Meeting Minutes for September 17, 2007

OFFICIAL COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2007

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Harbor Beach was held on Monday, September 17, 2007 at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 2:30 p.m. by Mayor Swartz.

Present: Burkhard, Goniewicha, Wood and Mayor Swartz
Finance Officer Youatt

Also Present: Department Heads Cregeur, Schock, Shedd, Wruble, and Harder (Wade-Trim)

Absent: Kleinknecht (with notice)

It was moved by Burkhard, seconded by Goniewicha to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 4 yeas.

It was moved by Wood, seconded by Burkhard to approve the minutes of the September 4, 2007 Council meeting as presented. Motion carried. 4 yeas.

Pay Certificate # 3 to RCL Construction for the Sanitary Sewer Retention Basin SRF project in the amount of $ 423,134.10 was presented to Council. It was moved by Goniewicha, seconded by Wood to approve Pay Certificate # 3 as presented. Motion carried. 4 yeas.

A bill from Wade-Trim for IPP management assistance in the amount of
$ 341.85 was presented to Council. It was moved by Burkhard, seconded by Wood to approve payment of the bill as presented. Motion carried. 4 yeas.

Citizen Comment: Deanna Holdwick discussed with Council the issue of keeping pigeons in the City. She stated she currently has 6 pigeons and she recently constructed a pigeon run. Zoning Administrator Lermont stated City Ordinance prohibits keeping poultry in the City, which he stated includes pigeons. Deanna disagrees with the definition of poultry and informed Council of the definition of poultry in the dictionary and from university professors which do not list pigeons as poultry. Zoning Administrator Lermont stated a Michigan State University professor defined pigeons as poultry. Mayor Swartz stated City Attorney Ferris would be consulted and asked Deanna to attend the next Council meeting.

John Fitzgibbon asked why the DPW crew did not pick up leaves left over on the street from brush pickup. DPW Foreman Shedd stated the crew could pick up the leaves, but it would take additional time.

Mayor Swartz presented recently retired DPW Light Equipment Operator Frank Lorkowski with a framed copy of Resolution # 2007-24, “Tribute to DPW Light Equipment Operator Frank Lorkowski,” and also presented him a retirement gift to Soaring Eagle Resort in the amount of $ 250.00 from the City.

Department Head Reports: Police Chief Schock reported the school crossing guard at 5th Street and State Street found a different job and applications are coming in for a replacement. Breaking and entering cases in the area have diminished recently. The new patrol car is running well.
33 area youth have participated in Hunter Safety this year. A Police Committee meeting needs to be scheduled regarding the grass ordinance.

WWTP Superintendent Cregeur reported no weather related problems at the plant this year. Staff from the DEQ inspected the plant on August 3rd and will be providing a report. An inspection at Sensient Flavors was held on August 6th. The final effluent pump at the plant failed and needs to be replaced. Synagro will be hauling less sludge this fall.

DPW Foreman Shedd reported Lloyd Kramer has started work with the Department following Frank Lorkowski’s retirement. The crew mowed grass at the fireworks site, replaced sewer and water service lines prior to MDOT paving of State Street, patched streets, installed new flag brackets along the main streets and put up the new flags, repaired water main along old Shore Road, swept streets, read water meters and in process of replacing about 1,000 feet of sidewalk.

Wade-Trim Water Plant Supervisor Harder reported the company has been operating the plant for about 3 months and all pumps and compressors have been inspected. The water dispensing equipment has been working better, although the bill changer will need to be replaced. Staff is currently assisting customers until the bill changer is replaced. DEQ is promoting discontinuation of chlorine gas as a disinfectant at the plant due to security concerns raised by Homeland Security. Wade-Trim is looking into other options for disinfecting the water supply. A buzzer has been installed at the plant for visitors to use as the doors are locked to provide better security. Visitors are welcome anytime for tours of the plant. Only 2 of the 4 high service pumps are being used at the plant and variable frequency drive equipment is being considered to allow use of the other 2 pumps.

Recreation Director Wruble reported the basketball and tennis courts at Davidson Park are completed. The net project at Bruce Johnson ballfields is also completed. Over 70 precast concrete blocks have been installed at the marina for silt abatement. The dredging project at the marina was completed and the dredge disposal site is being restored. Business at the marina has been slow this year due to low water levels and slow fishing. Weed growth has been a recent problem in the marina basin. Regular hours at the marina will end for the season on September 30th; service will still be available on request. Business has been good at North Park Campground this summer with 2 Halloween weekends coming up in October. Successful programs held this summer include the summer hoop camp, summer recreation program, Beach Assault 3 on 3 basketball tournament.

OLD BUSINESS: Council reviewed two bids received for purchase of trees in accordance with a tree grant received from DTE Energy Foundation. Bids received were from Green Acre Landscaping for $ 2,664 and from Hill Top Nursery for $ 2,797. It was moved by Wood, seconded by Burkhard to approve the bid from Green Acre Landscaping as presented. Motion carried. 4 yeas.

NEW BUSINESS: Council reviewed a proposal from FundBalance for renewal of a software maintenance agreement for $ 4,152, which is the same amount as the previous 5 years. It was moved by Goniewicha, seconded by Wood to approve renewal of the computer software maintenance agreement with FundBalance as presented. Motion carried. 4 yeas.

Engineer Report: Youatt reviewed the written report from Wade-Trim dated September 17, 2007 and noted a construction progress meeting with RCL Construction and Wade-Trim is scheduled for September 25th at
4:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Finance Officer Report: Negotiations with General Services Administration continue on acquisition of the old garage building and cupola at the old Coast Guard station property. Once the buildings have been acquired, a public use agreement with DEQ will be presented to Council. Youatt referred Council to a letter received from Sand Beach Township Supervisor Wade Mazure regarding calculation of taxable value for the Fire Department appropriation.

Council Reports: Mayor Swartz reported he won the trophy for best chili at the Chili Cookoff held downtown last weekend, at which there were 25 entries and 324 ballots cast. Discussed the need to provide handicap access at the Visitor Center. Youatt stated cost for this project has been budgeted and will be working to complete the project yet this fall.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Tom Youatt, City Clerk