Village of Laurium

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, December 16, 2003

 

Present for Roll Call: Bausano, Harrell, Junot, Lanctot, and Turner.

 

Absent: Rastello and Zei.

 

Guests: Susan Harri, Loretta Karvonen, Jon Koskiniemi, James Lemler, Joni Rozich, Edward Sever, Edward M. Vertin, Jody Wetelainen, Daniel Zubiena.

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

 

Minutes

 

A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Lanctot to approve the minutes of the November 11, 2003 regular council meeting.  Carried 5-0.

 

A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Junot to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2003 special council meeting.  Carried 5-0.

 

A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Bausano to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $33,509.86 and approve the prepaid bills in the amount of $44,620.13.  Carried 5-0.

 

Committee Reports

 

Finance: Sandra Poshak is no longer eligible to serve as Deputy Treasurer.  She moved outside of the village and therefore no longer meets the qualification as a village resident.  The state has not reached a decision yet as to the amount of the cut in state shared revenue.  They should have a decision by the end of the week.  A special meeting will be held on Monday, December 22, 2003 at 3:00PM to discuss the budget.

 

Recreation: Calumet Township will not be able to increase their annual donation this year.  Mention was made that not all of the rentals at the arena are using their 1-½ hour time slot, just 1-hour of the time.  There are still a couple of open times for rentals.

 

Public Safety – Police/Fire: Verification needs to be made to see if the FEMA Grant was approved and if not, does it need to be approved by a certain deadline.

 

Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: DPW Group Leader Bruce Joosten is off sick until December 29, 2003 for a recurring back problem.  Adjustments have been made in the street department to reflect this change.

 

Property/Building/Ordinance: Lanctot contacted Attorney Vairo regarding the Lyons property on the 200 block of Hecla Street.  Vairo recommended following closely the City of Houghton’s ordinance for dangerous buildings as a blueprint to use and adopt.  If so, then the county prosecutor’s office could get involved in enforcement which would also eliminate some of the cost to the village.  A board would need to be maintained with engineers, village residents and council members.  Vairo, Lanctot and Lyons will meet before the next meeting about Mr. Lyon’s property. Inspections are difficult now with the snow but a better fence needs to erected for security and liability purposes.

 

Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: No report.

 

New Business: Helen Gorman submitted a letter of resignation as resident commissioner for the Laurium Housing Commission.  A letter of interest was received from Jerry Ollanketo to serve as resident commissioner on the Laurium Housing Commission.  A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Junot to appoint Jerry Ollanketo as resident commissioner to the Laurium Housing Commission.  Carried 5-0. Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center is looking to refinance and the Laurium Hospital Finance Authority needs to convene.  This board was established when KMMC built the doctor’s clinic to set up tax exempt financing.  A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Lanctot to appoint Phil Storm to the Laurium Hospital Finance Authority for a term ending December 31, 2005 and appoint Edward M. Vertin for a term ending December 31, 2006.  A third seat with a term ending December 31, 2004 still needs to be filled.  Carried 5-0.  At 6:13PM, a motion was made by Junot and seconded by Turner to enter into executive session to discuss DPW and police union negotiations.  Carried 5-0. 

 

The meeting returned from executive session at 6:30PM.

Present for Roll Call: Bausano, Harrell, Junot, Lanctot, and Turner.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:31PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Patricia M. Golus, Clerk

Village of Laurium