City of Hastings

County of Barry, State of Michigan

                                                                                                                                      

 

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

February 28, 2011

 

1.       Regular meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.

 

2.       Present at roll call were members: Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

 

          City Staff and Appointees present:  Mansfield, Emery, Sarver, Caris, Girrbach, Hart, Holzwarth, and Fekkes.

 

3.       Pledge to the flag.

 

4.       Approval of the agenda.

 

Motion by Wood, with support by Tossava, to add Item 14.J., Pennock Foundation information, and 15.G., Well #4 Rehab Contract, and to approve the Agenda as amended.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

                  

5.       Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 14, 2011.

 

         Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Tubbs, to approve the minutes as presented.

         All ayes.  Motion carried.

         

6.       Proclamations: (None).

 

7.       Public Hearings: (None).

 

8.       Formal presentations and requests:

 

                   Dennis Berkebile, Consumers Energy, to report on conversion of mercury vapor streetlights.

 

                   Consumers Energy started street light audit to reconcile lights with billing. There will likely be a refund to the City.  

 

He also discussed Federal rules that do not allow replacement of mercury vapor light fixtures.  Such fixtures must be replaced with high-pressure sodium or other types.  Consumers Energy has a program to replace mercury vapor lights as the fixtures fail and a program to replace all such fixtures over five-year time frame.  Consumers will replace mercury vapor with high-pressure sodium at no charge to the City.  High sodium lights are use less energy and are therefore cheaper per month to use.  High-pressure sodium fixtures tend to give yellow light as opposed to mercury vapor or the other newer technology.

 

                   Motion by Wood, with support by McNabb-Stange, to allow use of high-pressure sodium fixtures in City street lights and to permit staff to determine the street and area priorities for replacing light fixtures.

          Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

9.       Recommendations from other Boards: (None).

 

10.      Ordinances:

 

First reading of Ordinance No. 465 regarding fund raising events by non-profit organizations in City parks.

 

          Ordinance was read.

 

McNabb-Stange requested that the following items be better defined:  what constitutes a “non-profit”, what “sponsor” an event means (how active must participation be in the conduct of the event), and how much direct benefit to the non-profit entity is required.

 

11.     Resolutions: (None).

 

12.     Appointments: (None).

 

13.     Bids, Contracts, Agreements, Abandonment’s, and Sales: (None).

 

14.     Consent items without individual discussion:

 

          A.       Invoices:

                             Kent Oil & Propane - $13,168.00

          B.       Barry County Central Dispatch report.

          C.       Information from the Liquor Control Commission.

          D.       Minutes of the Barry County Central Dispatch Technical meeting of January 18, 2011.

          E.       Minutes of the Barry County Central Dispatch Administrative meeting of January 24, 2011.

          F.       Building Report for January 2011.

          G.       Minutes of the Hastings Public Library Board of Directors meeting of February 21, 2011.

          H.       Proclamation for Walk for Warmth 2011.

          I.       Minutes of the Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting of February 22, 2011.

          J.       Pennock Foundation information.

 

         Motion by Wood, supported by Tubbs, to receive and place on file Items 14.A. through 14.J. inclusive.

          All Ayes.  Motion Carried.

 

15.     City Manager's report:

 

          A.       Chief of Police Sarver gave his monthly report.

 

          B.       Clerk/Treasurer Emery gave his monthly report.

 

          C.       Community Development Director Hart gave his monthly report.

 

Motion by Wood, with support by McNabb-Stange to conduct a “name the park” community input campaign.

All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Wood, with support by Tossava, to tentatively pursue developing a grant application.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

Nays:            Campbell.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Wood, to tentatively approve grant application for trail continuation. 

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

Nays:            Campbell.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

D.       Report on Energy Use Reduction Initiatives.

 

Mansfield reviewed memo.

 

          E.       Consider revisions to the City’s Investment Policy.

 

                   Motion by Jasperse, with support by McNabb-Stange, to approve the revised policy as presented.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

Nays:            Campbell.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

F.       Report on exchange of winter road maintenance responsibilities with the Barry County Road Commission.

 

          Consensus was to exchange street winter maintenance on a trial basis.

 

          G.       Consider approval of Well #4 Rehab contract with Raymer in the amount of $6,882.00.

 

                   Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Tossava, to approve contract as presented.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

Mansfield requested Council workshops regarding the budget on March 14, 2011 and March 28, 2011 at 6:00 PM.

 

Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Wood, to set workshops as requested.

All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

16.     City Attorney's Report: (None).

 

17.     Legislative Director’s Report:

 

          May attended the Elks Club recognition of fire fighters and a school art display.

 

18.     Open Public Discussion from the Floor:

 

          Alan Klein from Representative Callton’s office spoke regarding the legislature’s focus on budget issues.

          Jim Brown from Hastings Township spoke about facing constricting revenues and BIRCH needs to look at maintaining good fire service with less resources.

 

19.     Mayor and Council comment: (None).

 

20.     Consider Closed Session as permitted by PA 267 of 1976, Section 15.268-8(h) to consider material exempt from disclosure by state or federal statute (to receive privileged attorney-client communication).

 

          Motion by Wood, with support by Bowers, to enter into closed session at 8:37 PM as requested.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

Council returned to open session at 8:58 PM.

 

20.     Adjourn.

 

          Motion by McNabb-Stange, to adjourn at 8:59 PM.

 

21.     Read and Approved:

 

 

 

                                                                                                                  

          Robert L. May, Mayor                                                Thomas E. Emery, City Clerk