Village of Laurium

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, September 18, 2001

Present for Roll Call: Bausano, Bonenfant, Harrell, Johnson, Lutz, Miller and Zei.

Guests: Ann Gasperich, Walter Hamel, and William Zei.

The meeting was called to order in the Village Council Chambers by President Miller at 7:00PM

A moment of silence was observed in memory of the victims of the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Ann Gasperich from Houghton County 911 was present. She informed the council that the Village of Laurium would not be reimbursed by 911 for the $400.00 cost of the radio for the Police Department. A discussion was held regarding the 911 radio tower. Ann will send a letter to Del Rajala the radio technician from Negaunee for the Michigan State Police asking for an explanation about adjusting the power and what steps could be taken to correct it.

A news release was received from Michigan-American Water Company. Their parent company, American Water Works, will be purchased by RWE over the next year.

A letter from the American Arbitration Association indicated that David Mitchell’s grievance hearing has been rescheduled to April 18, 2002.

Village Attorney Gerald Vairo sent information stating that a councilperson can work for the village providing the job does not interfere with the council position.

A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Bonenfant to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2001 regular council meeting. Carried 7-0.

A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Lutz to approve payment of the merchandise accounts in the amount of $29,866.23. Carried 7-0.

Finance: Updated spreadsheets were distributed.

Recreation: The weather-strip needs to be installed on the emergency doors at the Arena. Vandalism is occurring at the Little League field. A discussion on prevention was held. The Police and Recreation committee is to work out a solution. A CHS business class would like to run the concession stand at the Arena for the upcoming season. Details will be worked out with Lisa Twardzik, the instructor of the class.

Public Safety — Police/Fire: Bill Miller has purchased Pat’s Market. A motion was made by Harrell and seconded by Lutz to approve Bill Miller’s request to obtain a Liquor License for beer and wine. Carried 7-0. Officers Kyllonen and Erkkila will be attending an evidence tech update school October 3-5, 2001. The minutes from the Laurium Fire Department’s meeting authorizing their payroll to be transferred to an account to pay for the thermal-imaging camera was presented. (The original follows the minutes). A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Bausano that when the department has decided upon a camera, the purchase will be financed through the Trust Fund. Johnson, Bausano, Bonenfant, Harrell, Lutz and Miller — Yes. Zei — Abstain. Carried 6-0. No 1099s or W-2s will be issued for the payroll transfers. The three local fire departments will be sponsoring a memorial walk on Sunday in conjunction with the walk in New York.

Personnel — Police/DPW: No report.

Streets/Equipment/Sanitation: Part time dump truck drivers rates will be decided at next month's meeting.

Property/Building/Ordinance: Two letters need to be written and sent regarding Ordinance #142 to the property owners at 100 Willow Avenue and 444 Florida Street for collapsed garages.

Beautification/Parks/Community Relations: The committee needs to meet to decide on where to use the cable revenue.

Laurium Housing Commission: No report.

New Business: President Miller read a letter of resignation which was accepted with regret by the council. A motion was made by Bausano and seconded by Zei to appoint George Twardzik to the Trustee position. Carried 6-0. A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Harrell to appoint Mark Bonenfant as President. Johnson, Harrell, Bausano, Twardzik, Zei and Lutz — Yes. Bonenfant — Abstain. Carried 6-0. President Bonenfant appoint Walter Johnson as President Pro-Tem. Twardzik will serve on the Recreation and Beautification/Parks/Community Relations committee. Bausano will be on the Streets/Equipment/Sanitation committee and taken off of the Beautification/Parks/Community Relations committee. Lutz will be the chair of the Beautification/Parks/Community Relations committee. President Bonenfant asked that the clerk submit an article to the Daily Mining Gazette thanking Miller for his years of service and also to inform the public of the change of officers. A motion was made by Lutz and seconded by Bausano to approve the final pay request to Chernick Construction for the Willow Avenue water main project in the amount of $19,539.00. Carried 7-0.

Old Business: Payne & Dolan should fix all of the problem spots on the streets before the snow flies.

The meeting adjourned at 7:44PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia M. Golus, Clerk

Village of Laurium