REGULAR MEETING OF THE WEST BRANCH CITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL, 121 NORTH FOURTH STREET, MONDAY, JULY 1, 2002
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, Russell Jackson, Chad Lucas
Absent: Council Member Paul Frechette
Other officers present: City Manager Patrick McGinnis, Clerk/Treasurer Jane Tennant, Police Chief Rodger Williams, Attorney Edward Crawford, County Commissioner Clarice Sperry
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Other officers present: City Manager Patrick McGinnis, Clerk/Treasurer Jane Tennant, Police Chief Rodger Williams, Attorney Edward Crawford, County Commissioner Clarice Sperry
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOTION BY LUCAS, SECOND BY JACKSON, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD JUNE 17, 2002.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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Manager McGinnis informed the Council that the Hospice Adult Day Care would like to use the Senior Center from 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. He stated he talked with the Ogemaw Commission on Aging meal program coordinators and they do not see any conflict in this use along with the meal program. He stated that the Day Care currently has 3 to 4 clients but are looking to expand to as many as 8. He also noted that the Day Care does provide full time staffing.
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Manager McGinnis stated he received a request from the West Branch Rose City Area Schools for some help with their playground. He stated that the school is installing a new playground and would like the DPW to help lay the wood chips. Council Members did not see a problem with this and asked that Manager McGinnis work with the school officials to schedule this project.
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MOTION BY JACKSON, SECOND BY CLARK, TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE MINUTES OF THE MEDICAL ARTS CENTER MEETING HELD MAY 23, 2002, HOSPITAL BOARD MEETING HELD MAY 28, 2002, AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD MAY 28, 2002.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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MOTION BY THOMPSON, SECOND BY CLARK, TO APPROVE THE PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS REQUEST FROM THE KIWANIS CLUB TO SELL PEANUTS JULY 12, 13 AND 14, 2002.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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MOTION BY JACKSON, SECOND BY EHINGER, TO APPROVE THE PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS APPLICATION FROM LISA FOKKENA TO SELL ICE CREAM FROM A TRUCK FROM JUNE 18, 2002 THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2002.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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Mayor Thompson opened the public hearing on a CDBG grant for a Downtown Redevelopment project at 7:11 p.m. No one present wished to comment on this project.
MOTION BY THOMPSON, SECOND BY CLARK, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CDBG GRANT AT 7:12 P.M.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
MOTION BY CLARK, SECOND BY JACKSON, TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
RESOLUTION #02-11
WHEREAS, in a letter dated May 17, 2002, the City of West Branch received clearance from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to proceed with an application for $340,000 of Community Development Block Grant funding to redevelop real estate in downtown West Branch and construct a parking area, and
WHEREAS, the proposed redevelopment is consistent with the community development plan as described in the application for funding, and
WHEREAS, at least 51% of the beneficiaries of the project will be of low to moderate income as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Ogemaw County, and
WHEREAS, no project costs will be incurred prior to a formal grant award, completion of the environmental review procedures and formal, written authorization is received from MEDC Community Services, and
WHEREAS, there has been ample opportunity for the public to provide input as to the project and the community development plan and the City has held at least one formal public hearing on this project, said hearing first being advertised in the Ogemaw County Herald.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of West Branch hereby authorizes the submission of a grant application to redevelop downtown property and create additional parking opportunity, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor or Clerk are hereby authorized to sign all official documents and agreements to carry out the project elements, including the application form, any agreement between the State of Michigan and the City of West Branch relative to this project, and all other statements and certifications required to carry out the project activities.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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Steve Steinhauser, West Branch Township Supervisor, was present and stated that the Township was still pursuing an access road for Taylor Building Projects. He asked that the Council give the Township a letter of support, which will be included with the Category A grant application. Mr. Steinhauser noted that the exact location of the road has not been determined yet.
MOTION BY CLARK, SECOND BY JACKSON, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO DRAFT A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR WEST BRANCH TOWNSHIP TO CONSTRUCT AN ACCESS ROAD FOR TAYLOR BUILDING PRODUCTS.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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MOTION BY THOMPSON, SECOND BY CLARK, TO APPROVE THE MANAGERS EMPLOYEMENT AGREEMENT FOR 2002/2003 BUDGET YEAR AS PRESENTED.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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Council Member Jackson reported that several new pieces of equipment were purchased for the Airport. He also reported that the Airport Board is looking at constructing another set of hangars, which will be financed with loans. He stated that the hangar rental fees would make the loan payment.
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Council Member Ehinger stated that there has been some vandalism at the Senior Center and he feels the Council should offer a reward to anyone with information concerning the events at the Center.
MOTION BY EHINGER, SECOND BY ERVANS, THAT THE CITY OFFER A $500 REWARD FOR INFORMATION ANYONE HAS FOR THE CONVICTION OF THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VANDALISM AT THE SENIOR CENTER.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thomson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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MOTION BY THOMPSON, SECOND BY JACKSON, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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Margie Taylor was present and asked that the Council allow the 4th annual Dwayne Rau Memorial race to be run on the City streets on August 10 starting at 8:30 a.m.
MOTION BY THOMPSON, SECOND BY LUCAS, TO ALLOW THE USE OF CITY STREETS FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL DWAYNE RAU MEMORIAL RACE ON AUGUST 10.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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Attorney Crawford reported on the funds return request from Quality Farm and Fleet. He recommended that the Council send the money back on the water/sewer payment and assess the amount due to the property owner.
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County Commissioner Sperry reported on the Countys insurance increase, audit review, and Group Workcamps.
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MOTION BY LUCAS, SECOND BY THOMPSON, TO APPROVE THE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,869.44.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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Council reviewed the request for funds from the Michigan Municipal League for the Enhancing Local Government project.
MOTION BY EHINGER, SECOND BY THOMPSON, TO DECLINE THE REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR THE MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE ENHANCING LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECT.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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MOTION BY LUCAS, SECOND BY ERVANS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT WITH TROY & BANKS TO CONDUCT A UTILITY AUDIT.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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Council again reviewed the duck issue. Manager McGinnis stated Police Chief Williams talked with the owner of the West Branch Flour Mill. He stated that the owner of the Mill says that someone dropped the ducks off. Manager McGinnis stated that he has been told by the DNR that because the ducks are domesticated they cannot control them. Discussion following concerning the method of control, the fact that some property owners want the ducks left, and how this problem can be handled the best way. Council Member Lucas stated he feels it is no different than any other farm animal in town and should be handled as such. Mayor Thompson stated that if the City decides to reduce the number, he wants to know where the captured ducks would go. He stated he feels the City should have some plan if the population is to be controlled.
MOTION BY LUCAS, SECOND BY EHINGER, TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF TRAPS TO REDUCE THE DUCK POPULATION WITH THE TRAPPED DUCKS BEING RELOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE AREA.
Yes Ehinger, Lucas
No Clark Ervans, Jackson, Thompson Absent Frechette Motion failed.
Mayor Thompson stated he wants to know where the ducks are going once they are trapped. Manager McGinnis stated he would get more information on the traps and relocation sites.
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Council reviewed the bid from Herbert Meloche for the purchase of the old bucket truck. It was noted that the bid was received late,
MOTION BY JACKSON, SECOND BY THOMPSON, THAT BECAUSE THIS WAS THE ONLY BID RECEIVED ON THE BUCKET TRUCK THAT THE COUNCIL ACCEPT IT IN THE AMOUNT OF $755.00.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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Council reviewed the street sign bids as follows:
1. Callender and Dornbos, Inc., Charlotte, MI $4,831.34
2. Shamrock Traffic Safety, Inc., West Branch, MI $2,742.75
3. Midway Signs, Inc., Saginaw, MI $6,225.00
MOTION BY JACKSON, SECOND BY CLARK, TO AWARD THE STREET SIGN BID TO SHAMROCK TRAFFIC SAFETY, INC IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,742.75.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None Absent Frechette Motion carried
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MOTION BY THOMPSON, SECOND BY JACKSON, TO ADJOURN AT 8:25 P.M.