Village of Laurium

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, June 17, 2003

 

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

 

Guests: Carol and Ronald Hogge, Jon Koskiniemi, James Lemler, Kenneth Lutz, Daniel Mukavetz, Elsie and Verne Rowe, Mary Turner, Sharon Turovaara, Edward M. Vertin, and Daniel Zubiena.

 

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

 

Correspondence

 

Pauline Givogre, President of the Laurium Housing Commission, submitted a letter of resignation effective immediately.  A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Junot to place a notice in the paper to find a replacement for this vacant seat on the Laurium Housing Commission.  Zei, Junot, Bausano, Harrell and Lanctot – Yes.  Rastello – Abstain.  Carried 5-0.

 

A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Junot to discontinue the $245.00 annual membership to the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce.  Carried 6-0.

 

The CHS/SHHS All School Reunion will be holding a Teen Center dance in the ballroom of the village hall on Thursday, July 17, 2003 from 8:00PM to midnight.

 

The MEDC will make a surprise announcement on the 100 block of Fifth Street in Calumet on Thursday, June 19, 2003 at 11:00AM regarding the “Main Street” designation.  Everyone is invited.

 

A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Rastello to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2003 regular council meeting.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Bausano to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $32,208.42.  Carried 6-0.

 

Committee Reports

 

Finance: A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Bausano to adopt the proposed resolution for the millage rate.  (A copy of this resolution follows the minutes).  The public hearing for the millage rate will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at 5:15PM and a special meeting will follow at 5:30PM to adopt the millage rate.  Carried 6-0.  The audit will be done in mid July.  It was decided that village money would not be put in to certificate of deposits (CDs) at this time.

 

Recreation: A parking area will be made by the horseshoe pits with railroad ties.  A group from the Apostolic Lutheran Church will be renting the arena on Sunday, June 22, 2003 from 9:30PM to 12:30AM for inline skating.  Baseball will be having a pancake breakfast at the arena on Saturday, June 21, 2003 from 7:30AM until noon.

 

Public Safety – Police/Fire: No report.

 

Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: The chassis of the dump truck has been fixed in Green Bay and the box will be installed at Monroe.  A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Junot that the village will not do any sidewalk replacement this year.  The list will keep being updated for next year.  Carried 6-0.  The 1977 Champion grader is in need of repairs.  Red Jacket Machine gave an estimate of about $10,000.00.  A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Bausano to authorize the committee to look for a newer, used grader.  Leasing will also be looked at.  Carried 6-0.  The committee will report back at next month’s meeting with their findings.  The installation of new storm drains was reviewed by Chuck Teddy of UP Engineers & Architects.  NHCW&SA will not contribute to these new storm drains at this time.  Dan Zubiena and Daniel Mukavetz, village representatives on the NHCW&SA, will bring this matter up again at their next meeting.  E&M Contracting will do the work at the same prices as the current sewer project.  A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Bausano to approve the installation of 3 (2 on the west side of the street, 1 on the east side of the street) new storm drains on North Iroquois Street in the amount of $6685.00.  Carried 6-0.  A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Bausano to approve the installation of 3 new catch basins on North Florida Street in the amount of $9653.50.  Carried 6-0.  UPPCo will be replacing the metal light poles on M-26 on Hecla & Third Streets.  Metal poles could be installed next year or if historical poles are desired, the replacement will be done in 2005.  It was decided to wait and have the Beautification/Parks/Community Relations committee explore options for MDOT Enhancement grants and/or historical lighting.  The catch basins on Hecla & Third Streets and Osceola & Third Streets will be replaced in next year’s project on M26.

 

Property/Buildings/Ordinances: Rastello and Village Administrator Vertin made a list of unsafe properties.  Letters will go out to the property owners in violation of this ordinance.  The county building inspector will get involved if necessary.  Vertin will contact Paul Tomasi about the wetland study on the Isle Royale Street property the village is interested in purchasing.

 

Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: Mr. Dillinger of UP Engineers & Architects will be attending next month’s meeting to make a presentation on walking trails.  The parking lot at the basketball court will be done in mid July.

 

New Business: The fence on the sides of the tennis court is in need of repair.  Rastello will check on the price to get fencing that is the same height and gauge as the fence on the ends of the tennis court.  Ronald Hogge addressed the council regarding a disputed fence between his home and his neighbor, Antonia Burich.  He feels that the council has not enforced its fence ordinance and is filing a lawsuit against the village.

 

Old Business: A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Lanctot to appoint Reginald Harrell as village President.  Carried 6-0.  Lanctot left the meeting at 6:54PM.  A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Junot to appoint Bausano as President Pro Tem.  Zei, Junot, Harrell and Rastello – Yes.  Bausano – Abstain.  Carried 4-0.  A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Zei to wait until next month to appoint a trustee to the council to fill the vacant seat.  Carried 5-0.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:58PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Patricia M. Golus, Clerk

Village of Laurium