VILLAGE OF ARMADA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009
7:00PM
President Stork called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. All rose for Pledge of Allegiance. Present at roll call: Stork, Stirrett, Clark, Cooper, Wolak, and Sutherland. Absent: Coenen. Also present: Clerk Poulos, Treasurer Adair, Jeff Bahorski, Gary Timmer, Tom Arlington, Ruth Rusk, Tom Rusk, Terri Beckman, Stephanie Pazdro, David Stork, John Paterek, Doug Skylis (Rowe Incorporated) and Richard Weinand.
AGENDA, APPROVAL OF
MOTION by Stirrett, seconded by Sutherland, to approve agenda as amended.
All Ayes CARRIED
Added ZBA Appointment and ZBA Resignation to Agenda Item #6.
CITIZEN COMMENT
None received.
GENERAL BUSINESS
MOTION by Clark, seconded by Cooper, to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Ayes: Clark, Cooper, Sutherland, Stirrett, Stork
Abstain: Wolak
Absent: Coenen CARRIED
Approval of RCM Minutes of 2/9/09 approved as presented.
Planning Commission Minutes of 1-05-09 approved for filing.
Payment of Bills totaling $6,063.49 approved for payment as follows:
1. General Fund $ 4,747.58
2. Water Plant Fund $ 0
3. Water System Fund $ 491.37
4. Sewer Plant Fund $ 0
5. Sewer System Fund $ 129.20
6. Major Street Fund $ 58.14
7. Local Street Fund $ 71.06
8. Municipal Street Fund $ 566.14
9. DDA $ 0___
Total $ 6,063.49
Correspondence approved for filing:
Newsletter from Jennifer Haase, State Representative, dated 2-2-09.
Newsletter from Jennifer Haase, State Representative, dated 2-9-09.
Newsletter from Jennifer Haase, State Representative, dated 2-16-09.
Town Hall meeting invitation from Jennifer Haase, State Representative.
2. TRIBUTE PRESENTATION FROM SENATOR SANBORN’S OFFICE
Stephanie Pazdro, a representative from Senator Alan Sanborn’s office, presented Terri Beckman with a tribute certificate for her actions during a recent home fire within the Village, which resulted in her awakening the home owner, rescuing her dog and purse from the home and contacting the police who then contacted the fire department. This event could have been catastrophic had Mrs. Beckman not noticed the fire and acted appropriately.
3. CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
The Village Police Chief and Commissioner also presented Terri Beckman with a certificate of commendation for her actions, as did the Armada Fire Department. President Stork presented Mrs. Beckman with a fire extinguisher on behalf of the Village Council.
4. UNITED WATER REPORT
Gary Timmer of United Water gave a brief summation of his monthly operating report for the Waste Water Treatment Plant. He explained that the pista grit system is back online after a motor replacement and that during recent high flows the motor was submerged in water, but it is now working well. He also informed Council that the plant had a modem replacement and has had no issues since the replacement and that grease build up in the lift station has been cleaned up. All issues are included in this months report.
MOTION by Stirrett, seconded by Wolak, to accept the United Water Report for January 2009 as presented and place on file.
All Ayes CARRIED
5. SET STANDARD MILEAGE RATE
The Clerk informed Council that it has recently been brought to her attention that the Village is not currently reimbursing the IRS standard rate for mileage of $.585/mile and she would like Council to allow her to raise the Village mileage rate to the IRS standard.
MOTION by Stirrett, seconded by Clark, to allow the Clerk to raise the Village mileage rate to $.585 per mile.
Ayes: Cooper, Clark, Stork, Sutherland, Stirrett
Nays: Wolak
Absent: Coenen CARRIED
6. APPOINTMENTS TO AND RESIGNATION FROM THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
President Stork submitted two recommendations for open seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals and one resignation. Letters of interest have been received from Jeremy White and Stephen Clark, as has a letter of resignation from Thomas LeBetz. Trustee Cooper stated that Paul Shoemaker, Chairman of the ZBA, has been very successful and diligent in recruiting residents to apply for open seats on the ZBA.
MOTION by Wolak, seconded by Cooper, to accept the resignation of Thomas LeBetz from the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective immediately, with regret.
All Ayes CARRIED
MOTION by Stirrett, seconded by Cooper, to appoint Jeremy White to the Zoning Board of Appeals to a term ending December 31, 2011, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Chapter II of the Village Charter.
All Ayes CARRIED
MOTION by Wolak, seconded by Cooper, to appoint Stephen Clark to the Zoning Board of Appeals to a term ending December 31, 2011, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Chapter II of the Village Charter.
All Ayes CARRIED
7. PRESIDENT’S UPDATE OF COUNTY MEETING
President Stork informed Council of several meetings she attended at the County last week. She spoke with Drain Commissioner Anthony Morrocco’s office who informed her there is no money for sewer unless it is deemed an emergency, but Stork feels there may be a situation that fits that criterion.
Stork also met with Keith Rengert who introduced her to the Economic Development Group, the grant searcher for Macomb County and the Macomb County Road Commission. Stork stated that through the Road Commission she was informed that there is a report which can be filed yearly with the County requesting MDOT to look at the Village’s major street, Fulton and Main, for money. The most money available would be a 50/50 split. Bob Hoephner is also handling the stimulus money through MDOT and has a copy of Armada’s request. There is a meeting Thursday at the County which Stork will attend and report back to Council. Doug Skylis commented that in order to be MDOT/Federal eligible, a community must also be federal aid eligible, that’s why only Fulton and Main qualify, not other major streets in the Village.
Stork also spoke of grants the Village may qualify for. She stated that if the Village enforces the truck ban, which will economically affect truck drivers, businesses, commerce and farmers, therefore if not enforced, there may be money available to help with maintenance of roads. Agritravel is also an opportunity for money and will be looked into and information will be forwarded to the Village.
Stork stated that the film commission is interested in pictures of historic homes, historic downtowns, roads, creeks, etc. to be posted on a website for film producers to view for use in films, traditional downtowns are in demand. Stork advised that if a picture was taken of a home, the homeowners name, address and permission are needed.
8. ENGINEERING OF ROADS
Street Administrator Clark stated that even though the Village had Franklin Street slated for stimulus money, it does not appear to qualify, but still needs engineering as does West Main and Fulton for the upcoming MDOT opportunities. President Stork stated that a couple years back a package was prepared for engineering firms which explained road situations, which included three roads as rebuilds. She explained that if stimulus money is available, the projects must be shovel ready and none of these roads are. Rowe, Wade, and Giffels Webster did projections and preliminary work on Franklin, but the engineering is not complete. Doug Skylis stated that Fulton and Main would be engineered differently through MDOT standards engineering or CDBG, whichever receives stimulus money, they each have different requirements. Franklin is not eligible through either of these programs, but still needs to be engineered. It was suggested by Doug that Fulton and Main be engineered to MDOT standards, which would meet the Federal Aid eligibility and the MDOT criteria and would qualify for stimulus money. MDOT takes about six months to prepare. A proposal will be prepared for engineering firms for the next Regular Council Meeting, as all three roads should go out for proposal at the same time for cost purposes.
9. ALLOW DPW SUPERVISOR TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR WASTE SUMP ARSENIC REMOVAL AT THE WATER PLANT
As previously discussed, DPW Supervisor Ed Serwatowski has asked Council to allow him to request bids by recommendation of President Stork for vacuuming of the waste pit sump at the water treatment plant.
MOTION by Sutherland, seconded by Stirrett, to allow the DPW Supervisor to solicit bids for vacuuming of the waste pit sump at the Water Treatment Plant.
All Ayes CARRIED
OLD BUSINESS
1. PARK ORDINANCE
Attorney Jeff Bahorski presented Council with a draft copy of a park ordinance which included recommendations from the Police Chief and Council. The draft (on file) was examined by Council with explanation from the Attorney. Council was asked to review and bring any comments or additions to the Park Commissioner.
President Stork announced the following upcoming community events:
Baseball and softball registrations are February 28 and March 6.
Armada Girl Scouts are sponsoring a non perishable food drive. Items can be dropped off at Krause Elementary School.
Miss Armada pageant is taking nominations for Miss Armada.
The Armada Lionesses are hosting a pajama party on March 6.
Armada High School Project Graduation is selling raffle tickets for beef in a box and a freezer for $10.00.
A bone marrow drive spaghetti dinner is being sponsored and the Armada K of C hall for an area child who is in need of a transplant.
No further business.
MOTION by Cooper, seconded by Clark, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 pm.
All Ayes CARRIED
Minutes submitted by:
Michelle Poulos, Armada Village Clerk