A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, July 14, 2003, at 4:30 P.M. Central Time.

Roll call: Mayor Sabo, Councilors Hendrickson, Koszyk, Thrasher, and Benda.

Also Present: City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and various citizens of the community.

Mayor Sabo led all present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The minutes of the regular and special meetings of June 9, 2003 were approved as written.

Mayor Sabo called for amendments to the agenda of which there were none.

Wendy Thrasher requested the Council not take action on agenda item 10(A), "Recommendation of Water Project Engineering Firm to Council". She alleged the committee meetings at which the interviews of the engineering firms were held were in violation of the Open Meetings Act, as they were not properly posted.

Mike Ferguson, representing the Downtown Development Authority addressed the Council with a request to approve an appointment to the DDA. He also requested the Council consider the approval of new by-laws and rules at the next meeting of the Council.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Koszyk moved to appoint Maureen Gagne to serve the remainder of a Downtown Development Authority term that will expire on November 30, 2004.

Motion carried.

At 4:37 p.m. Mayor Sabo temporarily adjourned the meeting to meet as the Zoning Board of Appeals for the consideration of a Zoning Variance request from Walter Hagglund.

Meeting reconvened at 4:46 p.m.

Mark Agnessi presented the Council with a recommendation regarding the consultant proposals for the "Downtown/Crystal Manor Market Study". He advised that after a review of the applicants Gove Associates of Kalamazoo, Michigan rated the highest.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Benda moved to contract with Gove Associates to perform the Downtown/Crystal Manor Market Study.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Benda moved to authorized Manager Nordeman to sign the contract with Gove Associates for the Downtown/Crystal Manor Market Study on behalf the City of Crystal Falls.

Motion carried.

Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Hendrickson moved to contract with Lakeland Enterprises of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, to perform the North Sixth Street Culvert Replacement project, with a base bid of $94,225.00, plus Alternate Add "B" (for additional infrastructure work East of the railroad grade) in the amount of $10,462.00, for a total of $104,687.00.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Benda moved to support the Downtown Development Authority in the formation of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District and TIF Plan.

Motion carried.

Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to postpone the appointment of a water project-engineering firm pending further investigation by Attorney Lawrence into the alleged Open Meeting Act violation.

Motion carried.

Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Benda moved to approve the renewal of the contract with assessor Jim Waisanen, including an increase of $100.00 per month for a period of two (2) years.

Motion carried.

Councilor Benda seconded by Councilor Hendrickson moved to designate Manager Nordeman as the voting delegate for the City of Crystal Falls at the annual meeting of the Michigan Municipal League to be held in September.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Benda moved to designate Councilor Hendrickson as the alternate-voting delegate for the City of Crystal Falls at the annual meeting of the Michigan Municipal League to be held in September.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to support the following proclamation:

THEREFORE: By virtue of the authority vested in me by law, I, Joseph D. Sabo, Mayor of the City of Crystal Falls, do hereby proclaim August 16, 2003 as Finnish Heritage Day, and further, I encourage all of the citizenry to support their Finnish-American neighbors in celebrating their heritage.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Koszyk moved to set the date for the annual budget hearing to August 11, 2003 at 2:30 p.m.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to approve a resolution to transfer of the liquor license from the Infield Bar & Pizzeria, Inc. to Rodney and Terry Kirkpatrick, Inc.

Motion carried.

A copy of the resolution is attached and made a part of the minutes of this meeting.

A request from "Living Waters Book Store" was postponed to the next regular meeting of the Council pending the appearance of Pastor Ness and, further, to give Attorney Lawrence additional time to investigate the legality of the City’s involvement in the project.

A contingent of citizens addressed the Council regarding the use of Off Road Vehicles (ORVs) on the street of the City of Crystal Falls. Speaking against the use of city streets by ORVs were: Jack Stachowicz, Dave Brady, Gail Brady, Carrie Noblet, Paul Foucault, and Sam Paulson, all noting that noise was the biggest problem. Speaking in favor of the use of city streets by ORVs were: Larry Hegstrom, Ray Bortolini, Tammy Bicigo, and Larry Bicigo, all asking for the use of city streets for access to and from trails and county roads with ORVs. Mayor Sabo directed Manager Nordeman to discuss the issue with Police Chief Bicigo and return to the next regular meeting with a report and recommendation.

Councilor Benda requested the Council consider setting aside funds for new playground equipment at Lincoln Park. She noted that with the Paint River Walkway at that site it would be further enhanced with the installation of picnic tables and playground equipment. Mayor Sabo directed Manager Nordeman to look into the availability of funding and return with a report for the next Council meeting.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Benda moved to approve a request from the firemen to close South 4^th Street, from Superior Avenue to Marquette Avenue, on July 26^th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., to allow for the closing ceremonies of the Fireman’s Tournament.

Motion carried.

Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Benda moved to authorize the purchase of a new Caterpillar 938G Wheel Loader that with the trade-in/buy back of the old loader will result in a cost to the City of $49,475.00.

Motion carried.

Councilor Benda seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved that payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $280,468.51 for the month of June 2003 be approved, and the City Clerk be instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Koszyk move to hold checks #9406 & 9407, a total amount of $260.00, pending further review.

Motion carried.

Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Hendrickson moved to approve the appointments of Soren Schmidt and Geoffrey Lawrence to the Crystal Theatre Board.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Benda, moved to accept the following reports for the month of June 2003:

Police Chief’s report indicating 156 complaints, 9 of which were closed by arrest and 3,063 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 6 fire calls; spending approximately 83 man-hours fighting fires; and holding no practice and training sessions.

Chief Electrician’s report of department activities.

Public Work foreman’s report on department activities.

Motion carried.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Koszyk moved to purchase promo ads, 20 spots for $94.00, for the Fireman’s Tournament on WIKB Radio, and further, that City Manager Nordeman determine the wording of the ad message.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher read a letter received by the Council from Marcel Fraser, a patrolman for the City, currently on duty with the National Guard in Kuwait, and suggested everyone write to him.

There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.