REGULAR MEETING OF THE WEST BRANCH CITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL, 121 NORTH FOURTH STREET, MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2003

Mayor Todd Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor Todd Thompson, Council Members Gregory Clark, William Ehinger, Kim Ervans, Paul Frechette, Russell Jackson, Chad Lucas

Absent: None

Other officers present: City Manager Patrick McGinnis, Clerk/Treasurer Jane Tennant, Police Chief Rodger Williams, and Attorney Michael Juarez

All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

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Council reviewed the request from Mark Lafferty, Sr. to sell patriotic items during the 4^th of July celebration. Mayor Thompson stated he would like to know if Mr. Lafferty will donate $1.00 to the West Branch/Rose City School District general fund or if he will give it to a specific project.

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Council reviewed the peddlers and solicitors application from the St. Joseph Youth Ministry to collect canned goods and funds on February 15. Council Member Lucas asked how the collection is conducted. Council Member Ehinger stated it is done by going door to door.

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Council reviewed the letter from the West Branch Senior Center, Inc. requesting that the City cease and desist from using the name West Branch Senior Center.

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Council Member Clark reported that the EDC may be asking for a letter of support for a traffic light in the proposed Wal-Mart area.

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Council Member Ehinger reported an overflow problem with a garbage cart at the corner of Wright St. and S. Second St. Council Member Jackson noted some on State St. as well. Manager McGinnis will look into this problem and get it resolved.

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Council Member Jackson reported that the new garage at the Airport is complete and the equipment is in. He also stated that the new hangar is fully rented.

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Council Member Lucas informed the Council that he was appointed to the MML Transportation, Infrastructure and Environmental Affairs Committee.

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Council reviewed the letter from Wade-Trim stating that Rural Development will not consider any of the $1,730,000 I & I/service extension project as a grant. This would cause the City to borrow the full amount and in so doing sewer rates would have to be increased to pay the debt. Council discussed the rates that would be required to satisfy the debt. Manager McGinnis recommended that the Council hold off on pursuing this project.

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Attorney Juarez reported he would file a Notice of Pendency for 220 S. Fourth St.

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Council discussed the idea of putting a car wash in front of the IGA building. Manager McGinnis informed Council that the Planning Commission is looking into this further. He also stated that the DDA is against a car wash in this location. Mayor Thompson stated the main objective is to look at the impact this would have on the sale of the IGA building.

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Council took no action on Save the Bill of Rights Campaign resolution.

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Council reviewed the bids to supply and install an Onan transfer switch at the wastewater treatment plant as follows:

1. Nighthawk Electric Inc., West Branch, MI $7,750.00

2. Great Lakes Instruments & Controls, Inc. $9,910.00

3. Hamilton Electric Company, Saginaw, MI $6,354.00

Manager McGinnis noted that the bid from Hamilton Electric Company did not include installation.

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Manager McGinnis stated that the DDA is looking at extending their TIFA program for another 15 years. He stated that the DDA is meeting on Monday with County of Ogemaw Board Members and he would like Council to hold a special meeting at the same time to provide an opportunity for the County Board to discuss the Development and Tax Increment Plan and Amendments prior to the February 3, 2003 public hearing.

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Manager McGinnis reported that J. E. Johnson Mechanical Engineering Company would be at the West Branch Senior Center on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. to look at the ventilation system.

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Jim Howard reported on the Group Work Camp project.

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