Village of Laurium

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, June 18, 2002

 

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

 

Absent: Bonenfant.

 

Guests: Keith Jenich, Bruce Joosten, James Lemler, Dan Mukavetz, Roger Rintala, Edward M. Vertin, and Dan Zubiena.

 

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

 

Trustee Bausano presented Roger Rintala from the Calumet Wolverines Men’s Hockey Team a Certificate of Achievement for their recent USA National Men’s Hockey Championship.

 

Correspondence

 

Notice from Michigan-American Water Company was received indicating rates for commercial and residential customers will be increasing 7%.  The rate for the hydrant rental will not increase.

 

A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Harrell to nominate Paul Lehto for a three-year term on the Michigan Township Par Plan Board of Directors.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Lutz to send a letter to the FCC regarding Charter Communications, similar to the letter sent by Calumet Township.  The township is questioning Charter’s filing with the FCC.  Carried 6-0.  A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Lutz to send a letter to Charter Communications opposing the removal of CBC Channel 16 from their programming.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Harrell and seconded by Bausano to allow Village Administrator Vertin to sign the service agreement with Charter Communications for upgraded commercial service for $149.00/month for Internet service.  The MSP radio room would reimburse the Village for their usage of $89.00/month.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Lutz and seconded by Harrell to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2002 regular council meeting.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Harrell and seconded by Zei to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $16,602.21.  Carried 6-0.

 

Committee Reports

 

Finance: A motion was made by Harrell and seconded by Lanctot to approve the proposed resolution for millage rates.  The public hearing will be on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 at 5:15PM with the special meeting to follow at 5:30PM.  Carried 6-0.

 

Recreation: Little League Baseball will be holding their annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, June 22, 2002 at the Arena.  The Fire Department and Recreation committee will be splitting the proceeds for a Polka Dance with Jim Enrietti at the Arena on July 19, 2002.  Plastic piping needs to be put on top of the fences at the ballfields and the underground electric wiring needs to be installed. Baseball collected between $400.00-$600.00 to fix the PA building which will be bolted down.

 

Public Safety – Police/Fire: A $750.00 block grant from the Shelter Home will be used by the Police Department in September or October for their Police Science program.  The radio needs to be taken out of the Suburban and then it will be ready to sell.

 

Personnel – Police/DPW: The DPW Union contract has been signed.  A motion was made by Lutz and seconded by Harrell to approve the new Drug/Alcohol Policy.  Included are upgrades to meet the new federal standards for testing, screening, etc. for CDL drivers.  Carried 6-0.  A copy of this policy follows the minutes.

 

Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: All but one or two items are done on Payne & Dolan’s punchlist.  These will be completed within a day or two.  Bids for the new loader will be opened on June 25 at the special meeting.  A decision on whether to sell or trade in the Hough loader was tabled until the June 25 special meeting.  The roof at the DPW garage on South Florida needs to be repaired.  Bids were received from Local Roofing between $4200 - $5400.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Zei to purchase the materials needed from 41 Lumber and have the Street Department put on the new roof.  This plan would cost about half as much as Local Roofing.  Carried 6-0.

 

Property/Building/Ordinance: Eight letters were mailed today to the property owners regarding Ordinance #142 – Condemnation of Structures.

 

Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: A motion was made by Lutz and seconded by Lanctot to purchase a power edger/tiller combination from Harter’s Supply for $360.00.  Carried 6-0.  The color scheme for the picnic shelters will be green and white.

 

Laurium Housing Commission: No report.

 

New Business: None.

 

Old Business: The vacancy on the Laurium Housing Commission was tabled until the June 25 special meeting.  A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Harrell to have the Street Department relocate the water main at the Laurium Housing Commission.  The cost of materials ($1691.40), mandatory testing ($492.07), labor (approx. $1200.00 for two days) and equipment rentals ($30.00/hr for a backhoe) will be paid from the Water Fund.  Carried 6-0.

 

Comments: Keith Jenich who lives at the corner of North Florida Street and Old Colony Road approached the council with his concern about the dust problem on Old Colony Road.  A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Lutz to have dust oil put down on the road.  Carried 6-0.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:46PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Patricia M. Golus, Clerk

Village of Laurium