CITY OF MASON

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2003

Whipple called the meeting to order at 7:30 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 would be late due to personal reasons.

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

Also present: Martin Colburn, City Administrator

Kathy Revels, Finance Director

Deborah Stein, Deputy City Clerk

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: September 2, 2003

The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 2, 2003 were approved as submitted.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

MOTION by Bruno, seconded by Naeyaert

To approve the payment of bills in the amount of $466,889.76 as submitted.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

None.

*Preadmore arrived at 7:40 p.m.

REGULAR BUSINESS

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

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. Changes were made to the proposed resolution. Bruno commented that Ben Bim and Freida Franklin gave the city a 66’ wide right-of-way off of Northbrook Street and the four acres at the end of it for construction of the well. He inquired why it is now only 24’ wide. A brief discussion ensued and McGinty indicated that he would research the original survey and easement and submit a report at the next meeting.

As part of the final site plan approvals for the

City Council Resolution No. 2003-56 was introduced by Johnson and seconded by Naeyaert.

MOTION by Johnson, seconded by Naeyaert,

To defer Resolution No. 2003-56 until a report has been submitted by the city staff or the city attorney regarding the Franklin Farms road easement.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

Resolution No. 2003-57 FY 2004-2005 Street Capital Maintenance Program

Resolution No. 2003-57 was introduced by Naeyaert and seconded by Johnson.

CITY OF MASON

CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2003-57

FY 2004/2005 STREET CAPITAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

September 15, 2003

WHEREAS, in 1995 the City Charter was amended, dedicating resources specifically for street capital maintenance and improvements; and

WHEREAS, the city staff analyzed city streets, using established criteria and presented City Council with a street maintenance program; and

WHEREAS, in preparation of the FY 2004/2005 budget the established priorities are as follows:

Okemos Street - E. Columbia & N. Jefferson to city limits,

Alley - between S. Jefferson & S. Barnes, south of E. Ash.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mason City Council does hereby establish the priority list for the street capital maintenance program for FY 2004/2005 and staff is directed to proceed forward with preparation of such projects.

Resolution Approved Unanimously

Bid – Air Compressor for DPW

The motion to accept a bid for an air compressor was deferred at the last meeting to ask if it would be beneficial to keep the old air compressor as a back up. Both the Public Works Director and Superintendent recommended trading in the old air compressor.

MOTION by Bruno, seconded by Johnson,

To award the$13,000 bid to Hammersmith Equipment for the air compressor, the purchase of two hose reels and a water separator for an additional $1,050, and to keep the current air compressor. The total expenditure for the Sullair 250 air compressor is approved for $14,050.

MOTION by Helbig, seconded by Preadmore,

To amend the previous motion to trade in the old compressor to Hammersmith Equipment for $3,800; a total cost of $10,250.

AMENDMENT APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

Proposal to Move/Relocate 426 Park Street Structure

Mr. Robert Lyon submitted a proposal to purchase and move the house located at 426 Park Street. Staff recommended extending the bond to $7,000 to also include property restoration costs. Mr. Lyon indicted that he would also move the garage.

MOTION by Bruno, seconded by Clark,

To accept Mr. Robert Lyon’s proposal to move the house and garage located at 426 Park Street in the consideration of One Dollar to the city, including a $7,000 performance guarantee, and that the work will be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

Request – Street Closure for Homecoming Parade

Mason High School submitted a request to close city streets October 10, 2003 for the homecoming parade.

MOTION by Clark, seconded by Helbig,

To allow Mason High School to use city streets for a homecoming parade on October 10, 2003, per the submitted application.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

Presentation – Digital Aerial Photography

Ingham County Drain Commissioner Pat Lindeman gave a brief presentation regarding digital mapping. He is asking all communities in Ingham County to participate with the Drain Commission and contribute to funding digital aerial photography for the entire county. He has obtained grant money that provides 50% of the engineering costs. The County Board of Commissioners contributed the $85,000 needed to begin the process, with the requirement that it be reimbursed. The aerial photography was completed last spring. Mr. Lindeman stated that he wiill be scheduling a meeting to present the proposal to interested communities. Mr. Lindeman stated that he didn’t have pictures for his presentation; however he would have something at the meeting. Colburn asked if there were pictures on the web site. Mr. Lindeman stated that he would try and get the website address tomorrow or Wednesday. He requested that a letter or resolution indicating the city’s interest in attending the meeting be sent to his office. Whipple stated that a formal action wouldn’t be necessary. The city administrator will be attending the informational meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

· Bruno asked about plans for reconstructing Ingham Court. Whipple stated that he would discuss the alley with the Downtown Development Authority at their next meeting.

· Helbig stated concern about the design plans for narrowing Okemos Road. Discussion was held on the reasoning for narrowing it, including comments from discussions held at the last meeting.

· Naeyaert stated that a homeowner at McRoberts and Maple Streets asked her about the city’s plan to replace trees that have been removed in the right-of-way. It was discussed that the city will plant replacement trees in accordance with the priorities set for the work plan.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE

Distributed.

LIAISON REPORTS

Planning Commission

A work shop meeting was held prior to the regular meeting last week to consider the comments received regarding the Master Plan update. A special use permit was approved for the Maple House, located at 221 E. Maple, a retreat house proposed by Christine Spitzley.

ADMINISTRATOR=S REPORT

· Reconstruction is complete on all city alleys except the partial alley off of Rogers between Elm and Cherry Streets because it would drain on the adjacent property. Discussion ensued to consider vacating the alley.

· State Street is progressing on schedule.

· Colburn recommended participating in discussions regarding the Ingham County Wetlands Ordinance; however he did express concerns. McGinty commented on case law regarding cities regulating wetlands and subsequent lawsuits that would make cities liable for damages. Discussion ensued.

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

None.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.

_____________________________ __________________________

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