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St. Ignace City Council Meeting Minutes

The regular meeting of the St. Ignace City Council was held on Monday, May 15, 2006 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Mayor Grondin with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilmember Gustafson gave the invocation.

Present: Councilmember DellaMoretta, Gustafson, LaLonde, Tamlyn-Massaway, Wyse, Mayor Grondin.

Absent: None.

Staff Present: Eric Dodson, City Manager; Prentiss M. Brown, Jr. City Attorney; Renee' D. Vonderwerth, City Clerk; Gene Elmer, Assessor/Treasurer; Tim Matelski, Chief of Police; Les Therrian, Director of Public Works; Paul Sved, Bldg. Insp. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 1, 2006 were approved as presented.

Additions to the Agenda: There were no additions.

1. EDISON SAULT ELECTRIC COMPANY PRESENTATION:

Donald Sawruk from Edison Sault Electric Company made a presentation to Council regarding their rate increase and the status of the future.

City Manager Dodson stated that there has always been good rapport between the City and Edison Sault evidenced by Council's invitation for a presentation so the situation could be evaluated to ensure that the citizens are being protected. In addition, City Manager Dodson recommended Council let the Michigan Public Service Commission do their job in monitoring rate increase requests of utility companys.

2. WASTE MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION:

City Manager Dodson introduced Daryl Proulx from Waste Management who explained to Council the process used for their recycling program. In addition, Mr. Proulx stated that the hours of operation for the Transfer Station on Cheeseman Road are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00 am to 3:30 pm and Wednesday 11:00 am to 7:00 p.m. After answering further concerns, Council thanked Mr. Proulx for attending the meeting.

3. WATER/SEWER DISCUSSION:

City Manager Dodson presented a report to Council regarding the status of the water and sewer funds versus the projection report compiled by Les Therrian and Gary Heckman, stating that progress is being made but, as projected, the recovery time will be a long process.

In addition, City Manager Dodson stated that the Utility Committee met to review the rates and is recommending to continue with the current water and sewer rates until revisited, most likely during the budget process in the fall.

4. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 608 - AMENDMENT TO WATER AND SEWER RATE ORDINANCE:

After reviewing the Ordinance, it was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to introduce Ordinance No. 608. Motion carried unanimously.

5. RYAN DIEHL REQUEST:

City Manager Dodson presented a letter from Ryan Diehl requesting a oneyear leave of absence to serve in Kosovo for the United Nations mission, adding that he is scheduled to leave either May 30th or the end of September 2006.

It was moved by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember LaLonde to approve a one-year leave of absence for Ryan Diehl per his request, upon receiving a letter with an actual date. Motion carried unanimously.

6. TAXICAB LICENSE APPLICATION APPROVAL:

City Manager Dodson presented an application requesting transfer of a taxicab license from H&H Taxi to Mike Gustafson. It was moved by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to approve the application for the transfer of the taxicab license. Motion carried unanimously.

Consideration of Bills: Councilmember LaLonde inquired into the bill from R.S. Scott regarding the difference between the hourly fees for the lighthouse and boardwalk and the general fees. City Manager Dodson stated that they will look into the discrepancy.

Public Comment:

Steve Paquin inquired into how the expenses for the water/sewer situation are going to be addressed. Les Therrian stated that last year $84,000 in expenses were cut from the budget and it will continue to be monitored. City Manager Dodson added that management will continue the evaluation process to determine the best and most efficient ways to use taxpayer's dollars for the operation of the city.

The following bills were presented to Council for payment:

Ace Hardware . . . . . . . . . . .433.64 All-Phase Electric Supply Co. . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66.92 Belonga's Plumbing And Heating .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196.03 C & H Distributors . . . . . . .285.58 Cellular One . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95.16 Central Elevator Co. . . . . . .119.00 Chemsearch . . . . . . . . . . . . .434.05 Cintas-729 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33.40 City of St. Ignace Water Dept. . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2205.98 Edison Sault Electric Co. 13,874.18 Gas Tank Renu USA . . . . . .150.00 Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6698.24 Idexx Distribution Corp. . . .861.10 Kimball-Midwest . . . . . . . . .535.99 LaJoice Electric . . . . . . . . . .185.00 Lakefront Electronics . . . . .162.96 Lynn Auto Parts . . . . . . . . .1142.74 Mackinac Plumbing & Heating Co.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .362.24 Mackinac Sales . . . . . . . . . . .583.88 MEDCO Supply Co. . . . . . .103.85 Airgas Great Lakes . . . . . . . .55.40 Michigan Steam . . . . . . . . . . .94.80 KSS Enterprises-Petoskey . .614.13 National Office Products . .1396.01 Nye Uniform Company . . . . .73.17 Office Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . .117.98 OscarW Larson . . . . . . . . . .355.22 Pomasl Fire Equipment . . . .216.19 R S Scott Associates . . . . . .2823.00 Marine Center . . . . . . . . . . .105.96 JDE Equipment Company .200.03` Safety Services Incorporated . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .982.99 Sault Printing Company . . . .77.20 SEMCO Energy . . . . . . . . .3760.48 St. Ignace Automotive . . . . .456.47 St. Ignace Do It Center . . . .516.91 St. Ignace True Value . . . . . .531.95 St. Ignace Visitor's Bureau .721.54 Straits Area Glass . . . . . . . . .65.00 Straits Building Center . . . .134.71 Suncoast Research Labs . . .313.00 Superior Lamp . . . . . . . . . .189.48 The St. Ignace News . . . . . .1141.43 Trusco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81.13 Valley Truck Parts . . . . . . . .384.72 Waste Management . . . . . . .474.28 Wright Express . . . . . . . . . .3851.17

Grand Total . . . . . . . . . . .$ 48264.11

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.

Mayor Paul Grondin Renee' Vonderwerth, City Clerk