Village of Laurium
Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Present for Roll Call: Bausano, Koskiniemi, Rastello and Turner.
Absent: Junot and Lanctot.
Guests: Joan Hoffman, Greg Kingstrom, Jon Koskiniemi, James Lemler, Rod Liimatainen, Garrett Neese, Dale Penny, Edward Sever, Mike Steber, Sharon Turovaara, and Edward M. Vertin.
The meeting was called to order in the village council chambers by Pro Tem Bausano at 5:30PM.
Correspondence
On June 30, 2004, a letter was received from Reginald Harrell indicating he was resigning as president of the Village of Laurium effective upon receipt of this letter. A motion was made by Rastello and seconded by Turner to wait until the August regular meeting to appoint a president. Carried 4-0.
Alan and Mary Rautio were not present to discuss the ditch on Fifth Street. The matter was tabled until they come to a meeting.
Mike Steber, Dale Penny and Rod Liimatainen were present to update the council on the proposed skate park and BMX track. These projects have been sent to Lansing for approval through the BHK Great Explorations program. A verbal ok has been given. No financial commitment will be necessary from the village. A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Rastello to approve the use of village property for a 40’ x 70’ skate park with a 5’ fence around it. No BMX track will be made, all funds would go to the skate park project. Carried 4-0.
A community development forum on loan/grant opportunities will be held at the Finnish American Center in Hancock on Wednesday, July 21st from 6:30-8:30PM. Village Administrator Vertin will try to attend but if he can’t, he will get the information that was presented for village use.
Greg Kingstrom from UP Engineers & Architects was introduced to the council. A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Turner to appoint Greg Kingstrom as the hearing officer for the village’s Unsafe Structure Ordinance. The rate of $50.00/meeting/hearing/ruling/property will be charged to the village for his service. Carried 4-0.
Minutes
A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Rastello to approve the minutes of the June 15, 2004 regular council meeting. Carried 4-0.
A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Rastello to approve the minutes of the June 24, 2004 Public Hearing/Special meeting. Carried 4-0.
A motion was made by Rastello and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $35,062.10. Carried 4-0.
A motion was made by Rastello and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve the prepaid bills in the amount of $69,703.07. Carried 4-0.
Committee Reports
Finance: No report.
Recreation: None of the Boomtown activities planned for the George Gipp Arena will be held in August.
Public Safety – Police: No report.
Public Safety – Fire: No report.
Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: Village Administrator Vertin explained the Small Urban program to the council. The village could be eligible for 75% federal money and 25% local money through this program for street work. Streets were designated as minor arterial and collectors. A motion was made by Rastello and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve the map as presented for this project. Carried 4-0. Hopefully this work will be ready to be done next year. A street committee meeting was held. They are working on roles and responsibilities for the street administrator and the committee itself. Houghton County is looking to renew a road maintenance millage on the August ballot. Since the village does receive funding from this millage, a yes vote is encouraged.
Property/Building/Ordinance: The dog annoyance ordinance is still in the works. It should be available for review in a couple of weeks so that a vote can be taken at the next meeting.
Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: No report.
Old Business: None.
New Business: Based on MML recommendations, new council rules for procedure were distributed for review. General law villages need to adopt these procedures and next month a vote will be taken to approve these procedures. An employee handbook and risk management policies and procedures also will be addressed in the near future.
At 6:43PM, a motion was made by Rastello and seconded by Koskiniemi to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia M. Golus, Clerk
Village of Laurium