attention

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC SAFETY - PLEASE READ

The Center Line Public Safety Department is in need of your assistance in apprehending criminals that are victimizing our senior residents through a residential scam.

SCAM:
Suspects tell senior residents they are from the Water Department or Cable Company and they have a refund for them, but need change for a $100 bill. The suspects then lure homeowners into the backyard away from other doors while the second person enters the home to steal items.

SUSPECT INFORMATION:
The Public Safety Department is looking for a full-size white van with possible windows down the side. The suspects are described as a white male with dark complexion, 6ft tall, thin build; the white female is tall with a child (1 to 2 years old). The plate on the van is covered.

DIAL 911
IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE A VICTIM OF A SCAM OR SEE A SCAM IN PROGRESS.

ATTENTION CENTER LINE RESIDENTS

COMPOST/YARD WASTE BEGINS ON

APRIL 1 2008

*ALL YARD WASTE INCLUDING GRASS, LEAVES, PLANT
MATERIALS, AND BRUSH ARE TO BE PLACED IN CONTAINERS,
NO LARGER THAN 30 GALLON RECEPTICLES,
THAT IS CLEARLY MARKED “YARD WASTE ONLY” OR BROWN PAPER BAGS.
* EACH YARD WASTE RECEPTICALMUST HAVE A “YARD WASTE ONLY” STICKER AFFIXED TO IT AND BE CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM THE STREET.

YARD WASTE STICKERS ARE FREE! YARD WASTE CONTAINERS THAT

ARE NOT IDENTIFIED BY A “YARD WASTE ONLY”

STICKER AFFIXED TO THE RECEPTACLE WILL NOT

BE PICKED UP BY THE CONTRACTOR.

*STICKERE ARE SUPPLIED FREE OF CHARGE AND CAN BE

PICKED UP AT THE CENTER LINE CITY HALL DURING

REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS, MONDAY THROUGH

FRIDAY, 8:30 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.

*BRUSH AND TREE LIMBS WILL BE PICKED UP BY

BUNDLING WITH ENDS FACING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

*LARGER SIZE BRUSH WILL CONTINUE TO BE PICKED UP

BY THE CENTER LINE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

ON WEDNESDAYS, AS IN THE PAST.

*YARD WASTE MAY BE PLACED IN BROWN PAPER

“KRAFT” BAGS, AVAILABLE AT MOST HARDWARE OR

DEPARTMENT STORES, DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR

YARD WASTE DISOSAL. BAGS SHALLBE PLACED BY

THE CURB FOR PICK UP ON YOUR DESIGNATED PICK UP DAY.
*YARD WASTE IN PLASTIC BAGS WILL NOT BE PICKED UP.
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WEED/GRASS ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCE

The City of Center Line’s WEED/GRASS ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCE went into effect on April 1, 2007 and continues in effect until November 30, 2007, pursuant to Center Line Code of Ordinances, Section 78-13.

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to maintain your property and to keep it free of tall grass, weeds, debris and blight. The Building Department sends inspectors to view and record the condition of properties throughout the city, including vacant lots and abandoned buildings, as well as occupied premises. If at any time it is discovered that any property has vegetation (grass, weeds, etc) taller than six (6) inches, notification will be made to the property owner to have the vegetation cut. If this order is not complied with within the given time period, the city will enter the premises, cut said vegetation, and the owner billed - if the bill is not paid, it becomes a lien against the property. Also, a property owner in violation of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and violation is punishable by a fine in an amount not to exceed $500.00 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both.

Cutting grass on private property is not a “service” the City offers, and is done only when necessary at the sole expense of the property owner.

The City of Center Line strives to keep the city clean and attractive for its residents; please help by maintaining your property in a way as to avoid debris that might cause rodent or insect infestations (rats, mice, mosquitoes, etc.). We ask your help in keeping Center Line a clean, healthy attractive and safe place in which to work and play.

Thank you for your cooperation and for being a “GOOD NEIGHBOR”!

WATER METER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

At a Special Budget Workshop held on Monday, April 30, 2007, the Center Line City Council approved the 2nd Phase of the Water Meter Replacement Program. Property owners will be notified prior to the start of the 2nd phase, which will begin later this summer.

For property owners who have received their new meter during the 1st phase of this project, which has recently been completed, DO NOT PAY YOUR “FINAL BILL OLD-STYLE METER” WATER BILL. After the new meter was installed, the City became aware that the outside meter read device had a different reading than the actual meter located inside of the residence. The “Final Bill Old-Style Meter” includes an amount based on this difference in the readings. However, it is still the property owner’s responsibility to continue to pay the regular water bill for water consumed during the regular cycle, or the property owner may be subject to the City’s Water Shut Off Policy adopted by Council on August 7, 2006.

The Council has not yet decided whether to bill for these differences in the reading, in whole, in part, or even at all. Property owners will be notified of the City Council’s action regarding the payment of the “Final Bill Old-Style Meter” at a later date.

Please contact City Hall should you have any questions regarding your water bill, or the Water Meter Replacement Program at 586-757-6800.

The 2006 Winter Tax Bills were mailed end of November, 2006. If you have not received your tax bill, please call City Hall. Below are the rates for school and county taxes. Be reminded that the City acts only as a collecting agent for the various government entities. Any questions you have regarding the rates should be directed to the individual government agency.

TAX RATES (Per $1,000 Taxable Value)
	2005/2006	2006/2007	Difference

Macomb Intermediate School District	2.9430	2.9430	(0.0000)
Macomb Community College	1.4212	1.4212	(0.0000)
Macomb County	4.2058	4.2055	(0.0003)
Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority	0.2146	0.21464	0.0000
SMART Bus Service	0.5912	0.5900	(0.0012)
Center Line Schools Homestead Non-Homestead	17.7780 20.0000	16.1022 20.0000	(1.6758) 0.0000
Van Dyke Schools Homestead Non-Homestead	7.7600 25.7600	5.9906 23.9906	(1.7694) (1.7694)

February 28, 2007 is the last day for payment of all Center Line real and personal property taxes without penalty fee. Tax bills can be paid at National City Bank, LaSalle Bank Midwest N.A., and the Christian Financial Credit Union. The City offers its residents a monthly payment plan for taxes. You may call City Hall at 586-757-6800 for further information.

ANIMAL CONTROL

THE MACOMB COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT responds to all calls concerning animals in the City of Center Line. Hours of operation for the Macomb County Animal Control department are:

Residents are asked to contact the Macomb County Animal Control Department directly at 586-469-5115 with all calls concerning the following: Stray domestic animals; Give up animals; Deceased animals; Sick / injured animals; Animal welfare complaints and investigations / animal bites; and Nuisance wildlife complaints (squirrels, opossum and raccoons) during regular business hours.

In the event of an emergency after the above listed hours, residents are asked to contact the Center Line Public Safety Department at 586-757-2203.

DOG LICENSE FEES

Fees charged by the County for these licenses are as follows:

$10.00 for all males and females NOT spayed or neutered
$5.00 for all males and females SPAYED or NEUTERED

AFTER APRIL 30 OF EACH YEAR: $20.00 for males, females AND spayed or neutered animals.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

In addition to the City Council, the City has numerous Boards and Commissions that contribute to the every day operation of the City Government. Those Boards and Commissions that meet on a regular basis and the place that the meetings are held are as follows:

Beautification Commission: 1st Wednesday at Municipal Building
Library Commission: 2nd Thursday at Library
Planning and Zoning Commission: 4th Thursday at Municipal Building
Police and Fire Retirement Board: 2nd Wednesday at Municipal Building
Recreation Commission: 1st Wednesday at Municipal Building

Several of the City's Boards and Commissions meet only on an occasional basis, or only when the need arises. These are as follows:

Board of Review: Meets in March of each year
Building Authority: Meets only when needed
Construction Board: 1st Tuesday when needed
Citizen Steering Committee: 1st Thursday when needed
Compensation Commission: Meets every odd year
Downtown Development Authority: Meets when necessary

Anyone interested in membership on any of the above listed Boards or Commissions should contact the City Manager's Office at (586) 757-6800 for further information.

On behalf of the City of Center Line and the American Red Cross, Thank You to all who participated in the 8th Annual City Wide Blood Drive held June 2007. The drive was our biggest ever.

The 9th Annual City-Wide Blood Drive is already in the planning stages. As the date draws closer, considerable advertising will be generated and personal contact will be made with those that have donated and volunteered in the past.

Again, a heartfelt Thank You is offered for all of those that gave blood, attempted to donate, volunteered at the drive, donated time and/or products to the drive, or in any other way contributed to the success of this year’s event.

HELP THE CENTER LINE KIWANIS CLUB SEND AS MANY CHILDREN AS POSSIBLE TO SUMMER CAMP IN 2007.

	*TREASURER'S OFFICE*
	ANIMAL CONTROL
	DOG LICENSE FEES - LICENSE PROCEDURE!
	*BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS*

Monday through Friday:	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday	8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday	CLOSED