CITY OF MASON

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF OCTOBER 6, 2003

 

 

Whipple called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 201 W. Ash Street, Mason, Michigan.  Whipple led in the Pledge of Allegiance and offered the invocation.  Whipple noted that Preadmore called to inform the Council that he is out of town and would not be present.

 

Present:          Councilmembers: Clark, Naeyaert, Helbig, Johnson, Bruno, Whipple

Absent:            Councilmember:  Preadmore,

Also present:   Martin Colburn, City Administrator

Kathy Revels, Finance Director

Joe Dean, DPW Director

Dennis McGinty, City Attorney

Deborah Stein, Deputy City Clerk

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: September 15, 2003

The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 15, 2003 were approved as adjusted.

 

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS

MOTION by Bruno, seconded by Clark,

To approve the payment of bills in the amount of $434,792.34 as submitted.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

None.

 

 

REGULAR BUSINESS

Public Hearing – SSAB HARDTECH – IFT

Mayor Whipple opened the public hearing at 7:47 p.m.

 

Sten Sjorberg, President of SSAB HardTech, briefly commented about the equipment installation for a fourth production line at the plant, which will make SSAB’s total investment over 70 million dollars.  He will be hiring a minimum of 15 new employees with the addition of the fourth line.  The company is environmentally certified.  SSAB received an award from Ford Motor Company for the quality of their work on the Volvo XC90.    

 

Mayor Whipple closed the public hearing at 7:58 p.m.

 

 

Resolution No. 2003-58 Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for SSAB

Resolution No. 2003-58 was introduced by Helbig and seconded by Bruno.

 

Discussion was held on the three existing tax abatements for SSAB. 

 

MOTION by Helbig, seconded by Naeyaert,

To amend Resolution No. 2003-58 by inserting a sixth whereas as follows: WHEREAS, SSAB has committed to the establishment of a minimum of fifteen additional jobs at their facility as a direct result of the installation of [insert [the] new equipment and machinery; and.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

CITY OF MASON

                                                  CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2003-58

                                                                                       

                                                         APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR

                                      INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE AND

                                          INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES EXEMPTION AGREEMENT

                                                              WITH SSAB HARDTECH, INC.

 

October 6, 2003

 

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan has enacted 1974 PA 198 allowing industrial property owners property tax abatement under certain conditions; and

 

WHEREAS, SSAB Hardtech, Inc. (SSAB) has submitted an application to the City for tax abatement pursuant to Act 198, whereby property taxes would be abated or reduced on new industrial facilities to be acquired by the applicant consisting of machinery, equipment, and fixtures of approximately $9,500,000 as set forth in the applicant’s application to the City Administrator dated August14, 2003; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted Council Resolution No. 92-37, after a public hearing on July 6, 1992, duly noticed by publication, to establish Industrial Development District No. 3 pursuant to Act 198 to encompass the land and territory within which the Applicant proposes to acquire and maintain the building, land improvements, machinery and equipment to be acquired by the Applicant; and

 

WHEREAS, the description of said property is:

 

BEG AT NW COR OF SEC 16 - S 89-45-58 E 1033.64 FT ALNG N SEC LN - S 24-17-28 E 1459.66 FT ALNG WLY LN OF CONRAIL R/W - SELY ALNG CURVE TO RT 408.57 FT, RAD OF 2861.25 FT, CHD BRG S 20-12-01 E 408.22 FT - CONT SELY ALNG CURVE TO RT 281.39 FT, RAD OF 2861.25 FT, CHD BRG S 13-17-32 E 281.28 FT - ALNG CURVE TO LEFT 468.82 FT, RAD OF 429.28 FT, CHD BRG N 51-54-02 W 445.86 FT - N 89-43-34 W 534.2 FT - S 00-06-19 W 31.32 FT - N 89-43-34 W 197 FT - S 00-06 19 W 386 FT - N 89-53-41 W 754.03 FT ALNG N LN OF TRILLIUM CT - N 00-04-38 W 2128.84 FT ALNG W SEC LN TO POB ON NW 1/4 OF SEC 16 T2N R1W  63.481 AC M/L CITY OF MASON (1997)

 

WHEREAS, SSAB wishes to install a new production line to their facility and purchase new equipment and machinery on the property legally described above; the value of said personal property to be approximately $9,500,000; and

 

                WHEREAS, SSAB has committed to the establishment of a minimum of fifteen additional jobs at their facility as a direct result of the installation of the new equipment and machinery; and

 

WHEREAS, SSAB seeks an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate on the real and personal property for a term of twelve (12) years, as described in its Application, dated August 13, 2003; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Council met in public hearing on October 6, 2003, as heretofore resolved and noticed, for the purpose of considering approval of said application; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Council has afforded the applicant, the public, the Assessor, and all of the affected taxing units notice of an opportunity for all persons desiring to be heard, either orally or in writing, with respect to the approval of an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for the applicant; and

 

WHEREAS, the granting of an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate to SSAB will not substantially impede the operations or financial soundness of the City of Mason; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Council has received and considered a proposed written agreement as required by Section 22 of Act 198 to be entered into between the City and SSAB containing the requirements for approval and the terms and conditions under which the Industrial Exemption Facilities Agreement shall be issued and retained;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Mason finds and determines that the granting of the SSAB Hardtech, Inc. Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate considered together with the aggregate amount of certificates previously granted and currently in force under 1974 PA 198, shall not have the effect of substantially impeding the operation of the City of Mason, or impairing the financial soundness of a taxing unit which levies ad valorem property taxes in the City of Mason; and

 

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the application of SSAB Hardtech, Inc. for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for personal property improvements is hereby approved for a period of twelve (12) years; and

 

RESOLVED FURTHER, the City of Mason and SSAB Hardtech, Inc. shall enter into the written Agreement containing the requirement for approval and issuance of the Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate and allowing for the revocation of the Certificate if conditions imposed by the City of Mason are not met.

                RESOLUTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

City Council Resolution No. 2003-56 Acceptance of Franklin Farms Access Road Easement

Acceptance of the Franklin Farms access road easement was deferred from the last meeting to clarify the width of easement.   Section III of the original agreement was cited, relating to the location of the access road and future development.  The Franklin Farms developer is required to grant an easement to the City for an access road leading to the city water well from Northbrook Street. 

 

City Council Resolution No. 2003-56 was introduced by Helbig and seconded by Bruno.

 

Bruno asked if the electric and telephone lines are within the 15’ easement.  Discussion followed regarding the location of the utility lines.

 

CITY OF MASON

                                                  CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2003-56

 

                     ACCEPTANCE OF FRANKLIN FARMS INGRESS/EGRESS ROAD EASEMENT

 

                                                                         October 6, 2003

 

WHEREAS, as part of the final site plan approvals for Franklin Farms Development, the developer, Esquire Development & Construction, Inc., is required to grant to the City a permanent easement for an access road allowing ingress and egress extending south from the end of Northbrook Street to the city water well, and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED, that the city hereby accepts the twenty-four (24) foot wide ingress/egress easement as shown on Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to sign the easement on behalf of the City and record the document with the Register of Deeds.

 

Yes: (2) Helbig, Whipple

No: (4) Naeyaert, Johnson, Bruno, Clark

Absent (0) Preadmore

Resolution Failed

 

Bid – Bond Park, Skate Facility Fence

Staff recommended accepting the one bid received for the fence to be placed at the Skate Park facility at Bond Park.

 

MOTION by Clark, seconded by Johnson,

To accept the $18,105 Clery Fence bid for the installation of fencing at the skate park facility at Bond Park.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

Discussion – Water Tower Logo

Discussion was held regarding the logo concept for the new water tower currently under construction. 

 

MOTION by Bruno, seconded by Helbig,

To use the proposed logo on the new water tower.

Yes: (2) Bruno, Helbig

No: (4) Clark, Naeyaert, Johnson, Whipple

Absent: (1) Preadmore

MOTION FAILED

 

MOTION by Clark, seconded by Johnson,

To paint the new water tower with the same logo as the existing water tower.

Yes: (5) Bruno, Clark, Naeyaert, Johnson, Whipple

No: (1) Helbig

Absent: (1) Preadmore

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

Discussion – “Cool Cities” Advisory Group

Governor Granholm is promoting a “cool cities” initiative to help Michigan cities develop into vital communities.  She is asking that cities organize a local “cool cities” advisory group to devise ideas and make recommendations on how the state might partner with those efforts no later than November 5, 2003.  It was discussed that Mason already implements the initiatives the Governor is promoting, it would be a burden on staff resources, and it would not be possible to assemble an advisory group to meet the deadline.  Mayor Whipple will reply.

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS