This Week in Grosse Pointe: March 12

This week in the Grosse Pointes there are a variety of events and meetings. Here a few of the highlights:

1. The committee of the whole will meet Monday beginning at 7:30 p.m. According to the agenda, the committee will discuss the following:

• the planning commission vacancy, for which the members will consider 11 applicants
• smart meters
• the headlee override and proposed ballot language
• the hiring of a financial advisor to oversee the on-going paperwork exchange with the state for monies the city is accepting for a sewer project

The committee is for discussion purposes only and any decision they reach must be forwarded to the council as a recommendation. Then council must take formal action on the recommendation.

2. The Grosse Pointe Woods finance committee will also be meeting Monday beginning at 8:30 p.m. According to the agenda, the committee will be discussing the 2012/13 fiscal year budget. They will also receive an update on the 2011/12 fiscal year budget.

3. The Grosse Pointe Farms city council will meet Monday beginning at 7 p.m. According to the agenda, the council will:

• have the annual merit awards for the public safety department
• receive a status update on the , Wayne County Community College and the sewer system

In a consent agenda, which means the council will address all of the items together without individual discussion, the council will act on the following:

• the
• the designation of the Community Developement Block Grants
• a bid for the splash pad
• a bid for public safety vehicle
• parking and traffic committee recommendations
• communication committee recommendations and appointments
• emergency sewer lining expenditure

4. Most of the Grosse Pointes are holding their annual Board of Review hearings this week related to property tax assessments. This process allows homeowners or commercial property owners to appeal their taxes, whether it is to show the property's value is less than what was estimated or that there is a hardship involved. Ultimately this process has an impact upon the budgeting by city officials because if less taxes are approved, it means less revenue for to be used in city operations. The hearings are varied throughout the Pointes and usually last throughout the month.

5. The Partnership for Different Learners from Grosse Pointe Public School System will meet Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. at . The meeting will feature three experts who will talk about how to determine whether you need an advocate.