Village of Laurium
Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Present for Roll Call: Bausano,
Junot, Koskiniemi, Lanctot (5:36PM), Rastello and Turner.
Guests: Jon
Koskiniemi, James Lemler, Edward M. Vertin, and Daniel Zubiena.
The meeting was called
to order in the Village Council Chambers by President Pro-Tem Bausano at
5:30PM.
A motion was made by
Rastello and seconded by Koskiniemi to appoint Donald Bausano as Village President. Yes – Junot, Koskiniemi, Rastello and
Turner. Abstain – Bausano. Carried 4-0.
The council will look to fill the vacant trustee position next month.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Rastello to table a request from DIAL HELP for a donation until next months meeting. Yes – Bausano, Junot, Koskiniemi, Rastello
and Turner. Abstain – Lanctot. Carried 5-0.
The CLK Senior Center sent a thank you to
the village for providing an additional handicap parking space.
A motion was made by
Rastello and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve the minutes from the July 20, 2004 regular council meeting. Yes – Bausano, Koskiniemi, Lanctot, Rastello
and Turner. Abstain – Junot. Carried 5-0.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Rastello to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $25,291.71 and approve the prepaid bills in the amount of
$68,904.18. Yes – Bausano, Junot,
Koskiniemi, Rastello and Turner. Abstain
– Lanctot. Carried 5-0.
Finance: The
field work for the audit is complete.
The reports should be ready by the end of the month. The books will be up to date by the September
meeting and the budgets can be reviewed.
The Cable Franchise fee will need to be split in the Multi-Rec fund
between the Arena and Other accounts.
Recreation: BHK
did not receive the grant for the skate park.
The grants went to existing facilities.
In the future, BHK would like to work with the village toward projects
with a more educational aspect, which would be more likely to receive grants.
Public Safety – Police: A
motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Turner to put an ad in the paper for
bids on the 1997 Lumina police car. The
minimum bid will be $1500.00. Carried
6-0. The 2004 police Tahoe will be in
service later this week. Discussion was
held regarding an extended warranty on this vehicle. The matter will be decided upon next month
when the General Fund figures are available.
Public Safety – Fire: No
report.
Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: A brief discussion was made about going to a bag system for
garbage collection. The committee will
meet with the street department to get more information and work out a plan for
any changes. The village will be having
an extra garbage pickup this week for metal items and next week for furniture.
Property/Buildings/Ordinance: “Courtesy” letters were mailed out last month to property
owners regarding the Unsafe Building Ordinance.
A few of the structures are being addressed. Those still in violation will be receiving a
certified letter to proceed with enforcing the ordinance. The Houghton County Building Inspector will be
contacted on the specific problems the property owners need to remedy. An updated draft of the Nuisance Dog
Ordinance was presented to the council to review for next month’s meeting. In September it will go to the Village
Attorney for his review. In October, the
council will look to approve this revised ordinance.
Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: No report.
Old Business: After
reviewing the Rules of Procedure,
discussion took place on some changes that were recommended. A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded
by Rastello to approve the Rules of Procedure with the changes as
discussed. Carried 6-0. An estimate for improvements on Isle Royale
Street from Third Street to Lake Linden Avenue was received from UP Engineers
in the amount of $358,000. This estimate is a starting point to follow up the Small Urban Cities program discussed
last month.
At 6:51PM, motion was
made by Junot and seconded by Lanctot to adjourn.
Respectfully
submitted,
Patricia M. Golus,
Clerk
Village of Laurium