March 27, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING

A special meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chamber of the City Hall on Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 4:30 p. m. Central Time.

Present: Councilors Hendrickson, Thrasher, Benda and Koszyk.

Absent: Mayor Sabo

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 an application to Michigan Economic Development Corporation for a $15,000 grant for a downtown enhancement and development strategy study with a special focus on the redevelopment opportunities for the Crystal Manor building; to consider a proposal for a planning consultant to assist with the assembling of the City master plan; to introduce an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance; and, to consider the purchase of two separate parcels of real property.

Mayor Pro-Tem Hendrickson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m., led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance, and declared the Public Hearing for the grant application to Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to be in session.

Mark Agnessi, Iron County Economic Developer presented the grant application and went over the requirements including the community development plan. There was no public comment on the grant application. The Councilors, having previously reviewed the grant application, had no further comments. The consensus of the City Council was to proceed with the filing of the application as prepared by Agnessi.

The public hearing was closed at 4:42 p.m.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Koszyk moved to approve the Crystal Falls Community Development Plan and to include said plan as a part of the Community Development Block Grant to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Yes: Councilors Koszyk, Thrasher and Hendrickson.

No: Councilor Benda.

Absent: Mayor Sabo.

Motion carried.

Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to adopt the following resolution:

CITY OF CRYSTAL FALLS

WHEREAS, the City of Crystal Falls has applied for $15,000 for a Community Development Block Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to conduct an economic redevelopment planning and marketing study for the Downtown Business area with a special focus on the Crystal Manor Building, and

WHEREAS, the proposed Economic and Development Planning and Marketing Study is consistent with the Crystal Falls Community Development Plan as described in the Application, and

WHEREAS, this Planning and Marketing Project will lead to an implementation project where at least 51% of the beneficiaries would be low and moderate income persons, and

WHEREAS, the City of Crystal Falls has pledged $5,000 and the Iron County Family Independence Agency has pledged $10,000 in local matching funds, and said local funds or any other funds to be invested in the project have not yet been expended and will not be expended prior to a formal grant award, completion of the environmental review procedures, and formal, written authorization to incur costs is received from Community Services, and

WHEREAS, the Crystal Falls City Council has authorized the City Manager, Charles C. Nordeman, to sign the Community Development Block Grant application for this Planning and Marketing Study;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Crystal Falls authorizes the Certifying Officer to submit the Economic Development Planning and Marketing CDBG application to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Office of Community Services.

Yes: Councilors Thrasher, Hendrickson and Koszyk.

No: Councilor Benda.

Absent: Mayor Sabo.

Resolution Adopted.

Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Benda moved to approve the proposal recommended by the Crystal Falls Planning Commission, from Linda Howlett for the preparation of the City’s comprehensive plan update in an amount not to exceed $4,975.00.

Motion carried.

Councilor Koszyk, representing the Crystal Falls Planning Commission presented the Council with a revised zoning map for consideration. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to set a public hearing date of Monday, April 28, 2003 at 4:30 p.m. for the consideration of an amendment to the zoning map, a part of Ordinance No. 4, Zoning Ordinance for the City of Crystal Falls. Further, Clerk Olson will publish and mail the notices required per the City Charter and State Statute for said public hearing.

Motion carried.

Bill Leonoff asked the Council for the specifics of the settlement of the Oberstar v. City of Crystal Falls litigation. Clerk Olson advised Mr. Leonoff that the information could be released upon the filing of a Freedom of Information request to her office.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Benda moved to meet in closed session pursuant to P.A. 1976, No. 267, the Michigan Open Meetings Act, Section 15.268 (d), to consider the purchase of two-(2) separate parcels of real property.

Motion carried.

Meeting temporarily adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Meeting reconvened at 5:47 p.m.

Councilor Benda seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to authorize Mayor Sabo to enter into a contract for the right to drill exploration wells with option and offer to purchase real property with Daniel and Patricia Voelker of 138 Butler Drive, Crystal Falls, Michigan.

Motion carried.

There being no other items on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.