Village of Laurium

Regular Council Meeting

August 21, 2001

Present for Roll Call: Bausano, Bonenfant, Harrell, Johnson, Lutz, and Miller.

Absent: Zei.

Guests: Ray Berghefer, Gary Brown, Ronald Gipp, John Landreville, and Sarah Vertin.

The meeting was called to order in the village council chambers by President Miller at 7:00PM.

Village Attorney Gerald Vairo will be getting more information about council members working for the village and receiving compensation.

A motion was made by Lutz and seconded by Johnson to approve the minutes of the July 17, 2001 regular council meeting. Carried 6-0.

A motion was made by Bonenfant and seconded by Harrell to approve the minutes of the July 25, 2001 special council meeting. Yes — Bausano, Bonenfant, Harrell, Lutz, and Miller. Abstain — Johnson. Carried 5-0.

A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Lutz to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2001 public hearing/special meeting. Carried 6-0.

A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Bonenfant to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $50,563.30. Carried 6-0.

Finance: The audit reports for the 2000-01 fiscal year are available.

Recreation: A proposal for a skateboard park was received and will be reviewed by the committee. The volleyball court and horseshoe pits have been installed for under $300.00 and are ready for use.

Public Safety — Police/Fire: A motion was made by Bonenfant and seconded by Bausano to accept the bid of $2100.00 from Al Telecom for 6 new phones and the control panel for the town hall. Village Administrator Vertin is to check on the warranty and if this system will work at the DPW garage. Carried 6-0. A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Harrell to approve the purchase of a portable radio for the police department for $405.00. Letters are also to be written to 911 and Houghton County Commissioner Ed Jenich to ask for reimbursement for this radio since it is needed because the village had to switch frequencies caused by a 911 tower problem. Carried 6-0. The Fire Department is looking to purchase a thermal-imaging camera. The council must have a copy of the Fire Department’s minutes stating that each firefighter will be giving up his paycheck until the camera is paid off. A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Bausano to authorize the Fire Department and the finance committee to proceed with this process. The Department is to select a camera and obtain a price. A recommendation will be made at the next meeting. Carried 6-0.

Personnel — Police/DPW: No report.

Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: A motion was made by Bonenfant and seconded by Bausano to spend no more than $5000.00 to fix the rear engine on 747 SnoGo. Carried 6-0.

Property/Building/Ordinance: A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Harrell to approve the renewal of Ray Berghefer’s lease on DPW garage 2 for another year at the same rate of $1000.00. Carried 6-0. A motion was made by Harrell and seconded by Johnson to allow 30 days from today to complete the repairs at 107 Hecla Street per Village of Laurium Ordinance #142. Work in progress will be taken into account. Carried 6-0.

Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: No report.

Laurium Housing Commission: No report.

New Business: Questions concerning the condition of sidewalks, etc. after the sewer, water main and street projects were referred to the proper boards. A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Lutz to approve the pay request submitted by Chernick Construction for $27,891.00 on the Willow Ave water main project. Carried 6-0. A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Harrell to accept the bid of $1799.00 from Sayen’s Business Equipment for a new copier for the clerk’s office. Carried 6-0.

At 8:18PM, a motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Bausano to enter into executive session to discuss a potential lawsuit and the Mitchell grievance. Carried 6-0.

The meeting was called back to regular session at 8:28PM.

Present for Roll Call: Bausano, Bonenfant, Harrell, Johnson, Lutz and Miller.

A motion was made by Bonenfant and seconded by Johnson to pursue a lawsuit against Michael Rastello and Clifford Therrian to collect BC/BS payments made by the Village of Laurium but never reimbursed to the Village by these former employees. Carried 6-0.

Old Business: A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Harrell to pursue the arbitration regarding the Mitchell grievance. Yes — Bausano, Harrell, Bonenfant, Johnson and Lutz. Abstain — Miller. Carried 5-0.

Another discussion was held with the Fire Department regarding the thermal imaging camera. A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Bausano to authorize Village Administrator Vertin to set up a separate group of accounts in the Fire Truck Fund and begin transferring the department’s paychecks into this fund. Carried 6-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:43PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia M. Golus, Clerk

Village of Laurium