City Council

Village of Baldwin 620 Washington Baldwin, MI 49304 Regular Council Meeting for AUGUST 9, 2021 Location of meeting: Village of Baldwin Hall Roll call present: J. Truxton, T. Jannereth, C. Vicent, C. Miller, P. Anderson and T. Lamb‐Clerk Meeting was called to order at 6:00pm PM. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Also in attendance was Village Attorney: D. Porteous Agenda:  T. Jannereth moved to approve the agenda with additions. Supported by C. Vicent. All Ayes. Motion Carried. Minutes:  Minutes from the July 12, 2020 meeting were approved with a motion from T. Jannereth, and supported by C. Miller. All Ayes, motion carried. Financial Report:  Financial reports were accepted for the month of July 2021. K. C. Vicent moved, with support from C. Miller. All Ayes. Motion Carried. Public Comments:  Tricia Shoemaker, co‐owner of “Shoeys Log Bar” requested a reconciliation from the Village Council, allowing sidewalk café seating/service, to allow the establishment to move forward in obtaining a full liquor license. Council asked questions of the owner, and assured her the attorneys and office administration would help to move the process along. Sheriff Report:  Sheriff Martin reported there was an individual on the Village streets last weekend, waving a machete around threatening residents, the department had to tazze the individual, disarm him, before an arrest could be made.  Mr. Martin also reported the Blessing of the Bikes, and Baldwin Troutarama went well, with few incidents.   The Department will be wearing new uniforms in the near future, black polo shirts, with vests, that will carry their patrol gear.  The Department has a new undersheriff, Mark Petris. He is a 32‐year veteran of the Kalamazoo Township.  Sheriff Martin also reported the cadets are continuing to collect cans and bottles for charity donations. They have now teamed up with a distributor in Grand Rapids, that is matching the amount of return monies the group collects, and many charities within the County are receiving donations. County Commissioner:  Len Todd was absent Attorney Report:  Please see written report. Building and Grounds:  Nothing to report at this time. Airport:  Mac McClellan Manager, reported that the new windsock pole is up and working. He would also like to publicly thank Dan Beck from Beck Well Drilling, for the help in tapping and threading the new pole.  He also reminds the Council and public there will be a model airplane “Boondoggle” Thursday, August 19th through Saturday, August 21st. DDA:  The Village Council voted to appoint Lamont Hill to the Village DDA, he is filling a vacancy, and his term will expire June 2023 and to reappoint members,  Debra Smith‐Olson for a 4 yr term, set to expire June 2025  Seth Wenger also for a 4 yr term, expiring June of 2025 A motion made by P. Anderson, with support from C. Miller, along with a unanimous vote from the rest of the council, of all Ayes, 0 Nays and 0 Absent, Motion carried. Water & Wastewater:  Please see written report  President Truxton added that the DWAM/DWSAR Projects are moving forward. The first phase will include GIS mapping and scanning of residents and business water connections for any lead or copper connections. Planning and Zoning:  The Village planning commission and Village Attorneys are working to create a Sidewalk Café Ordinance. Most businesses interested in the outdoor Café seating, are on the MDOT highway. Therefore, MDOT restrictions must apply, and be coordinated with stipulations the Village will enforce, to ensure safety, of pedestrians and café users. Equipment & Streets:  President Truxton reported to the council the new sidewalks on the north side of 7th street, from Maple to Beech Streets, has been completed. The cost of the block long project was $15,000.00. That cost also included a replacement of at cubic yard in front of St. Ann’s Church, and a handicap ramp on the corner of Washington and Courthouse Dr. Personnel:  Nothing at this time. Budget & Finance:  The council was asked to review, discuss and vote on the amendments to the budget as presented. Please see amendments to the budget pages. A motion was made by C. Miller, with support from C. Vicent. A roll call vote was taken, President Truxton, Aye, C.Vicent, Aye, P. Anderson, Aye, T. Jannereth, Aye. And C. Miller Aye. All Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 absent. Motion carried. Ordinance Enforcement Report:  Village Clerk, Theresa Lamb, reported an ad has been placed on the Village Website for a zoning enforcement officer. All interested persons are to submit application/resume to the Village Offices. Old Business:  President Truxton presented a Resolution to the Village Council to approve, involving the project of Becoming a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community. A motion was made by C. Miller, with support from T. Jannereth, a roll call vote was taken. President Truxton, Aye. T. Jannereth, Aye., P. Anderson, Aye., C. Miller, Aye, and C. Vicent, Aye. All Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 Absent. Motion Carried. New Business:  The Village Council was asked to renew one Commissioner on the Baldwin Housing Commission to a new term, and to appoint a resident to a vacancy on the Commission.  Diane Smolinski, Vice President, re appointment through 8/22/2026.  Martin Brown Sr., to replace Ila Kimes on the Commission, who’s term is due for renewal in 2024. A motion was made by C. Vicent, with support from T. Jannereth. The vote was all Ayes to approve the renewal and replacement. Motion Carried. Council Comments:  P. Anderson made a comment about a tree limb down over the drive into Hollister Park.  Also, the basketball court, has wide cracks, that need attention and is in need of at least one chain net. Adjournment:  At 7:45pm, a motion to adjourn was made by P. Anderson, with support from T. Jannereth, All Ayes, 0 Nays, Motion carried. NEXT COUNCIL MEETING: SEPTEMBER 13,2021 @ 6:00pm Meeting Minutes taken and typed by Village Clerk, Theresa Lamb