to the (City Commission) for approval.”

Commissioner Luke Stempien abstained from the vote because his wife owns a hair salon downtown.

• Commissioners discussed the merits of adopting an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnbs. While the city’s zoning ordinance does define short-term rentals, there are no requirements or permitting procedures associated with allowing them as special land uses in the city. Commissioners said it may be beneficial for the city to look at designing an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals and define occupancy requirements in the future.

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The Hispanic Service Center is a Multi-Cultural agency that provides services to all Lapeer County residents and for all demographics and ethnicities, and they are the ones who are gonna be hosting a massive Cinco de Mayo party that they're inviting the community out to enjoy.

The event is happening on Saturday, May 3rd, on the corner of Third and Main St. in Imlay City and is promising to be a great family event, including face painting, coloring crafts, yard games, carnival games, inflatables, a photowall, and different vendors.

El Ranchito is doing one of the most amazing things ever, and they're donating hundreds of tacos for two taco eating contests that are taking place after Noon. There are separate contests for those who are 12 and under and 13 and up.

There’s also going to be live performances from Mariachi Cristal and Grupo Sin Froneras as well as a piñata breaking for ages three through 12, which is being donated by Armando’s Vaquerita. The event page on Facebook teases the excitement, which is only a few weeks away:

Gather your family for a fun-filled day of festivities and enjoy delicious food from our partners, Jalisco Deli and Botanas el Paiza, Imlay City's local Mexican restaurants.There will be live performances, vendors, inflatables, and much more! We can't wait to celebrate with you!

There will be food available at the event from authentic local Mexican restaurants Botanas El Paiza, as well as Jalisco Deli.

Even though Cinco de Mayo is a more Americanized holiday, there are a lof of great locally owned businesses getting involved, and it's a great day to celebrate them and their contributions to our neighborhoods and communities.

IMLAY CITY — Imlay City will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with mariachi music, delicious Mexican food and vibrant Mexican folk dances in the downtown area.

On Saturday, May 3, the Hispanic Service Center will present its annual Cinco de Mayo festival with staging of events at the corner of Third and Main streets. Activities will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., including live music and dance, carnival games, face painting, inflatables, pinata breaking, coloring crafts, yard games, a taco eating contest, vendors and a photo wall.

Local Mexican restaurants Jalisco Deli and Botanas el Paiza will serve up authentic Mexican food, and the Hispanic Service Center will be selling chips and salsa.

One of the festival’s mainstays, the taco eating contest for kids and adults, will kick off the festivities at noon. Mariachi Cristal, an authentic Mexican mariachi band from Waterford, will perform onstage at 1 p.m., followed by Mexican folk dances at 2:30 p.m. from Grupo Sin Fronteras, a dance group comprised of students from Weston and Borland elementaries in Imlay City. Pinata breaking will take place at 3:15 p.m.

Flowers, treats and crafts will also be on sale at the Farmer’s Market space at Lamb Steele Park along Third Street. Vendors for this year’s event include JMM Treats, Blooms by Lisbet, Raspados Vargas, Latte con Lupe, Nira Luna and Artesania Bonita.

Proceeds from Cinco de Mayo help the Hispanic Service Center to provide financial assistance and other services to the community in addition to the grants it receives. The nonprofit, located at 113 N. Almont Ave. in Imlay City, provides senior programming, in home care for local seniors, translation and interpreter services, a food pantry and pantry referrals, emergency shelter services and insurance assistance. The center also assists clients with filling out important paperwork such as citizenship forms and passports. For more information, call the center at 810- 724-3665.

Sponsors for the Cinco de Mayo festival include the Imlay City Downtown Development Authority Jalisco Deli and Botanas el Paiza.

Cinco de Mayo, observed annually on May 5 in parts of Mexico and throughout Mexican American communities in the United States, commemorates Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The holiday is traditionally observed with parades, food, music, folkloric dances and reenactments.

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Imlay City, Almont DPWs to begin brush and yard waste collectionSpring cleanup across Lapeer County

810-452-2661bgagnon@mihomepaper.com

LAPEER COUNTY — On the county’s east side, volunteers will be organizing spring cleanups at parks in Almont and Imlay City this spring. Imlay City and Almont are also reminding residents of their brush and yard waste pickup policies.

Almont park cleanup

The Almont Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Almont Parks and Recreation Board will host an Earth Day cleanup from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Village of Almont on April 26.

Volunteers will meet at Fountain Park at 101 S. Main St. to divide into groups and start cleanup efforts in the central business district and at Almont Village Park. Participants should bring their own tools like brooms, rakes and shovels. Lunch and a small gift will be provided for volunteers. RSVP to Angela Edwards, executive director of the Almont DDA, at 810-798-8125 or director@almontdda.com.

Village of Almont brush pick-up policy

Tree limbs between one inch and up to four inches in diameter will be chipped by the Village DPW on the first and third Monday of the month from April through October. Branches can be placed out in full length with the cut ends facing the street stacked neatly. All brush with roots must be free of dirt and stones.

The Village will not pick up whole tree cuttings and is not responsible for large amounts of brush from tree trimming, tree removal or clearing of property. The DPW or village ordinance enforcement officer may tag your property if an excessive amount of brush is left at the road for the DPW to chip. Property owners should contact a tree service for excessive brush removal.

Imlay City Rotary Park

In Imlay City, the Imlay City Rotary Club is planning its annual cleanup of Rotary Park at 101 E. First St. in Imlay City. Rotary Club members and volunteers will pick up trash and spread mulch on either May 16 or May 17 starting at 8 a.m. Everyone is welcome to help pitch in. Volunteers should bring their own tools and supplies like rakes, gloves and shovels.

Brush collection to begin in Imlay City

Imlay City’s Dept. of Public Works (DPW) will be resuming brush chipping this spring and is reminding residents to follow the city’s brush pickup policy. Brush pickup will begin on the first and third Monday of each month starting in April through the end of November.

Branches cannot exceed four inches in diameter and brush with roots must be free of dirt and stones. The City is not responsible for large amounts of brush from tree trimming, tree removal or clearing of property. Property owners should contact a tree service for excessive brush removal. Contact City Hall at 810-724-2135 for additional information.

Garbage haulers will also be picking up yard waste and small brush on Tuesdays starting at the beginning of April through the end of November. Please place yard waste in marked yard waste containers or biodegradable bags and bundle branches one inch or less in diameter. Bundles and yard waste containers cannot exceed 40 pounds. Yard waste should not be raked to the curb.

Contact City Hall at 810-724-2135 for additional information.

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