Council
Proceedings
(Official)
The Regular Meeting of the St. Ignace City Council was held on Monday,January 18, 2016,
in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by MayorLitzner with the Pledge of Allegiance.
At this time, Mayor Litzner asked Mike Lane from Glen Memorial Baptist Church to pray.
Present: CouncilmembersClapperton, Fullerton, Mayor Pro-Tem Paquin, Councilmembers Paquin, St. Louis, Tremble, Mayor Litzner.
Absent:None.
Staff Present: Les Therrian, City Manager; Renee Vonderwerth, City Clerk/Treasurer;Mark Wilk, Police Chief.
Public Comment:
Donna Pope publicly thanked the DPW for a good job removing snow.
Consideration of minutes:
Corrections of minutes for the Council Meeting ofJanuary 4, 2016.
None.
It was moved by Councilmember Clapperton, seconded by Councilmember Fullerton
to approve the Council minutes of January 4, 2016 as written. Motion carried unanimously.
Additions to the Agenda:
Councilmember Clapperton – Library millage.
Police Chief Wilk – Introduction of new officer.
City Manager Therrian – Resolution.
1. GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALE PRESENTATION:
Girl Scout Troop #4072 presented cookies to Council to kickoff the annual Girl Scout
cookie sale.
2. LIBRARY APPOINTMENT OF TOM POLITTE:
Mayor Litzner informed Council that Tom Politte’s term has expired on the Library Board and she has been asked to renew his appointment. At this time, Mayor Litzner reappointed Tom Politte to the Library Board and requested Council’s approval.
It was moved by Councilmember St. Louis, seconded by Councilmember Paquin to approve the re-appointment of Tom Politte to the Library Board. Motion carried unanimously.
3. FIRE CHIEF REPORT:
Fire Chief, Gary Sorenson, presented the annual Fire Department Report to Council and reviewed activities and calls for 2015.
4. RESOLUTION CALLING FOR REPEAL OF PA 269:
Resolution in Opposition to Public Act 269
The following Resolution was moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Paquin, supported by Councilmember Tremble:
WHEREAS, Governor Snyder signed into law, with immediate, effect Public Act 269 (Senate Bill 571) despite wide spread calls for a veto of this bill, including from members of his own party; and
WHEREAS, both the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 571 late into the night of December 16, 2015, just prior to recessing for the year; and
WHEREAS, one of the last minute amendments made to Senate Bill 571, without the knowledge of the Michigan Municipal League or other local government organization, and approved without any public testimony or awareness, was the new language inserted into Section 57, subsection (3); and
WHEREAS, this new law prohibits a public body, or a person acting for a public body, from using public funds or resources for the purpose of communicating any information to the electorate regarding a local ballot question that is to appear on the ballot, within 60 days of an election, and
WHEREAS, this law places an immediate gag order on entities with ballot questions on the March 8 ballot and every election thereafter; and
WHEREAS, municipal elected and appointed officials have a civic and legal duty to the residents of their communities to fully inform them regarding the issues placed before them, upon which they may exercise their constitutional right to vote; and
WHEREAS, existing laws, including the former language in Section 57, and decades of guidance from the Michigan Secretary of State, already prohibit the use of public funds to advocate for or against ballot issues; and
WHEREAS, existing laws already provided for an allowance for elected and appointed officials to express their views without fear of violating the act; and
WHEREAS, because the new law bans only communication on local ballot issues, it creates inconsistent treatment of statewide ballot questions versus local initiatives; and
WHEREAS, there are substantial questions regarding the constitutionality and legality of the new law, including a possible ban on freedom of speech;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City/Village Council/Commission of the City/Village of St. Ignace calls for an immediate repeal of the new language in Section 57, subsection (3) of PA 269 of 2016; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the City of St. Ignace state representatives in the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate.
Roll Call Vote:
Yes:Councilmember Fullerton, Mayor Pro-Tem Paquin, Councilmembers St. Louis, Tremble, Mayor Litzner, Councilmember Clapperton.
No:None
Absent: None.
Resolution declared Adopted.
5. WASTE WATER RATE INCREASE DISCUSSION:
City Manager Therrian stated that the Utility Committee met on October 28, 2015
to discuss a proposed sewer rate increase to fund the new debt payment for the North State St. sewer project. The committee recommended to initiate an increase over a two-year period.
It was moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Paquin, seconded by Councilmember Paquin to call for a Public Hearing on Monday, February 1, 2016. Motion carried unanimously.
6. DPW TRUCK DISCUSSION:
City Manager Therrian presented the specs for a new dump truck and requested Council’s
approval to advertise for bids and authorization to open them on Monday, February
25, 2016 at 2:05 p.m. City Manager Therrian stated that a recommendation to award the bid will be presented to Council on March 3, 2016. It was the consensus of Council to have the Finance Committee meet with the City Manager and DPW to open and review the bids.
It was moved by Councilmember St. Louis, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Paquin to approve the request to advertise for bidsand authorize the opening on February 25, 2016 at 2:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
7. FINANCIALS:
City Manager Therrian reviewed the December financials with Council, stating that these are
not the final year-end numbers.
Additions to the Agenda:
Councilmember Clapperton – Library Millage.
Councilmember Clapperton informed Council that he has been asked to help with the renewal
for the Library millage in August of 2016 and requested Council’s support and input as the process moves forward.
Police Chief Wilk – Introduction of new Police Officer:
Police Chief Wilk introduced Police Officer, Austin Jobes, who has been recently hired on the St. Ignace Police Department. Council welcomed Officer Jobes.
City Manager Therrian – Resolution:
U.S.“Pure Michigan Byway” Resolution:
The following Resolution was offered for adoption by Mayor Litzner and supported by Councilmember Paquin:
Be it resolved that the St. Ignace City Council supports designating that portion of US-2 beginning in St Ignace at the junction of US Highway 2 and Interstate I-75 and continuing West to Naubinway Michigan (T 43N R 9W), Garfield Township, State of Michigan as a “Pure Michigan Byway”.
The purpose of this designation is to highlight this scenic stretch of Michigan Highway and to promote it as a tourist destination.
Between St. Ignace and Naubinway, there are at least 23 access points and vistas overlooking the beautiful coastline of Lake Michigan. Much of this coastline is in public ownership with numerous public access points to sand beaches and already existing public viewing areas. MDOT has identified protected natural areas along this route that contain threatened and endangered species. The route also coincides with the recently designated Michigan Iron Belle Bicycle Trail. In addition, there is seasonal camping available at the Hiawatha National Forest Campground and Day Use Area east of Brevort and the Hog Island State Forest Campground, east of Naubinway. Along this byway, there are extensive sand beaches and dune areas with public access between mile posts 12 and 18. This six plus mile stretch of primarily sand beaches is some of the most scenic in Michigan. MDOT maintained vista overlooks are already in place in several locations - including several immediately west of St. Ignace, at the Heath Robinson Memorial Cut River Bridge, and in Epoufette. MDOT also has a year round rest area with beach access and viewing just east of Naubinway.
To celebrate this “Pure Michigan” treasure, it is imperative that the process to designate this route as a Scenic Byway be undertaken in 2016.
Roll Call Vote:
Yes: Councilmember Fullerton, Mayor Pro-Tem Paquin, Councilmembers Paquin, St. Louis, Tremble, Mayor Litzner, Councilmember Clapperton.
No: None.
Absent: None.
Resolution declared Adopted.
Public Comment:
None.
Consideration of Bills:
After consideration of the bills, it was moved by Councilmember Clapperton, seconded by Councilmember Tremble, to approve the bills. Motion carried unanimously.
The following bills were presented to Council for payment:
A & I MIDWEST PRINTING CO / 3,730.00ACE HARDWARE / 385.96
AIRGAS USA LLC / 107.58
ALL-PHASE ELECTRIC SUPPLY CO / 128.74
AMERICAN WATERWAYS ASSOC / 300.00
ANDERSON TACKMAN & COMPANY / 923.00
BELONGA'S PLUMBING AND HEATING / 62.49
BROWN AND BROWN / 666.50
CRANE ENGINEERING SALES INC / 8,890.00
CUT RIVER SMALL ENGINE REPAIR / 78.97
ENTERPRISE VENDING / 63.69
GEORGES AUTO PARTS / 35.00
GORDON FOOD SERVICE / 261.68
INK & TONER ALTERNATIVE / 149.97
JAMES ORRISS / 50.00
LYNN AUTO PARTS / 1,005.96
MACKINAC PLUMBING AND HEATING CO / 563.63
MACKINAC SALES / 1,802.21
MI MUNICIPAL TREASURERS ASSOC / 150.00
MICHAEL RICHARD LAMB / 338.00
NATIONAL OFFICE PRODUCTS / 594.27
NCL OF WISCONSIN INC / 1,586.60
POMASL FIRE EQUIPMENT / 106.69
RTI LABORATORIES INC. / 384.00
SAULT PRINTING COMPANY / 96.70
SPARTAN STORES / 146.47
ST IGNACE AUTOMOTIVE / 732.72
ST IGNACE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / 5,000.00
ST IGNACE TRUE VALUE / 510.47
STRAITS BUILDING CENTER / 786.85
THE FEED STATION / 37.50
Grand Total: $ 29,675.65
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at7:36 p.m.
______
Mayor, Connie Litzner Renee’ Vonderwerth, City Clerk/Treasurer
1