Village of Laurium
Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Present for Roll Call: Bausano,
Harju, Junot, Koskiniemi, Lanctot, Rastello and Turner.
Guests: Paul Baroni,
Michael Benard, Kurt Erkkila, Robert Kyllonen, James Lemler, Daniel Mukavetz,
Garrett Neese, Edward Sever, Edward M. Vertin, Daniel Zubiena.
The meeting was
called to order in the Village Council Chambers by President Bausano at 5:30PM.
A motion was made by
Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add to New Business Fire
Department off uncompensated list and under Approval of Council Minutes,
11/16/04 minutes from regular meeting with no quorum and 11/23/04 regular
council meeting. Carried 7-0.
A motion was made by
Koskiniemi and seconded by Harju to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2004 regular meeting with no quorum and
the November 23, 2004 regular council meeting.
Bausano, Harju, Junot, Koskiniemi, Lanctot, and Turner – Yes. Rastello – Abstain. Carried 6-0.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $33,297.96. Carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve the prepaid bills in the amount of
$88,576.95. Carried 7-0.
A letter was received
from Paul Sturos, CPA. He is interested in handling the village’s
audit and accounting services. Village
Administrator Vertin is to ask for proposals from other CPA firms and the
finance committee will make a recommendation for these services.
Finance: No report.
Recreation: Some of the latches on the gates in the
benches need to be repaired at the Arena.
Public Safety – Police: The
2005 Tahoe is in. Stripes are being
added and the vehicle should be in use next week. Kevin Maki will now be the attorney at
Vairo’s office handling the prosecuting of ordinances. Michigan Township Risk Management will be
here in January for the meeting.
Public Safety – Fire: Rastello
has requested a monthly report from the Fire Department starting next month.
Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: A committee meeting was held on December 18th. Plowing complaints were handled at this time.
Property/Building/Ordinance: The debris from the fire at the Laurium Tea Room last week
has been cleared away and is no longer in violation of our Unsafe Building
Ordinance. The hearing for the Unsafe
Building Ordinance was held on November 29, 2004. 11 properties were addressed and deadlines
were issued to comply with the ordinance.
Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: No report.
Vertin reported on the clean up from the December 13, 2004 fire at the Laurium Tea Room. Sgt. Baroni and Fire Chief Mukavetz were instrumental in this task.
Rastello spoke with
Attorney Vairo regarding the Dog
Ordinance. Vairo recommends
following the state ordinance and therefore no changes need to be made to our
existing ordinance.
A motion was made by
Koskiniemi and seconded by Rastello to purchase a portable hoist from Superior Equipment and Supply. This was the low bid in the amount of
$1790.00. Carried 7-0. Ordinance
#136 – Election Terms was presented to the council. This ordinance would extend the terms of
office for the elected officials from two years to four years. The ordinance will be voted on at the January
meeting. A motion was made by Junot and
seconded by Rastello to approve the wording on the ballot for the February 22,
2005 special election for the extra voted snow removal millage renewal. Carried
7-0. BC/BS rates have increased again
and discussions on medical coverage were held.
Health Savings Accounts are offered through BC/BS. Each employee has an
account set up for qualified health care costs.
A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Rastello to set up these
HSAs (Blue HSA1000) and fund them annually.
Payroll deductions for the premiums will stay in place. Carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Turner to appoint Sgt.
Baroni as Acting Chief/Lieutenant. Carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Turner to post the Sergeant position per union contract
for 7 days effective December 22, 2004.
Carried 7-0. Several applications
were received and Lanctot conducted interviews for the patrolman position. A motion
was made by Lanctot and seconded by Turner to hire Darron Olson as a patrolman
effective January 1, 2005. Yes – Harju,
Junot, Koskiniemi, Lanctot, Rastello and Turner. No – Bausano.
Carried 6-1. A motion was made by
Koskiniemi and seconded by Harju to approve the Scenic Byways Resolution for Brockway Mountain Drive. Carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Rastello and seconded by Koskiniemi to add Tim
LaBonte, Donald Paskvan and Jon Primeau to the compensated roster for the Fire Department. Carried 7-0.
At 6:40PM, a motion
was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Lanctot to adjourn.
Respectfully
submitted,
Patricia M. Golus,
Clerk
Village of Laurium