REGULAR MEETING

Minutes of a regular meeting held Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 7:30 p.m. at city hall.

Members present at roll call:  Cusack, Grinnell, Kapustka, Miller, Stanton, Tasker and Herald.    Absent:  none

Mayor Herald presided and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Stanton seconded by Miller to accept the minutes of the March 17 meeting as presented.  Motion carried.

Motion by Tasker seconded by Kapustka to approve the bills as presented.

Motion carried.  John Cronic, representing the Montcalm Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking, gave a presentation explaining the organization’s goals and strategies to promote awareness of the issue.  Motion by Grinnell supported by Tasker to pass:

Lainie Niemi, president of Frontier Days, gave an update of plans for the upcoming event.  The Montcalm Area Teen Center will sponsor a concert on Friday, the community picnic and outdoor movie will return to Thursday night, the car show on Saturday has been revamped and a ceremony is planned to officially open the skate park with a group from Ionia performing a demonstration.  The skate park is expected to be open before Frontier Days, but the official ribbon cutting will be held at the picnic.  Also Tami Tasker, committee member, has designed the program for this year’s event.

Chief Hilliker explained a grant available from COPS Hiring Recovery Program which would fund an additional full-time entry-level police officer for the city for three years.  At the conclusion of federal funding, grantee must retain the officer for an additional 12 months.  Motion by Stanton seconded by Kapustka to approve applying for the federal grant.     Motion carried.

Motion by Miller seconded by Grinnell to accept the generous donation of money from the Marven and Bonnie Poindexter estate.  The money will be used to fund a special project to be named at a later date.  Bonnie was a former employee of the city for 10 years and they both loved the community.  Motion carried.

Mayor Herald proclaimed the period of April 30 through May 2 as Carson City Lions White Cane Week and urged all citizens to become familiar with the meaning and purpose of the White Cane Law and to lend support to Lions’ projects.

Finance Chairman, Bruce Tasker presented the proposed balanced 2009-2010 budget and reported that the document will be on display at city hall and the Carson City Public Library for public review.  Mayor Herald set a Public Hearing for 7:30 p.m. on May 19 to answer questions and set the millage.

The council granted permission to Mrs. Tammy Decker and her seventh grade science class to clean the banks of Fish Creek from the old dam to M-57.  Adult supervision will be provided and it will be coordinated with the DPW crew for trash removal.      

Councilman Russ Stanton explained the need for a Street Assessment Management Program to evaluate the development of a street maintenance plan.  Motion by Tasker seconded by Miller to spend up to $5,000. for an engineering assessment of city streets.  Motion carried.    Administrator Borden noted that the city is required to have such a plan in place for long-term street maintenance to remain eligible for future government funding.

Fire Chief Dan Kipp reported that Pumper #2 is not working and the department recommended replacement as the repair parts are hard to find.   Council instructed Kipp to determine costs necessary to repair or to replace the pumper with a used one.

Motion by Tasker seconded by Miller to post 25 mph speed signs on North Williams Street and on West Garfield Street.  Also to replace yield signs with stop signs at the N. Mercantile/Linden St. Intersection and on all streets intersecting with North Williams St.  as recommended by the Street Committee.  Motion carried.    Administrator Borden was instructed to check with MDOT with the sign changes as necessary.

Chief Hilliker updated the council on the emergency purchase of 2 new hand held radios for the department at a cost of $1400. and  options  he is considering for a new police car.   DPW Director reported that the cement had been poured for the skate park, street sweeping will be same price as last year and bids on repairing chipper $12,000. to $15,000.  Council authorized DPW Director Curtis to spend up to $8,000. to upgrade the Mills building with cement, doors and drains and to dispose of the old garage and cement on Williams Street with the help of the Building Committee.

  Administrator Borden will check with the state to determine if directional signs can be placed on M-57   to assist visitors in finding school buildings and athletic field.

Motion to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. by Grinnell seconded by Miller to meet again for a Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. on May 19, 2009 at city hall.

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Daniel C. Herald                                                     Janet K.Kelly

Mayor                                                                     Comptroller