Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 8, 1998, at 6:30 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

        Commissioners Present: Mayor Tilmann; Commissioners Bradley, Cassel, Kaufmann, Pittsley, Ross and Scalise

        Commissioners Absent: None

        Others Present: City Manager Preston, Deputy Finance Director Kornexl, and City Attorney Martineau

        Mayor Tilmann called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

        Mayor Tilmann proclaimed June 14, 1998 as "Flag Day", as requested by Mt. Pleasant Arbor of the Gleaner Life Insurance Society".

        Removed from the agenda the discussion with Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe representative Joe Sowmick regarding airport development because Mr. Sowmick was not able to attend.

        Moved by Commissioner Kaufmann and supported by Commissioner Bradley to approve James C.P. Hartman's request to be added as a member - 32% in Mountain Town Station & Brew Pub, L.L.C., (506 West Broadway Street) Class C Resort liquor license. Motion unanimously adopted.

        Received a copy of Planning & Community Development Director Tony Kulick's letter from Timothy Klont, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, commending him for submitting a monitoring report without a single finding for the City's 1994 HOME Rental Rehabilitation Program. City Manager Preston congratulated Tony and Jane Sundberg, Administrative Office Professional, for the excellent job they do in administering the program.

        Received a letter from George Needham, State Librarian, Library of Michigan, congratulating the Chippewa River District Library for being recognized as a legally established district library, pursuant to the District Library Establishment Act.

        Moved by Commissioner Ross and supported by Commissioner Bradley to approve the following items on the Consent Calendar:

  1. Minutes of the regular meeting held May 26, 1998.

  2. Reports of officers, boards and committees:

    a. Clean Indoor Air Study Committee Minutes (May)
    b. Water Department (May)
   
Motion unanimously adopted.

        Sergeant Gary Lockwood, representing Vietnam Veterans Chapter 438 of Mt. Pleasant, encouraged support of Island Park's Vietnam Memorial being recognized as the official Michigan Vietnam Memorial.

        The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Scalise and supported by Commissioner Ross:

  1. WHEREAS,The Michigan Vietnam Memorial was constructed in Island Park in July 1990; and

  3. WHEREAS,The construction of the Memorial was the direct result of the dedication of the members of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter of Mt. Pleasant, Chapter 438, to remember those Michigan residents who lost their lives or are missing in Vietnam; and

  5. WHEREAS,This remembrance will forever stand to honor those who served, those who died, and those left behind; and

  7. WHEREAS,The Michigan Vietnam Memorial was dedicated in July of 1990; and

  9. WHEREAS,At the dedication, Congressman Bill Schuette referred to the Memorial as the Michigan Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and

  11. WHEREAS,In 1991 the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution No. 305 in which it referred to the Memorial as the Michigan Vietnam Memorial in Mt. Pleasant; and

  13. WHEREAS,There is talk of constructing a memorial in Lansing and designating it as the State's official Vietnam memorial;
  14. THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED, That the Michigan Chapter No. 438 of the Vietnam Veterans Of America believes that from the beginning that the Memorial constructed in Mt. Pleasant is the official Michigan Vietnam Memorial; and
  15. That the State of Michigan, in House Joint Resolution No. 305, referred to the Memorial as the Michigan Vietnam Memorial; and
  16. That Congressman Bill Schuette in his dedication speech also referred to the Memorial as the Michigan Vietnam Memorial; and
  17. The citizens of Mt. Pleasant who supported the construction of the Memorial through donations of time and money also believe that the Memorial is the official Michigan Vietnam Memorial; and
  18. That the City Commission of the City of Mt. Pleasant also feels that this is the official Michigan Vietnam Memorial;
  19. IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Commission of the City of Mt. Pleasant urges the State of Michigan to officially recognize the Mt. Pleasant Vietnam Memorial as the official Michigan Vietnam Memorial.

Resolution unanimously adopted.

        The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cassel and supported by Commissioner Kaufmann:

    WHEREAS, the City Charter requires that a Capital Improvement Plan be adopted each year for the next five (5) fiscal years,

        WHEREAS, a public hearing was held at a regular meeting on the 11th day of May, 1998, on the proposed 1999-2003 Capital Improvement Plan,

        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the 1999-2003 Capital Improvement Plan is hereby approved.

Resolution unanimously adopted.

        A public hearing was held on the proposed plans and estimates to pave the alley between Franklin and Lansing Streets, from Locust to Maple, in the City, Special Assessment District No. 3-98. No comments were heard or communications received. Mayor Tilmann closed the public hearing.

        The following Resolution No. 3 was offered by Commissioner Ross and supported by Commissioner Kaufmann:

        WHEREAS, the City Commission, after due and legal notice, has met and heard all interested persons to be affected by the proposed public improvements hereinafter described;

        AND, WHEREAS, the City Commission deems it advisable and necessary to proceed with Special Assessment No. 3-98;

        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1. The City Commission hereby determines to pave the alley between Franklin and Lansing Streets, from Locust to Maple, in the City, Special Assessment District No. 3-98.

  2. The plans, profiles and specifications previously prepared by the City Manager are hereby approved.

  3. The Commission hereby approves the detailed estimates of cost and determines that of said total estimated cost of $1,760, $1,600 shall be paid by special assessments upon the properties specially benefited, and that $160 shall be the obligation of the city-at-large because of the benefit to the city-at-large.

  4. The City Assessor is directed to prepare a special assessment roll in accordance with the Commission's determination.

  5. When the Assessor has completed the assessment roll he shall file the roll with the City Clerk for presentation to the Commission.

  6. All resolutions and parts of resolutions conflicting with the provisions of this resolution be and the same hereby are rescinded.

Resolution unanimously adopted.

        The following Resolution No. 4 was offered by Commissioner Ross and supported by Commissioner Kaufmann:

        WHEREAS, the Assessor has prepared the special assessment roll for Special Assessment District No. 3-98 to special assess that portion of the cost of the public improvements to the properties specially benefited by said public improvements, and the same has been presented to the City Commission by the City Clerk.

        WHEREAS, the district is described as: pave the alley located between Franklin and Lansing, from Locust to Maple Streets, in the City,

        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1. Said special assessment roll is accepted and will be on file in the office of the City Clerk for public examination.

  2. The City Commission shall meet at City Hall, 401 N. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, at 6:30 p.m., Daylight Savings Time, on June 22, 1998, to hear all persons interested in reviewing the special assessment roll, and shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard, and the City Clerk is directed to publish and mail, in accordance with applicable statutory and ordinance provisions, the notice of hearing.

  3. All resolutions and parts of resolutions insofar as they conflict with the provisions of this resolution be and the same hereby are rescinded.

Resolution unanimously adopted.

        Moved by Commissioner Kaufmann and supported by Commissioner Scalise to remove from the table and consider the request to transfer ownership of Class C licensed business at 520 N. Mission (Great North Trading Co., Inc.). Motion unanimously adopted.

        Moved by Commissioner Kaufmann and supported by Commissioner Cassel to approve the request from Exquisite Edibles, Inc., to transfer ownership of 1997 12 months Resort Class C licensed business, located at 520 N. Mission, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48858, Isabella County, from Picasso's, Inc. Motion unanimously adopted.

        Moved by Commissioner Kaufmann and supported by Commissioner Bradley to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an agreement with Great North Trading Co., Inc., (Exquisite Edibles, Inc., 520 N. Mission) setting forth the operating hours and terms for the service and sale of beer, wine and spirits. Motion unanimously adopted.

        Moved by Commissioner Ross and supported by Commissioner Kaufmann to accept the proposal from Michigan Municipal Risk Management Association, Southfield, MI, to provide general liability and property insurance for the City, said contract to be in effect July 1, 1998 to June 30, 2001. Motion unanimously adopted.

        Moved by Commissioner Kaufmann and supported by Commissioner Scalise to accept the low bid from J.D. Phillips Construction, St. Louis, Michigan, in the amount of $95,000, for the 1998 sidewalk replacement program. Motion unanimously adopted.

        Moved by Commissioner Ross and supported by Commissioner Cassel to accept the low bid from Etna Supply Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the amount of $9,364.56, for 1998's supply of water fittings. Motion unanimously adopted.

        Moved by Commissioner Cassel and supported by Commissioner Kaufmann to authorize a change order be issued to Crawford Contracting, Inc., Alma, Michigan, to extend the water main construction portion of the Pickard Street reconstruction project from Adams to Cooley Streets, increasing the contract amount by $30,000. Motion unanimously adopted.

        Moved by Commissioner Bradley and supported by Commissioner Scalise to go into closed session, following the regular session, to discuss labor negotiations.

AYES:        Commissioners Bradley, Cassel, Kaufmann, Pittsley,
    Ross, Scalise and Tilmann
NAYS:        None
ABSENT:        None

Motion unanimously adopted.

Miscellaneous

        Discussed Mountain Town Station's, located at 506 W. Broadway Street, commitment to the City to install sidewalks. City Manager Preston informed the Commission that he has an agreement with Mountain Town Station that if sidewalks are not installed by July 15, 1998, the City will install the sidewalks and invoice the property owner.

        The City Commission thanked City employees for their work following the May 31, 1998 storm. City Manager Preston discussed some issues regarding communications that need to be resolved. City staff is studying the issues.

        Mayor Tilmann welcomed Steve Martineau, from Lynch, Gallagher, Lynch & Martineau, as the new City Attorney.

        Mayor Tilmann commented on the successful Michigan Special Olympics held in Mt. Pleasant, June 5 - June 6, 1998.

        Commissioner Kaufmann and Commissioner Ross certified payrolls, dated May 29, 1998 and June 2, 1998, and warrants, dated June 5, 1998.

        The meeting recessed at 7:25 p.m. and reconvened at 7:35 p.m.

        The City Commission went into closed session at 7:35 p.m. to discuss labor negotiations and back into regular session at 7:55 p.m. A separate set of minutes were taken for the closed session.

        Moved by Commissioner Bradley and supported by Commissioner Cassel to approve the labor contract with AFSCME Local #1606, in effect from April 1, 1998 through March 31, 2002. Motion unanimously adopted.

        Moved by Commissioner Ross and supported by Commissioner Pittsley that the meeting adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Motion unanimously adopted.


________________________         _____________________________________
Sharon M. Tilmann, Mayor         Mary Ann Kornexl, Deputy Finance Dir.