Shelby Review

City of Utica issued the following announcement on Jan 3.

2021 has proven to be a very busy year. I'm proud of what City Council and I have been able to accomplish for the residents of the city of Utica. Some of the items below are big and some are small. I hope all of them helped improve your life in some fashion.

We will continue to work hard and make 2022 as successful as this year has been.

Thanks for your trust and support. Wishing you a healthy and Happy New Year!

• Adopted the Noise Ordinance and the Non-domesticated Animal Ordinance in response to concerns from residents.

• Completed repairs to the Davis Street pedestrian bridge.

• Replaced the damaged and obsolete 911 radio tower and dispatch consoles through grants and insurance claims.

• Awarded a grant for a new commercial generator, a $40,000 benefit to the city.

• Improved the efficiency and transparency of City Council meetings by introducing the Agenda Item Summary form.

• Improved transparency for residents with the Utica Email Newsletters; 24 editions published in 2021.

• Adopted a resolution proclaiming April, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month and held the first Utica Puppy Parade.

• Deployed the Water and Sewer Bill Estimator on the City of Utica website.

• Completed a major Traffic Study, focusing on streets requested by residents.

• Initiated a Social Media Policy in the Utica Police Department.

• Purchased and deployed a radar sign and collected data on all our major streets.

• Adopted the Caregiver Marijuana Ordinance to prevent nuisance marijuana grow activities in our neighborhoods.

• Adopted a surplus budget for fiscal year 2022. This is the third straight surplus budget after 11 years of budgets which targeted the city’s reserves.

• Repaved the Grant Park walking path.

• Formed the Resident Graffiti Committee to address unwanted graffiti in the city.

• White-washed the Davis Street tunnel and held the “Utica Community Schools Paint the Tunnel” day.

• Completed the DIA sponsored mural on the Fire Station wall at no cost to the taxpayers.

• Replaced all old-style street signs in the Flickinger neighborhood, largely through an arrangement with Jimmy John’s Field.

• Completed a large number of sidewalk repairs in downtown.

• Per the 2020 U.S. Census, Utica had an increase in population of 10.3%.

• Purchased a new ambulance.

• Purchased a new server for the city offices.

• Improved the City Council meeting broadcasts by adding text indicating the date of each meeting.

• Completed the reconstruction of the Cass and Auburn access to Hall Road.

• Repaved Auburn Road from Cass Avenue to Van Dyke.

• Negotiated new contracts with the Utica Police Department and the Department of Public Works securing the city’s financial future by restructuring legacy costs.

• Increased the staffing of the Utica Police Department, adding one new patrol officer.

• Held the biggest and best Christmas Tree lighting event yet. Special guests included Fox 2 Detroit’s Roop Raj and Detroit Red Wing Legend Darren McCarty. The event was funded completely through donations from our sponsors. The Utica Fire Department collected 1,500 toys in their "Stuff an Ambulance" campaign.

• Welcomed the following new businesses to Utica: Vinnie’s Italian Eatery, PUFF, Cloud, Northern Grind Coffee, Front Door Housekeeping, Strategic Wealth Advisors, Sui Generis, Funky Town Toys, Sarge & Reds Toys and Collectibles, Toarmina’s Pizza.

Original source can be found here.