CITY OF MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN

REGULAR COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

FEBRUARY 19, 2007

 

 

 

A regular meeting of the Menominee City Council, City of Menominee, County of Menominee, State of Michigan, was held Monday, February 19, 2007 at 5 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Council Chambers.

 

The Honorable George W. Krah called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

 

PRESENT:       Mayor Krah;

Council Members Fernstrum, Hudon, Jasper, Mick, Organ, Pintarelli, Schloegel, and Sorensen

ABSENT:         None

 

PRESENT:  9                ABSENT:  0

 

A motion was made by Council Member Schloegel and seconded by Council Member Hudon to approve the amended agenda for the meeting dated February 15, 2007.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

There being no additions or corrections to the minutes of the regular meeting of January 15, 2007 the minutes stood approved as presented.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

Mayor Krah opened the public hearing that was called for the purpose of hearing citizen comments on proposed three year capital program.

 

No one was heard.

 

A motion was made by Council Member Jasper and seconded by Council Member Sorensen to close the public hearing.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

Mayor Krah opened the public comment session called for the purpose of hearing citizen comments on agenda items only.

 

Mark Allgeyer, on behalf of Stateline Pallet, 1001-56th Avenue, Menominee, asked why the Planning Commission’s recommendation on the rezoning request for 1001-56th Avenue was removed from the agenda.  He has a buyer who wants to pursue the commercial zoning.  He wanted Council to vote on the rezoning request. 

 

A motion was made by Council Member Mick and seconded by Council Member Schloegel to close the public comment session.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

The first item under communications was the application from SFK Pulp Recycling, U.S., Inc. for the transfer of an existing industrial facilities exemption from Great Lakes Pulp and Fibre.


Regular Council Proceedings

February 19, 2007

Page Two

 

 

 

Mr. M. Andre Bernier, President and Chief Executive Office of SFK Pulp Recycling, U.S., Inc., spoke on behalf of the new owners with positive plans.

 

A motion was made by Council Member Mick and seconded by Council Member Fernstrum to receive the application and place it on file.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

Next was the application from SFK Pulp Recycling, U.S., Inc. for a new personal property exemption.

 

A motion was made by Council Member Schloegel and seconded by Council Member Hudon to receive the application and place it on file.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

The final communication was the application from SFK Pulp Recycling, U.S., Inc. for a new industrial facilities exemption.

 

A motion was made by Council Member Jasper and seconded by Council Member Mick to receive the application and place it on file.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS:

 

Mayor Krah presented the “State of the City” report for 2006.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Finance Committee reported that they reviewed the claims for January 2007 and they recommended that checks be drawn on the treasurer in payment of the bills as follows:

 

            General Fund in the amount of $311,560.23

            River Park Fund in the amount of $2,080.44

 

S/FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

A motion was made by Council Member Fernstrum and seconded by Council Member Organ to adopt the foregoing report.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Finance Committee reported that they had reviewed amendments to the 2006-2007 Operating Budget and they recommended that the following amounts be approved:

 

City Manager:

101-172-702                  Wages                                      $ (   6,500.)

101-172-703                  Payroll Tax                                  (      497.)

101-172-706                  Medical Insurance                        (    1,305.)

101-172-725                  Retirement                                   (    1,060.)

 

City Clerk/Treasurer:

101-260-706                  Medical Insurance                        (    1,893.)


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February 19, 2007

Page Three

 

 

 

Complex:

101-265-706                  Medical Insurance                        (       248.)

 

City Attorney:

101-266-706                  Medical Insurance                        (    1,018.)

 

Police Department:

101-301-706                  Medical Insurance                        (    8,144.)

 

Fire Department:

101-336-706                  Medical Insurance                        (    7,298.)

 

Building Inspector:

101-371-706                  Medical Insurance                        (       678.)

 

Animal Control:

101-430-706                  Medical Insurance                        (       678.)

 

Recreation Department:

101-751-706                  Medical Insurance                        (       151.)

 

Parks Department (Cherney):

101-756-702                  Wages                                      $ (  14,899.)

101-756-703                  Payroll Tax                                  (    1,139.)

101-756-705                  Workers Comp Insurance             (       242.)

101-756-706                  Medical Insurance                        (    5,387.)

101-756-725                  Retirement                                   (    1,074.)

 

                                                                                    $ (  52,211.)

 

General Fund Transfer Out from 101-299-999 to Cemetery Fund 209-0.0-699

$  4,000 to correct the June 30, 2006 deficit in the Cemetery Fund.

 

S/FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

A motion was made by Council Member Organ and seconded by Council Member Sorensen to adopt the foregoing report.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Finance Committee reports that they had reviewed the millage for Spies Public Library and they recommended to City Council that they levy one (1) mill for Spies Public Library through the annual operating budget process.

 

S/FINANCE COMMITTEE


Regular Council Proceedings

February 19, 2007

Page Four

 

 

 

A motion was made by Council Member Fernstrum and seconded by Council Member Mick to adopt the foregoing report.

 

AYES:  Jasper, Krah, Mick, Organ, Pintarelli, Schloegel, Sorensen, and Fernstrum

NAYS: Hudon

 

This motion was carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Judicial and Legislative/Personnel and Labor Committee reported that they had reviewed the lease agreement between the City and the M&M Yacht Club that has expired and they recommended extending the current agreement through September 2008, that the M&M Yacht Club pay $500 per month rent, property taxes, and that capital improvements, as approved by the City, may be made in lieu of the rent. 

 

S/JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE/PERSONNEL AND LABOR COMMITTEE

 

A motion was made by Council Member Schloegel and seconded by Council Member Jasper that the M&M Yacht Club provide City Council with their response to the proposed lease by March 26, 2007.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

A motion was made by Council Member Mick and seconded by Council Member Sorensen to adopt the foregoing report.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Judicial and Legislative/Personnel and Labor Committee reported that they had reviewed current contract negotiations with the Police Union and Fire Union and they recommended authorizing the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate on the City’s behalf, with the Director of Police/Fire Services in attendance, and that they provide updates to the committee on progress. 

 

S/JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE/PERSONNEL AND LABOR COMMITTEE

 

A motion was made by Council Member Mick and seconded by Council Member Sorensen to adopt the foregoing report.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Judicial and Legislative/Personnel and Labor Committee reported that they had reviewed the payment in lieu to City employees who opt out of health insurance coverage through the City and they recommended that the following policy be adopted:

 

P-07-01

POLICY ON PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF HEALTH INSURANCE

COVERAGE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES

CITY OF MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN


Regular Council Proceedings

February 19, 2007

Page Five

 

 

 

The City Council of the City of Menominee, Michigan has determined that it is in the best interests of the City and its employees to provide a program of payments in lieu of health insurance coverage for those employees who choose to decline the City’s coverage.  This program will be governed by the policies and requirements listed below and will be open to all employees who qualify under them:

 

TERM:  The program will operate on an annual basis, with the program year running from July 1 through June 30 of each year.

 

OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD:  The City will provide an annual open enrollment period for employees who wish to enroll in its health insurance coverage, with this period being the month of April.  Those employees who sign up for the City’s health insurance coverage during this open enrollment period will have their coverage become effective on the following July 1.  This open enrollment period will apply to all, current employees unless they experience a significant event as defined under federal law.  Newly hired employees will have the option of signing up for coverage at the time of their employment.

 

An employee participating in the City’s payment in lieu of health insurance coverage program who wishes to leave it and enroll in the City’s health insurance plan must wait until the City’s open enrollment period to do so.

 

PROOF OF COVERAGE:  An employee wishing to enroll in this program must provide the City Clerk with evidence of other, existing health insurance coverage prior to enrolling.  Once enrolled in this program, employees must annually provide the City Clerk with evidence of other, existing health insurance coverage during the month of April.

 

MARRIED EMPLOYEES:  If two employees marry while in the City’s employ, this will not be treated as an “opt out” from the City’s health insurance coverage and neither employee will be eligible  for the City’s payment in lieu of health insurance program.

 

CHANGE IN FAMILY STATUS:  Employees participating in this program will be subject to the same family status categories (single, two-person, family) found in the City’s health insurance plan(s), and their monthly payments will be based upon health insurance premiums for these categories.

 

If, during the course of the year, an employee’s family status changes, the employee is responsible for notifying the City Clerk of this change in a timely manner.  The employee’s payment in lieu of health insurance coverage will be adjusted either upward or downward based upon this change.  Failure to notify the City Clerk in a timely manner of a family status change will result in either the loss of additional payments that could have been received or a charge to the employee for excess payments that should not have been made.

 

MONTHLY PAYMENTS:  Monthly payments to employees under this program will be based upon existing premiums being paid under the City’s health insurance plan(s).  The City will periodically review these payments in relation to changes in health insurance premiums.  Current payments in lieu of health insurance coverage are listed below for the City’s existing health insurance coverages:


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February 19, 2007

Page Six

 

 

 

                                Blue Cross/Blue Shield Plan                                     Teamsters Plan

 

                                 Family         Two-Person              Single

Fiscal Year              Coverage          Coverage             Coverage                    Coverage*

 

2007/2008                  $397.55            $344.68                 $150.23                  $343.66

2008/2009                  $461.93            $391.62                 $172.59                  $354.15

2009/2010                  $526.31            $438.56                 $194.95                  $364.64

 

*Under this plan, the monthly premium is the same regardless of the type of coverage.

 

CHANGE(S) IN HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE:  If the City elects to change health insurance carriers and/or negotiates changes in health insurance coverage that result in lower, monthly premiums than those used to calculate payments indicated above, payments in lieu of health insurance will be adjusted accordingly.

 

S/JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE/PERSONNEL AND LABOR COMMITTEE

 

A motion was made by Council Member Sorensen and seconded by Council Member Mick to adopt the foregoing report.

 

AYES:  Jasper, Krah, Mick, Pintarelli, Schloegel, and Sorensen

NAYS: Organ, Fernstrum, and Hudon

 

This motion was carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Parks and Recreation/Buildings and Grounds Committee reported that they had reviewed the offer from Cub Scouts Pack 4071 in Menominee to formally adopt Henes Park by picking up litter in the park and they recommended to City Council that they accept the offer contingent upon approval of the Henes Park Board. 

 

S/PARKS & RECREATION/BUILDINGS & GROUNDS COMMITTEE

 

A motion was made by Council Member Organ and seconded by Council Member Fernstrum to adopt the foregoing report.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Parks and Recreation/Buildings and Grounds Committee reports that they had reviewed the possible use of the facilities at Spies Field by an adult amateur football team, the M&M Timberjacks, that may be forming in this area, and they recommended to City Council that they approve the idea and to begin the process to develop an agreement for use of the facilities.

 

S/PARKS & RECREATION/BUILDINGS & GROUNDS COMMITTEE

 

A motion was made by Council Member Organ and seconded by Council Member Mick to adopt the foregoing report.  This motion was carried unanimously.


Regular Council Proceedings

February 19, 2007

Page Seven

 

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Parks and Recreation/Buildings and Grounds Committee reported that they had reviewed the status of the Spies Field Committee and they recommended that the following resolution thanking this group be adopted:

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, a task force was formed in 1996 by Mayor Laurie Stupak to address the issue of the crowded fields and outdated facilities at the Spies Field Complex, and

 

WHEREAS, the task force became known as the Spies Field Committee and has met diligently on a regular basis since its formation, and

 

WHEREAS, the Spies Field Committee has achieved its purpose and attained its goal of helping the City of Menominee construct the finest sports complex in the history of this community, and

 

WHEREAS, the Spies Field Committee has determined that with its purpose accomplished, it should now dissolve,

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Menominee City Council on this 19th day of February, 2007, that the Spies Field Committee is formally dissolved, and that on behalf of the City of Menominee and its residents, the Menominee City Council officially thanks and recognizes the members of the Spies Field Committee for their years of service and dedication in assisting with the renovation and expansion of Spies Field.  “The Tradition Continues ...”

 

S/PARKS AND RECREATION/BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE

 

A motion was made by Council Member Organ and seconded by Council Member Hudon to adopt the foregoing resolution.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Public Safety/Public Works Committee reported that they had reviewed a request from the Spirit of LaSalle Cruise Line to improve approximately 100’ to 200’ of sidewalk on First Street and Second Avenue and they recommended authorizing the Engineering Department to prepare a design and estimate of costs.

 

S/PUBLIC SAFETY/PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

A motion was made by Council Member Mick and seconded by Council Member Fernstrum to adopt the foregoing report.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Special Projects/Community Relations Committee reported that they had reviewed the nominations for the Community Service Awards for 2006 and they recommended that this award be given to Donna Williams and the Menominee County Historical Society.

 

S/SPECIAL PROJECTS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE


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February 19, 2007

Page Eight

 

 

 

A motion was made by Council Member Sorensen and seconded by Council Member Jasper to adopt the foregoing report.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The MIDC reported that they had reviewed the Stateline Pallet loan from the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and they recommended accepting payment of the principal in the amount of $45,000 as settlement of the loan.

 

S/ M I D C

 

A motion was made by Council Member Mick and seconded by Council Member Sorensen to adopt the foregoing report.  This motion was carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT:

 

The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed three (3) year capital improvement program and they recommended that the following list be approved:

 

YEAR 1 - 2007-2008 FISCAL YEAR

 

                                                                                                $ AMOUNT      FUNDING SOURCE 

 

1)         Street Construction                                                        $ 1,153,500        Bond Funds/Street Millage/

                                                                                                                         MDOT/MSHDA

2)         Water Main Replacement                                              $    555,625        Bond Funds

3)         Sanitary Sewer Main Replacement                                 $   527,900.        Bond Funds

4)         Sidewalk Replacement                                                  $     30,000.        Gen Fund/Spec Assmts

5)         Waterfront Redevelopment Study                                  $     28,000.        General Fund/Grant

6)         City Hall Parking Lot                                                    $     25,000.        General Fund

7)         Municipal Buildings Energy Study                                                  *        General Fund

8)         Municipal Buildings Energy Improvements                                     *        Bond Fund

9)         Engineering Software Upgrade                                      $       6,000.        General Fund

10)       Resurface Campground Roads and Site Pads                 $     85,000.        Campground Reserves

11)       Ordinance Codification                                                  $       6,000.        General Fund

12)       Fire Engine Replacement                                               $   100,000.        General Fund

13)       Fire Department Kitchen Upgrade                                 $     10,000.        General Fund

14)       Police Patrol Vehicles (2)                                              $     48,825.        General Fund

15)       Police Computer Hardware Upgrades                            $       2,500.        General Fund

16)       Library Exterior Signage                                                $     10,000.        Library Foundation

17)       Library Front Steps Repair                                            $     25,000.        Library Fund

18)       Street Mobile Fleet                                                        $     70,000.        Equipment Reserve

19)       DPW Garage Roof Repairs                                           $     20,000.        Maj/Loc Street Funds

20)       Parks Riding Lawn Mower                                            $     15,000.        General Fund

21)       Parks Athletic Fields Striper                                          $       5,000.        General Fund

22)       Water Meters                                                               $     20,000.        Water/Sewer Funds

23)       Water Distribution Backhoe                                           $     50,000.        Water Fund


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February 19, 2007

Page Nine

 

 

 

24)       Computer System Internet Access                                 $       4,500.        Water Fund

25)       Emergency Generator                                                   $     20,000.        Sewer Fund

26)       Lift Station Pump Replacement                                      $     40,000.        Sewer Fund

27)       Cemetery Riding Lawn Mower                                     $       8,000.        Cemetery Fund

28)       Cemetery Expansion (Phase I)                                      $     25,000.        Cemetery Fund

29)       Cemetery Records Laminator                                        $       5,000.        Cemetery Fund

30)       Cemetery Intake Area Sheet Piling                                $     35,000.        Cemetery Fund

31)       Senior Center Roof                                                       $     45,000.        Bldg Maint Fund/CAA

32)       Marina Inner Wall Electric Upgrades                             $       4,500.        Marina Fund

33)       Marina Life Ring Holders                                              $       5,600.        Marina Fund

34)       Marina Telephone System Upgrade                               $       3,000.        Marina Fund

35)       Marina A/B Dock Painting                                            $       5,800.        Marina Fund

36)       New Marina Lower Wall Dockage                                $     38,000.        Marina Fund

37)       Marina Consultant for Dredging Plans &Permits             $     15,000.        Marina Fund

38)       Water Plant Air Conditioning                                         $     10,000.        Water Fund

39)       Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements                   $   555,000.        Bond Funds

40)       Henes Park Centennial Improvements                            $     40,000.        Restricted Rsv Funds

41)       48th Avenue Water Pump Station Upgrades                    $     50,000.

            Sub-Total                                                                     $ 3,702,750.

 

*          Costs to be determined.

 

YEAR 2 - 2008-2009 FISCAL YEAR

 

                                                                                                $ AMOUNT          FUNDING SOURCE 

 

1)         Street Construction                                                       $     710,000        Bond Funds,

                                                                                                                          MDOT/Street Millage

2)         Sidewalk Replacement                                                 $      40,000.        Gen Fund/Spec Assmts

3)         City Hall Parking Lot                                                   $      30,000.        General Fund

4)         Engineering Software Upgrade                                     $      13,200.        General Fund

5)         Ordinance Codification                                                 $        6,000.        General Fund

6)         Fire Engine Replacement                                              $    100,000.        General Fund

7)         Police Patrol Vehicles (2)                                             $      51,250.        General Fund

8)         Library Humidifier System                                           $        8,100.        Library Fund

9)         Library Periodical Shelving                                           $        6,000.        Library Fund

10)       Library Furniture Refinishing                                        $        3,000.        Library Fund