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St. Ignace City Council Meeting Minutes 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. It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to excuse Councilmember Gustafson from the meeting. Motion Carried unanimously. Staff Present: Eugene Elmer, Acting City Manager; Prentiss M. Brown, Jr., City Attorney; Renee Vonderwerth, City Clerk; Tim Matelski, Chief of Police; Paul Sved, Bldg. Insp; Bucky Robinson, Fire Chief. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 16, 2007 were approved as presented. Additions to the Agenda: 6. Mayor Grondin - Letter of Resignation. 1. HB 4852 RESOLUTION: Resolution Expressing Opposition to the Proposed House Bill 4852 The following resolution was offered for adoption by Councilmember Della- Moretta, supported by Councilmember LaLonde: WHEREAS, on May 24, 2007, Representatives Cusingberry and Gillard referred to the Committee on Appropriations House Bill 4852, a bill to amend 1986 PA 32, entitled "Emergency Telephone Service Enabling Act," (MCL 484.1101 to 484.1717); and WHEREAS, the St. Ignace City Council believes this bill would create fiscal hardship on its citizens; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Ignace also believes this bill would create fiscal hardship on the City of St. Ignace and other tax supported entities; and WHEREAS, the St. Ignace City Council opposes the passage of HB 4852 because: We realize this authorization would expire at the end of FY 2007; however, once enacted, there is no assurance that Michigan citizens would be given an opportunity to oppose further reenactment of this surcharge. If signed into law, the City of St. Ignace and its citizens do not appear to benefit directly or indirectly from its distribution of revenue forecast to be $198,268,560. The City of St. Ignace is not opposed to the Michigan Public Safety Communications System; however, by reducing their allotment to cover merely operational and debt services costs, this bill would then honestly reflect the ultimate destination of these funds. The City of St. Ignace law enforcement agency does not at this time receive a proportional benefit of the 18.4 million slated to be received under this legislation and therefore, we are directly subsidizing these justice grants in areas we receive no benefit. The CJIC has no GF/GP appropriation slated for 2008 and currently FY 2007, appropriation is $18.2 million, therefore why $22 million from this proposed legislation, when GF/GP will no longer fund. The Prosecuting Attorneys' Coordinating Council is already receiving, per executive recommendation $1.9 million from federal, restricted and general fund sources for FY 2008. The Bureau of Fire Services is slated to be the recipient of $13 million with the passage of this legislation; although there is no GP/GF funding for the bureau in FY 2007 or FY 2008 per executive recommendation. The Traffic Law Enforcement and Safety Fund currently funded through the Michigan Motor Vehicle registrations with a fee of $2.25 per registration. The FY 2008 recommendation reduces the appropriation from the TLESF by about $7 million to more accurately reflect actual fund revenue. Historically, the fund has been over appropriated by $6 million to $7 million, i.e., revenue doesn't support the appropriation. The Forensic Science Division operated under the Dept. of State Police maintains seven crime labs; however, a portion of this proposed surcharge i.e. $1.5 million would be earmarked solely for the Detroit Crime Lab. Probation and Parole is already receiving $151.2 million FY 2008; however, an additional $15 million appears excessive in view of the source being a stealth tax on a utility. This bill further doesn't define what nonemergency diversion is, but a few communities, including Detroit, Saginaw and Grand Rapids, provide a 311 service that residents in need of nonemergency assistance may call. WHEREAS, for these reasons, the St. Ignace City Council finds that it should oppose HB 4852; and WHEREAS, the St. Ignace City Council finds that this Resolution should be forwarded to Representative Gary McDowell. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. IGNACE, THAT: Section I. For the reasons stated above, the City Council of the City of St. Ignace declares its opposition to HB 4852 and encourages the Michigan House and Senate to represent it citizens by opposing same. Section II. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilmember Fullerton, LaLonde, Tamlyn-Massaway, Wyse, Mayor Grondin, Councilmember Della-Moretta. No: None. Absent: Councilmember Gustafson. Resolution declared Adopted. 2. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS PUBLIC WORKS CREWS RESOLUTION: Resolution Expressing Opposition to the elimination of the Michigan Department of Corrections Public Work Crews. The following resolution was offered for adoption by Councilmember Tamlyn-Massaway, supported by Councilmember LaLonde: WHEREAS, the City of St. Ignace has successfully utilized the KCF Public Works Crew for over 20 years; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Ignace, as well as many other Michigan municipalities, have already taken reductions in the State revenue sharing; and WHEREAS, as a result of the State revenue sharing reductions, the City's public works budget has been reduced; and WHEREAS, the KCF Public Works Crews have effectively completed many City projects, that would not have been done because of budget constraints; and WHEREAS, this program has a positive impact on both the community and the prison crews. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. Ignace City Council appreciates the hard work done by, Mr. Ron Suchey and his crew; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the St. Ignace City Council does hereby oppose the elimination of the Michigan Department of Corrections Public Works Crew program. Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilmember LaLonde, Tamlyn-Massaway, Wyse, Mayor Grondin, Councilmembers Della- Moretta, Fullerton. No: None. Absent: Councilmember Gustafson. Resolution declared Adopted. 3. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 38, ZONING ORDINANCE: It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to hold a Public Hearing to adopt amendments to Chapter 38 of the Zoning Ordinance, on Monday, August 20, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 4. FORT DeBUADE UPDATE: City Attorney Brown updated Council on the status of Fort DeBuade, stating that he has communicated several issues with the attorney representing the Benson's but has not heard back from him and will continue to pursue a response. In addition, City Attorney Brown assured Council that the closing wouldnot take place until there is a clear understanding of the agreement by all parties. 5. MARINA REPORT: Eugene Elmer updated Council on the status of the Marina fund stating that revenues are up 15% and the expenses are down 2.6%. 6. MAYOR GRONDIN - LETTER OF RESIGNATION: At this time, Mayor Grondin read a letter, submitted by Bruce Dodson, resigning from the St. Ignace Harbor Authority. Mayor Grondin accepted the resignation and added that it appears there will possibly be two vacancies on this committee and appointments to fill the vacancies will be presented at the next meeting. Consideration of Bills: Councilmember LaLonde inquired on the bill from Midwest printing regarding Red Hacker T-shirts, asking if the costs for these t-shirts are reimbursed. Gina Della-Moretta stated that the sponsors pay for the T-shirts. At this time, City Attorney Brown inquired if there was water in the Evergreen Shores tower. Mayor Grondin stated that he talked to Les Therrian on this issue and there are 10,000 gallons of water in the tower and the chlorination process is taking place, after which samples will be taken at two different times. If the samples are good then the tank will be filled to capacity and put the tank on line on Friday. UIS is going to be here tomorrow and they should have their work completed by noon on Thursday. In addition, this includes the completed electrical hook-ups that were the original reason that the City didn't take possession of the tank prior to this time. There is positive progress made on the tank. Public Comment: Ollie Boynton requested City Attorney Brown to expedite a settlement on Fort DeBuade as the season's important events have come and gone and if Labor Day is missed, the whole agreement may be reconsidered.
The following bills were presented to Council for payment:
Mayor Paul Grondin Renee' D. Vonderwerth, City Clerk |
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