City Council

Village of Baldwin 620 Washington Baldwin, MI 49304 Regular Council Meeting for December 9,2019 Location of meeting: Village of Baldwin Hall Roll call: present: President J. Truxton, C. Vicent, P. Anderson, T. Lamb, M. Truxton Absent: 0 Meeting was called to order at 6:03 PM. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Also, in attendance was Village Attorney: Cindy Wotila Agenda:  M. Truxton moves to accept the agenda, as amended. supported by C. Vicent , All Ayes. 0 Nays Motion Carried. Minutes:  The minutes from the November 11, 2019 meeting were approved, the motion was moved by P. Anderson, and Supported by M. Truxton, all Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried. Financial Report:  President Truxton would like the Village Clerk to research the MSC funding account. Would like to reallocate funding if possible, or begin advertising to allocate funding if the program is still in existence.  Financial reports were accepted for the month November, 2019. C. Vicent moved with support from K. Bennett. All Ayes. Motion Carried. Public Comment:  Kelsey Bennett‐ who was in the public, regretfully submitted her resignation from the Village Council via email to each member, she also announced she would like to stay on the Village Planning Council, as a community member.  Ms. Bennett also inquired about the Casair project, wondering if fiberoptic internet service will be available soon. President Truxton conveyed contracts are in the process of being signed for water tower leasing, and the availability will then be up to Casair.  Ms. Bennett also inquired about her council per diem for the year 2019, asking the council to consider a special request to approve payment for time served.  The council agreed to add that request to the bills to be paid, and a vote will be taken at that time. Payment of Bills:  The Village Council voted unanimously to add Kelsey Bennett’s pay for time served on the 2019‐ 2020 Village Council to the bills to be paid, along with payment of the bills for the month of November. Moved by P. Anderson, supported by C. Vicent,. A roll call vote was taken. P. Anderson Yea, C. Vicent Yea, President Truxton, Yea, M. Truxton, Yea. All Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.  The Village Clerk requested the council to vote on recurring contracted payments to the list of utility payments the council previously voted to pay without approval. Moved by P. Anderson, and supported by C. Vicent, a roll call vote was taken. President Truxton, Yea, P. Anderson, Yea, C. Vicent Yea, and M. Truxton, Yea. All Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried. County Commissioner:  Commissioner Walls Absent Building and Grounds Committee:  President Truxton requested P. Anderson to assume the role of committee head on Building and Grounds, having Kelsey Bennett, former Committee Chair to act as “Ad Hoc”, in all matters concerning the Tennis Court resurfacing at Hollister Park. Personnel:  Chairperson P. Anderson announces there will be a Personnel Meeting on Monday December 16th, 2019 for the purpose of hiring a deputy clerk, to cover sick days, vacations etc., along with duties, hours and compensation.  The employee Handbook has been tabled until the January meeting.  President Truxton and the Village Council would like to have notices posted in the Lake County Star and on the Village Website, announcing the vacancies on the Village Council, Downtown Development Authority, and the Planning Commission. DDA:  So and so from the County Community Development Block Grant, through the State of Michigan, was in attendance and gave a brief explanation of how the Village of Baldwin could benefit from becoming a Redevelopment Ready Community, and the steps to engage in the process. The council put the process to a roll call vote, with movement by P. Anderson, and support from C. Vicent to adopt a resolution of intent. President Truxton, Yea, P. Anderson, Yea, C. Vicent, Yea, and M. Truxton Yea. All Yeas, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.  The DDA has asked the council to solicit a Action Item list, (see in this months documents), to solicit and get input, for future projects for the future. GEO:  President Truxton announces that a meeting was held on the progress of the Northlake Correctional Facility, and informed the council that officials at the prison are pleased with the progress of the facility. The facility is currently housing 700+ inmates and the prison staff is doing a great job. Airport:  Airport Manager Mac McClellan was absent. WWTP/Water:  The wastewater treatment plant is handling the excess flow rates coming from the Northlake Prison extremely well, and there are no issues at this time.  The IAI water report is attached to this month’s documents. It is reported that the pump on well #4 is not rated for use with a VFD. The motor will have to be replaced. The report submits a quote for replacement at $13,025.19. Streets and Equipment:  The 8th St. Critical Bridge project is moving along. President Truxton, and Clerk, Theresa Lamb have attended several meetings with various funding entities to get approval and funding toward the $1.8 million dollar project.  Please see 8th Street Bridge Funding report in the council documents. Budget and Finance:  P. Anderson, chairperson for Budget and finance, reports there will be a budget meeting on January 16th, 2020, time to be announced at a later date. Clerk/Office Mgr:  T. Lamb asked the council for approval of a facilities permit for the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, for usage of the East Alley Parking lots for the Marketplace for this years Blessing of the Bikes. Moved by P. Anderson, with support from M. Truxton, all Yeas 0 Nays. Motion carried.  The clerk also informed the council that this year the annual “Large Item Pick Up” is scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd, 2020. Planning Commission:  OPRA ZONING‐ Obsolete Property District (please see OPRA documentation). The Planning Commission recommends the council vote to approve the “Intent to hold a public hearing” on the matter of becoming a Obsolete Property District. Moved by P. Anderson, with support from C. Vicent. All Yeas, 0 Nays, Motion carried.  President Truxton would like to invite the Village Council to take the RRC Certification Class. The training is available online at MI Place.org. Ordinance Enforcement:  Officer Terry Bramer reported he continues to move forward with property owners who are not in compliance. See Report.  Officer Bramer also reports the judgement against non‐compliant property owner Angus Munroe, was in favor of the Village of Baldwin, demolition of the dilapidated building will begin on Monday, December 16, 2019.  New Business: The Village Council discussed the issue of having a Facebook Page for the village of Baldwin. The consensus was to not use the social media application, and continue using our web page for announcements. Old Business: The village council was posed with a matter of auctioning the useless Fire Department Equipment. Council asked to table the matter until they could look over the inventory. Adjournment: P. Anderson moved to adjourn the council meeting at 8:48pm, with support from C. Vicent. All Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried. Next Meeting : January 13, 2020 @ 6:00pm @ 6pm Minutes taken and typed by Theresa Lamb, Village Clerk