February 8, 2010 council meeting minutes
VILLAGE OF MATTAWAN
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 8, 2010
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER @ 7:00 pm
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ATTENDANCE
Present: Kucinich, Kirklin, Bemer, McLean, Markle, Spulick, Ashbaugh
Others present: Attorney Graham, Craig Shumaker of Fleis , Ruth Goheen and others.
4. WELCOME TO THE PUBLIC
5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEETING BEING RECORDED
6. OPEN PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT RESOLUTION FOR 3-4 MILS FOR ONE YEAR FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR POLICE
Motion by Markle, support by Spulick, to open the public hearing on adopting a resolution for 3-4 mills for one year for special assessment for police. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT ON POLICE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
John Stephani of Formula K Fun Park stated several years ago we had a vote of the people on raising taxes in the Village. The voters spoke. No more taxes. Then unbeknownst to most of us the Village Manager surreptitiously found a way to raise taxes on business owners of 60%, supposedly for a one year basis. This money was supposed to be used for police protection and all that really happened was a $100,000 was used to increase wages and benefits of the Village employees. Now we are committed to reaffirm this 60% increase every year or this village will be short a $100,000. Taxes can not keep going up. State and local governments must live on a balanced budget. Increases in inflation and property values as well as the new activity should supply all the new taxes that are necessary. Federal, State, and local governments have all committed themselves to unsustainable spending with yearly increases way beyond normal inflation. The Federal Government spends too much and can’t raise taxes or print more money so they push the expenses off on the states in the form of unfunded mandates. When the State runs out of money it can’t raise taxes they reduce school spending and revenue sharing. When cities and Villages need money they raise taxes when the Federal and State governments didn’t think they could. Now businesses lay off employees and that starts a downward cycle.
Joe Alexander of Powell Custom Homes stated he had addresses this issue at an earlier meeting but would like to reiterate that this is not a good time to raise taxes. At this time with cuts and layoffs it is just not the right time to raise taxes.
Greg Brininger of Wolverine Coach stated his business right now is about 40% off . You guys are killing everybody in this town. You want business to come and open in this town and you keep raising taxes. I know it is only a little bit but every little bit keeps going up and up.
Mike Walters from Comprehensive Investment stated he agreed with the others that this is a terrible idea at this time. My building has been here five years and my taxes have gone up 50%. I know I could not sell my building for 50% more than I paid for it. He stated he could go rent a building cheaper than what his taxes are. It is getting harder and harder to stay in this town. He feels this would really be a bad idea.
8. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING ON POLICE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
Motion by Kucinich, support by Ashbaugh, to close the public hearing on the police special assessment. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
9. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
President McLean moved old business A. to the end of the meeting for a closed session.
10. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion by Kucinich, support by Markle, to approve the agenda with the change. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
11. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 2010
Motion by Ashbaugh, support by Spulick, to approve the minutes of January 25, 2010 as printed. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
12. BILLS TO BE APPROVED IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,138.06
Motion by Markle, support by Kucinich, to pay the bills in the amount of $41,138.06. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
13. LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY AGENDA ITEM
There was no public comment.
14. BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. DPW COMMITTEE MEETING HELD JANUARY 27, 2010- CHAIR KUCINICH
Chair Kucinich stated they met on January 27th and discussed the MDOT bridge project, the 12th Street sewer issue, and the ICE project. Kucinich reminded all about the public MDOT meeting on February 25, 2010 at the school cafeteria to discuss the round a bouts.
B. DDA MEETING JANUARY 28, 2010 – PRESEIDENT MCLEAN
President McLean stated the DDA was trying to set up a budget but needed to get a list of projects first and get them prioritized. Joe Alexander of Powell asked if all his property was include in the DDA as the map indicated only part of the property was in the DDA. Tim Woodhams of Fleis was checking into this matter. McLean stated the next DDA meeting was February 25, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
15. STAFF REPORTS
A. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – TOM ANTHONY
Superintendent Anthony was ill and unable to attend the meeting. McLean asked all to read his report and if the had any questions to let her know and she would get with Tom to get them answered.
B. ENGINEERS REPORT – CRAIG SHUMAKER
Shumaker will report under the agenda item.
16. OLD BUSINESS
A. ICE PROJECT
Craig Shumaker will review the potential projects
Shumaker stated the notice of intent (NOI) was due on February 22, 2010. The 12th Street sewer issue is not eligible under the ICE grant. He stated there were several other projects we could use. The Main Street reconstruction from I-94 to McGillen was one project, replacing all the culverts was a less expensive, widening McGillen from the school to Main Street was another, and parking and village hall renovation was another. Shumaker stated the more match the village is willing to do the better the chances of receiving the grant. Council needs to make a decision as to what project they would like to do and how much match they are willing to do. Shumaker stated in the above projects you have up to $750,000 being the most expensive down to $150,000 being the least expensive.
After some discussion regarding each listed project it was decided to go with the widening of McGillen with sidewalks from the school to Main Street.
Motion by Ashbaugh, support by Spulick, to do the widening of McGillen west renovations from the school to Main Street with a 30% village match. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Markle, support by Kirklin, to have Fleis submit the NOI for the McGillen west project in the amount of $800. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
B. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Jamie Harmon of Wightman will be at the meeting to answer any questions regarding the buildings and grounds improvements added to the plan as requested. Please see enclosed sheet.
Jamie Harmon of Wightman stated if there were no more changes she would present the completed draft at the public hearing at the February 22, 2010.
17. NEW BUSINESS
A. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT SENIOR SERVICES BALLOT PROPOSAL
Through this resolution the Friends for Seniors’ is making a request to Antwerp Township to place up to one mil for senior services on the August 2010 ballot.
Olive Hamilton of the Friends for Seniors Committee stated the Committee has been presenting their proposal for a year and is asking Council to adopt the resolution to help fund these important programs for senior citizens. She is also attending the Antwerp Township meeting next week with the same proposal.
Motion by Kucinich, support by Spulick, to adopt the resolution to support senior services ballot proposal. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
B. PURCHASE OF 4” WATER METER FOR MATTAWAN SCHOOL
The later elementary building is having problems with the water meter. Superintendent Anthony has determined it is a faulty meter. The meter is a 4” meter and the cost is $2,430.
Motion by Kirklin, support by Kucinich, to purchase the water meter for the school in the amount not to exceed $2,430. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
C. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION FOR SPECIAL POLICE ASSESSMENT FOR ONE YEAR
Chief VerHage stated we have had the 3 mils since 2006 and the police department has been operating within the budget. He has heard concerns in the community regarding raising taxes, and he hates to see an increase at this time.
Markle asked Chief if we received the recent grant we applied for, for the school officer position. Chief stated we were not eligible for that grant at this time. Markle asked if we knew for sure we didn’t get that grant and Chief stated yes we received confirmation we did not receive the grant.
Markle stated that this year the assessments are going down, they were 1.044 and they are dropping to .997. So they would not receive a tax increase it would go down this year.
Ashbaugh stated that even if they did go down that little break is what everyone needs at this time, not more taxes.
Motion by Spulick, support by Kirklin, to set the special assessment for the police at 3 mils for one year. Roll call vote. Six members voted in favor. Markle voted no. Opposition noted. Motion carried.
D. PUD APPROVAL FOR TRADITIONS (BOVEN) PROJECT
Need a motion to table this in order to meet the 30 day requirement of the ordinance. Tim Woodhams suggested we put this on this agenda and table so we are covered. As soon as all the conditions are met and ok’d by Tim Woodhams we will proceed with the approval.
Attorney Graham stated this was the proper procedure to follow at this time.
Motion by Kirklin, support by Bemer, to table this project for appropriate action by Council under the Ordinance until all conditions have been met. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
E. PAINTING OF CONCORD WATER TOWER
Does Council want to move forward with the estimated cost from Dixon Engineering. Dixon did the water tower inspection and the estimated total cost is $125,000. The other company that does this type of work is Nelson Tank. Do you want just the “Mattawan” name on the tower or do you want the Mattawan Schools Wildcat logo as well? Estimated cost of the logo is $ 10-15,000. Superintendent Anthony recommends Dixon as they did the initial inspection and this is who we have used in the past. Dixon can have a contract and firm figures by next Council meeting and payment would not be required until next fiscal year. Superintendent Anthony recommends we send this to the DPW Committee for review and recommendation.
Attorney Graham stated he felt because of the amount of this project that the Ordinance requires another bid.
Motion by Markle, support by Spulick, to send this to the DPW Committee for review and recommendation with another bid. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
18. COMMUNICATIONS
a. MML Legislative Links for January 26, and February 2, 2010.
b. Letter from Louise Welling
19. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS
John Stephani of Formula K Fun Park asked why the MDOT had to go to closed session. Attorney Graham stated the reason to go to closed session is there is a very limited number of reasons why you go into closed session, and we can’t disclose the purpose at this time. It has nothing to do with safety or if there is going to be a round a bout. Stephani asked what about what it is going to do to me and my business. Bemer told him to come to the meeting on February 25th at the school and he could air his concerns, and that is what this meeting is for. McLean stated MDOT will review the whole plan and take public comments and concerns at that time.
Stephani stated in reference to the 60% tax increase, after we had a vote and it was voted down, and then overnight this 3 mils was done behind our backs, and now you are redoing it every year. He just can’t believe the village operated with out this all these years and now they have to have the 3 mils. When we no longer have our businesses and homes you will go broke just like the Federal government. The State government is broke, the Federal Government is broke and you will go broke too. Someplace we have to stop spending.
Motion by Bemer, support by Spulick, to move to closed session at 7:57 PM. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Kucinich, support by Bemer, to move back to open session at 8:19 PM. All members vote in favor. Motion carried.
20. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Bemer stated she had not ordered the banners yet as the flags cost more than anticipated and she wanted to get with Tom to sort things out.
Spulick stated he felt we should send the $500 limit back to finance for reconsideration to possibly raise it to $1,000 as Tom seems to go over this limit frequently. Bemer stated she would like to see him be more conscious of his spending and make sure he contacts proper authority before going over the limit.
Motion by Spulick, support by Kucinich, to send this issue to the Finance Committee for review and recommendation. Roll call vote. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.
21. ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.
