Village of Michiana - Winter 2012

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Michiana Village Council was called to order at 1:10 pm ET by Village President Beverly Bruesch.

ROLL CALL

Council members Present:           President Beverly Bruesch, Council member George Hermelink, Council member Timothy Iverson, and Council member Lyn Stein.

Council members Absent:            Council member Hillary Herbst.

Others Present:                                Derek Hall, State of Michigan, Local Audit & Finance Division, Anna Rahtz and Trevor Thomas, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission; James Imes, Chief of Michiana Shores, Indiana Volunteer Fire Department; Chief of Police Lyn Papke, Public Works Superintendent Rick Reitz, Treasurer Jan Lausch Zilke, Building Inspector Bill Owens, Clerk-Appoint Kimberly Dabbert and Clerk Cathy Ganus; and resident Carol Shepherd.

Motion by Hermelink, second by Iverson, to excuse Hillary Herbst from the meeting.  Voice vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by Iverson, second by Hermelink, to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2010 meeting as presented.  Voice vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

Motion by Iverson, second by Hermelink, to approve the minutes of the special September 29, 2010 meeting as presented.  Voice vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

Audit FYE 06.30.2010 was added under Correspondence, Clerk Resignation was added under Clerk’s Report, and Logo Presentation was added under Old Business.

REVIEW OF ACTION ITEMS

The action items listing was perused and updated.

CORRESPONDENCE

Anna Rahtz, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission

Anna Rahtz and Trevor Thomas from the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission were present to address the Council regarding the Village’s membership benefits regarding Twin CATS (Twin Cities Area Transportation Study).

The Village was added to the Michigan City urbanized area as a result of the 2000 Census.  Twin CATS’ role is to distribute federal transportation funds as well as prepare long-range transportation plans.  They also spoke of the County-wide Walk & Roll plan.  The Village is currently covered under the Harbor Country Hike & Bike Plan; however, the SWPC’s long-term goal is to get all plans rolled into a county-wide plan.

CORRESPONDENCE (continued)

Presentation of Audit FYE 06.30.2010 – Derek Hall

Derek Hall from the State of Michigan, Local Audit & Finance Division presented the draft audit for fiscal year ending 06.30.2010.  Iverson went on record stating Beverly Bruesch did a great job with budget management in light of the previous fiscal issues.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Lausch Zilke presented the Treasurer’s Report for month ending September 30, 2010.  Balances were as follows:

The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file.

REPORTS

Building Inspector Report – Bill Owens

Owens advised that he had made contact with the residents at 175 Seminole Trail and advised them that they needed a permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) due to the nature of their project.

Owens went on to state that he had sent Kenneth Wolf a letter via certified mail advising him that he had thirty (30) days to comply regarding the construction of a gazebo at his residence.  Wolf has neglected to obtain the proper permits for the construction of same.  Wolf signed the return receipt – deadline for application is November 7, 2010.

Tree Inspector Report – Kris Wulff – No report provided.

Fire Report – Michiana Shores Volunteer Fire Department – Chief James Imes

Fire Chief James Imes of the Michiana Shores Volunteer Fire Department presented the fire report for the month of September, 2010.

During the month of September, 2010, there were two calls for service within the Village of Michiana – one alarm and one gas leak.

Imes went on to advise that the MSVFD will be hosting a pancake breakfast on Sunday, October 31, 2010 from 7 am to 12 pm Indiana time.

Water Authority Commission Report

Reitz advised there were two water accounts where the residents were questioning if the Village would negotiate a lower payment.  After discussion the Council felt it should not set precedence.

REPORTS (continued)

Water Authority Commission Report (continued)

Discussion ensued regarding replacement of the water lines within the entire water system.  Reitz to contact an engineering firm to provide a cost assessment for the replacement of same as well as the pump house (as well as an assessment of the system’s life expectancy).

Police Report – Chief Lyn Papke

Papke provided the Michiana Village police report for the month of September, 2010.  During this time there was one (1) written traffic warnings issued, five (5) police assists to other departments, one (1) police assist from other departments, one (1) ambulance assist, one (1) sign ordinance violation, 571 security inspections were made, and eight (8) alarms were handled.

Papke also advised that his department would be conducting their annual weapons qualification qualifying with their duty weapons at the Rod & Gun Club per MCOLES (Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards) requirements.

Finance Committee Report – Rich Shepard

The Budget & Finance committee met and went over the budget year-to-date.  Shepard advised that the Budget & Finance committee will be meeting on a quarterly basis prior to that month’s meeting.  The next meeting will be scheduled for January, 2011.

Public Works / Water Authority Report – Superintendent Rick Reitz

Reitz provided the monthly Public Works report.  Iverson requested that Reitz contact the Berrien County Road Commission to ascertain whether the Village could contract with the Road Commission for sealing and gravel (sealcoating).

Reitz provided a quotation from Shaffner Tire Service in LaPorte, Indiana for two (2) new front tires and a front end alignment for the Public Works dump truck.  There will be an additional expense should additional parts be required.

Motion by Iverson, second by Hermelink, to accept the bid provided by Shaffner Tire Service in LaPorte, Indiana for a front end alignment in the amount of $80 and two (2) new tires in the amount of $710 plus needed expenditure if additional parts required.  Roll call vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

Clerk’s Report – Cathy Ganus

Ganus submitted her resignation as clerk for the Village effective November 12, 2010.

Motion by Bruesch, second by Iverson, to accept with regret the resignation of Village Clerk Cathy Ganus effective November 12, 2010.  Voice vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

Motion by Stein, second by Iverson, to approve the check registers as presented.  Roll call vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

Motion by Iverson, second by Hermelink, to approve the accounts payable requests as amended.  Roll call vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

REPORTS (continued)

Clerk’s Report – Cathy Ganus (continued)

Ganus advised that she had been contacted by a Village resident inquiring whether a conflict of interest exists regarding Kris Wulff’s position with the Village of Michiana as tree and fence inspector and Mick Wulff’s submission of tree removal bids as Sandcastle Landscaping to the Village of Michiana.  No action was taken on this at this time.

Motion by Hermelink, second by Stein, to approve all reports as submitted.  Voice vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

OLD BUSINESS

Ordinance # 15-41 – An Ordinance to Regulate the Use of Water – 2^nd Reading

This shall serve as the second reading of Ordinance # 15-41 – An Ordinance to Regulate the Use of Water by the Property Owners of Michiana, Michigan, and Michiana Shores, Indiana, Payment for Same and Penalties for Failure to Conform or Comply.

Motion by Hermelink, second by Iverson, to approve Ordinance # 15-41 as presented.  Roll call vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

Grant Ideas – The Pokagon Fund

Bruesch advised that Village resident Bob Klingel has generously agreed to donate his time to re-design the Village bus stops.  Discussion ensued and the general consensus is to move forward to get the designs in place.

Bruesch advised that New Buffalo Public Schools will be holding a public auction on October 23, 2010.  Bruesch to attend to attempt to purchase new desks for the office area.

Logo Presentation

Hermelink presented the standards manual for the new Village of Michiana logo.  Discussion ensued regarding whether the logo needed to be registered or trademarked.  Ganus to contact the Village attorney for further direction.

Hermelink requested that the Village appoint Hermelink Design on a pro bono basis as design consultant.  Hermelink also suggested that the Village police officer uniforms be amended to reflect the new logo.

Motion by Stein, second by Iverson, to appoint Hermelink Design as pro bono design consultant on a two-year basis.  Voice vote showed unanimous approval, motion carried (4-0).

NEW BUSINESS

DRAFT Village of Michiana Drug and Alcohol Free Work Place Policy

This item was placed on the table.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lausch Zilke advised that the Wi-Fi has been successfully installed in the Village community room.  There were two wireless connections available – one stated Village of Michiana (which is owned by an unknown resident) and the other (which is the Village’s wireless network) known as EnGenius.

The Village Council extended a heart-felt thank you to George Hermelink whose term on the Village Council is expiring as he is not seeking re-election.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 3:10 ET.

Cathy A. Ganus

Michiana Village Clerk