VILLAGE OF ARMADA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008
7:30PM
Pres. Ballard called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. All rose for Pledge of Allegiance. Present at roll call: Ballard, Boelke, Clark, and Stork. Absent: Coenen, Guse, and Wolak. Also present: Clerk Poulos, Treasurer Adair, Jeff Bahorski, Karl Krueger, David Stork, Richard and Joan Weinand, Matt Fahr, and Michael Stirrett.
AGENDA, APPROVAL OF
MOTION by Stork, seconded by Boelke, to approve agenda as amended.
All Ayes CARRIED
1. Removed Main Street Bridge from Old Business, added as Agenda Item #4
CITIZEN COMMENT
None received.
GENERAL BUSINESS
MOTION by Stork, seconded by Clark, resolved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
Ayes: Stork, Clark, Ballard
Abstain: Boekle CARRIED
Approval of RCM Minutes of 2/25/08 approved as presented.
Payment of Bills totaling $56,255.15 approved for payment as follows:
1. General Fund $ 22,429.86
2. Water Plant Fund $ 0
3. Water System Fund $ 10,448.87
4. Sewer Plant Fund $ 16,299.16
5. Sewer System Fund $ 768.95
6. Major Street Fund $ 1,786.35
7. Local Street Fund $ 2,037.43
8. Municipal Street Fund $ 2,484.53
9. DDA $ 0___
Total $ 56,255.15
Treasurer's Report approved for filing.
Departmental Reports received from Building, approved for filing.
Correspondence approved for filing:
1. Free Press news article regarding Michigan roads
2. E-Mail from Senator Sanborn
3. Letter sent to Senator Sanborn asking him to oppose Senate Bill
1078-1083
4. Notice from Detroit Edison
2. EARTH TECH REPORT
President Ballard gave a brief summation of the monthly operating report for January 2008 (on file) in Kevin Moreau’s absence.
MOTION by Clark, seconded by Stork, to accept the Earth Tech Report as presented and place on file.
All Ayes CARRIED
3. PARKS COMMISSIONER REPORT
Parks Commissioner Boelke brought forth items for Council’s consideration. He discussed expenditures from the parks budget for park perimeter and parking lot fencing, signage and refuse containers for Memorial Park. He explained that he would like these expenditures to occur before the end of this fiscal year, at the recommendation of the Treasurer, so money does not carry over into the next fiscal year. The items that he is asking Council to approve are included in the Parks and Rec Master Plan and have been approved by the Planning Commission.
MOTION by Boelke, seconded by Clark, to acknowledge the Park Commissioners intent to fund, from the Parks and Rec Budget, park perimeter and parking lot fencing, through competitive bid, at a cost not to exceed $2000.00, to be expended by the end of the current fiscal year.
Ayes: Ballard, Boelke, Stork, Clark
Absent: Coenen, Guse, Wolak
Nays: None CARRIED
MOTION by Boelke, seconded by Clark, to acknowledge the Park Commissioners intent to fund, from the Parks and Rec Budget, Memorial Park accessories (signage, refuse containers, etc) at a cost to not exceed $824.00, to be expended by the end of the current fiscal year.
Ayes: Boelke, Clark, Stork, Ballard
Absent: Coenen, Guse, Wolak
Nays: None CARRIED
Boelke explained that the Township has presented the Village with a request (on file) to support them in a bid for a grant for a playscape to be placed in the Township park on North Avenue, by pledging $1,000.00 towards the grant. Discussion included Boelke stating that he has asked the Township to consider Burk Street as an interconnected pathway between the Village and Township parks and a pathway to be placed next to the Township Fire Department connecting to the park. He stated that this will allow the Township and the Village Parks and Recreation to apply for grants. The Township is considering this and planning to include this in their Parks and Rec Master Plan, which would now includes the Village Parks in it. He feels this is an opportunity for the Village and Township to work together. He included in the motion, and has discussed with the Township, that if the grant does not go through, the Village would recoup the $1,000.00 donation. Discussion also included the fact that the Village does not have a complete sidewalk from the Village Park to Center Road, thus putting pedestrians in the road, which could be a liability factor. Boelke explained that this is the safest route, but would it would not be designated as the only route.
MOTION by Boelke, seconded by Clark, that the Village allocates $1,000.00 from the Parks and Rec current fiscal years budget in support of Armada Townships Township Park playscape grant request. Funds are provided to the Township with the stipulation they will be immediately and fully returned to the Village if the grant is not secured within calendar year 2008.
Ayes: Boelke, Clark, Ballard
Absent: Coenen, Guse, Wolak
Nays: Stork CARRIED
4. MAIN STREET BRIDGE
Street Commissioner Stork submitted a drawing (on file) of the Main Street bridge from Ed Serwatowski to show Council her proposal for repairing it. She explained that three bridge reports have been received stating the need for repairs. She discussed the repairs with the Engineer, which included the approaches, and was told that the Engineer does not need to be involved in this project. Stork has talked with Ed and they have four companies they wish to seek bids from. Stork stated this project was included in last year’s budget and will carry over into these years. She explained that they will be seeking two quotes, one is the approaches only, estimated to cost $26,000.00, the other is the approaches and the asphalt that connects to the approach.
MOTION by Stork, seconded by Clark, to allow the DPW Supervisor to obtain bids for the main Street bridge approaches as well as the asphalt replacement before the approaches.
All Ayes CARRIED
OLD BUSINESS
1. VILLAGE OF ARMADA 07-08 STREET PROJECT
Street Administrator Stork submitted a proposal (on file) for the proposed 2007-2008 Street Project with cost allocations between funds for councils review and discussion. She explained this proposal is a scaled down version of the previously proposed project including only Franklin and Hollweg. She stated that she has spoken to Water Commissioner Clark about his cost portion of the project but has not been able to meet with Sewer Commissioner Coenen and that the Treasurer is researching the possibility of these Department’s ability to contribute. She stated that her current proposal estimates costs for water, sewer and streets over the life of the bond and that the sanitary sewer portion is for Franklin Street only due to the amount of work and high cost involved. Stork also stated that she has discussed with the Treasurer the possibility of water and sewer borrowing the first year’s bond payment from the General Fund if the funds are not available. Treasurer Adair stated that neither water nor sewer could make the first payment as the budget stands currently. President Ballard asked to table this item so Council could review the proposal until the next Regular Council Meeting.
2. UPDATE ON EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE
The Clerk updated Council on her progress on collecting comparable health plan options for the Village employees/Council consideration. She explained that she has obtained two quotes from Cardamone Insurance, the Villages agents, neither of which are cheaper than the Blue Cross coverage now being offered. She further explained that she had spoken the Meadowbrook agent who handles the Village’s property pool and liability insurance, and also offers health coverage.
No further business.
Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Michelle Poulos, Armada Village Clerk