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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, Gustafson, LaLonde, Tamlyn-Massaway, Wyse, Mayor Grondin. Absent: None. Staff Present: Eric Dodson, City Manager, Prentiss M. Brown, Jr., City Attorney; Renee Vonderwerth, City Clerk; Eugene Elmer, Assessor/ Treasurer; Les Therrian, Superintendent of Utilities; Tim Matelski, Chief of Police; Deb Evashevski, DDA Director; Paul Sved, Bldg. Insp; Bucky Robinson, Fire Chief. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 6, 2007 were approved as presented. Additions to the Agenda: 14. Mayor Grondin - Zoning Board Resignations/Appointments- City Manager Evaluations. 15. Councilmember Tamlyn- Massaway - Hamburger Helper grants/Charter Violation. 16. Councilmember Gustafson - Basketball nets. 1. RECOGINTION PROCLAMATION: BRUCE BIGGER: Mayor Grondin read a proclamation honoring recent retiree Bruce Bigger for his 28 years of service as a City of St. Ignace Police Officer and proclaimed August 25, 2007 as Bruce C. Bigger Day in the City of St. Ignace. 2. YELLOW BIKE PROJECT - MARY SWIDERSKI: This item was postponed until the next meeting. 3. DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM: Eric Dodson introduced Bob Sweeney, from the Mackinac Bridge Authority, to update Council on the details of a Transportation Museum in downtown St. Ignace. Bob Sweeney stated that Frosty Wyrick approached him regarding a place to donate the replica of the Mackinac Bridge that he built. He went on to explain, that he contacted MDOT who thought it would be a good fit for a Transportation Museum; however, the Mackinac Bridge Authority isn't in the business of running a Transportation Museum. Therefore, he approached the DDA to see if they would be interested, adding that the benefit to the DDA would be no local match requirement and the grant would be funded 100% with MDOT as the applicant, except for the cost of operations. At this time, Deb Evashevski, DDA Director, stated that the DDA Board voted unanimously to support this idea and allow her to assist Bob Sweeney in the grant writing. It was moved by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Fullerton to support the concept being discussed and refer it to the museum sub-committee, already in place at the DDA level, to work on behalf of the City of St. Ignace in this regard. Motion carried unanimously. At this time, Councilmember Gustafson mentioned that the Mackinac Bridge Authority did a great job organizing the events for the 50th Anniversary which had an extremely positive impact on the area. 4. MML ANNUAL MEETING DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATES: City Manager Dodson stated that the MML Annual meeting would be held September 18 through the 20th in Traverse City and MML requires designation of voting delegates to the annual meeting. It was moved by Mayor Grondin, seconded by Councilmember Gustafson to designate Councilmember Tamlyn- Massaway as the voting delegate and City Clerk Vonderwerth as the alternate delegate for the MML annual meeting in September. Motion carried unanimously. 5. FORT deBUADE REPORT: City Manager Dodson requested City Attorney Brown to update Council on the status of Fort deBuade. City Attorney Brown stated there has been considerable correspondence between himself and the Benson's lawyer, adding that the process is progressing and the City is very close to closing. However, an issue needs to be resolved between the Historical Society and the Benson's, and the City should not proceed until it is settled. Judy Engle, representing the Historical Society, stated that she is in the process of negotiating with the Benson's, and payment will be made when the process is finished. 6. PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 38, ZONING ORDINANCE: It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to open the Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously. City Manager Dodson reviewed the amendments with Council and clarified their concerns. Hearing no other public comment, it was moved by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously. 7. ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 38, ZONING ORDINANCE: It was moved by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember LaLonde to adopt the amendments to Chapter 38 of the Zoning Ordinance. Roll call Vote: Yes: Councilmember Fullerton, Gustafson, LaLonde, Tamlyn-Massaway, Wyse, Mayor Grondin, Councilmember Della-Moretta. No: None. Absent: None. Motion carried unanimously. 8. AMBULANCE SUBLEASE AUTHORIZATION: City Manager Dodson stated that Mark Wilk from Allied EMS is present and added that this is a renewal of the sublease between the city, as a member of the ambulance board, and Allied EMS Systems. In addition, City Manager explained that NHF Sub Mackinac is the builder of the structure, and they lease it to the St. Ignace Area Ambulance Board who then sub leases it to Allied EMS Systems. Mark Wilk reviewed the background of the lease with Council and addressed their concerns. In addition, he informed Council that this proposed lease, which is effective April 1, 2007 and continues until April 1, 2011, would take them to the end of the lease with NHF Sub Mackinac, after which the building will become the property of Mackinac County. It was moved by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to approve the sublease. Motion carried unanimously. 9. CHANGE MEETNG DATE - FIRST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER: It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to change the first meeting of September from Monday, September 3rd to Tuesday, September 4th. Motion carried unanimously. 10. FIRE HOSE BID RECOMMENDATION: City Fire Chief Robinson informed Council that five bid requests were sent and four returned. He recommended Council accept the low bid from Pomasl Fire Equipment for a total of $3,124.80 for ten 50-foot lengths of 2.50" and twenty-four 50-foot lengths of 1.75" fire hose. City Manager Dodson stated that the hose was budgeted for in 2007 and came in lower than estimated. It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Tamlyn-Massaway to accept the recommendation of the Fire Chief and purchase the fire hose from Pomasl Fire Equipment. Motion carried unanimously. 11. AUTHORIZED PROJECT REPRESENTATIVE RESOLUTIONWASTEWATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS: A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AN AUTHORIZED PROJECT REPRESENTATIVE FOR WASTEWATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS The following Resolution was offered for adoption by Councilmember Della- Moretta, supported by Councilmember LaLonde: WHEREAS, the City of St. Ignace, Michigan recognizes the need to make improvements to its existing wastewater treatment and collection system; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Ignace, Michigan authorized Wilcox Professional Services, LLC to prepare a Project Plan, which recommends the construction of various treatment facility and collection system improvements; and WHEREAS, said Project Plan was presented and formally adopted at a Public Hearing held on May 07, 2007. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Public Utilities Director for the City of St. Ignace, a position currently held by Leslie Therrian, is designated as the authorized representative for all activities associated with the project referenced above, which includes applying for loans/ grants through the USDA RD to assist in the implementation of the wastewater system improvements project. Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilmember Gustafson, LaLonde, Tamlyn-Massaway, Wyse, Mayor Grondin, Councilmember Della- Moretta, Fullerton. No: None. Absent: None. Resolution declared Adopted. 12. WATER PLANT ROOF REPLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Les Therrian stated that he and the City Engineer reviewed the bids and are recommending Council approve the low bid from Cryderman Builders in the amount of $14,000 for installation of new shingles, adding that the removal will be done in house by the water department. It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to accept the recommendation of the low bid of $14,000 for installation of new shingles by Cryderman Builders. Motion carried unanimously. 13. WATER TOWER REPORT: City Manager Dodson referred to the letter presented to Council regarding the failure analysis on the water tower, adding that the tower is full at this time and in operation. However, there is additional work to be done, but it is deemed safe by Dixon Engineering. Les Therrian added that the repairs to the tank are sufficient and meet the AWWA DS 100-96 requirements; however due to the proximity of the residence in the area, Robert Wozniak and Bill Dixon are recommending to add more stiffeners and are waiting for Pittsburg Tank's response. 14. COUNCILMEMBER TAMLYNMASSAWAY - HAMBUGER HELPER GRANT / CHARTER VIOLATION: Councilmember Tamlyn-Massaway informed Council of the Hamburger Helper website, stating that Little Bear East has applied for a grant in the amount of $3900 and the tennis court is applying for a grant in the amount of $7,000. In addition, the more people that respond, the better the chances are for receiving funds, and encouraged Council to add their comments before November. Secondly, Councilmember Tamlyn- Massaway informed Council that she does not agree with the payment given to Regina Della-Moretta for her internship at the Little Bear Community Center, because it is a direct violation of the City Charter. After considerable discussion, it was the consensus of Council to have the City Attorney research the issue and bring an opinion back to Council at the next meeting. 15.COUNCILMEMBER GUSTAFSON - BASKETBALL COURTS: Councilmember Gustafson inquired about the Basketball nets that are to be installed at the football field. Les Therrian stated that he would get the process started. 16. MAYOR GRONDIN - ZONING BOARD APPOINTMENTS / CITY MANAGER EVALUATION: Mayor Grondin requested Council's approval for the following three appointments. At this time, he read and accepted two letters of resignation from the Zoning Board submitted by Jake Tamlyn and Deb Evashevski, effective immediately, and appointed the two alternates Norm Tafelski and Mike Buby to replace them. In addition, Mayor Grondin requested Council to approve his appointment to the Harbor Authority replacing former Mayor Dodson. It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Fullerton to approve the appointments. Motion carried unanimously. Secondly, Mayor Grondin stated that the Negotiations committee met to review the City Manager evaluation questionnaire, which he presented to Council and requested it be completed on or before September 4th, 2007. In addition, he informed the Council that the evaluation period is from September 1, 2006 to September 1, 2007 and during the week of September 10th, the negotiation committee will meet with the City Manager to go over the evaluations, which will then be presented to full Council on September 17th, 2007. Consideration of Bills: Councilmember Gustafson inquired on the bill from Sensus regarding the activity code. Les Therrian stated it was charged to the wrong account and has been corrected. Councilmember LaLonde inquired into the bill for trophies for the Red Hacker. Les Therrian stated it is a reimbursed cost. Public Comment: There were no public comments at this time. 17. EXECUTIVE SESSION P.A. 267, ART. 245, SECTION 8: City Manager Dodson stated that an executive session is being held to discuss contract negotiations for an individual employee. At the request of the employee, it was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Councilmember Wyse to go into executive session. Motion carried unanimously. After returning from executive session, Councilmember Gustafson stated that the Building Inspector requested review of one aspect of his contract and the negotiating committee's recommendation is to revise the one portion in his contract that would allow him to sell 40 hours of vacation time three times per year. It was moved by Councilmember Della-Moretta, seconded by Councilmember Fullerton to accept the negotiation committees' recommendation. Motion carried. Councilmember LaLonde voted against the motion.
The following bills were presented to Council for payment:
Mayor Paul Grondin Renee' D. Vonderwerth, City Clerk |
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