VILLAGE OF SARANAC

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

April 13, 2009

 

The Saranac Village Council Regular Meeting was called to order by President Grieves at 7:00 p.m. at the Saranac Municipal Building, 10 N. Bridge Street.

 

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Present:      President Grieves, Shaler, Straubel, trustees – Darby, Grant, Klutman, McClellan, Whorley, Yaw, DPW Bowen

 

Motion was made by Grant, supported by McClellan, to approve the Regular Agenda.  All yeas.

 

Public Comments – None.

 

Motion was made by Darby, supported by McClellan, to accept the minutes of the March 9, 2009 Regular Meeting.  All yeas.

 

Motion was made by Grant, supported by Klutman, to approve the Treasurer’s Report of March 31, 2009.  All yeas.

 

Motion was made by Whorley, supported by Yaw, to approve the Accounts Payable of April 13, 2009 in the amount of $108,275.74.

Roll call vote: yeas – Darby, Grant, Grieves, Klutman, McClellan, Whorley, Yaw; nays – none; absent – none.

 

The Zoning Administrator’s report was reviewed.

 

The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on April 1, 2009, to provide the public an opportunity to comment on proposed zoning ordinance amendments to comply with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (MEZA).  No public was present to comment.  The Planning Commission approved the amendments to the zoning ordinance, as suggested and prepared by Jeanne Vandersloot, Zoning Administrator.  The commission is recommending that council adopt an ordinance to amend the Village of Saranac Zoning Ordinance to comply with the MEZA.

 

Council reviewed proposed Ordinance #91, an ordinance to amend to the Village of Saranac Zoning Ordinance to comply with the MEZA. 

 

Motion was made by McClellan, supported by Klutman, to adopt by Resolution (complete copy attached) Ordinance #91, an ordinance to amend the Village of Saranac Zoning Ordinance to comply with the MEZA.  All yeas.

 

Grieves received a letter from Angela Stephens, Saranac Housing Commission Executive Director, requesting that the village council re-appoint Sharon York to the Saranac Housing Commission Board as Tenant Commissioner.

 

Motion was made by Yaw, supported by Whorley, to re-appoint Sharon York to the Saranac Housing Commission Board as Tenant Commissioner with a 5-year term to expire May 1, 2014.  All yeas.

 

 

 

 

Village of Saranac

Minutes 4/13/09

Page 2 of 4

 

Committee Reports

 

Communications

 

Grant reported on items of interest.

 

Skatepark

 

Possible dates were discussed for installation of the new skatepark equipment and for the grand re-opening promotional event.  Dates proposed were May 9th for installation and May 30th for the promotional event.  Straubel will confirm these dates with the Superior Play Representative. 

 

Volunteers will be needed for equipment installation on May 9th.  Straubel will contact the school and Bowen will inform skatepark users.

 

Parks & Recreation

 

The Parks Committee has received two bids for a security system at Scheid Park.  Two more bids are expected.  References will be requested of the bidders.  Council discussed the number, features and placement of cameras.  Council members concurred that the cameras should be placed on the DPW building as opposed to on poles in the park, to minimize potential vandalism of the cameras.  The Parks Committee will meet to discuss bids and report back to council.

 

Yaw gave an update on “Rails to Trails”.

 

Law Enforcement

 

Yaw reported on the committee’s meeting with Deputy Pieters.

 

Council revisited in detail, the issue of enforcement of the Village of Saranac ordinance pertaining to dogs and cats.  Village Attorney Jim Doezema, has recommended that council repeal the ordinance in its entirety and defer to Ionia County’s Animal Control Ordinance.

 

Motion was made by Whorley, supported by Klutman, to repeal the Dogs and Cats Ordinance, Section 4-31 through 4-36 of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Saranac.  All yeas.  

 

Water/Sewer

 

The committee met and discussed Doezema’s suggestions for revisions to the Sewer and Water Resolution pertaining to rental properties.  The committee is requesting clarification on language, before making a recommendation to council. 

 

The Water/Sewer Committee would like to research the possibility of going to radio read type water meters.

 

Bowen reported that well 4 was pulled for complete overhaul and maintenance and has been put back on line.

 

Bowen reported that he is working on a bid for a five year internal inspection on the tank of the water tower.  The inspection must be performed by a skin diver.

 

Village of Saranac

Minutes 4/13/09

Page 3 of 4

 

The need for a new trash pump was discussed, as the old one has expired.  Grieves informed council members of an opportunity to purchase a new trash pump for $800.00.

 

Motion was made by Yaw, supported by Grant, to purchase a TTP300 3x3 Trash Pump for $800.00, from Doug Borup.

Roll call vote: yeas – Darby, Grant, Grieves, Klutman, McClellan, Whorley, Yaw; nays – none; absent – none.

 

Streets

 

Klutman reported on the Street Committee’s meeting. 

 

Spring Clean-up is scheduled for the week of May 4th.  Fliers will be delivered to village residents the week of April 20th.

 

Bowen informed council that some sidewalks are in need of repair, mainly where recent sewer repairs have taken place.

 

Bowen reported on stimulus funding for Mill Street.

 

Council discussed a possible issue regarding the width of Mill Street and MDOT requirements.

 

The contractor that laid the chip and seal agreed that it didn’t adhere as it should have.  Bowen is waiting to hear back on how they plan to resolve the issue.

 

Personnel

 

Darby inquired as to whether Grant and Yaw have signed the Acknowledgement Statement of the Ethics Policy, as they were not in attendance and the last council meeting.  They have not yet signed the document.  Straubel will see that Grant and Yaw are provided with a copy.

 

Pursuant to Straubel’s request to reinstate her previous “in lieu of insurance” benefit, council revisited and discussed the “opt out of insurance” options that were presented at the March 9th council meeting. 

 

On behalf of the Personnel Committee, Darby suggested and “opt out” amount of $50 per week for any employee who wishes to “opt out”, provided they produce evidence of alternate health insurance coverage.

 

Straubel suggested an “opt out” amount equal to the employer paid portion of the single health insurance premium, giving the employee who wishes to “opt out”, the same benefit as a single employee. 

 

Motion was made by Yaw, supported by Grant, to offer Village of Saranac employees, an “opt out of insurance” amount equal to that of the employer paid portion of the single health insurance premium, that amount currently being $377.15 per month (90% of $419.05).  The employee must provide proof of alternate health insurance coverage.

Roll call vote: yeas – Grant, Klutman, Whorley, Yaw; nays – Darby, Grieves, McClellan; absent – none.

 

 

Village of Saranac

Minutes 4/13/09

Page 4 of 4

 

Public Comments – None.

 

Additional Business – None.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Kerri L. Shaler, Clerk