Minutes of the Village of Martin Board
Martin Village Council
Regular Meeting
February 9, 2009
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on February 9, 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, Rambadt and Acting Clerk Merrill. Member Martin was absent.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Rambadt and supported by Member Flower to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 12, 2009, as submitted.
Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: None were present at the beginning of the meeting. Kalamazoo Gazette reporter Sharon Sturdevant arrived at 7:57 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Rambadt to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. Outgoing letter dated February 4, 2009 from Don Flower to Tony Sembeni, CFO of The Choice Group confirming that the delinquent sewer billing for Gun River Estates which was placed on the Gun Plain Township tax bill had been received in the amount of $31,565.28.
2.Copy of a letter dated February 5, 2009 from Erik Wilson, Plainwell City Manager, to Martin Township regarding the sewer agreement.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Rambadt reported that all funds balance with the bank. She also reported that she has tried several times to make contact with a National City Bank person regarding investment possibilities but has not spoken to the designated bank official yet. She stated that there are nine delinquent tax parcels to turn over to the county.
Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve the treasurer’s report for January as submitted. Motion carried.
Payment of Bills: After the addition of two bills, motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as revised and any additional forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
Transfers per 2008-09 Budget: Acting Clerk Merrill reminded the council that the 2008-09 budget included transfers from the General Fund as follows: To Vehicle Fund, $3,500; To Building Fund, $30,000. Transfers will be made accordingly.
Department Updates/Reports:
Public Safety: No report.
Public Works: Member Brinkhuis reported that the snowblower had been repaired and is working. It was also noted that there is a problem with the sidewalk on North Main where a water connection was put in.
Streets: Member Flower had notice of a road meeting from the Allegan County Road Commission, which he will attend on February 20. Projects for 2010-2013 will be discussed.
Sewer/Water: Member Flower reported on the following:
1.Review of delinquent letters which were sent out.
2. Readings of BOD testing from Plainwell. Al Evink took readings which measured much lower. He stated that Prein & Newhof would do readings at a lower cost. This will be referred to the Sewer/Water Committee for review.
3.Sewer/water budget for 2009-10 is being worked on.
County Commission: No report. Commissioner Black is still recovering.
Old Business:
1. Memorial Park Update: The planning committee will meet on March 18.
2.Update on Sewer System Options: A meeting was held on February 3 with Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates, Terry Sturgis, Martin Township Supervisor, and Members Brinkhuis, Flower and Harness. Various sewer system options were discussed, and Tom Deneau then prepared estimates for three possible systems:
Forcemain to Plainwell, Forcemain to Gun Lake and Oxidation Lagoons.
These figures were reviewed and discussed. Further review will be referred to the Sewer/Water Committee.
New Business:
1. Resolution, Clerk Resignation: Attorney Annen recommended that the following resolution be passed regarding the resignation of Nichole Sturgis:
Be It Resolved, that the resignation of Nichole Sturgis from her position of putative elected Clerk of the Village of Martin is accepted.
Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to adopt said resolution.
Roll call vote: Ayes – Seiser, Brinkhuis, Flower, Rambadt.
Nays - None.
Absent - Martin.
Resolution declared adopted.
2. Wage/Salary Recommendations: Tabled until March meeting.
3. 2009-2010 Proposed Budget: Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Rambadt to adopt the proposed 2009-2010 budget as submitted. Motion carried.
Recent Community Deaths: One name was submitted: Roy W. Baumgartner.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Rambadt to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Acting Clerk
Regular Meeting
February 9, 2009
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on February 9, 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, Rambadt and Acting Clerk Merrill. Member Martin was absent.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Rambadt and supported by Member Flower to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 12, 2009, as submitted.
Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: None were present at the beginning of the meeting. Kalamazoo Gazette reporter Sharon Sturdevant arrived at 7:57 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Rambadt to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. Outgoing letter dated February 4, 2009 from Don Flower to Tony Sembeni, CFO of The Choice Group confirming that the delinquent sewer billing for Gun River Estates which was placed on the Gun Plain Township tax bill had been received in the amount of $31,565.28.
2.Copy of a letter dated February 5, 2009 from Erik Wilson, Plainwell City Manager, to Martin Township regarding the sewer agreement.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Rambadt reported that all funds balance with the bank. She also reported that she has tried several times to make contact with a National City Bank person regarding investment possibilities but has not spoken to the designated bank official yet. She stated that there are nine delinquent tax parcels to turn over to the county.
Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve the treasurer’s report for January as submitted. Motion carried.
Payment of Bills: After the addition of two bills, motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as revised and any additional forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
Transfers per 2008-09 Budget: Acting Clerk Merrill reminded the council that the 2008-09 budget included transfers from the General Fund as follows: To Vehicle Fund, $3,500; To Building Fund, $30,000. Transfers will be made accordingly.
Department Updates/Reports:
Public Safety: No report.
Public Works: Member Brinkhuis reported that the snowblower had been repaired and is working. It was also noted that there is a problem with the sidewalk on North Main where a water connection was put in.
Streets: Member Flower had notice of a road meeting from the Allegan County Road Commission, which he will attend on February 20. Projects for 2010-2013 will be discussed.
Sewer/Water: Member Flower reported on the following:
1.Review of delinquent letters which were sent out.
2. Readings of BOD testing from Plainwell. Al Evink took readings which measured much lower. He stated that Prein & Newhof would do readings at a lower cost. This will be referred to the Sewer/Water Committee for review.
3.Sewer/water budget for 2009-10 is being worked on.
County Commission: No report. Commissioner Black is still recovering.
Old Business:
1. Memorial Park Update: The planning committee will meet on March 18.
2.Update on Sewer System Options: A meeting was held on February 3 with Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates, Terry Sturgis, Martin Township Supervisor, and Members Brinkhuis, Flower and Harness. Various sewer system options were discussed, and Tom Deneau then prepared estimates for three possible systems:
Forcemain to Plainwell, Forcemain to Gun Lake and Oxidation Lagoons.
These figures were reviewed and discussed. Further review will be referred to the Sewer/Water Committee.
New Business:
1. Resolution, Clerk Resignation: Attorney Annen recommended that the following resolution be passed regarding the resignation of Nichole Sturgis:
Be It Resolved, that the resignation of Nichole Sturgis from her position of putative elected Clerk of the Village of Martin is accepted.
Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to adopt said resolution.
Roll call vote: Ayes – Seiser, Brinkhuis, Flower, Rambadt.
Nays - None.
Absent - Martin.
Resolution declared adopted.
2. Wage/Salary Recommendations: Tabled until March meeting.
3. 2009-2010 Proposed Budget: Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Rambadt to adopt the proposed 2009-2010 budget as submitted. Motion carried.
Recent Community Deaths: One name was submitted: Roy W. Baumgartner.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Rambadt to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Acting Clerk
February 9, 2009