A special meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chamber of the City Hall on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 4:30 p. m. Central Time.

Present: Mayor Sabo, Councilors Hendrickson, Thrasher, Benda and Koszyk.

Absent: None

Also present were City Manager Nordeman, City Clerk Olson, City Attorney Lawrence, and several members of the community.

The purpose of this special meeting was to conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed zoning district map relative to Ordinance No. 4, Zoning Ordinance, and to conduct the annual Budget Workshop of the City Council.

Mayor Sabo led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ben Feldhausen, Chairman of the Crystal Falls Planning Commission, presented the proposed zoning district changes. Feldhausen reported on the progress of the Planning Commission and noted that the zoning district changes are a first step in the re-write of the Zoning Ordinance, a 1959 document in serious need of revision. He explained that for the most part the district changes would reduce the area of Heavy and Light Industrial Zones and increase the Residential districts. As Residential District land use is more restrictive the rezoning would serve to prohibit undesirable land use in primarily residential neighborhoods.

Several citizens voiced dissatisfaction with the current condition of several parcels of land in their neighborhoods, and in particular, the difficulty in selling properties surrounding some of these parcels. Mayor Sabo suggested the rezoning would help to clean up some of the problem areas as ordinances that address issues of blight become more enforceable in Residential Districts. Attorney Lawrence was asked to clarify the term "grandfathered". He explained that a business currently in operation in a district that is rezoned to "Residential" would be allowed to remain until that property changed ownership, at which time it would have to conform to the Residential restrictions.

Overall, the citizens in attendance were happy to see steps being taken to improve the City of Crystal Falls and approved of the zoning district changes.

Public Hearing adjourned at 5:08 p.m.

Mayor Sabo declared a 5-minute recess.

Budget Workshop session of the City Council convened at 5:15 p.m.

Manager Nordeman gave a brief summary of the Budget Workshop came about and explained it to be merely a chance to discuss projects and ideas prior to the formulation of the next fiscal year budget.

Fred Stoor, Insurance Agent for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the City of Crystal Falls hospitalization plans presented the Council with information on various options available for the employees health care coverage.

Mayor Sabo called for a short recess at 6:08 p.m.

Meeting convened at 6:15 p.m.

Manager Nordeman presented the Council with an outline of projects and expenditures he expects to include in the 2003-2004 fiscal year budget including capital spending, power purchases, wages and various projects.

Visitors David Graff and Tom Stachowicz, representing the City Employees Organization asked about the implementation of Merit raises and the CPI raises for the employees. Manager Nordeman advised that no negotiations with the employees had taken place as yet and the merit system has not yet been implemented.

The Budget Workshop was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.