Minutes of the Village of Martin Board
December 12, 2011
Martin Village Council
Regular Meeting
December 12, 2011
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on December 12, 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, Rambadt, J. Seiser, Clerk K. Seiser and Deputy Clerk Merrill.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Rambadt to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 22, 2011, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Those present were Don Rambadt, Earl Wykstra and Alice Kelsey. County Commissioner Don Black arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Mr. Wykstra and Ms. Kelsey are both candidates for the vacant trustee position, and each gave a brief statement on their background and why they are interested in the trustee position.
Approval of Agenda: One item was added to New Business, Carman Pharmacy. Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Rambadt to approve the agenda as revised. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. Letter from Margaret Smith, Secretary of the Martin Township Planning Commission stating that the Commission is preparing an update to its Master Land Use Plan and welcoming any comments.
2. Letter from the Director of the U.S. Census Bureau about a voluntary Boundary and Annexation Survey.
3. Treasurer Rambadt reported that she had sent thank you notes to those involved with the Christmas parade, including the Martin School Superintendent’s Office and requested that they include the date of the first Friday in December each year for the Christmas parade on the school calendar.
Financial Items:
1. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Rambadt gave a brief explanation of the state revenue sharing sales tax stating that the statutory sales tax has been eliminated and that there is a new Economic Vitality Incentive Program (E.V.I.P.) in place which requires several steps of forms to be completed to be eligible for the program. The first step has been completed with step 2 due by January 1, 2012 and step 3 by May 1, 2012.
After review of the treasurer’s report, motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to accept the report for November 2011 as presented. Motion carried.
2. Payment of Bills: One bill was added to the General Fund for $149.94 for office blinds to complete the windows. Motion was made by Member J. Seiser and seconded by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as revised and including the Michigan Gas bills which have not arrived. Motion carried.
3. Software Update: Clerk K. Seiser stated that she did not have any further bids. President Harness reminded her that information is needed by the January budget workshop to be included in next year’s budget. Flower stated that Treasurer Rambadt’s computer needs to be replaced which should be considered in next year’s budget planning.
Department Updates/Report:
1. Public Safety: Member Flower stated that Ron VanDenBerg asked about detour signs when needed for heavy traffic being rerouted from the highway for an emergency, which happened recently. This will be checked. Flower also stated that he plans to call Wyoming regarding the yearly maintenance on the traffic signal.
2. Public Works: Member Brinkhuis highlighted Tim Eichler’s list of priorities and maintenance needs. Tim would like someone to routinely check the sewer and water systems if possible for problems or repairs. This will be investigated.
3. Streets: President Harness reported that Tim had an issue with the salt and sand not running through the spreader. Member Flower stated that Tim could not obtain patch to repair holes on Templeton Street. Brinkhuis will check on this.
4. Sewer/Water: Member Flower reported that the billing went well, and he is using Rick Martin’s Gator. There was discussion on how long the vehicle would be available and whether the village should investigate purchasing a vehicle to use for meter reading as well as other uses.
Flower attended the Joint Sewer meeting on December 1 and highlighted some of the items, including: Gun Plain Township had been told that there is going to be a rest stop constructed along U.S. 131 near 108th Avenue, and they want to connect to the sewer line. There will be a meeting soon with the state.
5. County Commissioner: Don Black distributed a synopsis of the December 8 meeting and highlighted several items, including a jail financial update and action taken to purchase a trailer to assist with meth site cleanup . There was a discussion on the action taken by the Board of Commissioners to adopt a tobacco free workplace policy with several expressing their opinions.
Old Business:
1. Update on Independent Water: President Harness reported that he had contacted Attorney Ed Annen, and the village needs to check on the bankruptcy papers.
2. Office Sign: Flower still had no word from Cronen Signs. It was agreed that he should check with other places. It was also agreed that a sign that can include postings is preferred.
3. Salt Bin Update: J. Seiser stated that he could not obtain all the specs needed for a publication. President Harness stated that an ad needs to be in next Monday’s paper, and he will gather the information.
New Business:
1. Applicants for P. W. Position: Twelve applications have been received. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to authorize the Street/Public Works Committee, consisting of Brinkhuis. Harness and J. Seiser to review the applications and make a recommendation to the council. Motion carried.
2. Carman Pharmacy: Member J. Seiser asked about whom is responsible for cleaning the sidewalks around Carman Pharmacy since the village is supposed to be responsible for property 33 feet from the center of the street and that some businesses paid part of the cost of the sidewalk several years ago.
3. Trustee Vacancy: Two written letters of interest had been received from Alice Kelsey and Earl Wykstra. There was discussion on the various qualifications and ways in which each candidate could contribute toward the village needs. It was agreed that both had abilities and skills to offer. After consideration, it was moved by Member Brinkhuis and seconded by Member Flower to appoint Earl Wykstra to fill the vacant trustee position, effective after he takes the oath of office.
Roll call vote: Yes – Rambadt, Flower, J. Seiser, Brinkhuis, K. Seiser.
No - None
Absent – None Motion carried.
President Harness will contact the candidates.
Other: Council was reminded that a budget workshop needs to be scheduled for January. The date of January 23, 2012, 6:30 p.m. was set.
Member J. Seiser presented and questioned a portion of a letter from Attorney Ed Annen which addressed disincorporation of the village. However, the missing page gave Mr. Annen’s opinion that the process was not advised. President Harness stated that the topic is not a consideration.
Recent Community Deaths: None.
Adjournment: On motion by Member Flower and support by Member J. Seiser, the meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill,
Deputy Clerk
Regular Meeting
December 12, 2011
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on December 12, 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, Rambadt, J. Seiser, Clerk K. Seiser and Deputy Clerk Merrill.
Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Member Flower and seconded by Member Rambadt to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 22, 2011, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Those present were Don Rambadt, Earl Wykstra and Alice Kelsey. County Commissioner Don Black arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Mr. Wykstra and Ms. Kelsey are both candidates for the vacant trustee position, and each gave a brief statement on their background and why they are interested in the trustee position.
Approval of Agenda: One item was added to New Business, Carman Pharmacy. Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Rambadt to approve the agenda as revised. Motion carried.
Communications: The following were presented:
1. Letter from Margaret Smith, Secretary of the Martin Township Planning Commission stating that the Commission is preparing an update to its Master Land Use Plan and welcoming any comments.
2. Letter from the Director of the U.S. Census Bureau about a voluntary Boundary and Annexation Survey.
3. Treasurer Rambadt reported that she had sent thank you notes to those involved with the Christmas parade, including the Martin School Superintendent’s Office and requested that they include the date of the first Friday in December each year for the Christmas parade on the school calendar.
Financial Items:
1. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Rambadt gave a brief explanation of the state revenue sharing sales tax stating that the statutory sales tax has been eliminated and that there is a new Economic Vitality Incentive Program (E.V.I.P.) in place which requires several steps of forms to be completed to be eligible for the program. The first step has been completed with step 2 due by January 1, 2012 and step 3 by May 1, 2012.
After review of the treasurer’s report, motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Brinkhuis to accept the report for November 2011 as presented. Motion carried.
2. Payment of Bills: One bill was added to the General Fund for $149.94 for office blinds to complete the windows. Motion was made by Member J. Seiser and seconded by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as revised and including the Michigan Gas bills which have not arrived. Motion carried.
3. Software Update: Clerk K. Seiser stated that she did not have any further bids. President Harness reminded her that information is needed by the January budget workshop to be included in next year’s budget. Flower stated that Treasurer Rambadt’s computer needs to be replaced which should be considered in next year’s budget planning.
Department Updates/Report:
1. Public Safety: Member Flower stated that Ron VanDenBerg asked about detour signs when needed for heavy traffic being rerouted from the highway for an emergency, which happened recently. This will be checked. Flower also stated that he plans to call Wyoming regarding the yearly maintenance on the traffic signal.
2. Public Works: Member Brinkhuis highlighted Tim Eichler’s list of priorities and maintenance needs. Tim would like someone to routinely check the sewer and water systems if possible for problems or repairs. This will be investigated.
3. Streets: President Harness reported that Tim had an issue with the salt and sand not running through the spreader. Member Flower stated that Tim could not obtain patch to repair holes on Templeton Street. Brinkhuis will check on this.
4. Sewer/Water: Member Flower reported that the billing went well, and he is using Rick Martin’s Gator. There was discussion on how long the vehicle would be available and whether the village should investigate purchasing a vehicle to use for meter reading as well as other uses.
Flower attended the Joint Sewer meeting on December 1 and highlighted some of the items, including: Gun Plain Township had been told that there is going to be a rest stop constructed along U.S. 131 near 108th Avenue, and they want to connect to the sewer line. There will be a meeting soon with the state.
5. County Commissioner: Don Black distributed a synopsis of the December 8 meeting and highlighted several items, including a jail financial update and action taken to purchase a trailer to assist with meth site cleanup . There was a discussion on the action taken by the Board of Commissioners to adopt a tobacco free workplace policy with several expressing their opinions.
Old Business:
1. Update on Independent Water: President Harness reported that he had contacted Attorney Ed Annen, and the village needs to check on the bankruptcy papers.
2. Office Sign: Flower still had no word from Cronen Signs. It was agreed that he should check with other places. It was also agreed that a sign that can include postings is preferred.
3. Salt Bin Update: J. Seiser stated that he could not obtain all the specs needed for a publication. President Harness stated that an ad needs to be in next Monday’s paper, and he will gather the information.
New Business:
1. Applicants for P. W. Position: Twelve applications have been received. Motion was made by Member Brinkhuis and supported by Member Flower to authorize the Street/Public Works Committee, consisting of Brinkhuis. Harness and J. Seiser to review the applications and make a recommendation to the council. Motion carried.
2. Carman Pharmacy: Member J. Seiser asked about whom is responsible for cleaning the sidewalks around Carman Pharmacy since the village is supposed to be responsible for property 33 feet from the center of the street and that some businesses paid part of the cost of the sidewalk several years ago.
3. Trustee Vacancy: Two written letters of interest had been received from Alice Kelsey and Earl Wykstra. There was discussion on the various qualifications and ways in which each candidate could contribute toward the village needs. It was agreed that both had abilities and skills to offer. After consideration, it was moved by Member Brinkhuis and seconded by Member Flower to appoint Earl Wykstra to fill the vacant trustee position, effective after he takes the oath of office.
Roll call vote: Yes – Rambadt, Flower, J. Seiser, Brinkhuis, K. Seiser.
No - None
Absent – None Motion carried.
President Harness will contact the candidates.
Other: Council was reminded that a budget workshop needs to be scheduled for January. The date of January 23, 2012, 6:30 p.m. was set.
Member J. Seiser presented and questioned a portion of a letter from Attorney Ed Annen which addressed disincorporation of the village. However, the missing page gave Mr. Annen’s opinion that the process was not advised. President Harness stated that the topic is not a consideration.
Recent Community Deaths: None.
Adjournment: On motion by Member Flower and support by Member J. Seiser, the meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Merrill,
Deputy Clerk