CITY OF MASON COUNCIL
CHAMBERS
201
W. ASH ST., MASON, MICHIGAN
MASON
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST
20, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m.
by Mayor Whipple.
Present: Council Members: Clark, Howe, Soule, Birdsall,
Helbig, Preadmore, Whipple
Also present: Martin
Colburn, City Administrator
Dennis McGinty, City Attorney
Norman Austin, Financial Director/Treasurer
Robert McCormick, Police Chief
Councilmember Clark led in the Pledge of
Allegiance and offered the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL
MEETING: August 6, 2001
The Minutes of August 6, 2001 were approved
as written.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
It was moved by Howe and supported by Preadmore to approve
the payment of the bills in the amount of $304,219.76 as submitted.
VOTE: Yes (7) Clark, Howe, Soule,
Birdsall, Helbig, Preadmore, Whipple
No (0) MOTION CARRIED
PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR
·
None
REGULAR BUSINESS
Resolution No. 2001-49 - City Administrator’s
Performance Review
It was discussed that a workshop was held
prior to the regular meeting on the City Administrator’s Performance
Review. A new performance review form
was presented to the Council at that time.
Several changes were recommended.
Because there were changes, the Council did not want to act on this
Resolution at this time.
It was moved by Preadmore and seconded by Clark to defer
Resolution No. 2001-49 to the next meeting.
VOTE: Yes (7) Clark, Howe, Soule,
Birdsall, Helbig, Preadmore, Whipple
No (0) MOTION CARRIED
Resolution 2001-50 - Appointment of Mason DDA
Executive Director
Mayor Whipple explained that Councilmember
Birdsall’s abstention from the last meeting carries over to this meeting, as it is the same subject with a modified
resolution.
Resolution 2001-50 was introduced by Clark seconded by Helbig.
CITY OF MASON
CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2001- 50
APPOINTMENT OF MASON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
August 20, 2001
WHEREAS, the
Mason Downtown Development Authority may employ an Executive Director of the
Authority, pursuant to the provisions of the Downtown Development Authority
Act, 1975 PA 197, Section 5; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5 of the DDA Act 197, a
contract between the Mason Downtown Development Authority and the appointee is
subject to prior approval of the City Council; and with a base salary
established at $20,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Mason does
hereby approve the appointment of an Executive Director of the Mason Downtown
Development Authority, the compensation for services to be paid as set forth in
the employment agreement and the premium on the bond.
YES: (6) Clark, Howe, Soule, Helbig, Preadmore, Whipple
NO: (0)
ABSTAIN: (1) Birdsall
Bid - In-Car Video/Audio Camera
Three bids were received for the purchase of
the in-car video/audio cameras for the Police Department. Chief McCormick commented that upon his
research, he is recommending purchasing
the Mobile Vision product. He detailed
why this company exceeded the others and indicated that he and City Administrator Colburn recommend
purchasing the Mobile Vision product.
It was moved by Helbig and seconded by Clark to purchase
four (4) In-Car Video Cameras from Mobile Vision for $16,160 with one half of
the funds coming from Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA), the
city’s liability, property, and vehicle insurance pool.
VOTE: Yes (7) Clark, Howe, Soule,
Birdsall, Helbig, Preadmore, Whipple
No (0) MOTION CARRIED
Bid - Snow Plow
Three bids were received by the city for the
purchase of a snow plow for the large trucks.
It was moved by Soule and seconded by Birdsall to accept
the bid of Van Kal Truck Equipment in the amount of $3,889.
A discussion ensued. Council asked the Administrator if the two
bids of Van Kal and Truck and Trailer were the same. There is some concern over the casters and shoes. Administrator Colburn said he would check
with the D.P.W. Director Dean.
It was moved by Birdsall and seconded by Clark to defer
this matter to the next meeting.
VOTE: Yes (7) Clark, Howe, Soule,
Birdsall, Helbig, Preadmore, Whipple
No (0) MOTION CARRIED
Waiver of Fees - Parade Application
A Goldwing motorcycle association approached
Groves Motor Sports about hosting their annual “Watermelon Festival.” There will be between 1,500 - 2,000
people. They are requesting that
the permit fee and the overtime charges
for police officers for the parade be waived. A brief discussion ensued.
It was moved by Clark and seconded by Preadmore to waive
the permit fees and any other charges for the Goldwing motorcycle parade.
VOTE: Yes (0)
No (7) Clark, Howe, Soule, Birdsall, Helbig, Preadmore, Whipple
MOTION
FAILED
Discussion - City Council Vacancy
Mayor Whipple advised the Council of the
procedure as prescribed by the City Charter to fill a vacancy on the
council. He stated that an apparent
vacancy will occur in the near future because of the upcoming appointment of
Phillip Birdsall as DDA Director. A
discussion ensued. The Mayor suggested
a workshop whereby Councilmembers could nominate a candidate. Clark suggested that letters be solicited
from anyone who would like to serve. It
was discussed that Councilmember Birdsall will abstain from voting on the
potential vacancy.
It was moved by Clark and seconded by Helbig to advertise
in the local paper a potential vacancy in the City Council and request letters
of application from interested residents in the City. Further, said application letters must be submitted by 12:00
noon, Tuesday, September 4, 2001.
VOTE: Yes (6) Clark, Howe, Soule,
Helbig, Preadmore, Whipple
No (0)
Abstain (1) Birdsall MOTION CARRIED
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Councilmember Helbig asked if anyone on the
Council has received any comments about the parking lot on Park Street and the
closing time that was changed by the Council.
There were no comments from other Councilmembers.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Clark asked that the item of
naming Fire Station No.1 the “James M. Pelton Building” be placed on the next
agenda.
COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE
A letter from Sheriff Gene Wigglesworth was
received complimenting the Fire Department and especially Captain Kerry
Minshall for their cooperation with an arson and homicide in Vevay Township.
LIAISON REPORT
Councilmember Soule reported that the
Planning Commission had a special meeting on August 9th to work on
the Master Plan. He reminded Council
that they are invited to join the special sessions coming up on Friday and
Saturday, September 7th and 8th to work on the Master
Plan. Mayor Whipple reported that the
DDA had met and approved the contract language for the Executive Director,
worked on finding office space for the Director, and talked about the old Fire
Station on Jefferson Street, that now belongs to them.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Colburn commented on the loss
of Fire Chief Jim Pelton due to an auto accident. He has appointed Assistant Fire Chief Dave Scutt as the Acting
Chief. The contract has been signed to
drill Well #7 on the Ingham County Fairground property. The Planning Commission is making progress
on the Master Plan. He provided the
council with the official results of the City of Mason Special Election held on
August 7, 2001. The two Charter
Amendments passed. Also, Lansing
Community College has requested a special election to raise millage on November
6, 2001. It was approved by Ingham
County Election Scheduling Committee on August 15, 2001. He invited the Council to a special meeting
in Dewitt Township on August 21st and Delhi Township on August 22nd
in which Dan Burden, an internationally recognized bicycle, pedestrian, and
transportation planner, will be speaking and showing slides. He visited our city and expressed that he is
impressed with the innovative planning.
PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR
Councilmember Birdsall acknowledged and
thanked Administrator Colburn, City Staff, and the Fire Department for the fine
job they did in honoring Fire Chief Jim Pelton.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
_________________________ ________________________
Martin A. Colburn, City Clerk Russell W. Whipple, Mayor