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A regular meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on Monday, September 13, 2004, at 4:30 P.M. Central Time. Roll call: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Koszyk, Thrasher, Valesano and Benda. Also Present: City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk/Treasurer, and a contingent of citizens. Mayor Hendrickson led all present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilor Benda seconded by Councilor Koszyk moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 9, 2004 and special meetings of August 9, 2004 and August 24, 2004 as written. Motion carried. Frank Groeneveld, representing the Crystal Falls Rotary Club presented the Council with a plan to donate a sign recognizing the "Paint River Walkway". Mr. Groeneveld requested the assistance of the City crews in the placement of the sign along M-69 at Lincoln Park. Mayor Hendrickson thanked Mr. Groeneveld and the Rotary Club for their generous gift. Forest Park Superintendent of Schools, Thomas Jayne, asked the Council and audience to support the school in the upcoming October 5th special election at which they are seeking 1 mill for capital improvements to the high school building. Curt Spears of Great American Disposal (GAD) thanked the Council for contracting with them for garbage pickup in the City and advised that they are working toward a solution for recycling. Mayor Hendrickson reported on activities of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Koszyk moved to allow the Downtown Development Authority to amend its by-laws to allow the vice-chair to sign approved bills. Motion carried. Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Koszyk moved to place an ad in the paper for a Downtown Development Authority secretary. Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Koszyk, Valesano, and Thrasher. Nays: Councilor Benda. Motion carried. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Mayor Hendrickson moved to take the steps necessary to repeal Ordinance 2.05 (Ban of Pit Bull Terriers), to amend Ordinance 2.06 to read "Vicious Animals" instead of "Vicious Dogs", and further to set October 11, 2004 during the next regular meeting of the Council as the date and time of the public hearing on these two ordinances. Motion carried. Scott McNelis of Coleman Engineering presented the environmental report for the Water System Improvement Project to Manager Nordeman for review. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Benda moved to allow Manager Nordeman to amend the 2003-2004 fiscal year budget to meet the actual expenditures. Motion carried. A letter from the Crystal Falls District Community Library, which stated that the Library is opting out of contributing to the TIF District was discussed. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to adopt resolutions to open an early retirement window for 180 days beginning on September 1, 2005 and ending February 28, 2006, through the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) of Michigan with the B-3 Option for employees who are at least 50 years old with 25 years of service. This is offered to Divisions 1(General) and 2 (Police) of the City’s MERS Plan Document. Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Koszyk, Valesano, Thrasher, and Benda. Nays: None Motion carried. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to amend Ordinance No. 3.02, Section 7 (B) & (C) as recommended by Police Chief Bicigo and further to set the public hearing on this amendment to be held on October 11, 2004 during the regular meeting of the City Council scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Motion carried. Councilor Benda seconded by Councilor Koszyk moved to approve the implementation of a "Return Check Fee" of $20.00 per check following a 5-day grace period, with said fee assessed at the discretion of the city office staff. Motion carried. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to pay the cost service fee of $8,000.00 to Wisconsin Public Service to conduct a study of electric supply options for the City. Motion carried. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Benda moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $321,563.25 for the month of August 2004 are approved and the City Clerk be instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same. Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Thrasher, Benda, Koszyk, and Valesano. Nays: None. Motion carried. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Thrasher, moved to accept the following reports for the month of August 2004: Police Chief’s report indicating 193 complaints, 5 of which were closed by arrest and 3,477 patrolled miles. Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 4 fire calls; spending approximately 90.5 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. Motion carried.
Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Benda moved to contribute $1,791.00 to Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (U.P.S.E.T.). Motion carried.
Councilor Benda seconded by Councilor Koszyk moved to meet in executive session, pursuant to the Michigan Open Meetings Act, P.A. 1976, No. 267, 15.268, Sec. 8 (e), to discuss strategy regarding the ongoing litigation of "Barbara Benda Etal v. City of Crystal Falls". Ayes: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Thrasher, Benda, Koszyk, and Valesano. Nays: None Motion carried. Meeting temporarily adjourned at 6:03 p.m. Meeting reconvened at 6:30 p.m. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Benda moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:31 p.m.
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