A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, April 10, 2006, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time.

Roll Call: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Thrasher, Valesano, and Stachowicz.

Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Nordeman, City Attorney Lawrence, City Clerk/Treasurer Olson, and various citizens.

Mayor Hendrickson led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 13, 2006 and the special meeting of March 27, 2006 be approved as written. Motion carried.

Susan Schwedler, representing the Crystal Falls Beautification Committee, updated the Council on the 2006 tree & flower planting.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to approve the release of the $2000.00 budgeted for the annual tree and flower plantings.

Motion carried.

Bud West presented the Council with materials regarding magnetizer fuel energizers. This will be discussed further in the future.

Mayor Hendrickson reported on the DDA meeting held earlier in the day and read aloud minutes of their March meeting pertaining to motions regarding the Crystal Manor building supporting the City Council’s pursuit of complying with the marketing study to provide support for private development and also supporting the Housing Foundation in their quest for additional development in Crystal Falls.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded Councilor Heikkinen moved to approve payment of an invoice from MaryAnn Harrington for clerical work for the DDA in the amount of $50.00.

Motion carried.

Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman Engineering updated the Council on matters regarding the water project.

Manager Nordeman reported some positives regarding the Crystal Manor, including conversations with developer Kirk Beauregard and Julie Melchori, Iron County Economic Developer.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION

Whereas, Article VIII of the Charter for the City of Crystal Falls, approved by the voters on May 5, 1998, dictates that the City Council shall implement by resolution that the use of public office for private gain is prohibited, and 

Whereas, the Crystal Falls City Council has caused to be compiled an "Ethics Policy" to address the expected conduct of all City officials and employees, whether they are elected or appointed, in the handling of public affairs, 

Resolution adopted.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to add $20.00 to each paycheck to City Manager Nordeman as compensation for the use of his cell phone for City business.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to approve cell phones for use in the Police and Public Works departments and further to approve the following cell phone policy:

The City of Crystal Falls may provide cell phones to certain employees to allow for better communication for conducting City business. The issuance of cell phones is made by the City Manager and subject to the approval of the City Council.

Records of the use of all City issued cell phones must be kept by the employees using the phones. Employees are required to highlight personal calls on the monthly billing and promptly reimburse the City for the personal use, including a pro rata share of the monthly fees.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to adopt the Travel/Education Expense Policy as written.

Ayes: None Nays: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Thrasher, Valesano, and Stachowicz.

Motion failed.

The Travel/Education Expense Policy was put on hold and will be further discussed at the next regular meeting of the Council.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to introduced Ordinance No. 1.11, an ordinance to establish charges for Crystal Falls Fire Authority services and to provide methods for the collection of such charges and exemptions there from, and to set the public hearing date of May 8, 2006, 5:00 p.m., for this ordinance.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to approve the re-instatement of Marcel Fraser as a police patrolman with the Crystal Falls Police Department effective April 10, 2006.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to set Interim Police Chief Sherwin’s wages at Step 5 of the Police Chief position ($20.89/hour) up until September 30, 2006.

Motion carried.

David Graff, Chief Electrician for the City, reviewed discussions conducted in the Electric Department Advisory Committee meetings.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to hire consultant, Merle Labakken, to provide an economic analysis regarding the WE Energies agreement, at a cost not to exceed $2,000.00.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to extend the meeting beyond the scheduled 7:00 p.m. adjournment time.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to allow Manager Nordeman to expand the search for an entry level applicant (apprentice lineman) in the electric department.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to re-appoint Marlene Bicigo to the Planning Commission for another three (3) year term with said term expiring 04/30/09.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to re-appoint Mike Divine to the Planning Commission for another three (3) year term with said term expiring 04/30/09.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to adopt the following:

WHEREAS, the Council for the City of Crystal Falls is desirous of extending congratulations and a thanks to employees who have spent their working years as public servants with the City of Crystal Falls, and 

WHEREAS, Angelo "Mickey" Diqui, first began his career with the City of Crystal Falls as a lineman in the Electric Department in 1972 and was duly promoted to Chief Electrician in 1978, and 

WHEREAS, "Mickey" also served many years as a volunteer on the Crystal Falls Fire Department, and 

WHEREAS, "Mickey" had given 32 years and 10 months of his life as a public servant in the City of Crystal Falls as of his retirement on October 1, 2005, 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council for the City of Crystal Falls hereby recognizes "Mickey’s" dedication and wholeheartedly congratulates and thanks him for his years of service during which he was truly a shining example of the City’s slogan "City of Community Pride".

CONGRATULATIONS & THANK YOU MICKEY! 

Resolution Adopted

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to adopt the following:

WHEREAS, the 2005-2006 Forest Park Trojan Basketball Team has completed a successful season as reflected by their record of 20 wins and 0 losses, and

WHEREAS, this Trojan Basketball Team through a combination of determination, hard work, loyalty, and teamwork, went beyond the regular season to capture the Class D Regional Championship, and 

WHEREAS, the Council for City of Crystal Falls is desirous of recognizing these fine young men and their coaches,

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to adopt the following:

WHEREAS, the 2005-2006 Forest Park Trojan Volleyball Team has completed a successful season as reflected by their outstanding record, and 

WHEREAS, this Trojan Volleyball Team, through a combination of determination, hard work, loyalty, and teamwork, went beyond the regular season to capture the Class D District Championship, and

WHEREAS, even though the Lady Trojans were stopped in the Class D Regional Tournament they have given everyone in the Crystal Falls area even something more to be proud of, and

WHEREAS, the Council for City of Crystal Falls is desirous of recognizing these fine young women and their coaches,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Crystal Falls City Council hereby extends its thanks and congratulations to these amazing people, who have proven to be first-rate ambassadors of this community, and fine examples of the City’s slogan "City of Community Pride".

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to implement the golf course irrigation project assessments against the golf memberships beginning with the 2006 season as per the recommendation of the Golf Advisory Committee.

Motion carried.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to renew a 2 year contract with James Waisanen for assessor services including an increase of $50.00 per month.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Stachowicz to approve Clerk/Treasurer Olson’s attendance at the 2006 Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks conference at Boyne Mountain in June.

Motion carried.

Investment discussion postponed to the May meeting.

Councilor Valesano seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to participate in the ATC’s Voluntary Additional Capital Contribution in the amount of $3,610.02.

Motion carried.

Manager Nordeman advised that the City is no longer allowed to burn brush at the Bristol Mine site following an investigation by the DEQ. It was the consensus of the Council to allow the brush to be piled and burned at the gravel/sand pit owned by the City along Forest Avenue.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to accept a bid from U.S. 2 Rental for a Cub Cadet utility vehicle for use at the cemetery in the amount of $5,540.00.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson commended the City employees who worked on the auditorium floor for a "Job Well Done". She also went on to direct Manager Nordeman to write a letter of thanks to Connor Sports Flooring for the use of their equipment and their assistance on the refinishing project.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $249,916.49 for the month of March 2006 be approved, and the City Clerk is instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to accept the following reports for the month of March 2006:

Police Chief’s report indicating 147 complaints, 3 of which were closed by arrest and 2,450 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 1 fire call; spending approximately 5.5 man-hours fighting fires; and holding 1 practice and training session.

Chief Electrician’s report of department activities.

Public Work foreman’s report on department activities.

City Treasurer’s report on the monthly revenues.

Motion carried.

The Council granted Attorney Lawrence permission to share his opinion with the Runkle Lake Association regarding the use of snowmobiles on Runkle Lake.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to adjourn this meeting of the City Council.

Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.