CITY OF MASON COUNCIL CHAMBERS

                                  201 W. ASH ST., MASON, MICHIGAN

                                     MASON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

                                                 FEBRUARY 4, 2002

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Whipple.

 

Present:            Council Members: Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

Also present:    Martin Colburn, City Administrator

Kathy Revels, Finance Director/Treasurer

Robert McCormick, Police Chief

Deborah Stein, Deputy Clerk

 

Mayor Whipple led in the Pledge of Allegiance and offered the invocation.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: January 21, 2002

It was moved by Preadmore and supported by Naeyaert to approve the Minutes of January 21, 2002 as corrected.  Page 3, insert Janet Higby for The resident at 120 Royce Street.  Page 4, sixth paragraph, second line, strike policy and insert ordinance; third line strike the insert in.  Page 5, second paragraph, last word, change hole to whole.  Page 12, under Presentation,  fifth line, strike service and insert survey.

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

  No  (0)                                                                                             

MOTION CARRIED

APPROVAL OF BILLS       

It was moved by Soule and supported by Clark to approve the payment of the bills in the amount of $125,784.45 as submitted.  

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

  No  (0)                                                                                             

MOTION CARRIED

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

Matt Davis of 1009 Foxborough, Williamston stated that he is running for the 67th House District and gave a brief description of his professional and personal history. 

 

REGULAR BUSINESS

Resolution No. 2002-03 - Additions to the Consumers Energy Street Lighting Contract

Resolution No. 2002-03 was introduced by Soule and seconded by Clark.

 

                                                                      CITY OF MASON

                                                     CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2002-03

ADDITIONS TO THE

STANDARD STREETLIGHTING CONTRACT

BETWEEN THE CITY AND CONSUMERS ENERGY COMPANY

                                                                                               February 4, 2002

 

                RESOLVED, that it is hereby deemed advisable to authorize Consumers Energy Company to make changes in the streetlighting service as is provided in the Standard Streetlighting Contract Between the Company and the City of Mason, dated October 28, 1977, in accordance with the Authorization for Changes in Standard Streetlighting Contract dated as of February 4, 2002, for installation of two (2) streetlights on Coppersmith at the Sanctuary, Rayner Ponds, heretofore submitted to and considered by this Council; and

 

RESOLVED, further, that the Mayor and the City Clerk be and are authorized to execute such authorizations for change on behalf of the City of Mason

 

Yes: (7) Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

No: (0)

 

Bid - Auditor Proposal for 2002-2005

Discussion was held on the four auditor proposal bids.  The audit proposal is being requested for a four year period rather than a three year period.   Layton & Richardson has experience with the city and will be better suited to assist with the future implementation GASB 34.

It was moved by Helbig and seconded by Howe to accept the proposal of Layton & Richardon, P.C. for a total of $47,800 for city audits from the years 2002 through 2005.

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

  No  (0)                                                                                         MOTION CARRIED

 

Letter of Agreement - Michael R. Kluck

Discussion was held on the proposed letter of agreement with the current labor attorney for the city, Michael R. Kluck, indicating an increase in the monthly retainer from $675 to $800.  An adjustment has not been made since 1994.

 

It was moved by Soule and seconded by Naeyaert to execute the letter of Agreement compensating the City of Mason Labor Attorney, Michael R. Kluck and Associates, with an $800 monthly retainer.

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

  No  (0)                                                                                         MOTION CARRIED

 

Purchase of Property - North Mason Street

Discussion was held on the City’s three $2,700 proposals for properties located on North Mason Street.  Administrator Colburn commented that the properties are next to city owned property where leaves, etc., are stored for the compost pile.  He commented on the known contaminates stating that at one time the adjacent property was the city land fill and that Americhem has negatively influenced the land.  Recently, the Ingham County Environmental Office discussed the purchasing of the property with potential buyers.  However, it was concluded that the County would not guarantee releasing liability of the property to a new owner even with the environmental studies due to two circumstances where the state had written letters indicating that they could not cure the properties of certain liabilities.  Because it is next to City owned property it may be valuable to the City in the future due to the location and zoning.

 

It was moved by Preadmore and seconded by Howe to authorize the City Administrator to purchase three properties located on North Mason Street, known as Property ID #33-19-10-05-252-002, Property ID #33-19-10-05-252-003, and Property ID #33-18-10-05-252-004, for $2,700 per lot for a total of $8,100

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

  No  (0)                            

MOTION CARRIED

 

Mason Police Department - Annual Report 2001

Police Chief Robert McCormick commented on the 2001 Annual Report.  He stated that the 1999 grant that was written for computer equipment and software has improved documentation.  He commented on the benefits of the School Resource Liaison Program and the neighborhood watch program.

 

It was moved by Preadmore and seconded by Clark to accept the 2001 Annual Police Department Report and place it on file.

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

  No  (0)          

MOTION CARRIED

 

Traffic Control Order - East Entrance of the Cemetery off of Jefferson Street

Discussion was held to request a Traffic Control Order (TCO) prohibiting parking from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. year round on the city parking lot located at the East entrance of Maple Grove Cemetery off of Jefferson Street.  Snow removal has been difficult due to vehicles that are parked there overnight.  Discussion followed on restricting parking to authorized vehicles only.

 

It was moved by Clark and seconded by Naeyaert to request a TCO be written to prohibit parking at the East entrance of the Maple Grove Cemetery off of Jefferson Street 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

  No  (0)

MOTION CARRIED

 

Traffic Control Order - Northbrook at E. Eugenia Drive

Discussion was held on the recommendation of the Traffic Commission to replace a yield sign with a stop sign at the corner of Northbrook and E. Eugenia Drive. 

 

It was moved by Soule and seconded by Clark to request a TCO be written to establish a stop sign on the corner of Northbrook and E. Eugenia Drive

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Soule, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Howe, Clark, Helbig, Whipple

  No  (0)

MOTION CARRIED

Presentation - Special Assessment Hardship Deferral

Discussion was held to establish an ordinance allowing hardship deferrals for special assessments.  It was the consensus of the council to revisit this item after the current City Ordinances are codified.  In the meantime, Attorney McGinty will work with Councilmember Helbig to develop guidelines and criteria for qualifying thresholds.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

·        None

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion was held to request the Traffic Commission to consider limiting parking on one side of W. South Street, east of Cedar Street, to help offset the increased traffic.  It was discussed that the closing of Lear plants will not have a negative impact on Mason, but that Lear representatives have indicated that they may need to consider an expansion.  Mayor Whipple provided Council with a publication of the “Mayor” and a copy of the City Administrator’s Performance Evaluation, City Council Rating Form, and Department Head Input Forms.  He commented that the forms will be on the next agenda for discussion and adoption.

 

COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE

·          Frank Guerriero, Thank You Note

 

LIAISON REPORT

·          Planning Commission

Mayor Pro Tem Soule commented that the preliminary site plan review for Hidden Lakes was deferred at the January meeting.   A Master Plan Workshop was held January 26, 2002. 

 

·          Cable Commission

Robert Clark, Cable Commission Chairman commented on the January 16th Cable Commission meeting.  The next meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.  Mr. Clark has been reappointed as the City Council Liaison.  Discussion was held on providing use of the video equipment in the community room downstairs.

 

·          Downtown Development Authority

Mayor Whipple commented that DDA meetings will be the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m.  The DDA is developing their budget for the upcoming year to include funds for the Facade Grant Program as well as a proposed loan program.

 

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Administrator Colburn commented on snow removal for the largest snow of the year.  He commented on the Master Plan Meeting.  The remaining City Hall and Police Department doors have been made compliant with ADA requirements.  Discussion was held on possible dates for Mayor Exchange Day with the Village of Chelsea.  Mr. Colburn commented that a plan for Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) would be presented to the Council at a work session February 18 at 6:30 p.m.

 

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

·          None

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

_________________________                                        ________________________

Martin A. Colburn, City Clerk                                      Russell W. Whipple, Mayor