CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
St. Louis, Michigan
April 20, 2010
The Regular Meeting of the Saint Louis City Council was called to order by Mayor Joe Scholtz, on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at 7:30 a.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Council Members Present: Mayor Joe Scholtz, Melissa A. Allen, Jerry Church, James C. Kelly, William E. Shrum
Council Members Absent: None
City Manager: Robert F. McConkie
Dept City Clerk/Treasurer: Kathy L. Smith
Others in Attendance:
Phyllis McCrossin Gratiot County Herald
Kurt Giles Utilities Director
Patrick Herblet Police Chief
Phil Hansen DDA Director
Jan Bunting County Commissioner
Dick Green
Katherine Roslund City Assessor
Mayor Scholtz led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Minutes.
Moved by Allen, supported by Kelly, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on April 6, 2010 subject to the change on page 173 “To approve Request for Hospitality Tent and Street Closures the motion should read Ayes: Allen, Church, Shrum Nays: Kelly Motion Carried”. All ayes carried the motion.
Approve Financial Statements.
The City Council reviewed the Financial Statements for the month of March 2010. Council Member Allen requested a chart of accounts that describes the account numbers in more detail. Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Smith stated she would provide her with one.
Moved by Church, supported by Shrum, to approve the Financial Statements for the month of March 2010.
All ayes carried the motion.
Claims & Accounts.
City Council discussed the Claims & Accounts.
Council Member Allen stated there was an item with no description on the report.
Moved by Kelly, supported by Shrum, to approve the Claims & Accounts, in the amount of $371,050.59. All ayes carried the motion.
Monthly Reports.
City Council discussed the March 2010 Monthly Reports.
Moved by Allen, supported by Kelly, to receive and place on file the March 2010 Monthly Reports. All ayes carried the motion.
Public Comments.
R. L. Green wished to thank Clerk/Treasurer Nancy L. Roehrs for providing him with a copy of the minutes and to thank City Manager Robert McConkie for a phone discussion they had earlier in the week.
Communications.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council place on file communication from the City of Alma Dart Service and the Pine River Drawdown Plan.
Moved by Allen, supported by Shrum, to receive and place on file the communications from the City of Alma Dart Service and the Pine River Drawdown Plan. All ayes carried the motion.
New Business.
Approve Resignation from Parks & Recreation Commission.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council accept the resignation of Megan Brown from the Parks & Recreation Commission with regret.
Moved by Kelly, supported by Church, to approve to accept the resignation of Megan Brown from the Parks & Recreation Commission with regret. All ayes carried the motion.
Council Member Allen stated at the last Parks & Recreation meeting Jen Shaw and Jeff DeRosia were recommended to be on the commission. City Council agreed to proceed to appoint Jen Shaw and Jeff DeRosia.
Moved by Allen, supported by Shrum, to appoint Jen Shaw and Jeff DeRosia to the Parks and Recreation Commission. All ayes carried the motion.
Approve Resolution 2010-06 Power Purchase.
The following preamble and resolution was offered by Member Church, and supported by Member Shrum.
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis is a member of the Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA) and also a member of the Energy Services Project Committee, and
WHEREAS, MPPA is preparing for the purchase of base load and peaking power and capacity in the near future and the City of St. Louis is desirous of participating in some or all of those purchases, all of which will be for a period of greater than one year, and
WHEREAS, Section 3 of the Energy Services Risk Management Policy which was previously approved as part of the Energy Services Agreement requires the City Council to designate a representative and approve purchases greater than one year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Council establish the price levels (strike prices) as provided in Attachment 1 at or below which purchase agreements for base load power, peaking power and/or capacity may be approved by the designated Representative, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager is hereby designated as the
Representative for the City of St. Louis and is authorized to execute power purchase agreements at or below the strike prices provided in Attachment 1, as may from time to time be required, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in the event the City Manager is not available to perform as the designated Representative, the Director of Public Services is hereby designated as the Alternate Representative to serve as back up to the City Manager, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager shall keep the City Council informed of the results of any power purchase agreements greater than one year that are entered into when specific information becomes available, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the strike prices in Attachment 1 and the Representative authorizations shall remain in place until superseded by future action of this City Council.
Ayes: Allen, Church, Kelly, Scholtz, Shrum
Nays: None
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
Approve Resolution 2010-07.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council approve Resolution 2010-07 to Seek Federal Support for the Great Lakes Energy and Research Park in Alma, Michigan.
The following preamble and resolution was offered by Member Shrum, and supported by Member Church.
Whereas, the City of St. Louis is seeking Federal support for the Great Lakes Energy and Research Park in Alma, Michigan; and,
Whereas, Alma, Saint Louis, and Pine River Township have jointly entered into a Conditional Annexation (Public Act 425) Agreement and Municipal Services Agreement to encourage development such as the Great Lakes Energy and Research Park; and,
Whereas, the nation, the State of Michigan and Gratiot County are experiencing high levels of unemployment; and,
Whereas, the City of Alma, the City of Saint Louis, Pine River Township and all of Gratiot County have repeatedly demonstrated their support for the Great Lakes Energy and Research Park; and,
Whereas, Governor Jennifer Granholm, former President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama have all called for the development of alternative energy and new energy technologies; and,
Whereas, the United States needs to develop its hydrogen industry for its national security; and,
Whereas, this project will make the production of hydrogen more economical which will benefit numerous other industries such as the petroleum industry and the kerosene industry, and may have applications in the power generation and steam generation industries.
Now therefore be it resolved, that the City of St. Louis, Michigan respectfully urges our congressional delegation to take every possible step to insure that the Great Lakes Energy and Research Park, to be located in Alma, Michigan, is supported by United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate through inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2011 Energy and Water appropriation bill with an appropriation of $4,950,000 to Greater Gratiot Development, Inc. and to be matched by private contributions of $20,000,000 to be used to construct a commercial size gasifier to generate hydrogen and to prove the commercial viability of hydrogen production.
Ayes: Allen, Church, Kelly, Scholtz, Shrum
Nays: None
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
Approve Payment to DVT Electric.
City Manager McConkie requested that the City Council approve payment to DVT Electric in the amount of $95,679.00 for rehabilitation repair work on the hydroelectric #5 and #6.
Moved by Shrum, supported by Church, to approve payment to DVT Electric in the amount of $95,679.00 for rehabilitation repair work on the hydroelectric #5 and #6. All ayes carried the motion.
City Manager's Report.
City Manager McConkie informed the City Council about the need to determine more accurately the cost of replacing the City water supply. Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. has presented a proposal to the City of Alma, a copy of which was presented to City Council.
City Manager McConkie requested authorization from the City Council to approach the City of Alma on entering into an Interlocal Agreement to share costs for a water system study. The proposed Saint Louis share of costs in such agreement would be as follows: Water Supply Evaluation 50%, Water Treatment Plant Evaluation 50%, and Water Distribution and Transmission Evaluation 75% provided the work under the proposal can be undertaken by May 1, 2010.
City Manager McConkie would like Mayor Scholtz and City Clerk Roehrs authorized to execute the Interlocal Agreement on behalf of the City of Saint Louis similar in nature to the Interlocal Agreement entered into to share cost to value Alma assets nearly two years ago.
Moved by Allen, supported by Shrum, to enter into the proposed Interlocal Agreement to share the cost with the City of Alma as follows: Water Supply Evaluation 50%, Water Treatment Plant Evaluation 50%, and Water Distribution and Transmission Evaluation 75% provided the work under the proposal can be undertaken by May 1, 2010 and authorize Mayor Scholtz and City Clerk Roehrs to execute the Interlocal Agreement on behalf of the City of Saint Louis.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Allen, Church, Kelly, Scholtz, Shrum
Nays: None
City Clerk/Treasurer's Report.
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Smith and the staff wish to express their sympathy to Clerk/Treasurer Roehrs and her family in their loss.
Police Chief's Report.
Police Chief Herblet stated that he would like Council to review the Nixle.com website and consider becoming part of it. City Manager McConkie added he would like to support the Central Dispatch Authority in increasing the statutory funding of up to $2.89 to all phone devices instead of only lan lines. Would like this item added to the next meeting agenda.
City Council Comments.
Council Member Church stated that he received a phone call that someone was buried on the wrong grave site and was told they would have to pay to move it. City Manager McConkie was not aware of this and will check into the matter.
Council Member Kelly stated that Chief Herblet expressed what a good job Sergeant Ramereiz did in his absence and wondered if the City Council should reward him with an at a boy or something. Council Member Allen sated that all the employees do a good job in filling in and was concerned it would start problems if it was offered to one and not another. City Council agreed it should be left as is.
Council Member Allen stated City of Alma is looking into a City Income Tax. City Manager McConkie stated he would like to participate in a study with Alma and Ithaca. Council Member Allen also stated she learned how expensive it would be to change all of the lights over to LED's.
Council Member Shrum has concern over the excessive dust from the street sweeper. Council Member Church stated the matter is being addressed. They are speaking with the City of Ithaca and will get back with City Manager McConkie.
Mayor Scholtz expressed his thanks for the cards and calls during his illness. Mayor Scholtz stated he has been getting calls on fire pits. Chief Herblet stated they inspect all of them that call in. If the residents feel they are being misused, all they need to do is call and they'll respond.
Comments. None
Moved by Allen, supported by Shrum, to approve to adjourn the meeting at 8:58 a.m. All ayes carried the motion.
Kathy L. Smith
Deputy City Clerk | 
