Minutes of the Village of Martin Board
January 18, 2010
Martin Village Council
Regular Meeting
January 18, 2010
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on January 18, 2010, at the Martin Village Office, 1586 South Main Street, Martin, Michigan.
Call to Order and Pledge to Flag: President Harness called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Roll Call: Members present: Harness, Seiser, Martin, Brinkhuis, Flower and Acting Clerk Merrill. Member Rambadt was absent.
Expression of sympathy was given to the Martin family due to the unexpected death of Lori Martin’s brother, Marty J. Scalia, on January 15, 2010.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 14, 2009, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: County Commissioner Don Black was present.
Approval of Agenda: One item was added to New Business: P.A. System. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and seconded by Member Martin to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. Letter from National City stating that all accounts will convert to PNC on April 12, 2010.
2.Letter from Bob Genetski, State Representative, with information the second “Local Officials Conference” to be held on April 23, 2010, at the Griswold Auditorium in Allegan.
Treasurer’s Report: After review, motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and seconded by Member Seiser to approve the report for December 2009 as submitted. Motion carried.
Payment of Bills: After the addition of one bill to the Major Street Fund and review, motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Martin to pay the bills with the addition. Motion carried.
Department Updates/Report:
Public Safety: Member Brinkhuis stated that a planned fire will take place on January 23 to remove a house on his property. All proper permits and paperwork have been completed.
Public Works/Streets: Commissioner Martin reported that all equipment is running well, door openers have been installed in the garage, and sand and salt have been delivered for the streets. Flower also reported that the project for 10th Street is still on track for 2013 through MDOT ISTEA funding.
Sewer/Water: Flower reported on the following:
1. Newspaper article about the rate increase for the Bloomingdale sewer customers.
2.Note from Bryan Pond of Plainwell regarding replacing lines at the bioxide station.
3.Concern from Les Lynema regarding chlorine readings in Hidden Pond. There was a discussion on the levels, and the water committee will meet and investigate the problem. Contact will also be made with Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates.
4.President Harness gave an update on the continuing issues with Plainwell and stated that he had requested to meet with Erik Wilson this week.
5.Peerless-Midwest has inspected the pumps at the wellhouse. It was suggested that Kraai Well Drilling be contacted regarding inspections.
6.Acting Clerk Merrill gave an update on the sewer back up at 1024 West Allegan, stating that a Release of Property Damage Claim has been submitted to the property owners for signature.
7.Rates being charged by Plainwell for township customers.
County Commissioner: Don Black distributed a synopsis of the January 14 meeting and highlighted several items. He also stated that they are looking for three new members for the Commission on Aging. Question was raised about wind generators, which led to a lengthy discussion.
Old Business:
1. Property at 1609 North Main Street: Several council members had looked at the property. It was requested that PCI inspect the property and give an opinion, which stated that approximately $15,000 would be needed to bring the building up to code. There was a question about occupancy requirements, and President Harness will continue to follow up on this and other concerns.
New Business:
1. P.A. System: Flower had made contact with a company regarding a P.A. system. He was given a quote of $1,566.97 for a system which would cover 700 people. A system for 2000 people would be $3,801. This will be considered when the budget workshop is held on January 28.
Recent Community Deaths: Five names were submitted as follows: George R. Oisten, Gerald R. “Jerry” Ziegler, Robert Orris, Theodore Nicolai, and Marty J. Scalia.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Martin to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Acting Clerk
Regular Meeting
January 18, 2010
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on January 18, 2010, at the Martin Village Office, 1586 South Main Street, Martin, Michigan.
Call to Order and Pledge to Flag: President Harness called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Roll Call: Members present: Harness, Seiser, Martin, Brinkhuis, Flower and Acting Clerk Merrill. Member Rambadt was absent.
Expression of sympathy was given to the Martin family due to the unexpected death of Lori Martin’s brother, Marty J. Scalia, on January 15, 2010.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 14, 2009, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: County Commissioner Don Black was present.
Approval of Agenda: One item was added to New Business: P.A. System. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and seconded by Member Martin to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. Letter from National City stating that all accounts will convert to PNC on April 12, 2010.
2.Letter from Bob Genetski, State Representative, with information the second “Local Officials Conference” to be held on April 23, 2010, at the Griswold Auditorium in Allegan.
Treasurer’s Report: After review, motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and seconded by Member Seiser to approve the report for December 2009 as submitted. Motion carried.
Payment of Bills: After the addition of one bill to the Major Street Fund and review, motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Martin to pay the bills with the addition. Motion carried.
Department Updates/Report:
Public Safety: Member Brinkhuis stated that a planned fire will take place on January 23 to remove a house on his property. All proper permits and paperwork have been completed.
Public Works/Streets: Commissioner Martin reported that all equipment is running well, door openers have been installed in the garage, and sand and salt have been delivered for the streets. Flower also reported that the project for 10th Street is still on track for 2013 through MDOT ISTEA funding.
Sewer/Water: Flower reported on the following:
1. Newspaper article about the rate increase for the Bloomingdale sewer customers.
2.Note from Bryan Pond of Plainwell regarding replacing lines at the bioxide station.
3.Concern from Les Lynema regarding chlorine readings in Hidden Pond. There was a discussion on the levels, and the water committee will meet and investigate the problem. Contact will also be made with Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates.
4.President Harness gave an update on the continuing issues with Plainwell and stated that he had requested to meet with Erik Wilson this week.
5.Peerless-Midwest has inspected the pumps at the wellhouse. It was suggested that Kraai Well Drilling be contacted regarding inspections.
6.Acting Clerk Merrill gave an update on the sewer back up at 1024 West Allegan, stating that a Release of Property Damage Claim has been submitted to the property owners for signature.
7.Rates being charged by Plainwell for township customers.
County Commissioner: Don Black distributed a synopsis of the January 14 meeting and highlighted several items. He also stated that they are looking for three new members for the Commission on Aging. Question was raised about wind generators, which led to a lengthy discussion.
Old Business:
1. Property at 1609 North Main Street: Several council members had looked at the property. It was requested that PCI inspect the property and give an opinion, which stated that approximately $15,000 would be needed to bring the building up to code. There was a question about occupancy requirements, and President Harness will continue to follow up on this and other concerns.
New Business:
1. P.A. System: Flower had made contact with a company regarding a P.A. system. He was given a quote of $1,566.97 for a system which would cover 700 people. A system for 2000 people would be $3,801. This will be considered when the budget workshop is held on January 28.
Recent Community Deaths: Five names were submitted as follows: George R. Oisten, Gerald R. “Jerry” Ziegler, Robert Orris, Theodore Nicolai, and Marty J. Scalia.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Martin to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Acting Clerk