Woods Council Approves Variety of Spending

In an efficient meeting Monday, the Grosse Pointe Woods City Council unanimously approved spending on a variety of items, including the 2011 annual fireworks show. 

Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc., out of Kingsbury, IN, was approved to provide the fireworks display from the field of for not more than $33,000. An additional $900 was approved for each entertainment and hospitality for services provided during the event. 

The Information Technology Department was given approval to create a wireless Internet connection between the activities building in and the bathhouse. The expense is not to exceed $5,500 and IT Manager Gary Capps told council this is the only reasonable option for the bathhouse, explaining fibe-optic wiring isn't viable because of the canal separating the buildings.

In part, this will help with operating the security cameras that are to be installed in public areas, Capps said. The cameras are part of a larger project to increase the security at the park, spurred in part by an incident last summer during which a man approached a boy in the locker room bathroom and then urinated on him when the boy tried to ignore him. St. Clair Shores Police are investigating the crime but have virtually no way to generate a list of potential suspects.

The council also unanimously approved payment of nearly $10,500 in attorney fees. One attorney performed work for the Board of Review property tax appeal process in the amount of $1,368. City attorneys Don Berschback and Chip Berschback were paid $5,928.75 and $3,150, respectively, for their work representing the city. 

In other business, the council also unanimously approved to use the tennis courts at for gym class from May 12 to May 23.