Village of Laurium
Regular Council Meeting
November 18, 2003
Present for Roll Call:
Bausano, Harrell, Junot, Lanctot, Rastello, Turner and Zei.
Guests: Mark
Capello, Tina Hodges, James Koskiniemi, Jon Koskiniemi, James Lemler, Daniel
Mukavetz, Garrett Neese, Sharon Rastello, Nick Rowe, Edward M. Vertin, and
Daniel Zubiena.
The meeting was
called to order in the Village Council Chambers by President Harrell at 5:30PM.
The Michigan Municipal League has advised us that an executive order will be coming next month for another cut in state shared revenue.
A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Rastello to approve the minutes of the September 30, 2003 special council meeting. Carried 7-0.
A motion was made by
Lanctot and seconded by Junot to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2003 regular council
meeting. Carried 7-0.
A motion was made by
Zei and seconded by Rastello to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2003 special council meeting. Carried 7-0.
A motion was made by Junot
and seconded by Bausano to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $52,1622.40 and the prepaid bills in the amount of
$166,245.87. Carried 7-0.
Finance: A motion was
made by Junot and seconded by Rastello to hold a special meeting on Monday,
December 8, 2003 at 5:30PM for a budget work session. Carried 7-0.
Department heads need to prepare a list of areas where cuts can be made.
Recreation:
A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Zei to approve the rates for ice
time at the George Gipp Arena this season: $47.00/hr for Jr. Hockey, $55.00/hr
for Figure Skating, $90.00/hr and $130.00/1 ˝ hrs for open rental. Carried 7-0.
The arena will open on November 29, 2003. The Halloween Party at the arena was a success,
serving about 260 children. A thank you
will go into the paper for all those who made donations.
Public Safety – Police: A
resident of the Laurium Housing Commission needs to perform 8 hrs/month of
community service in order to qualify to live at the housing. He will fulfill this obligation working at
the village.
Public Safety – Fire: No
report.
Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: A motion was made by Zei and seconded by Lanctot to raise
the hourly rate of pay for the part time seasonal dump truck drivers from
$7.13/hr to $8.00/hr. Carried 7-0. The rates for the snow contracts will remain
the same this year, $1.56/lineal ft. on sidewalks and .23/sq. ft. for hauling. A motion was made by Zei and seconded by
Bausano to amend Ordinance #135 – Sidewalk Plowing to include the east side of
the 100 and 200 blocks of Hecla Street.
Carried 7-0.
Property/Building/Ordinance: Progress has been made on the demolition of the building at
240 Hecla Street. However it has not
been closed off and debris remains on the property. This matter has been referred to Village
Attorney Vairo who will advise if the village or the county should prosecute
for noncompliance. Attorney Vairo is reviewing the state version of unsafe
structures and a cleaned up state version adopted by Portage Township. He will recommend which of these we should
adopt to give our unsafe structure ordinance more teeth.
Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: Tina Hodges has been soliciting funds for Long-Range
Planning. Christmas activities are
planned for November 29, 2003. A parade
on Third Street from Daniell Park to the post office kick off the activities
followed by games, a visit from Santa and the Christmas tree lighting. Volunteers are welcome.
Old Business: A
motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Lanctot to approve the resolution to
adopt Ordinance #144 – Telecommunications.
Carried 7-0.
New Business: A
motion was made by Rastello and seconded by Bausano to approve payment of the
Keweenaw Industrial Council dues in the amount of $340.00. Carried 7-0.
Comments: Sharon
Rastello, Executive Director of the Laurium Housing Commission thanked those
who attended the Commission’s 35th anniversary open house. Jim Koskiniemi of UP Engineers &
Architects recommended faxing the resolution for Ordinance #144 – Metro Act to
the proper agency to be sure it meets the December 1, 2003 deadline. Also there will be permits submitted to the village,
which need to be approved within 45 days.
At 6:40PM, a motion
was made by Bausano and seconded by Junot to enter into executive session to
discuss police union negotiations, DPW
union negotiations and grievances.
Carried 7-0.
The meeting returned
to regular session at 7:45PM.
Present for Roll
Call: Bausano, Harrell, Junot, Lanctot, Rastello, Turner and Zei.
The meeting adjourned
at 7:46PM.
Respectfully
submitted,
Patricia M. Golus,
Clerk
Village of Laurium