Village of Laurium

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, December 18, 2001

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

Guests: Paul Baroni, Greg Berg, Harold Erkkila, Kurt Erkkila, Bruce Joosten, Jeff Kalcich, Emil Kezerle, James Lemler, Dan Mukavetz, Ed Sever, Edward Vertin, and Dan Zubiena.

The meeting was called to order in the Village Council Chambers by President Bonenfant at 5:30PM.

A presentation was given by Greg Berg of the Employee Benefits Agency regarding Blue Cross/Blue Shield.Ý The topic covered was the GAP program.Ý A special meeting will be held by the council to discuss this option for BC/BS coverage.

Correspondence

A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Johnson to renew a three-year contract with the Houghton County Equalization Department for administration of the tax billing.Ý President Bonenfant is to sign the contract.Ý Carried 7-0.

A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Twardzik to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2001 regular council meeting.Ý Carried 7-0.

A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Lutz to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $21,180.51.Ý Carried 7-0.

Committee Reports

Finance: A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Zei to approve a change order in the Payne & Dolan paving contract to represent the actual quantity.Ý The cost will increase by $40,787.77.Ý Yes ñ Bonenfant, Harrell, Johnson, Lutz, Twardzik and Zei.Ý No ñ Bausano.Ý Carried 6-1.Ý Village Administrator Vertin is to check with Attorney Vairo on the liability of the catch basins not getting done and the damage this may cause to the equipment.Ý A motion was made by Harrell and seconded by Johnson to approve the resolution for payment (a copy follows the minutes) with a 10% retainage to Payne & Dolan until the work is completed.Ý Yes ñ Bonenfant, Harrell, Johnson, Lutz, Twardzik and Zei.Ý No ñ Bausano.Ý Carried 6-1.Ý A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Johnson to approve partial payment of the Rural Development form to be signed by President Bonenfant.Ý Yes ñ Bonenfant, Harrell, Johnson, Lutz, Twardzik and Zei.Ý No ñ Bausano.Ý Carried 6-1.Ý The General Fund expenses need to be reviewed.Ý Johnson and Harrell will meet with Chief Lemler and DPW Group Leader Joosten.

Recreation: The weather-stripping needs to be installed on the bottoms of the new emergency doors at the Arena.Ý Cleaning at the Arena was discussed.Ý An outside light that is not working again needs to be taken care of.

Public Safety ñ Police/Fire: No report.

Personnel ñ Police/DPW: No report.

Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: The bids for the surplus equipment were reviewed.Ý A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Bausano to accept the bid of $1000.00 from Tom Dairo for the 1978 dump truck.Ý Carried 7-0.Ý A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Lutz to accept the bid of $165.00 from JE Hendrickson Excavating for three grader tires.Ý Carried 7-0.Ý A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Lutz to accept the bid of $250.00 from the Village of Lake Linden for the blacktop-paving machine.Ý Carried 7-0.Ý A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Johnson to give each full time employee a $25.00 Christmas bonus.Ý Carried 7-0.

Property/Building/Ordinance: No report.

Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: Lutz would like to budget for new Christmas decorations next year.

Laurium Housing Commission: No report.

New Business: A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Johnson to approve $400.00 for a new pager for the fire department since they do not have a reliable backup pager.Ý Yes ñ Bausano, Bonenfant, Harrell, Johnson, Lutz and Twardzik.Ý Abstain ñ Zei.Ý Carried 6-0.Ý At 6:15PM, a motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Bausano to enter into executive session to discuss police and DPW union negotiations.Ý Carried 7-0.

The regular meeting resumed at 6:52PM.

Present for Roll Call: Bonenfant, Harrell, Johnson, Lutz, Twardzik and Zei.

Absent: Bausano.

President Bonenfant reminded everyone that the Village Hall is smoke free.Ý The Clerk will contact the Gazette regarding the errors in the article about the upcoming election.

The meeting adjourned at 6:55PM.