CITY OF MASON COUNCIL CHAMBERS

                  201 W. ASH ST., MASON, MICHIGAN

                    MASON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

                                    May 20, 2002

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:38 p.m. by Mayor Whipple.

 

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

Also present:      Martin Colburn, City Administrator

Dennis McGinty, City Attorney

Joe Dean, DPW Director

Kathy Revels, Finance Director/Treasurer

Jim Howard, Planning/Development Director

Deborah Stein, Deputy Clerk

Absent:        Council Member:  Soule

 

Council Member Howe led in the Pledge of Allegiance and offered the invocation.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: May 6, 2002

The Minutes of May 6, 2002 were approved as written.

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS         

Motion by Howe, supported by Preadmore,

 

To approve the payment of the bills in the amount of $55,512.68 as submitted. 

 

VOTE: Yes (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

  No  (0)                                                                    

MOTION CARRIED

 

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

Judge Beverly Nettles-Nickerson, 54th District Court, introduced herself and stated that she is running for Circuit Court Judge.

 

It was the consensus of the Council to amend the agenda to move Item #14, Executive Session, after Item #7A, Public Hearing - Budget.

 

REGULAR BUSINESS

Public Hearing - Budget

Mayor Whipple opened the public hearing at 7:42 p.m.

 

Administrator Colburn commented that there will likely be an amendment to the budget due to to skate park design changes to include the required cement work for the dasher boards and contingency funding.

 

Mayor Whipple closed the public hearing at 7:45 p.m.

 

Executive Session

Motion by Clark, supported by Helbig,

 

To adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel issues. 

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

   No  (0)                                                                   

MOTION CARRIED

The meeting adjourned into executive session at 7:46 p.m. and reconvened at 8:13 p.m.

 

Water and Sewer Rates

Larry Briggs, Chairperson of the Water and Sewer Rates Committee, and DPW Director Dean commented on the recommended increase for water and sewer rates.  Increases were based on the current Consumer Price Index (CPI).  A brief discussion ensued. 

 

Motion by Helbig, supported by Howe,

To accept the Water & Sewer Rate Study Committee rate increase and changes to the Directory of Charges, effective July1, 2002.

 

VOTE: Yes (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

  No  (0)                                                                    

MOTION CARRIED

 

Maple Grove Cemetery Rates

DPW Director Joe Dean commented on the Cemetery Board recommended price increases.

 

Motion by Preadmore, supported by Howe,

 

To accept the Cemetery Board's recommendation for rate increase and changes to the Directory of Charges, effective July1, 2002.

 

VOTE: Yes (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

  No  (0)                                                                    

MOTION CARRIED

 

Resolution No. 2002-21 - Adoption of 2002 - 2003 Budget

Resolution No. 2002-21 was introduced by Howe and seconded by Preadmore.

 

CITY OF MASON

                                                                CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2002-21

                                                                                            MAY 20, 2002

 

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Mason did hold a public hearing on the proposed 2002-2003 fiscal year budget on Monday, May 20, 2002, as prescribed by law: now therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the proposed 2002-2003 Operating Budget herewith filed with the City Clerk, providing for the sums of $10,526,650 for expenditures for municipal purposes for General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Capital Project Funds, Trust and Agency Funds, Enterprise Funds, Intergovernmental funds, and Special Assessment Funds for the 2002-2003 fiscal year, and that of the said amount the sum of $1,964,221 shall be raised by taxes, or a levy of 13.25 mills, upon real and personal property of the City of Mason; and

 

RESOLVED FURTHER, that whereas the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) budget for 2002-2003 is forwarded to the City Council for its approval, and whereas the captured State Equalization Taxable Valuation for the DDA District is $1,605,703; the sum of $21,275 shall be placed in the DDA Fund along with other taxing jurisdictions’ appropriate tax dollar amounts, and together this money will be used for future public improvements within the District, and bond payments; and

 

RESOLVED FURTHER, that whereas the Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) budget for 2002-2003 is forwarded to the City Council for its approval, and whereas the captured State Equalization Taxable Valuation for the LDFA District is $24,426,207; the sum of $323,647 shall be placed in the LDFA Fund along with other taxing jurisdictions’ appropriate tax dollar amounts, and together this money will be used for future public improvements within the District, and bond payments; and

 

RESOLVED FURTHER,  that the 2002-2003 Governmental Fund Budgets shall be automatically amended on July 1, 2002 to re-appropriate encumbrances outstanding and reserved on June 30, 2002,

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Mason hereby adopts the 2002-2003 proposed fiscal year budget which is currently on file in the office of the City Clerk.

 

Yes: (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

No:  (0)

 

CLERK’S CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the City Council at its regular meeting held Monday, May 20, 2002, the original of which is part of the Council’s minutes.                                 

_______________________________

MARTIN A. COLBURN

CITY CLERK

 

Public Hearing - Lear  Technologies, LLC - IFT

Mayor Whipple opened the public hearing at 8:46 p.m.

 

Kirk Fisher stated that he is with the corporate tax department at Lear Technologies, LLC.  He  commented on the request for a 12 year Industrial Facility Exemption Certificate and tax abatement.  Lear is proposing to invest approximately four million dollars in improvements to the plant and create 114 new jobs.

 

Mayor Whipple closed the public hearing at 8:54 p.m.

 

Resolution No. 2002-19 - Resolution to Participate with Local Government Consortium to Prepare the Watershed  Management  Plan for the Grand  River  Watershed  as Part of the

Greater  Lansing Area  Regional  NPDES  Phase II Storm Water Program

DPW Director Dean commented on the meeting held with local governments who are required by federal law to obtain permits from Michigan DEQ and comply with the Storm Water Phase II rules.  The City of Mason currently does not meet the federal criteria and is not required to follow the established rules.  However, the plan will have direct implications on the city.  The city was invited to the meeting to participate with input and the decision making process.  There is a fee of $438 which is proportionate to our size community to the group as a whole.    

 

CITY OF MASON

CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2002-19

 

RESOLUTION TO PARTICIPATE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSORTIUM TO PREPARE THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE GRAND RIVER WATERSHED AS PART OF THE GREATER LANSING AREA REGIONAL NPDES PHASE II STORM WATER PROGRAM.

 

                                                                                             May 20, 2002

 

WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requiring nine communities in the greater Lansing area to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II (NPDES II) permit by March 2003; and

 

WHEREAS, nine communities consisting of the City of Lansing, City of East Lansing, Meridian Charter Township, Lansing Charter Township, Delta Charter Township, Delhi Charter Township, Bath Charter Township, DeWitt Charter Township and Williamstown Township have previously established the Greater Lansing Area Regional NPDES Phase II Storm Water Regulations Committee; and

WHEREAS, the City of Mason has been notified by this consortium of communities that their preparation and approval of a storm water and watershed management plan will have an impact within our governmental jurisdiction; and 

 

WHEREAS, this governmental resolution will establish a relationship with the consortium of communities, allowing participation and input on issues that will impact the drainage within the City of Mason; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Mason, Michigan does hereby authorize participation with a consortium of communities in preparation of the Watershed Management Plan for the Grand River Watershed as part of the Greater Lansing Area Regional NPDES Phase II storm water program and authorizes the expenditure of $438.00 as the cities contribution towards the cost of the plan.

 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Mason City Council must approve the final voluntary permit before submission to the State of Michigan.

 

YES: (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

 NO: (0)

 

CLERK’S CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Mason City Council at its regular meeting held May 20, 2002, the original of which is part of the City Council’s minutes.                                                                                                            _______________________

Martin A. Colburn, Clerk

City of Mason

Ingham County, Michigan

 

Resolution No. 2002-20 - Resolution to Suspend Petition for Locating, Establishing, and Constructing a  Drain or  Drains or Any Portion  Thereof, In Which District the S-3700  Sycamore Creek Drain, Having Been Applied for, Was to Be Located

Resolution No. 2002-20 was introduced by Howe and supported by Preadmore.

 

CITY OF MASON

CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2002-20

 

 RESOLUTION TO SUSPEND PETITION FOR LOCATING, ESTABLISHING,

AND CONSTRUCTING A DRAIN OR DRAINS OR ANY PORTION THEREOF,

IN WHICH  DISTRICT THE S-3700 SYCAMORE CREEK DRAIN,

HAVING BEEN APPLIED FOR, WAS TO BE LOCATED.

 

                                                                                             May 20, 2002

 

WHEREAS, on May 5, 1986, the City Council of the City of Mason approved Resolution No. 86-14, which approved submission of an application to the Ingham County Drain Commissioner requesting the layout and designation of an intra-county drainage district within the Sycamore Creek Watershed; and

 

WHEREAS, the intent was to effect solution to drainage concerns in those areas of Mason drained by and included in the watershed of Sycamore Creek; and

 

WHEREAS, on December 15, 1997, the City Council of the City of Mason approved Resolution No. 97-48, which approved submission of petition for the Ingham County Drain Commissioner, requesting the location, establishment and construction of the S-3700 Sycamore Creek Drain; and

 

WHEREAS, the City of Mason is working with a Consortium of local governments to prepare the watershed management plans for the Grand River Watershed, Red Cedar River Watershed, and the Remey Chandler Inter-County Drainage District; and

 

WHEREAS, the Mason City Council believes it to be in the best interests of the residents of the City of Mason to suspend further efforts to establish the Sycamore Creek Watershed as a county drain until such time as the Watershed Management Plan is completed and received by the City and the City Council has an opportunity to fully consider the recommendations of the plan and the alternative means available to the City to address drainage concerns within the Sycamore Creek Watershed.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Mason, Michigan, suspends indefinitely the prior requests for the Ingham County Drain Commissioner’s office to locate, establish and construct the S-3700 Sycamore Creek Drain and further requests that the Ingham County Drain Commissioner take no further steps to proceed with the establishment of the Sycamore Creek Drain until further action of the City Council.

YES: (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

 NO: (0)

 

CLERK’S CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Mason City Council at its regular meeting held May 20, 2002, the original of which is part of the City Council’s minutes.

______________________

Martin A. Colburn, Clerk

City of Mason

Ingham County, Michigan

 

Sanitary Sewer and Water Systems Acceptance for the Landings at Rayner Ponds - Phase II

It was discussed to accept the sanitary, storm, and water utilities in Phase II of The Landings condominium development.

 

Motion by Preadmore, supported by Howe,

 

To accept the water and sewer utilities of The Landings of Rayner Ponds Phase II as public utilities.

 

VOTE: Yes (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

No  (0)                                                                                          

MOTION CARRIED

 

Ash Street Well No. 5 Renovation

DPW Director Dean requested that the normal bid process be waived and extend the contract with Peerless-Midwest for renovations to Well No. 5.  He commented that a public bid was let on the Hayes Park Well this winter and the Ash Street Well is identical in construction and configuration to the Hayes Park Well. 

 

Motion by Preadmore, supported by Howe,

 

To waive the bid process and authorize Peerless-Midwest to renovate the Ash Street Well No. 5.

 

VOTE: Yes (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

No  (0)                                                                                          

MOTION CARRIED

 

Request - Use of Public Street - Cub Scout Troop #736

It was discussed that Cub Scout Troop #736 has requested the closure of Maple Street for a Soap Box Derby on Saturday, June 15, 2002 between 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Mr. Somerville commented that there are 30 scouts participating.

 

Motion by Helbig, supported by  Preadmore,

 

To approve the closing of Maple Street, between Rogers and Steele Streets, June 15, 2002 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., to permit Cub Scout Troop #736 to hold a Soap Box Derby per the conditions set forth by the City Administrator and Police Chief.

 

VOTE: Yes (6) Naeyaert, Preadmore, Helbig, Clark, Howe, Whipple

No  (0)                                                                                          

MOTION CARRIED

 

 

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

·           Council Member Naeyaert provided a copy of the letter submitted by Congressman Rogers on behalf of the city for the congressional investigation on the census appeal.

 

NEW BUSINESS

·           Council Member Helbig requested that discussion on the City Administrator’s contract be included on the next regular meeting agenda.

 

·           Discussion was held on the Memorial Day Parade and events.  The guest speaker is  Medal of Honor winner General Davis.

 

COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE

·           Thank You - Mason Public Schools Foundation

·           Thank You - Cilinda Stroud, Mason Public Schools Foundation Member

·           Thank You Jefferson Street Square Seniors

·           Monthly Budget Report

 

LIAISON REPORT

Cable Commission

No report was received at this time. 

 

Planning Commission

No report was received at this time.

 

Downtown Development Authority

No report was received at this time.

 

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Administrator Colburn commented that a temporary skate park location will be at the rear area of the parking lot at Hayes Park or Bond Park.  Hayhoe Riverwalk is progressing.  The State Street project is delayed due to the review of the culvert by the State Historic Preservation Office.  They are currently reviewing submitted reports.  Making the Most of Mason was very productive and successful.  Elected Officials and Staff from the Village of Chelsea will arrive tomorrow morning to participate in Mayor’s Exchange Day. 

 

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

·           None

 

ADJOURNMENT

Being there was no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________                                              ________________________

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