Minutes of the Village of Martin Board
July 11, 2011
Village of Martin
Regular Meeting
July 11, 2011
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on July 11, 2011, at the Martin Village Office, 1609 North 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: Brinkhuis, Flower, Harness, Martin, J. Seiser, and Clerk K. Seiser. Member Rambadt and Deputy Clerk Merrill were absent.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Martin to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 13, 2011, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Don Rambadt was present. Don Black arrived at 7:37 p.m., and Judge Joseph Skocelas arrived at 7:50 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Martin to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Communications: The follow were presented:
1. Thank you card from resident Rebecca Abbott on the way the B-93 bash was handled with addition security and clean up.
2. Clerk Seiser reported on an email that was sent from the U.S. Census Bureau regarding Field Management Reforms to Reduce Cost and Enhance Data Quality. They wanted to inform us on some changes that will be happening over the next 18 months to reduce cost.
3. Clerk Seiser presented a letter from Protec. Protec has worked on behalf of local government across Michigan to address a variety of right of way issues facing out state. The letter stated some things they do for the community and would like and need support by becoming a member or renewing our community's annual membership. Harness recommended that we do not renew the membership.
4. Received a ballot for the 2011 MML Workers Compensation fund trustees with information on the candidates. Clerk was instructed to cast ballot and return.
Financial Items:
1. Treasurer's Report: Clerk Seiser reported that everything reconciled with the bank per phone conversation with Deputy Clerk Merrill on 7-10-11. Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Martin to accept the Treasurer's Report for June as submitted. Motion carried.
2. Payment of Bills: After review, made a change with the donation of the mounted division instead of paying $500 we will pay $250 due to the reduced man hours from 130 to 42. Motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member J. Seiser to approve payment of the bills with the two changes one to the mounted division from $500 to $250 and deleting the bill for Protec annual dues and any forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
3. Closing Update: Harness reported on the Capitalization Policy. The Board members will review and discuss at the next meeting. It's a recommendation from Yeo & Yeo that we should adopt the policy for part of our closing on how we do our book keeping. This will be the first reading. Next meeting we will have a second reading then decide if we want to adopt it.
Department Updates/Reports:
1. Public Safety: Member Brinkhuis reported that the mounted division was here on Saturday July 9 at 3:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with four horses. Martin and Brinkhuis spoke with Captain Karen with the mounted division discussing paying a donation to the mounted division between $150-$200 every time they come to Martin for patrolling football games or for any other additional security we need them for. If we don't have anything specific they it was suggested that they come in for a town ride like they did last Saturday. The board will review our public safety budget and discuss it again at the next meeting. Motion made by member Brinkhuis and supported by member J. Seiser to give a donation for $150 to the mounted division for Saturday July 9. Motion Carried.
2. Public Works: Member Martin stated not much to report on public works.
3. Streets: Member Martin stated not much to report on streets.
4. Sewer/Water: The following items were discussed:
a. Member Flower stated that Plainwell will be raising their rates.
b. Reviewed the handouts on waste water rate analysis and actual figures on revenue and expenses for last year for sewer and water.
c. Brinkhuis talked with VanElderen about setting up a meeting with Tom Deneau regarding concerns about continued high BOD's.
d. Discussion on pump rebuild.
e. Flower stated a resident sold their house without hooking up to water. Flower will send a letter and copy of the ordinance the new owners stating they need to connect to water. The new owners are obligated to connect accordinating to the Ordinance and need to contact the Village on the date they plan on connecting.
f. Clean Earth is coming back to clean the sewer drains. Martin explained that gravel was getting trapped in the low spots in the drains between here and Plainwell. It was discussed that another lift station may be needed.
g. Harness presented an email from Tom Deneau on sewer rates and evaluation. It stated that a sewer increase is needed on our part to stay up on repairs. Harness stated that Tom Deneau would like to meet with the sewer committee to review this email. The sewer committee will meet with Tom and make recommendations to the board for the next meeting. Brinkhuis will contact Tom and set up a double meeting regarding sewer issues.
h. Brinkhuis reported that Tim Hildebrand may have a leak somewhere. Stated his water bill has been higher than usual. Harness suggested putting a new meter in and monitoring it. It was agreed to put a new meter in and check out his sprinkler system.
Honorable Judge Joe Skocelas: Joe Skocelas dropped off an Annual report of the 57th district court. He reported on crime rates going down and discussed new community service programs.
Joe Skocelas discussed new programs at the jail for example people that get sent to jail for first offense drug use and domestic violence can choose to work with the jail and pay to do Community Service work. It keeps people working and out of jail. If they don't show up for Community Service then a bench warrant is sent out and they go to jail.
When people can't afford to pay for fines and court costs the court ends up paying for them. Now people have the option to do community service to pay off their debt. They get $10.00 credit towards their debt for every hour of Community Service they perform.
Joe Skocelas also stated they started a school program in 2007 and Martin High School is the only school in the county they don't use. Joe stated he contacted Martin High School but the principal never responded back. The Village will contact the High School and have the principal contact Joe if interested in the program. If any questions for Joe Skocelas he left his card with his phone number and email address.
County Commissioner: Don Black distributed synopses on the June 23, 2011 County Commission meetings. He then reported that Allegan County no longer has a planning commission to save money. They will talk about having one again in the future.
Old Business:
1. Independent Water: We have had no communication with anybody from Independent Water. It was discussed that small claims court be an option to get back at least half of what they owe. $3,000 is the maximum you can get from small claims court. Motion was made by Brinkhuis to instruct Attorney Ed Annen to send a legal notice to Independent Water before we proceed with small claims court and seconded by Martin. Motion carried.
New Business:
1. Capitalization policy: First reading.
2. Jeff Curry: Martin reported that Jeff Curry is interested in buying three walnut trees by the water pump house. Jeff Curry gave a bid for $1800 for the three trees. Had a discussion on pursuing it and getting one more bid.
3. Signs: Member Flower will check in to purchasing signs for the new office. Flower will bring quotes to the next meeting.
4. Pump #1: discussion on bids from Chad Kraai and Peerless for a replacement of a pump. Chad Kraai had a bid for $19,356 and Peerless had a bid for $10,000 - $20,000.
Recent Community Deaths: Two names were submitted - Esther L. Draper and Paul McFarland.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Martin and seconded by Flower to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Seiser
Clerk
Regular Meeting
July 11, 2011
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on July 11, 2011, at the Martin Village Office, 1609 North 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: Brinkhuis, Flower, Harness, Martin, J. Seiser, and Clerk K. Seiser. Member Rambadt and Deputy Clerk Merrill were absent.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Martin to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 13, 2011, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Don Rambadt was present. Don Black arrived at 7:37 p.m., and Judge Joseph Skocelas arrived at 7:50 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Martin to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Communications: The follow were presented:
1. Thank you card from resident Rebecca Abbott on the way the B-93 bash was handled with addition security and clean up.
2. Clerk Seiser reported on an email that was sent from the U.S. Census Bureau regarding Field Management Reforms to Reduce Cost and Enhance Data Quality. They wanted to inform us on some changes that will be happening over the next 18 months to reduce cost.
3. Clerk Seiser presented a letter from Protec. Protec has worked on behalf of local government across Michigan to address a variety of right of way issues facing out state. The letter stated some things they do for the community and would like and need support by becoming a member or renewing our community's annual membership. Harness recommended that we do not renew the membership.
4. Received a ballot for the 2011 MML Workers Compensation fund trustees with information on the candidates. Clerk was instructed to cast ballot and return.
Financial Items:
1. Treasurer's Report: Clerk Seiser reported that everything reconciled with the bank per phone conversation with Deputy Clerk Merrill on 7-10-11. Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Martin to accept the Treasurer's Report for June as submitted. Motion carried.
2. Payment of Bills: After review, made a change with the donation of the mounted division instead of paying $500 we will pay $250 due to the reduced man hours from 130 to 42. Motion was made by Member Martin and supported by Member J. Seiser to approve payment of the bills with the two changes one to the mounted division from $500 to $250 and deleting the bill for Protec annual dues and any forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
3. Closing Update: Harness reported on the Capitalization Policy. The Board members will review and discuss at the next meeting. It's a recommendation from Yeo & Yeo that we should adopt the policy for part of our closing on how we do our book keeping. This will be the first reading. Next meeting we will have a second reading then decide if we want to adopt it.
Department Updates/Reports:
1. Public Safety: Member Brinkhuis reported that the mounted division was here on Saturday July 9 at 3:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with four horses. Martin and Brinkhuis spoke with Captain Karen with the mounted division discussing paying a donation to the mounted division between $150-$200 every time they come to Martin for patrolling football games or for any other additional security we need them for. If we don't have anything specific they it was suggested that they come in for a town ride like they did last Saturday. The board will review our public safety budget and discuss it again at the next meeting. Motion made by member Brinkhuis and supported by member J. Seiser to give a donation for $150 to the mounted division for Saturday July 9. Motion Carried.
2. Public Works: Member Martin stated not much to report on public works.
3. Streets: Member Martin stated not much to report on streets.
4. Sewer/Water: The following items were discussed:
a. Member Flower stated that Plainwell will be raising their rates.
b. Reviewed the handouts on waste water rate analysis and actual figures on revenue and expenses for last year for sewer and water.
c. Brinkhuis talked with VanElderen about setting up a meeting with Tom Deneau regarding concerns about continued high BOD's.
d. Discussion on pump rebuild.
e. Flower stated a resident sold their house without hooking up to water. Flower will send a letter and copy of the ordinance the new owners stating they need to connect to water. The new owners are obligated to connect accordinating to the Ordinance and need to contact the Village on the date they plan on connecting.
f. Clean Earth is coming back to clean the sewer drains. Martin explained that gravel was getting trapped in the low spots in the drains between here and Plainwell. It was discussed that another lift station may be needed.
g. Harness presented an email from Tom Deneau on sewer rates and evaluation. It stated that a sewer increase is needed on our part to stay up on repairs. Harness stated that Tom Deneau would like to meet with the sewer committee to review this email. The sewer committee will meet with Tom and make recommendations to the board for the next meeting. Brinkhuis will contact Tom and set up a double meeting regarding sewer issues.
h. Brinkhuis reported that Tim Hildebrand may have a leak somewhere. Stated his water bill has been higher than usual. Harness suggested putting a new meter in and monitoring it. It was agreed to put a new meter in and check out his sprinkler system.
Honorable Judge Joe Skocelas: Joe Skocelas dropped off an Annual report of the 57th district court. He reported on crime rates going down and discussed new community service programs.
Joe Skocelas discussed new programs at the jail for example people that get sent to jail for first offense drug use and domestic violence can choose to work with the jail and pay to do Community Service work. It keeps people working and out of jail. If they don't show up for Community Service then a bench warrant is sent out and they go to jail.
When people can't afford to pay for fines and court costs the court ends up paying for them. Now people have the option to do community service to pay off their debt. They get $10.00 credit towards their debt for every hour of Community Service they perform.
Joe Skocelas also stated they started a school program in 2007 and Martin High School is the only school in the county they don't use. Joe stated he contacted Martin High School but the principal never responded back. The Village will contact the High School and have the principal contact Joe if interested in the program. If any questions for Joe Skocelas he left his card with his phone number and email address.
County Commissioner: Don Black distributed synopses on the June 23, 2011 County Commission meetings. He then reported that Allegan County no longer has a planning commission to save money. They will talk about having one again in the future.
Old Business:
1. Independent Water: We have had no communication with anybody from Independent Water. It was discussed that small claims court be an option to get back at least half of what they owe. $3,000 is the maximum you can get from small claims court. Motion was made by Brinkhuis to instruct Attorney Ed Annen to send a legal notice to Independent Water before we proceed with small claims court and seconded by Martin. Motion carried.
New Business:
1. Capitalization policy: First reading.
2. Jeff Curry: Martin reported that Jeff Curry is interested in buying three walnut trees by the water pump house. Jeff Curry gave a bid for $1800 for the three trees. Had a discussion on pursuing it and getting one more bid.
3. Signs: Member Flower will check in to purchasing signs for the new office. Flower will bring quotes to the next meeting.
4. Pump #1: discussion on bids from Chad Kraai and Peerless for a replacement of a pump. Chad Kraai had a bid for $19,356 and Peerless had a bid for $10,000 - $20,000.
Recent Community Deaths: Two names were submitted - Esther L. Draper and Paul McFarland.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Martin and seconded by Flower to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Seiser
Clerk