CITY OF MASON COUNCIL CHAMBERS

 201 W. ASH ST., MASON, MICHIGAN

MASON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

   February 3, 2003

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. by Mayor Whipple.

 

Present:           Council Members: Helbig, Johnson, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Bruno, Clark, Whipple

Also present:   Martin Colburn, City Administrator

Kathy Revels, Finance Director/Treasurer

Dennis McGinty, City Attorney

James Howard, Zoning and Development Director

Deborah Stein, Deputy City Clerk

 

Council Member Preadmore led the Pledge of Allegiance and offered the invocation.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: January 20, 2003

The Regular Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2003 were approved as submitted.

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS            

Motion by Preadmore, supported by Naeyaert,

 

To approve the payment of the bills in the amount of $146,575.21 as submitted.

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Helbig, Johnson, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Bruno, Clark, Whipple

  No  (0)                                                                                       

MOTION CARRIED

 

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

C     None

 

REGULAR BUSINESS

Resolution No. 2003-08 Cedar Cente Project - Acceptance of Sanitary Sewer Main Easements

 

Resolution No. 2003-08  was introduced by Preadmore and supported by Naeyaert.

                                                                       

                                                                                CITY OF MASON

                                                        CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION No. 2003-08

                   CEDAR CENTRE OFFICE DEVELOPMENT: ACCEPTANCE OF SANITARY SEWER

                                                                                February 3, 2003

 

WHEREAS, Greiner Construction, Inc. has constructed a sanitary sewer to serve the office building complex located on the easterly side of the 900 block of South Cedar Street; and

 

WHEREAS, the sanitary sewer has been constructed according to the design and specifications approved by the City of Mason and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Engineer has reviewed the necessary documents and recommends the City of Mason accept the sanitary sewer as part of the public sewer system; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Attorney has reviewed the easement agreement and recommends that the easement be accepted by the City and that the City Clerk be authorized to execute and record the easement on behalf of the City; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council authorizes the City Clerk to sign the grant of easement and have it recorded at the Ingham County Register of Deeds.

 

FURTHER BE RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the City Clerk to execute and record  the easement on behalf of the City of Mason subject to the following condition:

 

$        That Greiner Construction, Inc. obtain and purchase the title insurance for the easement.

 

YES (7) Helbig, Johnson, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Bruno, Clark, 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 February 3, 2003, the original of which is  part of the Council=s minutes.

________________________

Martin A. Colburn, Clerk

City of Mason

Ingham County, Michigan

Resolution No. 2003-09 Alley Vacation

the First United Methodist curch has requested to vacate the alley north of the church building.  Mayor Whipple commented that the is a member of the church and the church building committee.  He and the city attorney have discussed whether there is a conflict of interest, He will be voting on Resolution No. 20-03-09 tonight and the city attorney will research whether a conflict exists prior to the next action on this item.

 

Resolution No. 2003-09  was introduced by Preadmore and supported by Naeyaert.

 

                                                                 CITY OF MASON

                                                             MASON CITY COUNCIL

                                                          RESOLUTION NO. 2003-09

 

A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE NECESSITY AND ADVISABILITY OF VACATING THE ALLEY IN BLOCK 12 OF THE ORIGINAL PLAT OF THE CITY OF MASON, INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

 

Moved by Council Member: Preadmore

Seconded by Council Member: Naeyaert

 

WHEREAS, it is deemed advisable and necessary for the health, welfare, comfort and safety of the people of the City of Mason to discontinue and vacate the following platted public alley:

 

That certain east-west alley running east from Barnes Street to Rogers Street as described in Block 12 of the Original Plat of the City of Mason, being all of that certain alley abutting Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of Block 12 of the Original Plat of the City of Mason, Ingham County, Michigan.

 

WHEREAS, the City of Mason deems it advisable to reserve an easement in the above-described premises for public utility purposes and other public purposes within the right-of-way to be vacated, including an easement for installation of cable for a cable television and telecommunications networks:

 

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED, that the City Council deems it advisable and necessary for the health, welfare, comfort and safety of the people of the City of Mason, to discontinue, vacate, and abolish said premises, described above, subject to the reservation of an easement in the City of Mason for public utility purposes and other public purposes including the right to maintain and continue any and all existing public or quasi-public utility easements thereover or thereunder, and the right of ingress and egress thereto for any purpose whatsoever; and,

 

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Council will meet at 7:30 p.m., on the 17th day of March, 2003, in the City Council chambers at 201 West Ash Street, Mason, Michigan for the purposes of hearing objections thereof; and,

 

IT is FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is directed to give notice of such hearing by publication of a copy of this Resolution in the Ingham County Community News, a weekly newspaper published and circulated in the City of Mason, at least once each week for not less than four (4) consecutive weeks, preceding such hearing.

 

ADOPTED:  YEAS: (7) Helbig, Johnson, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Bruno, Clark, Whipple

NAYS: (0)

 

CLERK'S CERTIFICATION:  I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of a Resolution adopted by the Mason City Council at its regular meeting held on Monday, February 3, 2003, in the Council chambers, 201 West Ash Street, Mason, Michigan, the original of which is part of the Council's Minutes.

___________________________________

Martin A. Colburn, City Clerk

Ingham County, Michigan

 

Drafted by and approved as to form:

 

_______________________________

Dennis E. McGinty (P17407)

Mason City Attorney

601 Abbott Road

East Lansing, Michigan 48823

(517) 351-0280

 

City Administrator=s Evaluation Process

Discussion was held on revising the process of evaluating the city Administrator=s performance.  Resolution No. 2001-49, City Administrator Performance Evaluation Guidelines, and Resolution No. L2002-18, City Administrator Performance Evaluation for 2001, were reviewed.  The next regular meeting agenda will include discussion of the 2002 City Council Rating Form and a draft resolution on the evaluation process, prepared with the specific objectives from Resolution No. 2002-18.  Administrator Colburn requested that the evaluation be conducted in executive session.

Report - Building Permit Activity

 

Zoning and Development director Howard presented the Building Permit Activity Report. 

 

Motion by Preadmore, seconded by Naeyaert,

 

To receive and accept the 2002 Building Permit Summary submitted by Marsha Ramey, Building Inspector, and place it on file.

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Helbig, Johnson, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Bruno, Clark, Whipple

 No  (0)                                                                                        

MOTION CARRIED

Request - Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Events

Chamber of commerce director, Joe Watkins, submitted a letter dated January 20, 2003 requesting specific street closings and the availability of electricity for various chamber activities, as well as a a waiver of fees for two annual parades.  Discussion ensued on the staff recommendation to share the parade costs due to teecent state revenue cuts.  It was felt that the two parades foster community pride.

 

Motion by Helbig, supported by Preadmore,

 

To grant the street closures requested in the January 20, 2003, letter submitted by Joe Watkins, Director of the Maosn Area Chamber of Commerce for community events sponsored in 2003.

 

VOTE: Yes (7) Helbig, Johnson, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Bruno, Clark, Whipple

 No  (0)                                                                                        

MOTION CARRIED

 

Discussion followed citing a $700,.00 expenditure for city departments to support parades.  Councilmember Preadmore indicated that the parades are community wade events and he feels that the city sharers a an economic responsibility in tandem with parks and recreation. Councilmember Bruno suggested a continuance of consideration of this issue until a time closer to the events.

 

Motion by Preadmore, supported by Bruno,

 

To waive the parade fees for the July Fourth Parade and the Holiday Celebration Light Parade as requested by Joe Watkins, Director of the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

VOTE: Yes (5) Helbig, Johnson, Naeyaert, Preadmore, Whipple

 No  (2) Bruno, Clark,                                                                                      

MOTION CARRIED

Change Order - Environmental Assessment

Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. Submitted a Change Order to conduct additional environmental testing at 447 S. Jefferson, the Old Fire Station.  The downtown Development Authority has a tentative agreement with Genex for the purchase of the property to construct a restaurant.  Contamination has been detected on the property.  The change order will determine the extent of contamination.  Councilmember Bruno commented that bgy his observation of the map he is unsure if probing is being conducted in the area where the tanks are located.  He would need more information prior to supporting spending any more funds on this project.  Mayor Whipple commented that once contamination is determined and reported to the State of Michigan, the process has begun and the city must remediate the problem within one year.

Motion by Helbig, supported by Preadmore,

 

To approve the change Order with Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc., not to exceed $9,800, providing professional services for environmental testing at the city property located at 447 South Jefferson Street, known as the Old Fire Station..

 

VOTE: Yes (5) Helbig, Johnson, Naeyaert, Preadmore,Whipple

 No  (2) Bruno, Clark                                                                                      

MOTION CARRIED

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mayor Whipple informed the Council that a work shop will be held April 21, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed charter amendment language discussed at the work shop previous to the  council meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

$        None

 

COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE

$        Monthly Budget Report

LIAISON REPORT

Planning Commission

Council Member Johnson informed the Council that Master Plan Workshop sessions are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on February 24th and March 10th.

 

Downtown Development

Mayor Whipple informed the Council that the next DDA meeting is February 5, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. in the council Chambers. A proposed amendment to the DDA Plan defining public improvements to be made to an area known as Cobblestone Village will be considered.  Cobblestone Village includes the antiques district area and the old lumber yard.

 

At this time, fire tones alerted firefithters of a Mason fire in progress.  Mayor Whipple turned the gavel over to Mayor Pro tem Helbig; he and councilmember clark left the meeting at 8:52 p.m.

 

Cable Commission

No report at this time.

 

At this time, Councilmember Preadmore, serving with Ingham County Heavy Rescue, responded to fire tones and left the meeting at 8:54 p.m.

 

ADMINISTRATOR=S REPORT

Administrator Colburn informed the council that a presentation of the CDBG grant program for housing rehabilitation specific to the city of Mason will be held February 19, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the city Hall Community room.  He commented that several bids have been let by the city.  The Mason Public Schools Foundation annual fund raiser will be held March 22, 2003.

 

Mayor Whipple rejoined the meeting at 8:58 p.m.   Mayor Pro tem Helbig turned the gavel back over to him.

 

Mayor Whipple commented that city and township officials were invited to attend an Airport meeting held at the Jewett Airport in Vevay Township to hear a proposal being made to the Capitol Region Airport Authority.  The pilots are requesting the installation of a 2,500 grass north/south runway in the interest of safety.  The existing east/werst runway is sufficient most of the time.   However, the on-engine planes have more difficulty landing on the east/west runway when there are crosswinds.

 

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

C     None

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________                                        ________________________

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