CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
St. Louis, Michigan
July 6, 2010
The Regular Meeting of the Saint Louis City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Scholtz, on Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at 7:00 p. m., in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Council Members Present: Mayor Joe Scholtz, Jerry Church, James C. Kelly,
William E. Shrum
Council Members Absent: Melissa Allen (excused)
City Manager: Robert F. McConkie
City Clerk/Treasurer: Nancy L. Roehrs
Others in Attendance:
Curtis Wildfong Gratiot County Herald
Kurt Giles Utility Director
Phil Maxwell Police Chaplin
Rich Ramereiz Police Sergeant
Sally Church Parks & Recreation Committee
Don Schurr Greater Gratiot Development
Mayor Scholtz led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Minutes.
Moved by Shrum, supported by Kelly, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 15, 2010. All Ayes carried the motion.
Claims & Accounts.
City Council discussed the Claims & Accounts.
Moved by Shrum, supported by Church, to approve the Claims & Accounts, in the amount of $505,519.78. All ayes carried the motion.
Monthly Board Minutes.
City Council discussed the June 2010 Monthly Board Minutes.
Moved by Kelly, supported by Shrum, to receive and place on file the June 2010 Monthly Board Minutes. All ayes carried the motion.
Public Comments. None
Introduction of Police Chaplin.
Police Sergeant Ramereiz introduced Pastor Phil Maxwell as the Police Chaplin for the St. Louis Police Department. Sergeant Ramereiz stated that Phil Maxwell is also working as a Police Reserve with the Police Department.
Phil Maxwell stated that he is the Pastor of the First Baptist Church in St. Louis and he is happy to be apart of the St. Louis Police Department. Pastor Maxwell stated that he is originally from Ithaca but loves living and being apart of the St. Louis Community.
The City Council welcomed Chaplin Maxwell to the City of Saint Louis Police Department.
Communications.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council place on file communications regarding Energy Smart Program, Wolverine Power Supply, Rural Urban Day, Charter Communications, St. Louis Hazardous Waste Program, Gratiot Airport Authority Minutes and p-CBSA Summary.
Moved by Shrum, supported by Church, to approve to receive and place on file the communications regarding Energy Smart Program, Wolverine Power Supply, Rural Urban Day, Charter Communications, St. Louis Hazardous Waste Program, Gratiot Airport Authority Minutes and p-CBSA Summary. All ayes carried the motion.
New Business.
Confirm Verbal Approval Prospect St. Pavement Repairs.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council confirm the verbal approval for pavement repairs on Prospect Street at the Wastewater Treatment Plant by Rite-Way Asphalt Paving, Inc. in the amount of $6,915.00.
Moved by Church, supported by Kelly, to approve confirmation of the verbal approval for pavement repairs on Prospect Street at the Wastewater Treatment Plant by Rite-Way Asphalt Paving, Inc. in the amount of $6,915.00. All ayes carried the motion.
Approve Appointment of Kevin Palmer Planning Commission.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council approve the appointment of Kevin Palmer to the Planning Commission.
Moved by Kelly, supported by Shrum, to approve the appointment of Kevin Palmer to the Planning Commission. All ayes carried the motion.
Approve MERS Conference Officer and Employee Delegates.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council approve Robert McConkie as Officer Delegate and Nancy L. Roehrs Officer Alternate Delegate and Dave Giles as the Employee Delegate for the Annual MERS Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan September 15, 16, and 17, 2010.
Moved by Shrum, supported by Church, to approve Robert McConkie as Officer Delegate and Nancy L. Roehrs Officer Alternate Delegate and Dave Giles as the Employee Delegate for the Annual MERS Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan September 15, 16, and 17, 2010. All ayes carried the motion.
Approve MML Board of Trustees.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council approve the slate of candidates as Trustees for the Michigan Municipal League Worker's Compensation Fund.
Moved by Kelly, supported by Shrum, to approve the slate of candidates as Trustees for the Michigan Municipal League Worker's Compensation Fund. All ayes carried the motion.
Request from Village of Ashley.
City Manager McConkie stated that the City of Saint Louis will be replacing fifty street lamp posts on N. Mill Street with grant funds. The Village of Ashley is requesting that the City donate the old lamp posts for a beautification program in the village.
Council Member Church expressed concerned about donating the old street lights to the Village of Ashley because some of the lights are in bad condition.
City Manager McConkie stated that if the Village of Ashley wants the street lights it would be an understanding that they accept the lights in the condition as is.
Moved by Kelly, supported by Shrum, to approve the request from the Village of Ashley for the City of Saint Louis to donate the old lamp posts for a beautification program in the village. All ayes carried the motion.
Approve Traffic Control Order #T111.1.126.
City Manager McConkie stated that Police Chief Herblet recommended that Traffic Control Order #T111.1.126 be approved by the City Council. The traffic control order is needed to regulate southbound traffic on Hidden Oaks Drive to read as All traffic on Hidden Oaks Drive shall come to a stop before entering onto W. Monroe Road (M-46).
Moved by Church, supported by Kelly, to approve Traffic Control Order #T111.1.126 as follows: All traffic on Hidden Oaks Drive shall come to a stop before entering onto W. Monroe Road (M-46). All ayes carried the motion.
Approve Payment to Rite-Way Asphalt Paving, Inc.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council approve payment to Rite-Way Asphalt Paving, Inc, for Pavement Repairs at various locations throughout the City of Saint Louis in the amount of $22,578.00.
Moved by Shrum, supported by Church, to approve payment to Rite-Way Asphalt Paving, Inc, for Pavement Repairs at various locations throughout the City of Saint Louis in the amount of $22,578.00. All ayes carried the motion.
Approve USDA Legal Services Agreement.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council approve the U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Legal Services Agreement with Smith Bovill, P.C. for the Water Supply Replacement Project and authorize City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Saint Louis.
Moved by Church, supported by Kelly, to approve the U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Legal Services Agreement with Smith Bovill, P.C. for the Water Supply Replacement Project and authorize City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Saint Louis. All ayes carried the motion.
Approve Police Chief Employment Agreement.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council approve the Employment Agreement between the City of Saint Louis and Police Chief Patrick Herblet effective as of June 28, 2010.
Moved by Church, supported by Shrum, to approve the Employment Agreement between the City of Saint Louis and Police Chief Patrick Herblet effective as of June 28, 2010.
Approve Resolution 2010-10 Interlocal and Conditional Transfer Agreement.
City Manager McConkie stated that James Kelly, owner of the property located at 585 W. Madison Road submitted a request that his property be provided water and electric services.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Member Church and supported by Member Shrum.
WHEREAS, On February 8, 2007, the City of Saint Louis entered into an Interlocal
and Conditional Transfer Agreement with the City of Alma and the Township of Pine River, and
WHEREAS, such agreement provides, at Article I, Section 2 that residents of the service area within the Township may request the City to provide potable water and/or waste water service, provided that the necessary water or sewer lines have been extended to the resident's property line, and
WHEREAS, such agreement also provides, at Article II, Section 3, that upon the request from a property owner within the Growth Area for sewer or water service, such property will attach to the City, and
WHEREAS, James Kelly, the owner of property located at 585 W. Madison Road, Saint Louis, Michigan, within the Township of Pine River, which property is legally described in Exhibit A attached hereto, has requested that such property be provided water and electric service, and
WHEREAS, such property is located within the Growth Area and that water mains have been extended to its boundary line,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
- The City shall notify the Township of Pine River of this request.
- The property described in Exhibit A is attached to the City.
- That upon payment of the City's connection fees and issuance by the City of the appropriate permit in accordance with the ordinances so providing, the property may be connected to the City's water and electric services.
- That the property owner shall pay such user fees and charges as determined by ordinance in accordance with such ordinances.
- That the City shall forthwith provide a copy of this resolution to the Clerk of the County of Gratiot and to the Office of the Great Seal of the Secretary of State.
EXHIBIT A
Parcel: 29-12-024-024-00
Legal Description:
Beginning in the Northwest corner of property described as follows: Commencing at a point where the Olive Street Road crosses the quarter (1/4) line road at the Southeast corner of the Northeast quarter (NE1/4) of the Northwest one-quarter (NW1/4) of Section Number Twenty-Four (24) in Township Number Twelve (12) North of Range Number Three (3) West, Michigan; thence running South Eighteen (18) rods; thence West Thirty-Two (32) rods; thence North Thirty-Two (32) rods and Twenty-Two (22) and One-Half (1/2) links to the Center of Olive Street Road; thence in a Southeasterly direction along the Center of the Olive Street Road to the place of beginning. Thence South Two-Hundred Forty-three feet and Seven Inches (243' 7); thence East One-Hundred and Eighty-Four (184) feet; thence North One-Hundred Seventy-Nine (179) feet more or less to Olive Road; thence Northwesterly Two-Hundred Twelve feet Eight Inches (212' 8) to place of beginning. (Being a part of the East One-Half (E ½) of the North-West One-Quarter (NW1/4) of Section twenty-Four (24), Township Twelve (12) North of Range Three (3) West, of the Michigan Meridian, Pine River Township, Gratiot County, Michigan.)
AYES: Church, Shrum, Scholtz
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Kelly
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
City Manager's Report.
City Manager McConkie updated the City Council on the Alma/St. Louis Water Supply Replacement Project.
City Clerk/Treasurer's Report.
City Clerk/Treasurer Roehrs stated that the Michigan State Police Grant Department reviewed the accounting records for the MAGNET Grant Funds on June 16th. The person reviewing the records told her that they were in excellent condition and the best that he has reviewed.
Police Chief's Report.
Sergeant Ramereiz stated that the 4th of July weekend activities went smoothly as possible. There were 26 complaints from Friday morning to Sunday morning with no major problems.
Council Member Church said he received a complaint that some people were downtown in front of a store and were told that they could not stay there.
Sergeant Ramereiz stated that he was aware that they were not allowing people to stand by the entrance area to the tent.
City Council Comments.
Council Member Church stated that he didn't think there was much activity in the Clapp Park on Saturday.
Sergeant Ramereiz stated that there were not as many people in the past during the community day event but this was the first time the activities in the park were added to the 4th of July Celebration.
Council Member Church requested that a letter of recognition be sent to the committee that organized the activities for the 4th of July Celebration.
Council Member Shrum stated that on the corner of E. Tyrell Street and East Street there is a pickup truck that has been sitting by the garage for a long time.
Council Member Kelly stated that flyers should be handed out at Dee Hagen Memorial Motorcycle Event to make people aware that the event takes place for someone who died on a motorcycle. The motorcycles were running six in a row when they went around the curve on N. Main Street.
Council Member Church stated that he was told that when the motorcycles left town the other day, one person on a motorcycle stopped traffic so the motorcyclists could stay together. The vehicle traffic on M-46 was stopped and backed up on the hill on M-46.
Council Member Church stated that at the old Lutheran Church on S. Main Street there has been a car parked there all spring.
Sergeant Ramereiz stated that he has already taken action on the vehicle.
Mayor Scholtz stated that the sidewalks on W. Saginaw Street look nice and the contractor did a good job.
Mayor Scholtz wanted to know if there was any update on the van that has been parked on W. Center Street and Delaware Street.
Sergeant Ramereiz stated that he has contacted the owner several times about the vehicle but they have been having financial difficulties due to illness in the family. Sergeant Ramereiz stated that he would make contact again with the owner.
Comments.
Don Schurr stated that the economy seems to be getting better and employment for the county has increased.
City Manager McConkie stated that the City Council needs to be supportive of the Emergency 911 Surcharge Ballot Proposal.
Moved by Shrum, supported by Kelly, to approve to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. All ayes carried the motion.
Nancy L. Roehrs
City Clerk | 
