April 27, 2009 Council Minutes

VILLAGE OF MATTAWAN
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 27, 2009

MINUTES

1.    CALL TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.

2.    PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3.    ATTENDANCE

Present: Ashbaugh, Bemer, Kirklin, Kucinich, Markle, Spulick, McLean

4.    WELCOME TO THE PUBLIC

5.    ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEETING BEING RECORDED

6.    ADDITIONS T O AGENDA

There were no additions to the agenda.

7.        APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Motion by Bemer, support by Kirklin, to approve the agenda as printed. All members voted in favor.
Motion carried.

8.    APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 13, 2009&BUDGET WORKSHOP APRIL 21, 2009

Motion by Kucinich, support by Bemer, to approve the minutes of April 13, 2009 as printed. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.

 Motion by Bemer, support by Markle, to approve the minutes of the budget workshop held April 21, 2009 as printed. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.

9.      BILLS TO BE APPROVED N THE AMOUNT OF $ 92,854.19

Motion by Markle, support by Kirklin, to pay the bills in the amount of $92,854.19. 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.  PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP APRIL 22, 2009 – LIAISON MARKLE

Liaison Markle stated the committee has been working on changing and updating the ordinances that Karl Freed suggested. They are going to need approval for another workshop and are going to continue to work on other ordinances.
 
Motion by Bemer, support by Spulick, to approve another special Planning Commission Workshop for the Planning Commission. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.

12.      STAFF REPORTS

    A.  POLICE REPORT – CHIEF VERHAGE

Chief VerHage stated the Police Department served 58 citations in March and  also serviced 81 calls. Councilperson Bemer asked Chief VerHage if he thought that domestic calls were going up.  The Chief said he did not think that they were. Councilperson Spulick asked Chief VerHage if he had any concerns on the proposed park. The Chief said he had safety concerns. The site is large and in an isolated area. The property will abut the railroad property. The trains now go through about 89 mph.and there is talk of getting a faster train that will travel up to 110 mph. He also has concerns about restrooms getting damaged, graffiti, ect. 

Chief VerHage also spoke about the Memorial Day Parade that is scheduled for the 25th of May at 11:00AM.  Due to the closing of some streets and the liability issues, the chief has requested permission to      
temporarily close the affected streets.

Motion by Spulick, support by Markle, to temporarily close the necessary streets for the Memorial Day Parade. Roll call vote taken. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.

Chief VerHage also spoke about the Neighborhood Watch. He now has ten people interested in it and is quite excited about getting started. He is working on a date for an initial meeting and is thinking that it will be on a Monday that the Village is not using the hall for a meeting. Lieutenant Starner will be assisting the Chief in establishing the watch.

13.     OLD BUSINESS

   
A.  FINISH BUDGET REVIEW

Need to finish up the budget as all has to be adopted by the first meeting in May.  Have to have all published before the May 11, 2009 meeting at which time we will hold a public hearing on adopting the budget along with adopting a resolution for the budget and adopt the 2009/2010 tax levy.  Police portion and police motor pool and wages were the ones not reviewed at the April 21st meeting.

Chief VerHage reviewed the Police Departments portion of the budget. His budget stayed pretty much the same as last years, with the increase going to pay increases and insurance.   

Chief explained Superintendent Weeldryer’s position with the SRO at the school.  At this time Weeldryer stated they could not make a decision until they know how much state aid they will receive and more budget cuts have been made.  He would like to be able to bring this back to Council in late June or early July after they have more financial information. 

Chief stated he feels the SRO officer is very important to the school and community.  The school is very happy with Officer Hutchins and he does a great job with the students and parents and he would hate to see that come to an end.  Chief reminded Council of all the equipment the school has purchased for Officer Hutchins for his patrol car and other equipment he uses at school, stating the school has been very good to work with and he would very much like to work something out so Officer Hutchins can remain in the school this upcoming year.  Chief stated we would have to wait until the school comes back in June or July and see what they can offer and go from there. 

Bemer stated she too felt the SRO position was very valuable not only to the school but also to the community and she certainly would hate to see that end.  She feels Officer Hutchins does a fantastic job working with the school and as Council and community need to support the school any way we can.

Wages were discussed at length.  The budget was done with a 4% increase in pay for all employees.  Bemer asked how much of an increase was given last year.  It was stated Superintendent Anthony and Chief received 7%, all other employees received the cost of living which was 4.1%, with the exception of the Clerk position which received more as she took on additional duties with no manager. 

The cost of living this year is at 4.4%.   Kucinich stated she felt no more than a 4% increase should be given with the economic times such as they are.  McLean stated she felt it might be risky to give 4% at this time.  Bemer stated she felt the office assistant should receive an increase.  Goheen stated the MML rate for administrative assistant for municipalities this size was $13.25. 

Bemer stated we have come along way with our wages and have finally got everyone up where they should be and we need to support our staff as they run this Village.  She feels at this time the staff all work together very well to take care of the day to day business of this Village.

Markle stated she felt the DPW Superintendent deserved a raise as he has many jobs and has taken on the responsibility of two arsenic treatment plants, parks and recreation along with all the other duties he has.   Markle stated our people should have raises according to the value they are to the Village.  When they take on more responsibility they should be compensated for that work.  Superintendent Anthony takes care of the streets, water, sewer and writes grants.   Since there is no money in the budget for a manager, and that is fine at this time, we need to take care of the people who take care of this Village.  Markle stated she felt the Chief, Anthony and Goheen, all work very well together. 

Motion by Markle, support by Kirklin, to pass the proposed budget with the changes that were made at the budget workshop.  Roll call vote.  Three members voted in favor, Bemer, Kucinich, McLean voted no.  Spulick abstained.   Motion failed.

Bemer stated she agreed we needed to watch the Village money, but felt we also needed to take care of our employees when we are financially able.  She would like to give the assistant position a 6% increase and leave the rest at 4% across the board as proposed in the budget. 

Motion by Kirklin, support by Markle,  to approve the budget as proposed with a 4% increase for all employees with the exception of the assistant position receiving a 6% increase.  Roll call vote.  Five members voted in favor.  McLean voted no.  Spulick abstained. Motion carried.

14.      NEW BUSINESS 

    A.  SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF MAY 11, 2009 FOR ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR                    2009/2010 BUDGET YEAR

Motion by Kucinich, support by Bemer to set the public hearing date of May 11, 2009 for adopting the budget for the 2009/2010 Budget year. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.

B.    ST. JOHNS BOSCO PROJECT

The Village received only one bid for the project from Remington Construction for $19,490.  Superintendent Anthony received a confirmation from the church that they will pay the portion listed on the enclosed sheet.

Motion by Bemer, support by Spulick, to accept the bid from Remington Construction for no more than $19,490 for the St John’s Bosco Project, contingent on receiving a signed statement from the Church that they will pay their portion. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.     
C.    CDBG GRANT

We can apply for another CDBG grant to either put in a new well or possibly pay for a new water main that will have to be replaced when we widen Main Street.  See Karl’s memo and CDGB papers enclosed.

Craig Shuitmaker from Fleis and Vandenbrink explained about the CDBG Grant. It is a competitive grant and the only grant for infrastructure. The minimum price is 825 thousand dollars and the highest is one million. This would be a 10% to 30% match depending on what you asked for. It is a simple application and is due May 29th. The pre op cost to us would only be $500.00.

Motion by Bemer, support by Markle, to send to DPW committee. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.   
D.  PERMISSION FOR PLANNING COMMISSION TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING

Steve Kerr has requested a special Planning Commission meeting to re-submit his site plans for the PUD project in back of the car wash.  He has paid the $150 special meeting fee.

Motion by Bemer, support by Spulick, to approve a special Planning Commission meeting. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

15.    COMMUNICATIONS
         a.  MML Legislative Link for April 21, 2009

  16.    COMMENTS FROM VISITORS

There were no comments from visitors.

17.       COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL

Bemer reminded everyone of the upcoming picnic in the park on Sunday the 3rd of May. Requesting help for setting up from the Council at about 11AM, with the Picnic set for 12:00pm. We will check with Superintendent Anthony as to where it will be held in case of rain.  

18.    ADJOURNMENT

Meeting was adjourned at 8:40PM.