VILLAGE OF ARMADA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009
7:00PM
Pres. Stork called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. All rose for Pledge of Allegiance. Present at roll call: Stork, Cooper, Clark, Coenen, Stirrett, Sutherland and Wolak. Also present: Clerk Poulos, Treasurer Adair, Edward Serwatowski, Katie Masters, David Stork, Shawn Keenan, Dennis LeMieux, Jennifer and Mark Harless, Doug Skylis, and Matt Fahr.
AGENDA, APPROVAL OF
MOTION by Cooper, seconded by Clark, to approve agenda as amended.
Added Sewer Setting of Budget Public Hearing to Item #9.
Added Resolution to Transfer Funds to Item #10.
Added Resolution to Investigate Bond Option to Item #11.
All Ayes CARRIED
CITIZEN COMMENT
None Received.
GENERAL BUSINESS
MOTION by Cooper, seconded by Sutherland, resolved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
Ayes: Cooper, Sutherland, Stirrett, Wolak, Clark, Stork
Nays: None
Abstain: Coenen CARRIED
Approval of RCM Minutes of 2/23/09 approved as presented.
Payment of Bills totaling $51,680.04 approved for payment as follows:
1. General Fund $ 5,814.98
2. Water Plant Fund $ 3,510.02
3. Water System Fund $ 0
4. Sewer Plant Fund $ 40,781.97
5. Sewer System Fund $ 54.93
6. Major Street Fund $ 499.52
7. Local Street Fund $ 874.96
8. Municipal Street Fund $ 143.66
9. DDA $ 0___
Total $ 51,680.04
Treasurer's Report approved for filing.
Departmental Reports received from Building, approved for filing.
Correspondence approved for Filing:
1. Letter from Macomb County Health Department.
2. Invitation to the 2009 State of the Community Spring Luncheon.
3. Thank you note from Cathy Wylin on behalf of the Armada Seniors.
4. NEMC Minutes of 1-28-09.
5. Clerk Letter to Stephen Clark regarding Zoning Board of Appeals appointment. 6. Clerk Letter to Jeremy White regarding Zoning Board of Appeals appointment.
2. CLINTON RIVER WATERSHED
Shawn Keenan of the Clinton River Watershed Council presented the Village of Armada with a Certificate of Appreciation for its partnership, support and membership. He gave a history of the Clinton River Watershed Council and its programs.
3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT ON SEMCOG SEMINAR
President Stork gave a lengthy report of a SEMCOG seminar she and Trustee Sutherland attended. She stated that they attended this seminar to investigate the availability of money for the water portion of the North Fulton stimulus project and, unfortunately, all of the water stimulus money has been allocated to the DEQ and they have allocated the money to projects that are already in the works. Several issues were discussed at this seminar:
1. Army of Engineers: Stork asked the Corp of Engineers if any money is available to remove the woody debris from the creek. She was informed that there may be some availability but most of their programs are 75% to 25%, Village pays 75%, and the dredging is very costly. They also discussed green infrastructure grants which may include the water mains since replacing water mains is considered going green. Another project that has grants available is for electronic water meters, because of accuracy.
2. LED Street Lighting Pilot Project: This may qualify as green also due to their energy efficiency. Ann Arbor has initiated this and has saved money.
3. Weatherization: Low income residents may qualify to have insulation installed through these programs and possibly roofing. Material will be submitted to the Village office.
4. Meeting with Macomb County Road Commissioner: This meeting was attended by President Stork and she presented Council with a preliminary list of projects (on file) to be paid with stimulus money. Armada is slated to receive up to $750,000.00 for North Fulton reconstruction, Main Street to Armada Center, and will widen the road by 1’ on each side as recommended by the DPW Supervisor. The meeting to award the stimulus money is on March 11. Outside of Road Commission projects, the Village of Armada is the only community to be considered north of Hall Road. The water main replacement under this portion of road is projected to cost $190,000.00, $112,000.00 of which is installation. Bob Hoepfner of the Macomb County Road Commission informed Stork that there is a good chance that the installation cost could be covered under the stimulus money. The balance is the cost of the pipe. Stork will inform Council after the meeting on March 11 and invited any member of Council to attend with her.
4. MDOT ENGINEER REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
President Stork informed Council that the Village must have engineering for the North Fulton Stimulus Project. She has prepared, with the help of the Attorney and DPW Supervisor, a Request for Proposal to be sent to interested engineering firms including Rowe, Incorporated. She would like the Clerk to advertise and to send the proposals as requested. A lengthy discussion followed with Coenen and Wolak expressing concern for not using Rowe for this project as they have been our engineers for years. Stork stated that Rowe and McKenna (Village Planner) were not appointed at the beginning of the year and that the Village currently does not hold contracts with these firms. She also explained that it has been quite a while since engineering firms have been looked at for the Village. Coenen and Wolak both stated that they are very uncomfortable with this.
MOTION by Clark, seconded by Sutherland, to authorize the Clerk to advertise for engineering bids, for the reconstruction of North Fulton (from 270 feet north of Main to Armada Center) with a new HMA pavement section, concrete mountable wrap around curb and gutter at the corner of Prospect, 2046 feet of water main, valves, hydrants and necessary connections, along with all other MDOT engineering requirements.
Ayes: Clark, Stork, Sutherland, Cooper, Stirrett
Nays: Coenen, Wolak CARRIED
5. DPW SUPERVISORS REPORT
Air Compressor Purchase:
DPW Supervisor Ed Serwatowski submitted bids from Cloverdale Equipment $13,360.50 and AIS $15,772.57 for a replacement air compressor, which the DPW uses to cut up streets, digging holes, sidewalks, etc. The current air compressor is over 35 years old and needs replacement and has been in the budget for at least the last three years. Ed recommends retiring it, breaking it down and selling for scrap, not selling due to safety issues. The current budget allows $15,000.00 for this purchase.
MOTION by Clark seconded by Wolak to allow the purchase of 2008 Ingersol P185WJD Air Compressor from Cloverdale Equipment in the amount of $13,360.50.
Ayes: Clark, Wolak, Stork, Coenen, Sutherland, Cooper, Stirrett
Nays: None CARRIED
Village Well Information:
Ed prepared a memo for Council (on file) regarding Village well issues, which was discussed at length. The discussion focused on the completion of replacement well #4 (well #8) mainly the construction of a well house. Ed suggested, as did the DEQ, that this project needs to be completed as soon as possible. Ed stated that in the event that wells 6 or 7 need repair, the Village will not be able to work on one well without taking this other one out of service, due to their close proximity to each other (only 50’) and they share the same aquafir and it is not possible to acid clean, super chlorinate or air jet the well screen on the well being worked on without contaminating the aquifer. He also stated that if both wells are down, wells 6, and 7, wells 1 and 3 do not project enough water to sustain the Village. President Stork stated that she spoke to the DEQ about possible stimulus money for the well house, which is not available at this time. She explained that money could become available due to Federal guidelines mandating all parts used are made in America, with the exception of electronics, so some of the approved projects may no longer qualify. She also stated that the DEQ stimulus money is being offered as zero interest or below zero interest loans. She explained that in her discussions with the DEQ she discovered that the plans for the last well house with slight engineering changes could be used. Doug Skylis from Rowe, Incorporated Stated that a new well house and site work could cost between $200,000.00 and $250,000.00.
6. OPENING AND AWARDING OF SEALED BID
Two sealed bids were received for the quarterly washing, vacuuming and disposing of iron/arsenic waste from the manhole sump discharge at the Armada Water Filtration Plant for the period of one year. Metro Sewer submitted a bid of $795.00 and Doetsch submitted a bid of $1,150.00. After reviewing the bids, DPW Supervisor will review and bring back his suggestion to the next Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION by Sutherland, seconded by Stirrett, to table the acceptance of bids from Deutsch and Metro Sewer until the March 23, 2009 RCM.
All Ayes CARRIED
7. SET PARK ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARING DATE
Park Commissioner Coenen asked Council to set a date of April 13, 2009 for the Public Hearing to discuss the proposed Park Ordinance. Jeff Bahorski stated to Council that it is still possible to make changes and any recommendations can be turned in to the office.
MOTION by Coenen, seconded by Cooper, to set the Public Hearing date of April 13, 2009, at 7:15 pm for the Park Ordinance.
All Ayes CARRIED
8. DRAFT BUDGET AVAILABILITY TO PUBLIC AT WORKSHOPS
Council discussed allowing the Clerk to provide draft copies of the budget during budget workshops. The Clerk explained that this has not been the past practice of previous Councils, since the budgets are in draft form and working documents, however if Council so desires to make copies available, she is willing to do so. Trustee Stirrett raised concerns that the draft may be misinterpreted, out in the public, as final documents but President Stork stated that since the pages are all clearly marked as drafts, this should not be an issue. Discussion included whether to include Council prepared and submitted documents in the copies to make the budget available at the workshop but to ask for its return at the completion of the meeting, or to continue to make these items only available through FOIA. Council decided to only make the budget itself available and not to ask for its return.
MOTION by Cooper, seconded by Coenen, to allow the Village Clerk to provide draft copies of the budget being discussed at the public budget workshop.
Ayes: Cooper, Coenen, Clark, Sutherland, Stork, Wolak
Nays: Stirrett CARRIED
9. SET BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING DATE
The Clerk asked Council to set a Public Hearing date of March 23, 2009 for the approval of the 2009/2010 fiscal year budget.
MOTION by Coenen, seconded by Clark, to set the Public Hearing date for approval of the 2009/2010 Fiscal Year Budget for March 23, 2009 at 7:15 pm.
All Ayes CARRIED
10. RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER FUNDS
Treasurer Adair presented Council with a resolution to transfer funds from the Water Fund to the Sewer Fund. These funds were originally $8,000.00 transferred from the General Fund to cover the BS&A Utility Program and since the program did not cost that much there is a balance left of $3,900.00. The balance was scheduled to go back into the General Fund; however the Sewer Fund is in greater need.
MOTION by Stirrett, seconded by Sutherland, that the Council so directs the Treasurer to transfer the remaining balance of the allocated ($8,000.00) funds transferred from General to Water to cover BS&A Utility Billing program to the Sewer fund. This balance amounts to $3,900.00.
Ayes: Stirrett, Coenen, Sutherland, Stork, Clark, Cooper, Wolak
Nays: None CARRIED
11. RESOLUTION TO INVESTIGATE BOND OPTION
Treasurer Adair stated that since Council has asked her to investigate bond options for the water portion of North Fulton and the Well House she needs a resolution (on file) approved.
MOTION by Sutherland, seconded by Clark, that the Council so directs the Treasurer to investigate the option of a Bond acquisition for the water projects.
Ayes: Sutherland, Clark, Coenen, Cooper, Stork, Stirrett
Nays: Wolak (Wolak stated that he feels there is a good need for projects, but stated that in this economy it would not be good to raise water, sewer or tax rates).
President Stork announced the following upcoming community events:
Story time at the Armada Free Public Library is at 10:00 am Thursdays through April. Register ages 3 1/2 – 5 by calling the library at 784-5921.
The 2009 Miss Armada Pageant is scheduled for March 20 at the Armada High School Auditorium – the dead line for submitting nominations is March 7 and applications are due March 14.
The Amvets, Knights of Columbus, Lions and Lionesses are hosting a Spaghetti/bone marrow donor drive on Friday, March 27, 2009 at the K of C Hall for six year old Peter Barachkov.
The New Haven Food Pantry is in desperate need of donations.
MOTION by Cooper, seconded by Sutherland, to enter into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation with Attorney at 8:36 pm.
Ayes: Cooper Sutherland, Stirrett, Coenen, Wolak, Clark, Stork
Nays: None CARRIED
MOTION by Coenen, seconded by Cooper, to exit Executive Session at 9:00 pm.
All Ayes CARRIED
No further business.
MOTION by Cooper, seconded by Clark, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm.
All Ayes CARRIED
Minutes submitted by:
Michelle Poulos, Armada Village Clerk