Regular Council Meeting
Present for Roll Call: Bausano,
Bonenfant, Junot, Koskiniemi, Lanctot, and Rastello.
Absent: Harju.
Guests: Jerry Adair,
Paul Baroni, Kurt Erkkila, Charlie Hopper, Lynne Hyrkas, Hannah Johnson, Greg
Kingstrom, Daniel Mukavetz, Del Rajala, John Schneiderhan, Edward Sever, Edward
M. Vertin, Roger Wetelainen, and Daniel Zubiena.
The meeting was
called to order in the Village Council Chambers by President Bausano at 5:30PM.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Rastello to approve the agenda with the addition of DPW pickup truck under New
Business. Carried 6-0.
Jerry Adair
from Michigan Par Plan was present.
Prior to the council meeting, he met with the police and fire
departments and their committees to discuss risk management. Liabilities to the village for events at the
George Gipp Ice Arena were discussed.
The enforcement
hearing for Ordinance #145 – Dangerous
Buildings was held. This hearing
gave the property owners an opportunity to explain why the orders from the
November 29, 2004 hearing have not been completed. David Mitchell sent a letter indicating he
would not be present. Neither of the
other two property owners were present.
The building on Nathaniel Sutinen’s
property at 205 Kearsarge was addressed first.
None of the orders issued at the November 29, 2004 hearing have been met
and Mr. Sutinen has not responded to any of the correspondence addressed to
him. A motion was made by Lanctot and
seconded by Rastello to have Mr. Sutinen complete the necessary repairs in 60
days and total demolition by July 1, 2005.
Carried 6-0. Sonny Laplander’s trailer at 110 Hecla Street
was discussed next. None of the debris
in the yard was removed as directed. A
motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Rastello that the site be totally
cleaned up, including trailer removal, by July 1, 2005. David Mitchell
indicated in his letter that he did have the materials to complete the work on
his garage at 321 Lake Linden Avenue. A
motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Rastello to give him 60 days to
completely enclose the structure and until July 1, 2005 to put a foundation
under the garage to stabilize it.
Carried 6-0.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Lanctot to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2005 regular council
meeting. Yes – Bausano, Junot,
Koskiniemi, Lanctot, and Rastello.
Abstain – Bonenfant. Carried 5-0.
A motion was made by
Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2005 special meeting. Carried 6-0.
A motion was mad by
Lanctot and seconded by Rastello to approve the minutes of the February 24, 2005 public
hearing/special meeting. Yes – Bausano,
Bonenfant, Lanctot and Rastello. Abstain
– Junot and Koskiniemi. Carried 4-0.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Rastello to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $23,039.91. Carried 6-0.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve the prepaid bills in the amount of $413,858.51. Carried 6-0.
Michigan-American Water Company will be raising their rates by 9.3% after March 15, 2005.
A letter was read
from St Paul Lutheran Church thanking
the village for snow removal in their parking lot.
The State Historic Preservation Office sent
a letter that the National Registry District was approved for Laurium on
January 31, 2005. Julie Sprenger, who
spearheaded this project, will be asked to the April council meeting to discuss
this designation and the reception to inform the public.
Charlie Hopper and
John Schneiderhan from Pasty.net, a
local based internet provider, were present.
They are interested in using the town hall tower as a wireless access
point. Historic features on the building
would be preserved, their insurance would cover the access and in return, the
village would get free internet service.
The village would need to provide power to the unit at a minimal
cost. A motion was made by Bonenfant and
seconded by Lanctot to allow the access to the tower for Pasty.net. Before using their internet service, the village
would need to check on the terms with our current provider and evaluate the new
service for security. Carried 6-0.
A motion was made by
Lanctot and seconded by Junot to donate $50.00 to the CLK Council of Churches senior graduation party. Carried 6-0.
Finance: No
report.
Recreation: The
totals from the Mite Tournament have not been turned in yet. The George Gipp Arena is closing for the
season on March 19.
Public Safety – Police:
The updated Code of Conduct was distributed for review. It will be addressed at the April
meeting. The committee will review
increasing the costs of tickets and their recommendations will be discussed at
the April meeting.
Public Safety – Fire: A
motion was made by Rastello and seconded by Lanctot to give the fire department
permission to apply to FEMA for grants.
The deadline is April 7 for a 95%-5% grant/match for radios and
pagers. Carried 6-0.
Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: The committee is working on plans for the water project on
Old Colony Road.
Property/Building/Ordinance: No report.
Parks/Recreation/Community Relations: No report.
New Business: A
letter of resignation was received from Diana Jones for the Laurium Housing Commission. A motion was made by Junot and seconded by
Lanctot to appoint Ada Tofanelli to fill this vacancy. Yes – Bausano, Bonenfant, Junot, Koskiniemi,
and Lanctot. Abstain – Rastello. Carried 5-0.
A motion was made by
Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to renew the contract with Houghton County Equalization for tax
bill preparation. The cost will be
.60/bill in 2005, .62 in 2006 and .64 in 2007.
Carried 6-0. Discussion was held on
the janitor’s position regarding a
wage increase and paid vacation time.
Rastello and Bonenfant are to review this before the next meeting. The DPW’s 1988 GMC Pickup truck (#6) needs a new transmission. A quote of $1200.00 was received from Parkway
Motors. It would cost $680.00 to
purchase and install in house. A motion
was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to search for a new, used, 4x4, ¾ ton
pickup spending no more than $10,000.00 from PIF. Carried 6-0.
At 6:51PM, the
meeting adjourned.
Respectfully
submitted,
Patricia M. Golus,
Clerk
Village of Laurium