March 23, 2009 Council Meeting
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VILLAGE OF MATTAWAN
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 23, 2009
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ATTENDANCE
Present: Kucinich, Kirklin, McLean, Markle, Spulick, Ashbaugh
Others present: Chief VerHage, Joe Alexander, Claudia Spulick and others.
4. WELCOME TO THE PUBLIC
5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEETING BEING RECORDED
6. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
President McLean added 11 C Law Enforcement under Board and Committee
Report, and under new business B Police Grant.
7. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion by Kucinich, support by Bemer, to approve the agenda with the additions. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
8. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MARCH 9, 2009
Motion by Markle, support by Spulick, to approve the minutes of March 9, 2009. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
9. BILLS TO BE APPROVED IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 50, 459.77
Motion by Markle, support by Spulick, to pay the bills in the amount of $50,459.77. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
10. LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY AGENDA ITEM
There was no public comment.
11. BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. POLICY & PERSONNELL MARCH 13, 2009 – CHAIR SPULICK
Chair Spulick stated the committee reviewed the last part of the personnel manual and made changes concerning retirement, changing the word shall to may retire at the age of 62.The other change was to change the pay date from Monday to Wednesday. The committee also recommended approval to give DPW Superintendent compensatory time as long as 40 hours of vacation was forfeited
B. PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 18, 2009 – LIAISON MARKLE
Chair Markle stated the Planning Commission had a public hearing on Ariel Anderson/42LLC. The committee made a conditional approval for the project as long as all the conditions that Karl stated were all met and noted on the site plans.
C. LAW ENFORCEMENT
President McLean stated that Chief VerHage had presented his budget to the committee. He stated there was a little uncertainty with the school resource position within the school. We will have to wait until the new superintendent comes on board before the Police Department will get the answers. .If the school doesn’t keep that position he would like to maintain that officers spot and reabsorb back into the regular police line. He would also like to purchase a new Police vehicle.
12. STAFF REPORTS
A. POLICE REPORT – CHIEF VERHAGE
Chief VerHage reported that there were53 service calls for February and 44 citations. He would like to buy a new Police vehicle. He stated that he would take the 2005 Crown Victoria out of service and use it as a back up to use to go to classes. He is not planning this purchase until the 09-10 year. He also explained about the accident to the other police car. He’s already received one estimate and has another coming in but could not find a third. He hoped that the 2 estimates would be satisfactory.
13. OLD BUSINESS
A. TIRE BILL FROM RESIDENT FOR DAMAGE DURING CONSTRUCTION
Michelle Keyes stated she ruined a tire on the construction site on Front Avenue when the water/sewer was going in for Glidden. She wants to be reimbursed for this tire. The contractor is Lounsbury and they don’t want to pay for the tire. Ms. Keyes did turn in the following requested letter.
Chair Markle who lives near the construction area stated that there was never a problem for her. The area was clearly posted a construction area, and feels that the bolt she picked up could have been from anywhere.
Motion by Markle, support by Kuchinich to not pay for the tire. Roll call vote taken. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
B. SUAREZ REQUEST TO TRANSFER LIQUOR LICENSE
Council may wish to discuss this matter in closed session.
No closed session was needed.
Attorney Graham stated he sent a letter describing our objection to the investigator that has been assigned to this case. When we withdrew the objection for renewal it was conditioned on an agreement by Mr. Suarez that he would not transfer the license out of the Village. Mr. Suarez did sign an agreement to this affect.
C. I-94 BRIDGE PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS
Please see memo from Superintendent Anthony with recommendations for bridge project.
President McLean stated that there is going to be a meeting with the LDFA in regards to the bridge project. Member Markle stated that she had E mailed Representative Tonya Shuitmaker. Representative Shuitmaker told Markle that she wants to be at the meeting because it is one of her priorities and would like to be kept in the loop. She also told Leslie that since the project wasn’t shovel ready we wouldn’t be able to get it under the stimulus package.
D. SET MEETING DATE FOR SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
Cindy La Grow met with Superintendent Anthony and Council member Bemer on Wednesday March 18, 2009. Ms. LaGrow would like to schedule meeting for April 15, 2009 @ 6:00 before the Planning Commission meeting, Please see enclosed memo.
Superintendent Anthony and Member Bemer meet with Cindy La Grow and made the decision to bring to council so they could schedule a kickoff meeting which they want to do before the next Planning Commission meeting so they could attend and to get the community involved. They also want to get approval for May 3rd to do a hot dog roast. That would be on a Sunday after Church has let out. There is a September 1st deadline for the grant and then we would find out in December if we would receive it.
Motion by Markle, support by Kucinich, to set the meeting for Safe Routes to School for April 15th at 6:00PM. Roll call vote taken. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Bemer, support by Markle, to set the visioning session for May 3rd at 12:00PM in the park. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
14. NEW BUSINESS
A. STREET CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Please see memo from Superintendent Anthony.
The request is to ask the DDA if they would be willing to take on the bill for the Christmas decorations.
Motion by Bemer support by Markle to ask the DDA if they would be willing to pay for the Christmas decorations. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
B. POLICE GRANT
Chief VerHage is requesting permission to apply for a three year grant. Chief VerHage stated that there is a small window of time to apply. He has to have it sent in by April 14th. It is a 100% funded grant that will pay for an extra position with the condition of maintaining that position one year beyond the three year grant.
Motion by Bemer, support by Markle, to allow Chief VerHage to pursue the grant. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
15. COMMUNICATIONS
a. Mediacom update letter
b. MML Issue Advisory regarding stimulus
c. Reminder Mr. Sarkipato will meet with Village at 6:00 p before the April 13th Council meeting re: Flood Ins.
16. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS
There were no comments from visitors.
17. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Markle thanked Bemer for all her notes that she gave to the Policy and Personnel Committee.
18. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:45PM.
