Minutes of the Village of Martin Board
Martin Village Council
Regular Meeting
January 12, 2009
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on January 12, 2009, at the Martin Village Office, 1586 South Main Street, Martin, Michigan.
Call to Order and Pledge to Flag: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Harness, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Roll Call: Members present: Harness, Seiser, Brinkhuis, Flower, and Acting Clerk Merrill. Member Rambadt arrived at 7:50 p.m. Member Martin was absent.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 8, 2008, as submitted. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve the minutes of the special meeting of December 18, 2008, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: John Vandenberg and Don Rambadt were present. Kalamazoo Gazette reporter Sharon Sturdevant arrived at 7:53 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: President Harness requested the addition of Building Facilities to new business. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. A 2009 Multi-State Fiscal Project Survey from Michigan Municipal League.
2. A survey from Allegan County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Commission.
3. A phone message on the village answering machine from Nichole Sturgis left at 4:55 p.m. on January 12, 2009, that she would "let the position (of clerk) go" and would not be attending the meeting.
4. Minutes from the Martin Township December 10, 2008, meeting.
Treasurer’s Report: It was stated that all funds balance with the bank. It was also noted that the interest has decreased significantly. There was discussion about investing some funds in order to earn more interest. Acting Clerk Merrill and Treasurer Rambadt were authorized to investigate the possibilities.
Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Seiser to approve the treasurer’s report for December 2008 as submitted. Motion carried.
Payment of Bills: After reviewing the bills, motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve payment of the bills as presented and any forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
Department Updates/Reports:
Public Safety: No report.
Public Works: Brinkhuis gave an update on the snowblower repair. A new collar will be made. In the meantime, Tim has been using the school tractor in exchange for plowing and sanding the school parking lot.
Streets: Tim Eichler and Jeff Brinkhuis have been working in cooperation to plow the streets and remove snow. Flower had received a call from Brian Bleeker regarding the pile of snow behind the insurance office and asking about putting the snow in the street for the village to remove. It was agreed to turn over to the Street Commissioner, and stipulate that Bleeker would be billed if the village removed the snow.
Sewer/Water: Flower reported on the following:
1. Gun River Estates: The village received $20,000 toward the delinquency with a promise to pay current bills and extra toward the delinquency.
2. Written Policy: Flower distributed copies of his proposed Water/Sewer Reading and Billing Policy which was reviewed. Flower stated that he had sent out 8 delinquent 30 day notices.
3. Joint Sewer Meeting: Flower will be attending the Joint Sewer meeting on January 15 and noted the agenda items.
4. Possible connection to Gun Lake Sewer System: Flower will contact Bob Monroe of the Gun Lake Sewer Authority and Brinkhuis will contact Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates to obtain more information.
County Commission: Commissioner Don Black was not present due to possible hospitalization. Flower will get an update.
Memorial Park Project: John Vandenberg gave an update and reviewed the proposal for the Memorial Park project which he had presented at the joint meeting with the township on January 8. He would like a committee to be formed which he would serve on. Jeff Seiser offered to represent the village on the committee. It was suggested that Frank Geib, Jr. also be contacted about serving on the committee. Vandenberg stated that the approximate cost for repairing the current monument would be $5,000, and that the township is allowed to spend money for that expense. There was discussion regarding possible sources of funds, including the sale of the paver bricks at approximately $50 each. Sharon Sturdevant offered several suggestions, including making contact with the VFW about possible involvement. It was also suggested that the village offer to join with the township in a venture to improve the park.
Motion was made by Brinkhuis and supported by Flower that the village council join with the township and move forward with improvements and new construction in Memorial Park.
Motion carried.
Old Business:
1. Five Year Planning Committee: Members are Harness, Brinkhuis and Martin. They will meet soon before the next meeting.
New Business:
1. Budget Workshop: It was agreed to meet on January 22 at 7:00 p.m. Note: Meeting was later postponed to January 27.
2. Building Facilities: President Harness gave a detailed update on the possible purchase of the Wykstra Oil property on East Allegan Street, which would provide more office space with private offices and property for the P.W. Department. There are liability concerns regarding the underground tanks. Harness had spoken with the Wykstra attorney and expressed the concerns. He stated that there is an option to purchase the property but to opt out of the bulk storage parcel. Wykstra would be obligated to take care of the underground tanks and would be granted an easement. Harness also explained a BEA (Baseline Environmental Assessment) and recommended that the village should have that performed. After further discussion, motion was made by Brinkhuis and supported by Flower to authorize the Five Year Planning Committee to proceed with the investigation of the Wykstra Oil property as discussed. Motion carried.
Community Deaths: None.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Brinkhuis to adjourn at 9:08 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Acting Clerk
Regular Meeting
January 12, 2009
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on January 12, 2009, at the Martin Village Office, 1586 South Main Street, Martin, Michigan.
Call to Order and Pledge to Flag: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Harness, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Roll Call: Members present: Harness, Seiser, Brinkhuis, Flower, and Acting Clerk Merrill. Member Rambadt arrived at 7:50 p.m. Member Martin was absent.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 8, 2008, as submitted. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve the minutes of the special meeting of December 18, 2008, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: John Vandenberg and Don Rambadt were present. Kalamazoo Gazette reporter Sharon Sturdevant arrived at 7:53 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: President Harness requested the addition of Building Facilities to new business. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. A 2009 Multi-State Fiscal Project Survey from Michigan Municipal League.
2. A survey from Allegan County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Commission.
3. A phone message on the village answering machine from Nichole Sturgis left at 4:55 p.m. on January 12, 2009, that she would "let the position (of clerk) go" and would not be attending the meeting.
4. Minutes from the Martin Township December 10, 2008, meeting.
Treasurer’s Report: It was stated that all funds balance with the bank. It was also noted that the interest has decreased significantly. There was discussion about investing some funds in order to earn more interest. Acting Clerk Merrill and Treasurer Rambadt were authorized to investigate the possibilities.
Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Seiser to approve the treasurer’s report for December 2008 as submitted. Motion carried.
Payment of Bills: After reviewing the bills, motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve payment of the bills as presented and any forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
Department Updates/Reports:
Public Safety: No report.
Public Works: Brinkhuis gave an update on the snowblower repair. A new collar will be made. In the meantime, Tim has been using the school tractor in exchange for plowing and sanding the school parking lot.
Streets: Tim Eichler and Jeff Brinkhuis have been working in cooperation to plow the streets and remove snow. Flower had received a call from Brian Bleeker regarding the pile of snow behind the insurance office and asking about putting the snow in the street for the village to remove. It was agreed to turn over to the Street Commissioner, and stipulate that Bleeker would be billed if the village removed the snow.
Sewer/Water: Flower reported on the following:
1. Gun River Estates: The village received $20,000 toward the delinquency with a promise to pay current bills and extra toward the delinquency.
2. Written Policy: Flower distributed copies of his proposed Water/Sewer Reading and Billing Policy which was reviewed. Flower stated that he had sent out 8 delinquent 30 day notices.
3. Joint Sewer Meeting: Flower will be attending the Joint Sewer meeting on January 15 and noted the agenda items.
4. Possible connection to Gun Lake Sewer System: Flower will contact Bob Monroe of the Gun Lake Sewer Authority and Brinkhuis will contact Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates to obtain more information.
County Commission: Commissioner Don Black was not present due to possible hospitalization. Flower will get an update.
Memorial Park Project: John Vandenberg gave an update and reviewed the proposal for the Memorial Park project which he had presented at the joint meeting with the township on January 8. He would like a committee to be formed which he would serve on. Jeff Seiser offered to represent the village on the committee. It was suggested that Frank Geib, Jr. also be contacted about serving on the committee. Vandenberg stated that the approximate cost for repairing the current monument would be $5,000, and that the township is allowed to spend money for that expense. There was discussion regarding possible sources of funds, including the sale of the paver bricks at approximately $50 each. Sharon Sturdevant offered several suggestions, including making contact with the VFW about possible involvement. It was also suggested that the village offer to join with the township in a venture to improve the park.
Motion was made by Brinkhuis and supported by Flower that the village council join with the township and move forward with improvements and new construction in Memorial Park.
Motion carried.
Old Business:
1. Five Year Planning Committee: Members are Harness, Brinkhuis and Martin. They will meet soon before the next meeting.
New Business:
1. Budget Workshop: It was agreed to meet on January 22 at 7:00 p.m. Note: Meeting was later postponed to January 27.
2. Building Facilities: President Harness gave a detailed update on the possible purchase of the Wykstra Oil property on East Allegan Street, which would provide more office space with private offices and property for the P.W. Department. There are liability concerns regarding the underground tanks. Harness had spoken with the Wykstra attorney and expressed the concerns. He stated that there is an option to purchase the property but to opt out of the bulk storage parcel. Wykstra would be obligated to take care of the underground tanks and would be granted an easement. Harness also explained a BEA (Baseline Environmental Assessment) and recommended that the village should have that performed. After further discussion, motion was made by Brinkhuis and supported by Flower to authorize the Five Year Planning Committee to proceed with the investigation of the Wykstra Oil property as discussed. Motion carried.
Community Deaths: None.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Brinkhuis to adjourn at 9:08 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Acting Clerk
January 12 2009