Village of Laurium

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, July 15, 2003

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

Absent: Rastello.

Guests: Steve Altobelli, Dennis Engman, Bruce Joosten, Jon Koskiniemi, James Lemler, Dan Mukavetz, Mary Turner, Edward M. Vertin and Dan Zubiena.

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

A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Bausano to accept the minutes from the June 17, 2003 regular council meeting the minutes from the June 25, 2003 public hearing/special 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 $25,406.63. Carried 5-0.

Committee Reports

Finance: No report.

Recreation: A verbal estimate was given for fencing on the sides at the tennis court. It would cost $425.00 for 4’ fencing and $1565.00 for 10’ fencing. A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Lanctot to have Village Administrator Vertin contact Trustee Rastello and have him get these estimates in writing. If this estimate is acceptable then order and install the 4’ fencing. Carried 5-0. The Jim Enrietti dance will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2003. Volunteers from the council are needed to help. 21 railroad ties are available now. They will be purchased in order to install the parking lot at the basketball court. Gravel will not be used at the horseshoe pits; railroad ties will be used later.

Public Safety – Police: The police communicated with 71 property owners for violations of the yard maintenance ordinance. Only 1 citation was issued, 2 are still in the process of abating, and the rest have complied. There has been a problem with seagulls getting into the garbage on pick up days. The police would like an article in the paper asking residents to use approved containers as per Ordinance #132 to alleviate this problem.

Public Safety – Fire: The UP Firefighters Tournament is in Crystal Falls next weekend. Six men from our department will attend and receive $100 each.

Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Bausano to have the DPW employees work five 8-hour days rather than the four 10-hour days in July and August as stated in the DPW Union contract. Carried 5-0. There has been a water drainage problem because of the blacktop curb that has caved in on the south side of First Street near Pewabic Street. A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Bausano to ask the NHCW&SA, since they did a sewer project there 10 years ago, to fix or assist the Village of Laurium with the cost associated with correcting this problem. Carried 5-0. A discussion was held about a replacement for the Village’s Champion grader. A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Bausano to approve the bid submitted by RMS of Iron Mountain for a 1997 Gallion grader. The cost is $69,900 plus $16,373 for a new wing installed, less the trade in for the Champion grader of $12,500. Two sets of tires and rims are also included. The final cost of the new grader would be $73,773 from the Public Improvement Fund. Carried 5-0.

Property/Building/Ordinance: No report.

Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: Bausano requested Vertin to check on the cost of installing lights to be shone on the flags in the parks. Zei, Rastello are to meet with UP Engineers & Architects on the nature trail.

New Business: None.

Old Business: A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Junot to appoint Mary Turner to fill the vacant Trustee seat. Carried 5-0. A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Junot to pursue discussions with Eric Waara at UPEA regarding an overall long-range plan for the MDOT Enhancement Program. This would not be limited to streetlights but sidewalks, roads, DDA, local financing district etc. Carried 5-0.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia M. Golus, Clerk

Village of Laurium