Minutes of the Village of Martin Board
August 8, 2011
Martin Village Council
Regular Meeting
August 8, 2011
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on August 8, 2011, at the Martin Village Office, 1609 North Main Street, Martin, Michigan.
Call to Order and Pledge to Flag: Vice-President Brinkhuis 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, J. Seiser, Clerk K. Seiser, Rambadt and Deputy Clerk Merrill. Members Harness and Martin were absent.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member J. Seiser to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 11, 2011, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Don Rambadt was present. Scott Young of PNC was also present. County Commissioner Don Black arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Scott Young was requested to come and explain the monthly analysis fees of PNC. He reviewed the statements and fees, including maintenance fee of $25.00 per month, deposits of $1.00 each, paid items at 25 cents each, monthly FDIC fee, and credit earnings. He stated that it is more costly to deal with cash than checks. He was asked about the FDIC insurance and I-Bonds. He will get more information and provide that for the village.
Approval of Agenda: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Rambadt to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. Thank you note from Judge Joe Skocelas for his visit at the July meeting.
2. Note from the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the 2012 census of governments.
3. Reminder from State Representative Bob Genetski of the Allegan County Local Officials Conference on September 30 at the Griswold Auditorium.
4. Letter from Hayward Logging and Sawmill stating that they would pay $1,800.00 for two walnut trees and one cherry tree at the wellhouse.
Financial Items:
1. Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Rambadt reviewed her report noting her concern about some balances. Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member J. Seiser to accept the Treasurer's Report for July 2011 as submitted. Motion carried.
2. Payment of Bills: After reviewing the list, Treasurer Rambadt recommended that two bills under the Sewer Maintenance Fund, Clean Earth for $10,011.15 and Wightman & Associates for $1,160.00, be paid from the Sewer Capital Improvement Fund due to the balance in the Sewer Maintenance Fund. Motion was made by Rambadt and seconded by J. Seiser to pay the two bills noted from the Sewer Capital Improvement Fund. Motion carried.
Treasurer Rambadt also noted that the water bond interest payment could be made from the Water Debt Fund as listed, but the balance left would not be enough for the next bond principal and interest payment. A decision will be necessary at that time, six months from now.
Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as presented with the change in the Sewer Fund and any forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
3. Closing Update: Deputy Clerk Merrill reported that the 2010-2011 closing has been completed by Yeo & Yeo and that the on site plan worked very well. Two staff members from Yeo & Yeo spent two days at the office and then had all entries approved and sent to the village. They also prepared the F-65 state report and the Act 51 MDOT report.
Department Updates/Reports:
1. Public Safety: Brinkhuis stated that the Allegan County Mounted Division was in town again last week and proposed that they be paid $250 per month regardless of how many times they are in town. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to pay the Mounted Division $250 per month only when they are on duty in the village. Motion carried.
Brinkhuis will let the Mounted Division know about the dates of the beginning of school.
2. Public Works: The only item reported was that the P.W. employees have painted the posts by the garage yellow.
3. Streets: Bids are being obtained for sealing where needed.
4. Sewer/Water: Flower reported on the following:
A. Needed to call Sensus regarding a problem with the billing system.
B. Distributed copies of the proposed Sewer/Water budget and reviewed the figures. There was discussion on the rebuilding of the water pump. Suggestion to have Peerless-Midwest do the work with Kraai employee(s) observing.
C. The pumpage did not improve much after the jet cleaning.
D. Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates recommended pumping out the lift stations two times a year.
Brinkhuis reported on the Sewer Committee meeting held on July 20 with Tom Deneau
and representatives from VanElderen. The purpose of the meeting was to try to
determine the cause of the high BODs. Mike VanElderen is doing tests from 3 tanks
and treating each tank separately until the BODs decrease. Tom Deneau, Mike
VanElderen and Tim Eichler are working closely on the problem.
5. County Commissioner: Don Black distributed synopses of the July 14 and July 28 County Commission meetings. He noted that the 2012 budget was approved and that a lease agreement with Michigan Works! had been approved. He also stated that he would like opinions from local constituents on how to vote on a labor organization resolution. There was some discussion on that.
Old Business:
1. Update on Independent Water: Tabled until next meeting.
2. Capitalization Policy: The village auditors, Yeo & Yeo, suggested that a Capitalization Policy be adopted for the capitalization and depreciation of capital assets and infrastructure. The first reading was done at the July 11 meeting. Deputy Clerk Merrill read the proposed policy as the second reading. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and seconded by Member Rambadt to adopt the Capitalization Policy as presented and read. Motion carried.
3. Tree Bids: Tabled until next meeting.
4. Office Sign: Member Flower has contacted Cronen Signs and is waiting for suggestions.
New Business:
1. Recommendations from Sewer Committee Regarding BODs: Covered under Sewer/Water report.
2. Other: Question was raised about the status of the local post office. It was stated that the rural carriers will be operating out of Plainwell as of August 27. The postmaster will continue for the time being.
Township Supervisor Terry Sturgis has resigned effective August 31.
Resident Phil Salingue has reported some sewer issues.
Recent Community Deaths: Names submitted were Robert H. Larson and Mary Lou Patterson.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member J. Seiser to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Deputy Clerk
Regular Meeting
August 8, 2011
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on August 8, 2011, at the Martin Village Office, 1609 North Main Street, Martin, Michigan.
Call to Order and Pledge to Flag: Vice-President Brinkhuis 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, J. Seiser, Clerk K. Seiser, Rambadt and Deputy Clerk Merrill. Members Harness and Martin were absent.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member J. Seiser to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 11, 2011, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Don Rambadt was present. Scott Young of PNC was also present. County Commissioner Don Black arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Scott Young was requested to come and explain the monthly analysis fees of PNC. He reviewed the statements and fees, including maintenance fee of $25.00 per month, deposits of $1.00 each, paid items at 25 cents each, monthly FDIC fee, and credit earnings. He stated that it is more costly to deal with cash than checks. He was asked about the FDIC insurance and I-Bonds. He will get more information and provide that for the village.
Approval of Agenda: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Rambadt to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. Thank you note from Judge Joe Skocelas for his visit at the July meeting.
2. Note from the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the 2012 census of governments.
3. Reminder from State Representative Bob Genetski of the Allegan County Local Officials Conference on September 30 at the Griswold Auditorium.
4. Letter from Hayward Logging and Sawmill stating that they would pay $1,800.00 for two walnut trees and one cherry tree at the wellhouse.
Financial Items:
1. Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Rambadt reviewed her report noting her concern about some balances. Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member J. Seiser to accept the Treasurer's Report for July 2011 as submitted. Motion carried.
2. Payment of Bills: After reviewing the list, Treasurer Rambadt recommended that two bills under the Sewer Maintenance Fund, Clean Earth for $10,011.15 and Wightman & Associates for $1,160.00, be paid from the Sewer Capital Improvement Fund due to the balance in the Sewer Maintenance Fund. Motion was made by Rambadt and seconded by J. Seiser to pay the two bills noted from the Sewer Capital Improvement Fund. Motion carried.
Treasurer Rambadt also noted that the water bond interest payment could be made from the Water Debt Fund as listed, but the balance left would not be enough for the next bond principal and interest payment. A decision will be necessary at that time, six months from now.
Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as presented with the change in the Sewer Fund and any forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
3. Closing Update: Deputy Clerk Merrill reported that the 2010-2011 closing has been completed by Yeo & Yeo and that the on site plan worked very well. Two staff members from Yeo & Yeo spent two days at the office and then had all entries approved and sent to the village. They also prepared the F-65 state report and the Act 51 MDOT report.
Department Updates/Reports:
1. Public Safety: Brinkhuis stated that the Allegan County Mounted Division was in town again last week and proposed that they be paid $250 per month regardless of how many times they are in town. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to pay the Mounted Division $250 per month only when they are on duty in the village. Motion carried.
Brinkhuis will let the Mounted Division know about the dates of the beginning of school.
2. Public Works: The only item reported was that the P.W. employees have painted the posts by the garage yellow.
3. Streets: Bids are being obtained for sealing where needed.
4. Sewer/Water: Flower reported on the following:
A. Needed to call Sensus regarding a problem with the billing system.
B. Distributed copies of the proposed Sewer/Water budget and reviewed the figures. There was discussion on the rebuilding of the water pump. Suggestion to have Peerless-Midwest do the work with Kraai employee(s) observing.
C. The pumpage did not improve much after the jet cleaning.
D. Tom Deneau of Wightman & Associates recommended pumping out the lift stations two times a year.
Brinkhuis reported on the Sewer Committee meeting held on July 20 with Tom Deneau
and representatives from VanElderen. The purpose of the meeting was to try to
determine the cause of the high BODs. Mike VanElderen is doing tests from 3 tanks
and treating each tank separately until the BODs decrease. Tom Deneau, Mike
VanElderen and Tim Eichler are working closely on the problem.
5. County Commissioner: Don Black distributed synopses of the July 14 and July 28 County Commission meetings. He noted that the 2012 budget was approved and that a lease agreement with Michigan Works! had been approved. He also stated that he would like opinions from local constituents on how to vote on a labor organization resolution. There was some discussion on that.
Old Business:
1. Update on Independent Water: Tabled until next meeting.
2. Capitalization Policy: The village auditors, Yeo & Yeo, suggested that a Capitalization Policy be adopted for the capitalization and depreciation of capital assets and infrastructure. The first reading was done at the July 11 meeting. Deputy Clerk Merrill read the proposed policy as the second reading. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and seconded by Member Rambadt to adopt the Capitalization Policy as presented and read. Motion carried.
3. Tree Bids: Tabled until next meeting.
4. Office Sign: Member Flower has contacted Cronen Signs and is waiting for suggestions.
New Business:
1. Recommendations from Sewer Committee Regarding BODs: Covered under Sewer/Water report.
2. Other: Question was raised about the status of the local post office. It was stated that the rural carriers will be operating out of Plainwell as of August 27. The postmaster will continue for the time being.
Township Supervisor Terry Sturgis has resigned effective August 31.
Resident Phil Salingue has reported some sewer issues.
Recent Community Deaths: Names submitted were Robert H. Larson and Mary Lou Patterson.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member J. Seiser to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill
Deputy Clerk