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 8, 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 August 11, 2003 were approved with the following amendment: Page 406, 4^th paragraph, last sentence, shall now read "Councilor Hendrickson expressed dissatisfaction in that she was not informed of, and did not attend the interviews and felt uninformed as to the qualifications of each firm."

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

William Sleeter, representing a group of principal investors, requested a meeting with the City Manager and Attorney to discuss terms for parcels in the City’s Industrial Park. Councilor Koszyk seconded by Councilor Benda moved to direct City Manager Nordeman and City Attorney Lawrence to meet with Mr. William Sleeter regarding an interest in parcels of land in the Industrial Park.

Motion carried.

Steve Gagnea and Mark Valesano addressed the Council and asked for their support regarding the upcoming 911 election. Councilor Benda seconded by Mayor Sabo moved to support the 911 election scheduled for September 30, 2003.

Ayes: Councilor Benda and Mayor Sabo.

Nays: Councilors Thrasher, Koszyk, and Hendrickson.

Motion failed.

Mayor Sabo updated the Council on matters relevant to the Downtown Development Authority. Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Benda moved to approve the Downtown Development Authority Bylaws and Policies and Procedures as amended by the Downtown Development Authority Board.

Motion carried.

Mark Agnessi reported on the progress of the Downtown Marketing Study and asked all present to take some time to complete a survey.

A contingent of citizens expressed ongoing concerns regarding the irresponsible use of ORVs on the City streets. Mayor Sabo appointed Councilor Thrasher to serve as a one-man committee to research the issue and report back to the Council with a recommendation.

Councilor Thrasher explained the that a change of programming by WMQF, Fox - Marquette, has resulted in the Crystal Falls Cable TV system being unable to provide Green Bay Packer Football for its subscribers. Further, that the option of micro-waving a channel from Green Bay involves a 4-month set up period and it would not be possible to set up in time for this season. Mayor Sabo directed the CATV Committee to meet and report back to the Council at the October meeting with recommendations to remedy the situation for the next season.

Councilor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Benda moved to approve the pay request from Lakeland Enterprises in the amount of $96,910.45 for work on the North 6^th Street Culver Replacement Project.

Motion carried.

Mayor Sabo seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to approve the distribution of the draft of the City of Crystal Falls Comprehensive Plan as prepared by the City of Crystal Falls Planning Commission, and further, to retain the authority for the City Council to adopt the City of Crystal Falls Comprehensive Plan following the required comment period and Public Hearing.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher commended the members of the Crystal Falls Planning Commission for their hard work on the comprehensive plan.

Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman Engineering advised the Council of the progress on the water project indicating they are now in the final stages of drafting a scope of services for the engineering.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Hendrickson moved that the payrolls and disbursements in the amount of $272,404.40 for the month of August 2003 be approved, and the City Clerk be instructed to draw checks on the City Treasury in payment of same.

Motion carried.

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

Police Chief’s report indicating 186 complaints, 7 of which were closed by arrest and 3,053 patrolled miles.

Joint Fire Authority report submitted by Fire Chief John Ahola indicating answering 2 fire calls; spending approximately 20 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.

Mayor Sabo announced his intent to attend a MEDC program at the end of September in East Lansing entitled "Michigan Main Street Basics 101" and extended an invitation to attend to the balance of the Council.

There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.