Village of Laurium

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

 

Present for Roll Call: Bausano, Junot, Koskiniemi, Lanctot, Rastello, and Turner.

 

Guests: Paul Baroni, Dennis Engman, Kurt Erkkila, Kevin Harju, Sean Jacques, Jon Koskiniemi, James Lemler, Daniel Mukavetz, Edward Sever, Edward M. Vertin, Roger Wetelainen, Betty Zei, David Zei, Susan Zei, William Zei, 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 Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to approve the agenda with a change in the date of the meeting from September 21, 2004 to October 19, 2004.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Turner to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2004 regular council meeting.  Carried 6-0.  A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Turner to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2004 special council meeting.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Rastello to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $40,802.31.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Rastello to approve the prepaid bills in the amount of $171,909.76.  Carried 6-0.

 

Committee Reports

 

Finance: A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Rastello to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 at 5:30PM.  The purpose will be a budget work session comparing last year vs. this year.

 

Recreation: A motion was made by Turner and seconded by Lanctot to hold a Halloween party at the George Gipp Arena during trick or treat hours, 4PM-7PM, on Sunday, October 31, 2004.  Carried 6-0.

 

Public Safety – Police: A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Rastello to sell the Lumina police car to Parkway Chevrolet for $600.00.  Carried 6-0.  A recent ad in the Daily Mining Gazette accepting resumes for the patrolman was placed in preparation for Lemler’s retirement.

 

Public Safety – Fire: No report.

 

Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: A committee meeting was held on October 14, 2004.  The drainage repair for First Street will take place in the spring.  A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Junot to place an ad for bids to sell the 1976 GMC dump truck (#25), with a minimum bid of $500.00 and “as is”.  Carried 6-0.  The roadwork on Isle Royale Street under the Small Urban project will be for 2006.  Calumet Village’s work will be done next year.

 

Property/Building/Ordinance: The certified letters regarding the Unsafe Building Ordinance will go out later this week.  The hearings on these properties scheduled for November 12, 2004 at 1:00PM may need to be changed due to the hearing officer being unavailable.  The Village’s ordinance book needs to be reformatted to make it more user friendly.  A suggestion was made to use a binder for copies, etc. for public use and keep the originals in the existing book.  The committee will work on this project.

 

Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: A meeting will be held next week on a cultural resources grant.  Turner will not be able to attend but will try to get the information presented.

 

Unfinished Business

 

Nothing has come back from Village Attorney Vairo regarding the dog ordinance.

 

A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Rastello to appoint Kevin Harju to fill the open Trustee position on the council.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Junot and seconded by Turner to appoint Steve Lanctot as President Pro Tem.  Yes – Bausano, Junot, Koskiniemi, Rastello and Turner.  Abstain – Lanctot.  Carried 5-0.

 

There was considerable discussion on whether to purchase a Chevrolet Tahoe or Impala for the police department using the Rural Development Grant/Loan.  A motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Junot to purchase a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe for $34,259.93.  Yes – Bausano, Junot, Lanctot and Turner.  No – Koskiniemi and Rastello.  Carried 4-2.

 

New Business

 

A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Lanctot to move ahead with the drainage problem on Amygdaloid Street.  NHCW&SA will do the work and the village will supply the materials at a cost of about $3500.00.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Rastello and seconded by Koskiniemi for future sidewalk replacement, the color should be matched to the existing sidewalks in the neighborhood.  Carried 6-0.

 

A motion was made by Koskiniemi and seconded by Lanctot to post the position for a full time, HEO/Sanitation for the Street Department.  Carried 6-0.  An interview will be scheduled with the Street committee.

 

At 7:27PM, a motion was made by Lanctot and seconded by Koskiniemi to adjourn the meeting.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Patricia M. Golus, Clerk

Village of Laurium