Village of Laurium
Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Present for Roll Call:
Bausano, Harju, Junot, Koskiniemi, Lanctot, and Turner.
Absent: Rastello.
Guests: Paul Baroni,
Kurt Erkkila, Lori Hendrickson, Michael Hendrickson, Mitchell Hendrickson, Sean
Jacques, Jon Koskiniemi, Robert Kyllonen, Austin Lemler, Colleen Lemler, Edward
Lemler, Elaine Lemler, James Lemler, Logan Lemler, Garrett Neese, Edward Sever,
Edward M. Vertin, Betty Zei, and David Zei.
The meeting was
called to order in the Laurium Village Council Chambers by President Bausano at
5:30PM.
A motion was made by
Lanctot and seconded by Junot to approve the agenda with the following additions: Fire-truck engine,
Police-Lemler’s gun and job posting, and appoint Harju to committees. Carried 6-0.
A motion was made by
Lanctot and seconded by Turner to approve the minutes of the October 19, 2004 regular council meeting. Carried 6-0.
A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Harju to approve the
minutes of the November 9, 2004 budget work session. Carried 6-0.
A motion was made by
Junot and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $35,396.26. Carried 6-0.
A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Koskiniemi to approve the prepaid bills in the amount of
$37,521.04. Carried 6-0.
The second annual tree lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 27, 2004 from 2:00-5:00PM. A holiday parade and kid’s party will be part of the festivities.
A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Turner to approve a 1/8-page ad in the Calumet High School yearbook in the amount of $50.00. Carried 6-0.
A letter was received from William and Laura Sever, owners of Mickey’s Tavern, regarding delinquent garbage not paid by the previous owner. The council felt that the old and new owners should try to settle this on their own and if they can’t then the matter can be handled in small claims court.
Committee Reports
Finance: A letter was read from Jackie Aalto, CPA. She will be opening her own accounting firm and would like to handle the village’s audit and accounting services.
Recreation: The George Gipp Arena will be opening for the season on November 27, 2004. Zamboni drivers are still needed.
Public Safety – Police: Chief Lemler will be retiring effective January 1, 2005. His last day of work will be December 31, 2004. A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Junot to present Lemler with his gun. Carried 6-0. The Michigan Township Par Plan will be assisting with risk management controls for firearms and equipment use within the next couple of months. A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Junot to post the job of Lieutenant-Acting Chief on November 24, 2004 internally per Union contract for seven days. If there are no applicants, the job will be advertised. Interviews will follow and a decision will be made at the December meeting. Carried 6-0.
Public Safety – Fire: The specs for the engine on the new fire truck are obsolete and need to be upgraded. A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Harju to use $1000.00 from the Fire Truck Fund to make this engine upgrade. Carried 6-0.
Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: A committee meeting was held on November 12, 2004. The Isle Royale Street paving project funding may come through for next year.
Property/Building/Ordinance:
The hearing for unsafe buildings will be held on Monday, November 29, 2004
at 1:00PM. Our hearing officer, Greg
Kingstrom and the Houghton County Building Inspector, Jerry Juntunen will be
present.
Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: No report.
Unfinished Business: The dog ordinance was tabled until the next meeting when Rastello is present. Four bids were received on the 1976 GMC Dump Truck. A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to award the bid to Louis Meneguzzo in the amount of $2133.45. Carried 6-0.
New Business: A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Harju to increase the rates for the snow contracts from .23/sq.ft. to .25/sq. ft. Carried 6-0. A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Harju to increase the rates for Ordinance #135 – Sidewalk Plowing from $1.56/lineal ft. to $1.64/lineal ft. Carried 6-0. The closing date for the Rural Development grant/loan has been changed from November 29, 2004 to December 9, 2004. A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Turner to approve the Resolution approving execution of signatures of officials for the closing. Carried 6-0. A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to renew the five-year MDOT Contract for M-26. The village’s reimbursement will go from 50% to 64%. Carried 6-0. A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to appoint Harju to the Recreation and Streets/Equipment/Sanitation committees. Carried 6-0.
At 6:11, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia M. Golus, Clerk
Village of Laurium