Village of Laurium
Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Present for Roll Call: Bausano,
Harrell, Junot, Koskiniemi, Lanctot, Rastello and Turner.
Guests: Nicole Davis,
Mary Helminen, Jon Koskiniemi, James Lemler, Scott Madajewski, Dan Mukavetz,
Garrett Neese, Heather Parks, Jay Rengler, Cormac Ronan, Lisa Ronan, Ed Sever,
Mike Steber, Robert Taggart, Sharon Turovaara, Edward M. Vertin, and Anita
Wuoti.
The meeting was
called to order in the Village Council Chambers by President Harrell at 5:30PM.
Correspondence
A motion was made by
Lanctot and seconded by Rastello to approve the transfer of the liquor license from 1st
National Bank of Calumet-Lake Linden (Shawn’s Restaurant) to Cormac and Lisa
Ronan. This approval is contingent upon
the building inspector and the health department indicating that all codes have
been met. Carried 7-0.
Julie Sprenger called
to indicate that the work for the National
Registry District is on schedule and within budget. Submission to SHPO will be at the end of May
and notification should be in November.
Charter Communications
has notified the village that the cable franchise agreement will need to be
renewed by April 30, 2006.
Robert Taggart from
UPPCo was present to inform the council that a tree replacement program is available. Approximately 10-20 trees would be replaced,
either on Kearsarge Street or wherever the council deems necessary. UPPCo would remove the trees and plant the
new ones. The village would remove the
debris, do site prep for the new trees and then water and maintain them. Volunteers would be needed to help with the
actual planting of the trees, which could be the week of May 17. The Beautification/Parks/Community Relations
committee will meet with Mr. Taggart on April 26, 2004 at 9:30AM to determine
which trees will be replaced.
A motion was made by
Bausano and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve the minutes from the March 16, 2004 regular council
meeting. Yes – Bausano, Harrell,
Koskiniemi, Lanctot, and Turner. Abstain
– Junot and Rastello. Carried 5-0.
A motion was made by
Rastello and seconded by Bausano to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2004 Statutory meeting. Yes – Bausano, Harrell, Koskiniemi, Lanctot,
Rastello and Turner. Abstain –
Junot. Carried 6-0.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Turner to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $22,709.04. Carried 7-0.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Turner to approve the prepaid bills in the amount of $74,748.84. Carried 7-0.
Finance: No
report.
Recreation: Softball
will be starting May 17, 2004 and using the fields on Monday and Wednesday
nights. A motion was made by Bausano and
seconded by Turner to paint the south side of the DPW garage, with a color
chosen by the village, to help reduce the glare during softball games. Carried 7-0.
The Mite Tournament revenues were about $2200.00. Mike Steber, Washington Middle School
principal, was present to submit a proposal to the village for a Skate Park and
BMX bike track. A grant is available
through the BHK Great Explorations program for after school and summer
programs. This 4-5 year grant would
cover the construction of the Skate Park, BMX track, pavilion, fencing and some
insurance costs if necessary. All that
would be needed from the village is the land to use and minimal upkeep. A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by
Rastello to keeping working on this project providing there are little to no
increases in insurance costs. Carried
7-0.
Public Safety – Police:
No report.
Public Safety – Fire: Next
month a resolution will be needed if the village wants to continue to proceed
on the grant/loan for a fire truck and police car. This will set aside the money from Rural
Development. The Fire Department has
also applied for a grant from FEMA. It
is possible to just obtain the police car and wait on the fire truck until
notification from FEMA has been received.
Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: The committee, Village Administrator Vertin and DPW Group
Leader Ed Sever will meet to decide on the summer work.
Property/Building/Ordinance:
The committee
recommends Portage Township’s unsafe structure ordinance for adoption. A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by
Rastello to send this ordinance to Village Attorney Vairo for his
approval. Carried 7-0.
Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: A discussion was held on lighting for the flags in the
parks. In the past, these costs have
been too high. Solar power will be
checked into. A suggestion was made to
have the police put up and take down the flags.
Old Business: None.
New Business: At
6:52PM, a motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to enter into
executive session to discuss DPW Union negotiations. Carried 7-0.
The meeting returned
to regular session at 7:25PM.
Present for Roll Call: Bausano,
Harrell, Junot, Koskiniemi, Lanctot, Rastello and Turner.
A special meeting to
discuss the trees and Skate Park and BMX track will be set up after
notification from Mike Steber that the grant has been approved.
At 7:29PM, a motion
was made by Junot and seconded by Turner to adjourn.
Respectfully
submitted,
Patricia M. Golus,
Clerk
Village of Laurium