Minutes of the Village of Martin Board
Martin Village Council
Regular Meeting
April 13, 2009
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on April 13, 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: All members were present: Harness, Seiser, Martin, Brinkhuis, Flower, Rambadt and Acting Clerk Merrill.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Martin to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 9, 2009, and the special meeting of March 18, 2009, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Terry Sturgis, Martin Township Supervisor, was present. County Commissioner Don Black arrived at 7:40 p.m. and Kalamazoo Gazette reporter Sharon Sturdevant arrived at 9:07 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: Three items were added to New Business as follows: 1. Trash pick up date 2. Sidewalks 3. Spring newsletter. Motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Flower to approve the agenda with additions. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented.
1. Invitation from State Representative Bob Genetski to a Local Officials Conference on May 29 in Allegan.
2.Notice from West Michigan Regional Planning Commission regarding an intended project by the City of Plainwell to apply for a Small Business revolving Loan Fund from the U.S.D.A. Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program.
3.Several communications regarding the restructuring of Charter Communications, Inc.
Treasurer’s Report: After review of the report and discussion about dividends and bank charges, a motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve the treasurer’s report for March as submitted. Motion carried.
Treasurer Rambadt and Acting Clerk Merrill will continue to investigate banking concerns.
Payment of Bills: After review of the bills, motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as presented. Motion carried.
Department Updates/Reports:
Public Safety: Martin Township Supervisor Terry Sturgis reported that he had attended a meeting in Plainwell regarding deputy service. He inquired about the possibility of the village and the township splitting a deputy with Gun Plain Township. According to Undersheriff Hull, who was also at the meeting, there is a possibility of grant funds which would cover the cost for three of four years. The cost to the village would average approximately $10,000 per year. There was a lengthy discussion about the need for an officer since there appears to be adequate visibility and presence of law enforcement currently in the village. Since there are still unanswered questions, a motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Brinkhuis to table any decision on a part time deputy until further research and requesting a meeting with a representative from the Allegan County Sheriff Department to obtain more information. Motion carried.
President Harness will follow up on this matter.
Public Works: Street Commissioner Martin reported that Tim Eichler has requested additional help with spring work. Martin denied the request, but asked about the possibility of community service and recommended that the village take advantage of students from the high school who need to perform community service. Treasurer Rambadt will check with the high school. The question was raised about using inmate work crews. Martin will contact Undersheriff Hull regarding this.
Streets: Member Flower stated that the village is still on track for resurfacing 10th Street in 2013.
Member Martin reported that he had been contacted by Plummer’s Environmental Services regarding the storm drains. Martin has a DVD showing various problems in the village drains. Cost to make repairs would be $130/foot or about $8,000 to make the needed repairs. Motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Flower to contact Plummer’s about making the storm drain lining repairs. Motion carried.
President Harness had obtained a quote from pavement Restoration for crack sealing and other street repairs. The breakdown included a slurry seal on the village parking lot for $8,100.00, removing and replacing a section of the village parking lot for $10,675.00, crack sealing on Main and Allegan Streets for $1,631.00 and infrared heat treatment on Allegan Street for $400.00. After review and discussion, motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Flower to have the crack sealing done on Main and Allegan Streets and the infrared treatment on Allegan Street for a total of $2,031.00. Motion carried.
Because of concerns about sections in the village parking lot, it was agreed to consider those repairs later.
Sewer/Water: Commissioner Flower reported on the following:
1. Hydrant flushing on April 24-25. Ad will be placed in Shoppers Guide.
2.Seminar on May 19 in Grand Rapids on auto reading sponsored by Etna.
3.Rebuilding of pump #1 needed next year.
4.Consumer Confidence Report, legal distribution required. Put on website.
5.Sewer tests for Plainwell completed but no report received yet.
6.Delinquencies have decreased.
7.Community sewer/water rate comparison report.
8.Motorsports Park is in operation.
County Commissioner: Commissioner Black distributed synopses of the February 26, March 12 and March 26 meetings and also a survey regarding public transportation. He highlighted several items and action taken at the recent meetings.
Old Business:
1. Memorial Park Update: Member Seiser gave an update of the March 18 meeting, including information on brick pavers. He stated that brochures and samples would be available for this year’s Memorial Day activities, with a goal of completion of the project by Memorial Day 2010. Martin Township has approved repair of the monument. The committee will meet again on April 22.
Seiser presented bids for new sidewalk along North Main next to Memorial Park and around the project area. The bids were as follows:
Seiser Concrete $13,157
Affordable Concrete $9,236
Superior Concrete $13,250
VanLaan Concrete $23,550
After considerable discussion, motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Brinkhuis to table this matter and not accept the bids for sidewalk construction at this time due to budget restraints. Motion carried.
2. Sewer System Update: It was reported that Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates has completed the paper work for the grant application and submitted it to USDA. The Village has a copy of the information sent to USDA
New Business:
1. Trash Pick Up Date: May 16 has been set as the date for the community trash pick up and coordinated with Martin Township.
2. Spring Newsletter: Flower is working on the spring newsletter and will include information regarding the village website.
3.Sidewalks: Martin has measured the sidewalks in the village with a total of 12,645 feet. He will determine needed repairs.
Community Deaths: One name was submitted: Doris McAllister.
Adjournment: On motion by Member Martin, supported by Member Brinkhuis, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Acting Clerk
Regular Meeting
April 13, 2009
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on April 13, 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: All members were present: Harness, Seiser, Martin, Brinkhuis, Flower, Rambadt and Acting Clerk Merrill.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Martin to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 9, 2009, and the special meeting of March 18, 2009, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Terry Sturgis, Martin Township Supervisor, was present. County Commissioner Don Black arrived at 7:40 p.m. and Kalamazoo Gazette reporter Sharon Sturdevant arrived at 9:07 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: Three items were added to New Business as follows: 1. Trash pick up date 2. Sidewalks 3. Spring newsletter. Motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Flower to approve the agenda with additions. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented.
1. Invitation from State Representative Bob Genetski to a Local Officials Conference on May 29 in Allegan.
2.Notice from West Michigan Regional Planning Commission regarding an intended project by the City of Plainwell to apply for a Small Business revolving Loan Fund from the U.S.D.A. Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program.
3.Several communications regarding the restructuring of Charter Communications, Inc.
Treasurer’s Report: After review of the report and discussion about dividends and bank charges, a motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to approve the treasurer’s report for March as submitted. Motion carried.
Treasurer Rambadt and Acting Clerk Merrill will continue to investigate banking concerns.
Payment of Bills: After review of the bills, motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as presented. Motion carried.
Department Updates/Reports:
Public Safety: Martin Township Supervisor Terry Sturgis reported that he had attended a meeting in Plainwell regarding deputy service. He inquired about the possibility of the village and the township splitting a deputy with Gun Plain Township. According to Undersheriff Hull, who was also at the meeting, there is a possibility of grant funds which would cover the cost for three of four years. The cost to the village would average approximately $10,000 per year. There was a lengthy discussion about the need for an officer since there appears to be adequate visibility and presence of law enforcement currently in the village. Since there are still unanswered questions, a motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Brinkhuis to table any decision on a part time deputy until further research and requesting a meeting with a representative from the Allegan County Sheriff Department to obtain more information. Motion carried.
President Harness will follow up on this matter.
Public Works: Street Commissioner Martin reported that Tim Eichler has requested additional help with spring work. Martin denied the request, but asked about the possibility of community service and recommended that the village take advantage of students from the high school who need to perform community service. Treasurer Rambadt will check with the high school. The question was raised about using inmate work crews. Martin will contact Undersheriff Hull regarding this.
Streets: Member Flower stated that the village is still on track for resurfacing 10th Street in 2013.
Member Martin reported that he had been contacted by Plummer’s Environmental Services regarding the storm drains. Martin has a DVD showing various problems in the village drains. Cost to make repairs would be $130/foot or about $8,000 to make the needed repairs. Motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Flower to contact Plummer’s about making the storm drain lining repairs. Motion carried.
President Harness had obtained a quote from pavement Restoration for crack sealing and other street repairs. The breakdown included a slurry seal on the village parking lot for $8,100.00, removing and replacing a section of the village parking lot for $10,675.00, crack sealing on Main and Allegan Streets for $1,631.00 and infrared heat treatment on Allegan Street for $400.00. After review and discussion, motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Flower to have the crack sealing done on Main and Allegan Streets and the infrared treatment on Allegan Street for a total of $2,031.00. Motion carried.
Because of concerns about sections in the village parking lot, it was agreed to consider those repairs later.
Sewer/Water: Commissioner Flower reported on the following:
1. Hydrant flushing on April 24-25. Ad will be placed in Shoppers Guide.
2.Seminar on May 19 in Grand Rapids on auto reading sponsored by Etna.
3.Rebuilding of pump #1 needed next year.
4.Consumer Confidence Report, legal distribution required. Put on website.
5.Sewer tests for Plainwell completed but no report received yet.
6.Delinquencies have decreased.
7.Community sewer/water rate comparison report.
8.Motorsports Park is in operation.
County Commissioner: Commissioner Black distributed synopses of the February 26, March 12 and March 26 meetings and also a survey regarding public transportation. He highlighted several items and action taken at the recent meetings.
Old Business:
1. Memorial Park Update: Member Seiser gave an update of the March 18 meeting, including information on brick pavers. He stated that brochures and samples would be available for this year’s Memorial Day activities, with a goal of completion of the project by Memorial Day 2010. Martin Township has approved repair of the monument. The committee will meet again on April 22.
Seiser presented bids for new sidewalk along North Main next to Memorial Park and around the project area. The bids were as follows:
Seiser Concrete $13,157
Affordable Concrete $9,236
Superior Concrete $13,250
VanLaan Concrete $23,550
After considerable discussion, motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member Brinkhuis to table this matter and not accept the bids for sidewalk construction at this time due to budget restraints. Motion carried.
2. Sewer System Update: It was reported that Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates has completed the paper work for the grant application and submitted it to USDA. The Village has a copy of the information sent to USDA
New Business:
1. Trash Pick Up Date: May 16 has been set as the date for the community trash pick up and coordinated with Martin Township.
2. Spring Newsletter: Flower is working on the spring newsletter and will include information regarding the village website.
3.Sidewalks: Martin has measured the sidewalks in the village with a total of 12,645 feet. He will determine needed repairs.
Community Deaths: One name was submitted: Doris McAllister.
Adjournment: On motion by Member Martin, supported by Member Brinkhuis, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Acting Clerk
April 13, 2009