VILLAGE
OF SARANAC
REGULAR
MEETING MINUTES
June 8, 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,
trustees – Darby, Grant, Klutman (arrived at 8:25), McClellan, Whorley, Yaw, DPW
Bowen
Absent: Straubel
Guests: Marianne Barrone, Don
Benjamin, Brad Wittenbach
Motion was made by Grant, supported by McClellan, to
approve the Regular Agenda. All yeas.
Public Comments
Marianne Barrone, from Master Gardeners of Ionia County, reported
on the progress of landscaping the walkway that connects Bridge Street to Erv
Taylor Avenue. The project came in
under budget and is scheduled to be completed by June 14th. The DPW will look into watering options, as
well as mulch.
Shari Lawarre, Library Board Member had planned to attend
the council meeting but was unable to.
Bowen informed council members of her inquiry regarding a 5K run in the
village. Bowen expressed concerns
regarding liability and street closures.
Straubel will contact the village’s liability insurance agent and
inquire about coverage for special events such as this.
Motion was made by Yaw, supported by McClellan, to accept the minutes of the May 11, 2009 Regular Meeting. All yeas.
Motion was made by Whorley, supported by Darby, to approve the Treasurer’s Report of May 31, 2009. All yeas.
Motion was made by McClellan, supported by Yaw, to approve the Accounts Payable of June 8, 2009 in the amount of $73,139.34.
Roll call vote: yeas – Darby, Grant, Grieves, McClellan, Whorley, Yaw; nays – none; absent – Klutman.
The Zoning Administrator’s report was reviewed.
Council reviewed the minutes of the June 3, 2009 Planning Commission meeting.
Council discussed the commission’s motion to appoint Jason Ricket to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission. Ricket is not a village resident and although the ordinance allows for the appointment of a non-resident, council concurred to advertise the vacancy to make village residents aware of the opportunity to serve.
Motion was made by Darby, supported by Yaw, to table the Planning Commission’s request to appoint Jason Ricket to the Planning Commission and advertise the open position to provide village residents the opportunity to apply. All yeas.
Grieves appointed Kevin Klutman as Jim Grant’s successor on the Planning Commission.
Village of Saranac
Minutes 6/8/09
Page 2 of 3
Motion was made by Grant, supported by McClellan, to reappoint Wesley Hackett, Gerald Kauffman and Mark Talcott to the Saranac Planning Commission with 3 year terms to expire June, 2012. All yeas.
Committee Reports
Personnel
Darby reported that the Personnel Committee’s next project is Environmental Labor Law. The committee will meet June 17, 2009.
Legislative
Grant reported on items of interest.
Communications
Grant reported on items of interest.
Law Enforcement
Yaw reported on the committee’s meeting with Deputy Pieters. Pursuant to a resident’s concern regarding traffic speed, a digital speed sign will be placed on Church Street for a period of time.
Parks & Recreation
Yaw reported on the success of the Skatepark’s Grand Re-opening.
Yaw reported on the status of “Rails to Trails”.
Bowen reported on the progress of the new shelter. The installation of the surveillance system in Scheid Park will begin June 9th.
Council discussed the idea of internet access at the DPW and concurred to contact Broadstripe to schedule installation.
Bowen revisited the proposal submitted by Fleis & VandenBrink for design of a storm sewer to enclose the ditch that runs along the west property line of Scheid Park.
Motion was made by Grant, supported by Yaw, to accept the bid from Fleis & VandenBrink for design of a storm sewer to enclose the ditch that runs along the west property line of Scheid Park, in the amount of $1,200.00.
Roll call vote: yeas – Darby, Grant, Grieves, McClellan, Whorley, Yaw; nays – none; absent – Klutman.
Water & Sewer
Bowen reported that the two required treatments for duckweed have been applied to the sewer lagoons.
Village of Saranac
Minutes 6/8/09
Page 3 of 3
Bowen reported that Overbeck Construction contacted him regarding an addition to the office of Doctor’s Schmid, Rouse & Edmondson. An addition would first require moving a sewer main, located in an easement which runs across the lot.
Motion was made by McClellan, supported by Whorley, to request Fleis & VandenBrink to report on the feasibility of relocating the sewer main at 107 N. Bridge Street and if feasible, to prepare an estimate for design, construction and engineering costs.
Roll call vote: yeas – Darby, Grant, Grieves, McClellan, Whorley, Yaw; nays – none; absent – Klutman.
Streets
Bowen reported that Lowell has sold their street sweeper and Ionia requires a 2 to 4 week lead time for sweeping our streets. Bowen will contact area contractors to obtain estimates on contracting our street sweeping and will report back at the July council meeting.
Bowen reported that the DPW had to mow two lawns, as complaints were received about the condition of the properties.
Mill Street will go out for bid this fall with expected reconstruction in Spring 2010.
Buildings & Grounds
Whorley reported on the committee’s meeting.
Council again discussed at length, the Fire Department’s need for more room and the fact that the current building is land locked. After discussing the fact that we have conducted several years of research and gotten certified appraisals on surrounding properties it was suggested that we conduct a feasibility study regarding the possibility of allowing the Fire Department full use of the entire building and relocating the village offices.
Bowen will contact Overbeck Construction to discuss the costs involved with the possible purchase and renovation of another building in the downtown area for village offices and will report back at the July council meeting.
Public Comments – None.
Additional Business – None.
Meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
Kerri L.
Shaler, Clerk