VILLAGE OF ARMADA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008
7:30PM
President Ballard called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. All rose for Pledge of Allegiance. Present at roll call: Ballard, Wolak, Clark, and Coenen. Absent: Boelke, Stork, and Guse. Also present: Clerk Poulos, Treasurer Adair, Karl Krueger, Richard Weinand, Nancy Parmenter, Monica Job, and Kevin Moreau.
AGENDA, APPROVAL OF
MOTION by Clark, seconded by Wolak, to approve agenda as amended.
Added Dave Wagner’s Sick Pay as Agenda Item #7.
Added Report from Detective James Sharp as Agenda Item #8.
All Ayes CARRIED
CITIZEN COMMENT
Nancy Parmenter of 73701 Church Street asked Council about flyers which were distributed to the residents of Franklin Street regarding the upcoming road project Special Meeting. She explained that she wanted to be very clear that she is not opposed to paving Franklin Street but feels the flyer was an invitation for the residents of Franklin Street to lobby the Council for whatever format of improvement they want. She feels that this is quite inappropriate and asked why Council would sanction such a flyer. President Ballard responded to this question saying that the Council did not sanction the distribution of any information and this would be addressed at the upcoming Regular Meeting. He also stated that he felt this was inappropriate and in his opinion the flyer was intended to incite certain people to influence Council and he believes that the Council represents all residents, not just certain sections of the Village. Ms. Parmenter also stated that the flyer indicates that curb and guttering would be an option for this project and she objected to this stating that the resident’s of Fulton Street would have benefited from curb and guttering and in fact wanted it but the Village decided that they could not afford it at that time and she feels it would be too expensive for a local, dead end street. Pres. Ballard stated that curb and guttering is one option being investigated for this project but the Council is obligated to make the best financial decision for the Village. Ms. Parmenter stated that she is pleased to hear that since the entire Village will be paying for any improvements to the street. She also stated that she is against bonding for this project in this declining economy and jobs being lost. President Ballard stated that he believes in paying for what is done and feels the Council would not be performing their duties if all avenues weren’t investigated. Coenen and Wolak also stated that they did not support the flyer and didn’t know about it until just before the meeting.
GENERAL BUSINESS
MOTION by Clark, seconded by Coenen, resolved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
All Ayes CARRIED
Approval of RCM Minutes of 4/14/08 approved as presented.
Approval of SCM Minutes of 4/21/08 approved as presented.
Correspondence received for filing:
1. Letter to Planning Commission member Maureen Finn.
2. Letter to DDA member Michael Sucaet.
3. Letter to Steve Nikkel.
4. Letter to Richard Goike.
5. Letter to Paul DeWitte.
2. EARTH TECH REPORT
Kevin Moreau gave a brief summation of his monthly operating report for March 2008 (on file). He stated that there were issues with the Colonial Street lift station, adjustments were made and the issues were corrected. A new vactoring company was used which saved the Village $400.00. Sewer Commissioner Coenen asked how the plant ran during the recent power outage. Kevin said that the rebuilt generator ran the plant all night very well.
MOTION by Coenen, seconded by Clark, to accept the March 2008 monthly Earth Tech Report as presented and place on file.
All Ayes CARRIED
3. COMPUTER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
Treasurer Adair and Clerk Poulos discussed with Council the need to set up a maintenance program for the Village computers. It was explained that the office had Geek Squad in to do several maintenance procedures on the computers and after discussion with the technician; it was felt that a maintenance program would be less expensive over time.
MOTION by Clark, seconded by Wolak, to approve an IT Maintenance Program at a reduced rate and an onset cost of $2,500.00 to be spread over a 21 hour program that will be deducted as used. Any unused hours will carry over to the next years Maintenance Program.
Ayes: Coenen, Clark, Ballard, Wolak
Nays: None
Absent: Boelke, Guse, Stork CARRIED
4. SET SPECIAL MEETING DATE/TIME FOR 2007/2008 STREET PROJECT REVIEW
President Ballard explained that Street Administrator Stork has requested a Special Meeting to discuss the 2007/2008 Street Project to be set for May 7, 2008 at 7:30 pm, which Trustee Guse cannot attend. Discussion included having the meeting during the second Regular Council Meeting in May or on Thursday May 8, 2008. The Clerk explained that the conference room is already scheduled for a Parks and Rec meeting and with Boelke not present tonight, the Council could not ask to reschedule the Parks and Rec meeting, also Trustee Coenen can not be present for a meeting on May 8. Treasurer Adair stated the importance of having a workshop with all members of Council present before getting into a Council meeting where decisions will be made. She suggested Council meet before a scheduled Council meeting, since the consensus of present Council members is that it will be very difficult to get everyone together for a Special meeting. Trustee Clark feels that Council should accept the May 7, 2008 date even though all members would not be present. Coenen suggested having the Special meeting as a workshop and voting on the project at the following Regular Council meeting, so all issues are resolved in the workshop. Clark stated that he does not have a problem calling the meeting a workshop and not voting until a Regular Council meeting. Council agreed that the discussion should happen at the workshop and the vote should be done at the next Regular Council meeting. Wolak stated that he doesn’t feel the need to rush into a project this expensive without the input of all residents. Clark stated that he doesn’t feel that the project has been rushed since it has been discussed for the last 2 – 3 years so it shouldn’t be a big surprise to anyone. Treasurer Adair stated that the project has changed every time it has been talked about. Clark stated that he would like to see the work begin this summer. Treasurer Adair encouraged all members of Council to attend this workshop.
MOTION by Clark, seconded by Coenen, to set a workshop date of May 7, 2008 at 7:30 pm to discuss 2007/2008 Street Project.
All Ayes CARRIED
5. CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF APPEALS APPOINTMENTS
The Clerk has received two letters of interest for re-appointment to the Construction Board of Appeals, the terms of which end in April. Letters were sent to three members. President Ballard stated that the Village would seek Electrical representation for this board.
MOTON by Clark, seconded by Coenen, to appoint Richard Goike to the Construction Board of appeals to a term ending April 13, 2009, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Chapter II of the Village Charter.
All Ayes CARRIED
MOTON by Wolak, seconded by Clark, to appoint Steve Nikkel to the Construction Board of appeals to a term ending April 13, 2009, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Chapter II of the Village Charter.
All Ayes CARRIED
6. CHANGE MEETING DATE
President Ballard asked Council to consider moving the regularly scheduled meeting date from May 26, 2008 to May 17, 2008 due to the Memorial Day holiday.
MOTION by Wolak, seconded by Clark, to change the May 26, 2008, Regular Council meeting date to May 19, 2008 at 7:30 pm due to the Memorial Day holiday.
All Ayes CARRIED
7. DAVE WAGNER’S SICK PAY The Clerk explained to Council that Dave Wagner had asked for his five prior year sick days to be paid out to him. According to the contract language, employees have the right to ask Council to consider a pay out of these hours, which will be at last years pay.
MOTON by Coenen, seconded by Wolak, to allow David Wagner to cash in five (5) sick days.
Ayes: Coenen, Wolak, Clark, Ballard
Nays: None
Absent: Guse, Stork, Boelke CARRIED
7. REPORT FROM DETECTIVE JAMES SHARP
This item was moved up before the Earth Tech Report to allow Detective Sharp to leave.
Detective Sharp announced to Council that the Police Department, due to the diligent work of the Police Chief, had extradited Don Locke from Jacksonville Florida to the Macomb County Jail. He asked Council to consider a proper acknowledgement to the Chief for his work on this case which involved much of his own time and no cost to the Village.
MOTION by Wolak, seconded by Coenen, to allow the Police Commissioner to give the Chief and the Police Department proper acknowledgement.
All Ayes CARRIED
No further business.
Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Michelle Poulos, Armada Village Clerk