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St. Ignace City Council Meeting Minutes Council Proceedings (Official) The regular meeting of the St. Ignace City Council was held on Monday, April 2, 2007 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 Wyse gave the invocation. Present: Councilmember Della-Moretta, Fullerton, LaLonde, Tamlyn-Massaway, Wyse, Mayor Grondin. Absent: Councilmember Gustafson. (Excused by Council). Councilmember Fullerton arrived at 8:23 p.m. Staff Present: Eric Dodson, City Manager; Renee' Vonderwerth, City Clerk; Les Therrian, Superintendent of Utilities; Tim Matelski, Chief of Police; Paul Sved, Bldg. Insp. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 19, 2007 were approved as presented. Additions to the Agenda: 11. Paul Fullerton - Request. At this time, Mayor Grondin moved item #2 to item #1 on the agenda. 1. CEDARVILLE TROJANS PROCLAMATION: Mayor Grondin presented members of the Cedarville Trojan boys' basketball team a proclamation in recognition of their Class D State championship. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the Cedarville Trojan boys basketball team posted a 19-0 regular season record winning the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference championship and being named the 2007 U.P. Team of the year, and WHEREAS, the Cedarville Trojan boys basketball team won seven additional games in the state tournament to improve their record to a perfect 26-0, culminating with a 77-74 Class D state title victory over Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian on March 24, 2007 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, and WHEREAS, Cedarville Trojan boys basketball team established a new Championship game record of 11 - 3 point shots made. THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Mayor of St. Ignace and the City Council wish to extend our congratulations to the Cedarville Trojan boys basketball team for this historic accomplishment.
2007 Cedarville Trojan Boys Basketball Team BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED that the citizens of St. Ignace are very proud of this U.P. team's achievements and wish all these student athletes many more successes in their future. At this time, Dave Latva on behalf of the Cedarville Trojans basketball team, presented a Cedarville Trojan Class D State Championship poster to Mayor Grondin 1. PROCLAMATION OF RECOGNITION - RENEE' VONDERWERTH At this time, Mayor Grondin presented the following proclamation to Renee'Vonderwerth in recognition of being designated "Clerk of the Year" from the Michigan Rural Water Association. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Renee'Vonderwerth, has worked for the City of St. Ignace for 24 years and served as the City Clerk for the City of St. Ignace for 12 of those years; and WHEREAS, in 1994, Renee' became a "Certified Municipal Clerk", and in 1997 she was recognized by the National Business Women for Excellence in Workplace; and WHEREAS, Renee' has been involved in providing fitness programs for area residents since 1982, by holding aerobics classes for all ages and fitness levels; and WHEREAS, Renee' currently serves on the Library Board and was president of the Library Building Committee during the new Library construction; and WHEREAS, Renee' is also involved in organizing the City's Fourth of July festivities and is an auxiliary City Police Officer; and WHEREAS, as the City Clerk, Renee' has had to become an expert on time management, as well public relations. The City Clerk's office deals with customer complaints from bills to elections to Freedom of Information requests. All of these issues are always handled very professionally and courteously. WHEREAS, Renee' has tracked and done paperwork for several grants and loans from USDA-RD, Rebuild Michigan, EDA, State Revolving Funds, and FEMA, totaling in over 10 million dollars in the last 15 years for the Water/Sewer Department. THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the City of St. Ignace and it employees are very proud of Renee' Vonderwerth for the recognition she has received from the Michigan Rural Water Association in designating her Clerk of the Year. NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, that Renee' Vonderwerth, City Clerk of the City of St. Ignace, be honored on this 2nd Day of April, 2007, for her dedicated service to the City of St. Ignace. 3. SPECIALEVENTS RESOLUTION: RESOLUTION The following Resolution was offered for adoption by Councilmember LaLonde, supported by Councilmember Wyse: WHEREAS, the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce, the Visitors Bureau and the Events Committee request permission to conduct the St. Ignace Fish Feast, and WHEREAS, this event requires the usage of the St. Ignace public marina, and WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 413 of the City of St. Ignace, "The Peddler's Ordinance", requires certain criteria be met in order for the event to be held. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. Ignace City Council has determined that the Chamber of Commerce, the Visitors Bureau and the Events Committee do meet the criteria established in the various sections of the Ordinance No. 413, and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council does approve the usage of the St. Ignace public marina for this event from Thursday, July 26 through Monday, July 30, 2007. 4. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING: City Manager Dodson informed Council that a public hearing has to be set on the proposed wastewater system improvement project for the purpose of receiving comments from interested persons. It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to hold a Public Hearing on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 5. JOHN CAMPBELL PROCLAMATION: Mayor Grondin acknowledged the retirement of John Campbell with the following proclamation, stating that the plaque will be presented to him during his retirement party. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, John W. Campbell has been Executive Director of the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission since 1973; and WHEREAS, during this period the Regional Planning Commission has been involved in many vital Economic Development Administration grant projects, Community Development and Transportation related planning projects, including the Kincheloe Air Force Base Conversion Authority, City of Mackinac Island Water Treatment Facility, DeTour Village Water Treatment facility upgrades, Village of Newberry Streetscape project, Whitefish Township Community Center construction; and WHEREAS, Mr. Campbell has been instrumental in securing local, state and federal monies to assist the Counties, Cities, Townships and Villages within the Eastern Upper Peninsula; and WHEREAS, Mr. Campbell has been instrumental in the redevelopment of the Kincheloe Air Force Base upon its closure in the 1970's; the establishment of the Chippewa County Industrial Park; the development and continued update of the Eastern U.P. Regional Solid Waste Management Plan; the development of the Overall Economic Development Plans for the Region; development and implementation of countless vital water and sewer infrastructure projects, recreation grants, land use plans, zoning ordinances, regional transit plans, economic development plans, forestry plans. THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that the St. Ignace City Council, its staff and residents express their gratitude to Mr. Campbell for over 30 years of employment with the Regional Commission and wish him well in his retirement. 6. DISSOLUTION OF SIGN ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: City Manager Dodson informed Council that the sign committee met and resolved the issues that were in question and requested Council's action to dissolve the committee. It was moved by Councilmember Wyse, seconded by Councilmember LaLonde to dissolve the sign ordinance committee. Motion carried unanimously. 7. WATER TOWER UPDATE: City Manager Dodson informed Council that the City is pursuing additional improvements on the water tank and introduced Les Therrian to update Council on the status of the situation. Les informed Council that after a lengthy discussion involving Fred Schlehuber and Pittsburg Tank a viable solution has been agreed upon and in the process of development, adding that Dixon Engineering is reviewing the repair design and will send a report. All parties agreed that the current repair is safe on a temporary basis, but encouraged the additional improvements. In addition, Pittsburg Tank is planning to start and complete the additional repairs next week if material can be on site. It was the consensus of Council to support the approach presented by Fred Schlehuber and his continued assistance with the involvement of the additional improvements, and voiced their appreciation for his expert help with this problem. At this time, Ronda Schlehuber stated that they are returning to their home tonight but would like the option to go back to alternate housing in case of high winds. Council reiterated that the alternative housing proposal is still available to the affected residents if they deem necessary. 8. PORTAGE STREET SEWER COLLAPSE AND REPAIR: Les Therrian updated Council on the repairs done to the Portage Road sewer scheduled to be replaced in 2009, stating that the problem was first discovered with videos taken in 2000. Les informed Council that the repair involved closing Portage Road and bypass pumping until repairs were made. One residence experienced backup problems, which the Water Department and Public Works responded to immediately and are still in the process of cleaning up. In addition, it is estimated to cost $10,000 before the repair is finished. 9. FORT deBUADE RECOMMENDATION: City Manager Dodson informed Council that the Fort deBuade Committee met with the Historical Society and Keith Massaway, to discuss the proposal from the Sault Tribe regarding a contribution of $118,000.00 to the City annually for the next 6 years for the operation of Fort deBuade. In addition, the committee agreed that the concept is positive, however, there are still a lot of questions to be answered before accepting the contribution from the Sault Tribe. City Manager Dodson informed Council that the Sault Tribe has requested a letter stating that the Council supports the concept and that they will accept the contribution contingent on the analysis and negotiations between the City, Historical Society and the Sault Tribe. It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to authorize the City Manager to prepare and send a letter to the Sault Tribe stating that the Council supports the concept contingent on all the questions being answered and agreed on. Motion carried unanimously. 10. LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE REPORT: City Manager Dodson reported to Council that it was a great opportunity to hear what the legislators are doing in Lansing and shared some of the issues with Council. In addition, City Manager Dodson encouraged Councilmembers to attend conferences such as this, as it is a great networking opportunity. 11. COUNCILMEMBER FULLERTON - REQUEST: Councilmember Fullerton requested to be excused from the next Council Meeting on April 16, 2007. It was moved by Councilmember Wyse, seconded by Councilmember LaLonde to excuse Councilmember Fullerton from the Council Meeting on Monday April 16, 2007. Motion carried unanimously. Consideration of Bills: Councilmember LaLonde inquired into the bill from Rehmann Robson, asking when they are scheduled to report to Council. City Manager Dodson stated that they are scheduled to be at the April 16, 2007 meeting but verification has not been received yet. Public Comment: Mayor Grondin recognized CJ, a LaSalle High student, and inquired if he had any comments. CJ stated that he attended the Council Meeting tonight to be proactive. Mayor Grondin thanked him for attending and encouraged him to come again.
The following bills were presented to Council for payment:
Mayor Paul Grondin Renee' Vonderwerth, City Clerk |
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