Council Proceedings (Unofficial)

The regular meeting of the St. Ignace City Council was held on Monday, December 15, 2008 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: Councilmembers Della- Moretta, Fullerton, Mayor Pro-Tem Gustafson, Council members 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, Super intendent of Utilities; Tim Matelski, Chief of Police; Deb Evashevski, DDA Director; Paul Sved, Bldg. Insp.

Corrections of December 1, 2008 Council Meeting: None.

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 1, 2008 were approved as written.

Additions to the Agenda: None.

1. PUBLIC HEARING - BUDGET:

It was moved by Councilmember LaLonde, seconded by Council- member Wyse to open the Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously.

After hearing comments from the public, it was moved by Councilmember Wyse, seconded by Councilmember LaLonde to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously.

2. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE #617 - 2009 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION BILL:

It was moved by Mayor Pro-Gustafson, seconded by Council member LaLonde to adopt Ordinance No. 617.

Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilmember Fullerton, Mayor Pro-Tem Gustafson, Council members LaLonde, Tamlyn-Massaway, Wyse, Mayor Grondin, Council member Della- Moretta.

No: None. Absent: None. At this time, Mayor Grondin stated that the adoption of Ordinance No. 617 complies with the provision in the Charter.

3. 2008 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS:

City Manager Dodson informed Council that at the next Council meeting a list of budget adjustments addressing deficits would be presented to Council for approval.

In addition, a comprehensive monthly report will be provided at the second meeting of each month consisting of data compiled by the City Clerk and himself indicating the overall status of the funds.

4. MAJOR STREETS DISCUSSION:

City Manager Dodson informed Council that the Mayor and he had an opportunity to meet with the Director of MDOT, and one issue they addressed was the status of the stimulus package in 2009. In addition, he brought Council's attention to the Budget Report, referring to the Major and Local Street section, and reviewed the information provided re garding the status of the streets and funds.

At this time, Mayor Pro-Tem Gustafson offered some suggestions for consideration by Administration to help address the deficit situation in the street funds, adding that a comprehensive report needs to be prepared and presented to Council for informed decision-making.

5. WATER/SEWER UPDATE:

City Manager Dodson updated Council on the status of the Water and Sewer funds, stating they are maintaining in the black. However, the Water Fund has a substantial bond payment due by January 1, 2009 and will negatively affect the numbers.

6. BUS STATION UPDATE:

City Manager Dodson updated Council on the status of the Bus Station and reviewed the comprehensive schedule provided in the packets.

In addition, biweekly meetings will be held to update everyone involved on the progress of the building, adding that next meeting will be held on January 7, 2009 and encouraged the Real Estate Com mittee and Council members to attend.

7. MARLEY STREET WATER TOWER IMPROVEMENTS:

City Manager Dodson stated that the Marley Street water tower is in need of general maintenance and presented a proposed contract agreement from Dixon Engineering for Consulting and Inspection services at a cost of $2800.00.

It was moved by Councilmember Fullerton, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Gustafson to accept the contract with Dixon Engineering at a cost of $2800.00 and proceed with developing bid specs. Motion carried unanimously.

8. POLICE CONTRACT RATIFICATION:

City Manager Dodson reviewed the recommendation from the Negotiation Committee regarding Police negotiations, including a 2.5 percent increase annually for the next three years, receiving the same health benefits as the other bargaining unit, and a one-half percent reduction in employee contribution toward their retirement premium.

It was moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Gustafson, seconded by Mayor Grondin to accept the recommendations from the Negotiation Committee and approve the Police Union Contract. Motion carried unanimously.

9. AUTHORIZATON TO PAY YEAR-END BILLS:

City Manager Dodson requested the annual authorization to pay all year-end bills.

It was moved by Mayor Grondin, seconded by Councilmember Della-Moretta to authorize the payment of all year-end bills. Motion carried unanimously.

Consideration of Bills

Councilmember LaLonde inquired into the bill from Mackinaw Art & Sign for covers on signs, asking if it was charged to the DDA or Marina. Deb Evashevski stated that the boardwalk sign was charged against the DDA and the marina sign was charged against the Marina, adding that it is important that the covers be on the signs to protect the investment.

Public Comment:

Donna Pope addressed her concerns to Council regarding Charter Cable TV, stating that some popular programs have been eliminated from the basic line up, and Charter is charging to add them back. City Manager Dodson stated that he would call the City's representative from Charter and have them call her.

Also at this time, Dean Baker added that the discussion on the long-term road maintenance program was one of the best discussions he has heard in a long time.

Merv Wyse commended the DDA and those that worked on getting the City's Christmas tree looking better than it has in years, adding that it does look good coming into town.

Donna Pope also stated that the DPW is doing a good job plowing and keeping the road open.

The following bills were presented to Council for payment: Ace Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .713.67 Airgas North Central . . . . . . . . . .68.90 All-Phase Electric Supply Co. . . .77.04 Alltel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161.99 Ascom North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .407.00 AT&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320.80 AT&T Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . .508.13 Baker College of Cadillac . . . . .266.30 Cheboygan Lumber Company . . .9.29 Cintas-729 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65.83 City of St. Ignace Water Dept. . .982.46 Edison Sault Electric Co. . . .21,748.18 Etna Supply Co. . . . . . . . . . . .1768.97 Gall's Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108.80 Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .475.00 Icemann Arena, Inc. . . . . . . . . . .166.25 Kimball-Midwest . . . . . . . . . . . .401.78 KSS Enterprises-Petoskey . . . . .682.11 Lipnitz True Value/Moran Lumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.53 Lynn Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . .1280.37 Mackinac Plumbing & Heating Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1057.91 Mackinac Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507.00 Mackinaw Art & Sign . . . . . . .1006.50 Michigan Office Solutions . . . . .159.68 Mission Awards, Inc. . . . . . . . . . .48.75 National Office Products . . . . .1495.89 NCL of Wisconsin, Inc. . . . . . .1679.58 OTIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2082.22 Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. . . . . . . .672.60 Pomasl Fire Equipment . . . . . . . .57.29 Quartermaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170.96 Safety Kleen Corp. . . . . . . . . . . .184.56 Sault Printing Company, Inc. . . . .56.12 SEMCO Energy . . . . . . . . . . . .8593.93 Spartan Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.69 St. Ignace Automotive . . . . . . .1106.18 St. Ignace News . . . . . . . . . . . . .853.20 St. Ignace True Value . . . . . . . . .927.14 Straits Area Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . .13.50 Straits Building Center . . . . . . .1418.67 Waste Management . . . . . . . . .7983.69 Waste Management of Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .571.80 Wilcox Professional Services LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2630.73 Wright Express . . . . . . . . . . . . .3521.82 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67,330.81 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m. Mayor Paul Grondin Renee' Vonderwerth, City Clerk