CITY OF ST. CLAIR
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2013 7:00 P.M.
BERNARD E KUHN MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 547 N CARNEY DRIVE
Mayor Cedar convened the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order in the Council Room of the Municipal Building at 7:00 pm.
PRESENT: Mayor Cedar, Members Burns, Foley, Kindsvater, Krebs, LaPorte, McCartney.
ABSENT: None.
ADMINISTRATION: James T Downey, Jr; Kane, Clemons, Joachim & Downey; Michael E. Booth, Interim City Superintendent; Lynne Houston, City Assessor; Trice Hawkins, Recreation Director; DJ Boulier, Building Inspector; Janice Winn, City Clerk.
AUDIENCE: There were six persons in attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS – None.
CONSENT AGENDA
LaPorte moved, Kindsvater seconded, CARRIED, to approve Consent Agenda item A., as presented.
A. City Council Minutes of January 21, 2013 Regular Meeting: Approve
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 13-01 – Approving Lot Split Request, Special Police Building & Pine Shores Golf Course, 500 & 515 Fred Moore Hwy
RESOLVED, that the lot split of property described as Blk 39, Lots 4, 5 & 6, Blk 40 & Blks 49 & 50, Map of St Clair, commonly known as the Special Police Building, 500 Fred Moore Hwy, and Pine Shores Golf Course, 515 Fred Moore Hwy (Parcel #74-07-049-0300-000), be adopted, and is effective with the 2013 tax roll.
City Assessor Houston explained the request made by Council at the January 21, 2013 meeting, to revise the Resolution to split the Special Police Building from Pine Shores Golf Course into two distinct parcels of property, rather than three parcels that were originally proposed. The split is being requested to accommodate a lease/rent of the Special Police Building, which would require the property to be placed on the tax rolls. Any requests for future use of the property would have to follow proper procedures set forth in the Zoning Ordinance.
Kindsvater moved, McCartney seconded, CARRIED, to adopt Resolution No. 13-01, the Special Police Building & Pine Shores Golf Course, 500 & 515 Fred Moore Hwy lot split Resolution. Ayes: Kindsvater, Krebs, LaPorte, McCartney, Burns, Foley, Cedar. Nays: None. RESOLUTION ADOPTED
REPORTS FROM ADMINISTRATION
Interim City Superintendent – Booth announced upcoming retirements of Water Plant Operator Thomas Galvin, City Hall Administrative Assistant Kathleen Kauffman, and Police
Sergeant Brian Mahaffy. Together the employees represent over 75 years of service to the community.
City Attorney – None.
City Departments
Building Department - Rental Property Report – Building Inspector Boulier provided statistics on rental property registration in the City following enactment of a Rental Registration Ordinance last year. The report shows that 562, or 21% of the City’s 2,650 housing units are rental properties. Figures exclude the 62 units in the Palmer Park Manor senior housing complex and any condominium unit that is homestead property. Councilmembers compared the numbers to surrounding communities and discussed the next steps. The Building Department will enhance code enforcement efforts to make sure rental properties comply with the ordinance requirements, and continue work on an ordinance requiring City inspections upon sale or transfer of properties.
Authority, Board, Commission, Committee Chairman or Council Representative
Recreation Commission - Schedule Date for Joint Goal Setting Session
Recreation Director Hawkins communicated the Recreation Commission request to set a joint goal setting session with City Council to review the current budget, capital improvements, distribution of county millage funds, and programming. A tentative meeting date of February 25, 2013 at 6:00 pm at the Municipal Building was set pending confirmation with members.
Recreation Commission - Naming of St Clair Little League Park
Member Foley communicated the request of the St Clair Little League Board and Recreation Commission to designate the baseball fields and sports center facility at the new St Clair Little League park on Fred Moore Hwy as “Legacy Park” and “Legacy Fieldhouse”, respectively. The names were selected to honor the individuals who gave their time to the development of the park and to the legacy created for the youth of St Clair. Signage with the new names will be installed prior to opening day this spring.
McCartney moved, Cedar seconded, CARRIED, to designate the new St Clair Little League park and sports center facility on Fred Moore Hwy as “Legacy Park” and “Legacy Fieldhouse”. Ayes: Krebs, LaPorte, McCartney, Burns, Foley, Kindsvater, Cedar. Nays: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Mayor Cedar reported recommendations for appointments to various City authorities, boards, and commissions as follows:
Board of Review - Appoint Bill Klieman, 1374 S Riverside Ave, for a one year term expiring December 31, 2013.
Board of Cemetery Trustees – Appoint Member Burns Council Representative for a one year term expiring December 31, 2013.
Downtown Development Authority - Reappoint Lynn Grover, 1306 S Carney Dr, Dennis Peternel, 303 N Third St, and Fred Rollins, 719 N Riverside Ave, for four year terms expiring December 31, 2016. One vacancy remains.
Historical Commission – Reappoint Ron Brenner, 3494 Barberry Dr, North Street (waive residency), Robert Freehan, 1711 River Rd, East China (waive residency), Kim Huxhold, 698 Snowbird Cir, and JoAnn Kindsvater, 1867 River Rd, St Clair Twp (waive residency) for three year terms expiring December 31, 2015; appoint Frederick Miller, 38444 James Dr, Clinton Twp (waive residency) to complete the balance of a three year term expiring December 31, 2014; and appoint Mary Brown, 335 Connecticut Ave, Marysville (waive residency), to complete the balance of a three year term expiring December 31, 2015. One vacancy remains.
Planning Commission – Reappoint Nancy Beaudua, 1170 S Twelfth St, and Chad Muldermans, 402 Trumbull St, for three year terms expiring December 31, 2015. Appoint Member LaPorte Council Representative for a one year term expiring December 31, 2013.
Recreation Commission – Reappoint John Fitzmaurice, 931 Thornapple St, Branden Hill, 1206 S Twelfth St, Jim Shafran, 810 S Eleventh St, and Lisa Whittlesey, 739 Turnberry Dr, for three year terms expiring December 31, 2015. Appoint Member Foley Council Representative for a one year term expiring December 31, 2013. One vacancy remains.
LaPorte moved, Kindsvater seconded, CARRIED, to confirm the Mayoral appointments to authorities, boards, and commissions as listed.
NEW BUSINESS
CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS – January 24 & 31, 2013
Check registers listing the bills for the period ending January 24, 2013 (check numbers 34075 -> 34118), and January 31, 2013 (check numbers 34119 -> 34148) were presented for Council review.
LaPorte moved, Kindsvater seconded, CARRIED, to approve payment of January 24 & 31, 2013 Claims and Accounts as submitted.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS – None.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Member McCartney commented on the delivery of the council agenda as an e-packet and discussed the cost savings and convenience associated with the elimination of paper packets.
Mayor Cedar announced that St Clair Highway will be closed indefinitely and drivers should seek an alternate route or follow posted detours. All businesses are open.
ADJOURNMENT at 7:15 pm.
Janice Winn, City Clerk Bill Cedar, Jr, Mayor