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 May 12 2008 Minutes
CITY OF BUCHANAN COMMISSION MINUTES May 12, 2008 Prior to the meeting opening, one of three of the new buses for Dial-A-Ride (purchased through grant funding) was available and previewed by those in attendance. A regular meeting of the City Commission was held at City Hall, 302 N. Redbud Trail, Buchanan, Michigan Monday, May 12th. Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. No Invocation was heard. Commissioners present: Barbara Clark, Carla Cole, Dave Hagey, Jennifer Harrington, Patricia Moore Commissioners absent: none Staff present: City Manager Meg Mullendore, Building Inspector Guy Lewis, and Clerk Gladys Bybee Guests/Visitors present: SMCAS Director Tim Gray, Dial-A-Ride VP-Administration Kim O’Haver, District Library Director Kate Thomas and Fine Arts Council President Daleen Granger along with 10 visitors including 2 reporters Ann Marie Buchanan Jones owner of WTBC Radio announced a Michiana Gospel Arts Festival at the Common and presented Flyers for the public event. Gary Campbell introduced himself and announced his republican candidacy for 78th District State Representative. Cole moved seconded by Clark to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Roll call vote carried unanimous. • Agenda • Minutes: Regular Meeting April 28, 2008 • Checks 54793 to 54890 in the amount of $85,887.04 • Street Closure; Front Street from American Legion to Oak Ridge Cemetery • Reschedule May 26th Meeting to Tuesday May 27th as applicable to Charter Chapter 6, Procedure for Commission • Resolution 2008.05/24, Approving the summer School Tax Collection Fee in the sum of $2,622.39 per school district (see attached) • Delinquent City Utility and Mowing Billings Certified to the Summer 2008 Tax Roll Daleen Granger reported on 2007 Tin Shop Theatre productions with almost all showings sold out. She announced 2008 season production dates/times and explained renovations to window shutters, organized and categorized costumes, plans for installing new seating and insulating the building. Kate Thomas introduced herself as new Library Director. She reported the library was working to increase public programming with children and youth programs. She explained the child, youth, teen, and adult programs currently available for the 2008 year and welcomed volunteers. Discussion was shared. Kim O’Haver, Transportation Management, Inc. (third party administration of Dial-A-Ride) reported that the three new buses, received with federal funds, had arrived. She reported the three old ones’ conditions and suggested/recommended going out for bid to dispose of them. She announced her wonderful experience at the Art Center and commended Buchanan. Discussion shared. Mullendore announced that the DDA had approved SimpleUpdates.com for website development and recommended the same for the City. Hagey moved seconded by Cole to award the website development to SimpleUpdates.com in the amount not to exceed $10,500. Roll call vote carried unanimous. Mullendore reported the exorbitant amount it would take to renovate the building at 1207 N. Redbud Trail and explained Berrien County clean-up efforts. Cole moved seconded by Harrington to authorize Berrien County to demolish the building at 1207 N. Redbud Trail as recommended. Roll call vote carried unanimous. Mullendore announced that she provided, for there information, the Land Bank Program from Genesee County. She summarized her discussions with County Treasurer Bret Wikowski about other options for the property available to the City. After questions/discussion Hagey moved seconded by Clark to authorize placement of 1207 N. Redbud Trail into the Berrien County Land Bank as recommended. Roll call vote carried unanimous. Mullendore introduced new SMCAS Director Tim Gray. He explained the resolution and budget in detail. Harrington moved seconded by Clark to approve Resolution 2008.05/25, to place a Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Services (SMCAS)district fee renewal on the August 5, 2008 ballot and to approve the special assessment levy for the distribution of the budget for fiscal year 2008-2009. Roll call vote carried unanimous. (see attached) Mullendore announced that according to Meadowbrook Insurance, Buchanan is one of four in the State that have paid out more in claims than paid in premiums. She explained the process Meadowbrook was recommending for risk management. Cole moved seconded by Hagey to adopt as policy, Risk Management is Good Management as provided through the Michigan Municipal League and as suggested and recommended. Roll call vote carried unanimous. Commissioner Hagey reported that Midwest Family Radio Station Advertising proposal was introduced and discussed at the DDA meeting and although they couldn’t fund the proposal, he suggested that local businesses, social/civic clubs, and/or businesses be asked to participate with the advertising for the City’s 150th Anniversary. Mullendore summarized the differences in the promotional packages and discussion was shared. The Mayor asked that any interested groups contact the City Manager and all discussed that she review and come back with a report for involvement at the next meeting. Mullendore commented: • Dave Czarnecki was hired for Wastewater Superintendent but could not be here tonight (wedding anniversary) and introduced Guy Lewis, new Building Inspector. Lewis gave a brief biography and greetings were shared. • That she secured funds from the Common Committee for three movies but looking for sponsors for two others • Next Commission meeting on Tuesday due to the holiday. Cole commented: • Farmers’ Market had over 300 customers (17 vendors) on past Saturday • Please to see downtown Art Museum windows filled • Proud of new Dial-A-Ride buses Clark commented: • Congratulations to Miss Buchanan and Fine Arts Council • Welcomed Guy Lewis Hagey commented: • Praised and commended volunteer people on organizations for all they accomplish Harrington commented: • Welcomed Guy Lewis and congratulated Tim Gray • Thanked all for Safety Day and Bike Rodeo • Reminder that Commission Nominating Petitions due tomorrow • Farmers’ Market was wonderful • Congratulations to Alan Robandt on his Historical Designation • Reminder of City residents Spring Cleanup • Commended BYSBA on upgrading the park Moore commented: • Seconded all other commissioners comment • Commended all who participated with the Postal Workers Food Drive to raise awareness of hunger within the community Harrington moved, seconded by Clark to go into Closed Session at 8:51 p.m. to discuss labor negotiations with the Police. Roll call vote carried unanimous. The Mayor reconvened the regular meeting at 9:15 p.m. with no decisions made in closed session. Harrington moved, seconded by Clark to adjourn the meeting at 9:16 p.m. Voice vote carried unanimous. |
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