Sidewalk work OK’d

Clarkston City Council voted unanimously, Oct. 10, to approve a project by Brimacomb Landscaping for about 1,300 square feet of sidewalk work in the city, for $8,500.
The city received four bids. Brimacomb offered the lowest square-foot price. Bids were also received from Carlo Construction for $9,936, 1,228 square feet; Joe Gustinis, $9,993.60, 1,316 square feet; and Unique Concrete, $7,812, 1,116 square feet.
Council member Jason Kneisc noted Brimacomb is based in 20 W. Washington Street in the city.
“To me, that makes me feel better. I like that,” Kneisc said.

Lot split postponed

Clarkston residents’ plan to split their property is on hold due to a postponed decision by Clarkston City Council.
The council voted unanimously, Oct. 10, to postpone a vote on the lot-split plan for 2 Madison Court, off Holcomb Road across from Depot Park. At issue is where residents of the split-off property would place their driveway. An existing side driveway onto Holcomb is considered unsafe by neighbors.
Andrew Olafsson, property owner, said he cleared trees next to the driveway to increase visibility, and checked with the Road Commission for Oakland County.
“I agree safety is an issue,” he said.
Speaking during public comment, neighbor Steve Arkwright said any location for the driveway would not be safe.
“This is a hazard – it’s very dangerous, in my opinion,” said Arkwright, who argued against a similar proposal in 2001. “This is on a curve, on the inside of a curve.”
Olafsson plans to sell the proposed lot, so the driveway issue would be left to the next property owner.
Arkwright said the new residents would probably want a driveway onto Madison Court, which is too crowded.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously, Oct. 3, to recommend against the proposal. Olafsson was asked to plan where a new driveway could go and resubmit the proposal to the city.

City manager search

The posting for a new city manager will remain open until the end of October, said Mayor Joe Luginski at the Oct. 10 City Council meeting.
Luginski, Council member Eric Haven, and resident Steve Percival will review resumes and conduct initial interviews, then make recommendations for final interviews with the City Council in the beginning of November.
Until then, the mayor, Percival, and resident Rich Little are volunteering at city hall, Luginski said.
“Rich and Steve are here about 10 hours a week, for whatever they can do to help,” the mayor said. “I appreciate that.”
He checked with the Michigan Municipal League for temporary help from retired city managers, but hasn’t had any luck.
“We’re doing the best we can in regards to that,” he said. “We hope to have someone on board by Dec. 1, that would be the goal.”

Community Impact

My Habitat Clarkston volunteers will be hitting the streets of Clarkston and Davisburg on Nov. 5-6 for Community Impact Weekend.
Projects include roofing work, concrete repair, yard maintenance and work to eliminate trip hazards for seniors, blankets for local hospitals, letters to soldiers, and help for local non-profits.
Sign up to volunteer at www.impact-weekend.org.
To request help from volunteers that weekend, call the staff at Calvary Lutheran Church at 248-625-3288.