THE SUPERVISOR’S E UPDATE February 2, 2007

Kurt M. Kobiljak, Grosse Ile Township Supervisor

Daddy – Daughter Dance
The annual “Daddy-Daughter Dance” will be held tonight, Friday, February 2, 2007 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Grosse Ile Middle School. This year I will have the privilege and pleasure of escorting two beautiful young ladies – my lovely daughters, Katie and Hayden.
This is always a wonderful event sponsored by the Grosse Ile Recreation Department.

Winter Fun Day at Water’s Edge
A wonderful Saturday of fun is being planned by Grosse Ile Community Recreation for
Super Bowl Weekend. Winter Fun Day at Water’s Edge will be held on Saturday, February 3 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Water’s Edge Site at the corner of West River Road and Bellevue Roads. Our area’s best outdoor ice-skating rink will be available for skating from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Other events include wagon rides, family karaoke, face painting, clown and balloon fun and some winter golf fun with the Closest to the Snowman competition from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (For ages 8-13, 14-17, 18-61, 62 and better). Don’t forget your clubs.

Emergency Planning / Wayne County Bridge Closure Update
In the continuing effort to prepare for the Spring closure of the County Bridge this last Tuesday, January 30th 2007, the Township met with the Michigan State Police and the Army National Guard regarding details related to the Township’s emergency response plan. Army National Guard representatives included Support to Civil Authorities, Military Police, Engineering, and Planning.

The request for assistance/activation protocol was discussed in great detail as well as the proper chain of command and under what circumstances applicable steps will be taken. The Michigan State Police in cooperation with the Army National Guard are working with the Governor’s Office to obtain a pre-emergency declaration in order to streamline the call out procedure in the event the assistance of the Army National Guard is required. In addition, the Army National Guard is in the process of finalizing their internal response plan which includes staffing requirements, equipment needs and locations, emergency bridge construction, aircraft, and watercraft.

The Township Board and I are grateful for all the help that these agencies have already volunteered. It is my belief that these efforts continue to strengthen and expand our emergency response plan and provide additional steps in protecting the safety of all our residents.

Toll Bridge Condemnation Update
Since the initiation of the Township’s condemnation of the Toll Bridge one of the more speculated issues surrounding the litigation focused on the Township’s legal fees. I must admit that since becoming actively involved in Township government some sixteen years ago I have never seen such an expanse of notions and exaggerations surrounding the legal fees involved in this litigation. Over this period, even though the Township Board and I continually attempted to calm the concern in the community, the legal fees and costs took on gigantic proportions due to false speculations. During a Christmas function I heard that our legal bill regarding this litigation was $850,000 dollars while as late as this recent Monday, I received a correspondence where a resident indicated that he had heard at a New Year’s Eve function that Township legal fees were at $1.6 million dollars.

Even though it is clear that there are residents who are either for, or against, the condemnation action, the financials surrounding the litigation were firmly put to rest at our January 22nd Board Meeting. Over the last eighteen months there has been a constant concern raised by certain residents regarding what the total amount of legal fees had been incurred by the Township. In a cooperative arrangement with the Township’s legal firm Butzel Long, instead of billing the Township for the appellate work on the matter on a monthly basis (Court of Appeals and Supreme Court), it was agreed that a mutual cost for these services would be arranged sometime after the Township’s final filing with the Michigan Supreme Court in early 2007.

To that end, the Township reviewed the total potential Butzel Long legal fees and costs from November 7, 2005 to the present at one time. After a great deal of negotiations and debate, and with a fee cost savings of more than $15,000, it was agreed that the Township’s final legal bill with Butzel Long was $54,529.07. At our most recent Township Board Meeting, the Board approved this final payment to Butzel Long. Butzel Long in turn followed up this action by indicating in a letter sent to my office that “upon payment of attorney fees and costs in the amount of $54,529.07 that there will not be any balance owed to Butzel Long by the Township relating to the condemnation matter and that all attorney fees and costs related to this matter have been paid in full (see attached PDF).

With this final payment, the total legal fees and costs incurred by the Township in relation to the condemnation case is $299,830.71. You will find no Board member who is pleased in paying legal fees however, in light of the fact that this was an anticipated $10 million dollar revenue bonded project, the legal fees incurred in bringing this matter forward is roughly 3% of the total project. Additionally, by establishing a procedure as to how the Township Board proposed to pay Butzel Long, it created a $15,000 costs savings in the Township’s interest.

With legal fees totaling $299,830.71, and the recent order from the Supreme Court acknowledging the Township’s Claim of Necessity over the toll bridge, the longstanding speculation regarding legal fees has hopefully been resolved by the Township’s final payment of fees at its recent meeting. If, however, there are still outstanding questions by any resident please feel free to contact my office at 676.4422 ext 215 so that any outstanding issues can be factually discussed in detail.

This Day in History
This morning, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow and according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.
The Germans believed that if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early.
A Good Day Saying

A buddy is like a friend without the pressure.

Anyone wishing to receive the monthly Supervisor’s E Updates, please send an email address to: KurtK@grosseile.com

Watch for E ALERTS for Breaking E News and on the township website or tune to AM 1700 Grosse Ile Community Information Radio.

Any questions or comments regarding the information provided in this E Update, or other questions related to the Township, please feel free to contact Supervisor Kobiljak at KurtK@grosseile.com or at his Township Office 734-676-4422 Ext. 215

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