By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
BUCHANAN, MI – An updated ordinance regulating bicycles is on the horizon for the city of Buchanan. City Commissioners held the first of two public hearings on the proposed ordinance at their meeting last week with a second public hearing and possible adoption coming at their Aug. 10 meeting.
McGhee and commissioners noted that the current ordinance dates back to the 1950s or earlier and requires the police department to inspect bicycles and issue license plates for them. The new ordinance will modernize the rules and regulations regarding bicycles and also address e-bikes and electric scooters.
“There has been an increase in the use of electronic bicycles and other motorized and nonmotorized coaster toys throughout the city, especially in the downtown area,” McGhee wrote in a memo to the city commission.
“Unfortunately, this increases the risk of harm to pedestrian traffic on sidewalks, as well as to vehicular traffic in the roadway,” he added. “The current bicycle ordinance is obsolete and does not address such devices that are in use.”
He noted that the bicycle ordinance has been revised and vetted with the city’s legal team and that he was recommending that the amended ordinance be brought to the Commission for adoption.
McGhee said earlier that the current ordinance does not allow people to ride bicycles on sidewalks and the new one won’t either-but will include e-bikes in that prohibition. People can learn more about the proposed updated bicycle ordinance on Police Chief Harvey Burnett’s “Chief’s Corner” report on the city website as well as in the agenda packet for the July 13 commission meeting.
The new ordinance concentrates on keeping e-bikes off of downtown sidewalks. Some types of e-bikes that go at faster speeds will be allowed on the city’s trails, motorized trails and in other areas of the community which aligns with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources rules.
Two other public hearings were held at last week’s meeting with the ordinances about signs and brush pickup enacted into law by the City Commission later in the meeting.
The first new ordinance repeals the city’s old sign ordinance, while the second one codifies the city’s brush pickup policy as to what will and will not be picked up into an ordinance. McGhee said earlier that sign regulations are handled in the new unified development code zoning ordinance approved last fall.
McGhee said that a new sidewalk repair program is underway in the city of Buchanan. He gave an update on the program at last week’s Buchanan City Commission meeting and said that the city is splitting sidewalk repair costs with homeowners.
McGhee reported that the first round of properties needing sidewalk repairs has been identified with the list sent to the contractor. He said he expects work to begin in a few weeks. Sidewalk repair costs will be split 50-50 with property owners and the city has set aside $35,000 for the first phase of the work, he said.
He noted that while the responsibility for maintaining sidewalks rests with the property owner, the city is taking the approach of encouraging participation rather than immediately requiring it. As a matter of policy, he said the city believes it is important to give people the opportunity to opt in before making repairs mandatory.
“To help make repairs more affordable, we have created a 50/50 cost share program so property owners are only responsible for half of the cost instead of the full amount,” he said. “For those who prefer not to pay their share upfront, the City will finance that portion and spread the repayment over three years through their property taxes.”
“Once we complete the list of property owners who voluntarily participate, we will begin working through the properties that chose not to participate during this initial phase,” he said. “Those property owners will still be eligible for the same 50/50 cost share program under the same terms, but we want to first focus our efforts on those who are ready to move forward.”
In the initial phase, he said the city has prioritized sidewalks along higher pedestrian traffic corridors and routes commonly used by children walking to and from school. “Our goal is to improve safety while making the program as fair and financially manageable as possible for our residents,” he said.
Burnett made two presentations at last week’s meeting, the first to commend police officers and employees and the second to announce the annual National Night Out event scheduled for Aug. 4 at McCoy’s Creek Park south of Buchanan High School.
Burnett presented letters of commendation to Sgt. Michael Horton for his faithful leadership of the Buchanan Police Department Reserve Program and Officer Philip Huang for his faithful work as the School Resource Officer with Buchanan Community Schools.
Professional Admin/Records Clerk Diana Selir was honored for her dedication to providing professional and courteous administrative support and service to Department personnel and the public and Code Enforcement Officer Jason Cullum for his dedication and professionalism in advancing courteous and quality code enforcement to the Buchanan community.
As for National Night Out, Burnett noted that the Buchanan community has hosted the event for many years. He said it gives the city and the police department the opportunity to come together with the community to have a good time. He said there will be food, a bounce house, music and a dunk tank.