Minutes of the Village of Martin Board
March 11, 2013
Village of Martin
Regular Meeting
March 11, 2013
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on March 11, 2013, at the Martin Village Office, 1609 North Main Street, Martin, Michigan.
Call to Order and Pledge to Flag: President Brinkhuis called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag was recited.
Roll Call: Members present: Brinkhuis, Flower, Rambadt, Doezema, Hunt, Kelsey, Wykstra and Deputy Clerk Merrill.
Approval of Minutes: Motion made by Member Wykstra and supported by Member Rambadt to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 11, 2013, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Visitors present were: Natalie VanHouten, Linda Gale, Don Black, County Commissioner (7:45 arrival), Don Rambadt, Amanda Shumaker (Martin Resource Center), Jim Keyzer, Barb Keyzer, Korene VandenBerg, Marlene Leep, Judi Oglesbee, Matt & Juli Eckman, and Mike Smith. President Brinkhuis asked each visitor to state their purpose for attending and to discuss any issues they had for the Council to consider.
Judi Oglesbee - Asked what happened with the Rezoning and the VanElderen issues. President Brinkhuis explained about the recent rezoning vote, the VanElderen purchase of a thermal oxidizer, and the committee (headed by Dave Smit) to liaison between VanElderen and the community.
Matt & Juli Eckman - Informed us our website is not up to date (with minutes from meetings and contact information). Also asked whether fines were paid by VanElderen and why their water bill is so high. Member Doezema apologized for the delay in website updates and informed them that we are working on it. President Brinkhuis informed that yes, the fines have been paid. Member Flower explained how the bills are calculated.
Korene VandenBerg - Discussed the Boysen building and the failed bond proposal. She let us know that the group who worked on the proposal is meeting every Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. at the school Media Center. They are still looking for solutions and welcomed any input from the Village as to what we would like to see there.
Marlene Leep - Talked about issues at the polls for the recent vote, where there seemed to be misinformation/confusion on where to vote, inaccurate info on what the taxes would be, and what the bond would actually do. She plans to report to the Township Board as well.
Amanda Shumaker - As the new Director of the Martin Resource Center, she wanted to introduce herself. She gave an overview of the history of the center and their services. She needs volunteers, especially for their major distribution the 1st Tuesday of the month. They are attempting to get more healthy foods in the pantry. She also informed of their April 6 garage sale at the Watson Bible Church and their March 18 - April 1 electronic recycling event.
Approval of Agenda: Motion was made by Member Wykstra and supported by Member Flower to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Communications: Clerk Doezema reviewed the following received correspondence:
(1) Bond rejection letter on Mlive
Financial Items:
1. Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Rambadt highlighted her report, reporting that all bills have been paid. She further explained a payment to Allegan Co which was a result of Allegan sending us a double payment for taxes previously, which we had to return to them. Motion was made by Member Doezema and supported by Member Wykstra to approve the report for February 2013 as submitted. Motion carried.
2. Payment of Bills: The bills were reviewed by Clerk Doezema. Added a bill from Steensma for $435.97. Motion was made by Member Hunt and supported by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as presented and any forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Final budget: Deputy Clerk Merrill presented the final budget and Resolution 2013-3-3. Motion made by Member Flower to approve the budget and adopt Resolution 2013-3-3, supported by Member Wykstra. Roll call vote: Rambadt - yes, Kelsey - yes, Wykstra - yes, Flower - yes, Hunt - yes, Doezema - yes. Absent - none Motion carried.
Department Updates/Reports:
1. Public Safety: Member Hunt - No report.
2. Public Works: Member Wykstra reported that the generator has a small leak on the radiator and needs to be re-cored. Cummins-Bridgeway bid is $2384 and Steensma bid is $2170. Wykstra will look around to get a better price. Horizon Operations can provide a generator in case of a power failure. Motion by Flower that we allow Wykstra to get it fixed if he can get a price below $2100, seconded by Member Hunt. Motion carried.
3. Streets: Member Wykstra reported that there is a lot of street patching needed. A list is forthcoming. He discussed renting a street sweeper rather than having our Public Works employees do cleaning by hand. Need to get the previous rate paid and see if it is more cost effective.
4. Sewer/Water: Member Flower reported continued billing problems. He and Deputy Clerk Merrill are working with BS&A for a solution. Budget will be done before the next meeting.
5. Finance: Treasurer Rambadt - no report.
6. Ordinance and Policy: Clerk Doezema is reviewing our Ordinances. No report. Resident Rick Smith has a barn that is falling down and wants to build a bigger one. Needs to know what he needs to get a variance. Member Flower will follow up.
7. Civic Affairs: Member Kelsey - no report.
8. Five Year Planning: President Brinkhuis - no report.
9. County Commissioner: Don Black reported and distributed synopses of the February 14 and February 28, 2013 County Commission meetings. He highlighted that a financial contingency was approved for the Sheriffs Office and Correction Center. He is still looking for someone to serve on a Workforce Development Board and Economic Development Board.
Old Business:
1. PW Employees compensation: Member Wykstra reported on the meeting held earlier in the day. The committee recommends that we give each of the Public Works employees approximately a 5% raise, which would put Eichler at $15.75/hour (5%) and Schaafsma at $9.75/hour (5.5%). As it is just after his one year anniversary, Schaafsma's performance was discussed. His supervisor and the Council members all gave him a good evaluation. Member Wykstra moved to approve the new pay rates for both employees, supported by Member Doezema. Motion carried. The new rates will start April 1.
New Business:
1. Rezoning costs: Member Doezema researched how other municipalities handle this issue. She will work on drafting a policy, for review by the policy committee and the Council.
2. Michigan Association of Mayors: President Brinkhuis asked Deputy Clerk Merrill if we usually join this. She said it is up to the current president. He decided to decline.
3. VanElderen Inc: Discussion on plans for the newly rezoned property purchased. VanElderen is thinking of erecting a 300 x 150 building and are researching the fire protection needed. Discussion on whether the Village needs a 3rd well and how that could be in conjunction with an increased water volume need. Also discussed whether we could use the additional well for irrigation purposes of neighboring farm. President Brinkhuis will discuss with our engineer, while Members Wykstra and Doezema will compile questions regarding the impact.
Recent Community Deaths: The following names were submitted: Bertha Kelsey, Pat Germain, and Aaron Wykstra.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Hunt to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Darcy Doezema, Clerk
Regular Meeting
March 11, 2013
The Martin Village Council met for its regular meeting on March 11, 2013, at the Martin Village Office, 1609 North Main Street, Martin, Michigan.
Call to Order and Pledge to Flag: President Brinkhuis called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag was recited.
Roll Call: Members present: Brinkhuis, Flower, Rambadt, Doezema, Hunt, Kelsey, Wykstra and Deputy Clerk Merrill.
Approval of Minutes: Motion made by Member Wykstra and supported by Member Rambadt to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 11, 2013, as submitted. Motion carried.
Recognition of Visitors: Visitors present were: Natalie VanHouten, Linda Gale, Don Black, County Commissioner (7:45 arrival), Don Rambadt, Amanda Shumaker (Martin Resource Center), Jim Keyzer, Barb Keyzer, Korene VandenBerg, Marlene Leep, Judi Oglesbee, Matt & Juli Eckman, and Mike Smith. President Brinkhuis asked each visitor to state their purpose for attending and to discuss any issues they had for the Council to consider.
Judi Oglesbee - Asked what happened with the Rezoning and the VanElderen issues. President Brinkhuis explained about the recent rezoning vote, the VanElderen purchase of a thermal oxidizer, and the committee (headed by Dave Smit) to liaison between VanElderen and the community.
Matt & Juli Eckman - Informed us our website is not up to date (with minutes from meetings and contact information). Also asked whether fines were paid by VanElderen and why their water bill is so high. Member Doezema apologized for the delay in website updates and informed them that we are working on it. President Brinkhuis informed that yes, the fines have been paid. Member Flower explained how the bills are calculated.
Korene VandenBerg - Discussed the Boysen building and the failed bond proposal. She let us know that the group who worked on the proposal is meeting every Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. at the school Media Center. They are still looking for solutions and welcomed any input from the Village as to what we would like to see there.
Marlene Leep - Talked about issues at the polls for the recent vote, where there seemed to be misinformation/confusion on where to vote, inaccurate info on what the taxes would be, and what the bond would actually do. She plans to report to the Township Board as well.
Amanda Shumaker - As the new Director of the Martin Resource Center, she wanted to introduce herself. She gave an overview of the history of the center and their services. She needs volunteers, especially for their major distribution the 1st Tuesday of the month. They are attempting to get more healthy foods in the pantry. She also informed of their April 6 garage sale at the Watson Bible Church and their March 18 - April 1 electronic recycling event.
Approval of Agenda: Motion was made by Member Wykstra and supported by Member Flower to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Communications: Clerk Doezema reviewed the following received correspondence:
(1) Bond rejection letter on Mlive
Financial Items:
1. Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Rambadt highlighted her report, reporting that all bills have been paid. She further explained a payment to Allegan Co which was a result of Allegan sending us a double payment for taxes previously, which we had to return to them. Motion was made by Member Doezema and supported by Member Wykstra to approve the report for February 2013 as submitted. Motion carried.
2. Payment of Bills: The bills were reviewed by Clerk Doezema. Added a bill from Steensma for $435.97. Motion was made by Member Hunt and supported by Member Rambadt to pay the bills as presented and any forthcoming utility bills. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Final budget: Deputy Clerk Merrill presented the final budget and Resolution 2013-3-3. Motion made by Member Flower to approve the budget and adopt Resolution 2013-3-3, supported by Member Wykstra. Roll call vote: Rambadt - yes, Kelsey - yes, Wykstra - yes, Flower - yes, Hunt - yes, Doezema - yes. Absent - none Motion carried.
Department Updates/Reports:
1. Public Safety: Member Hunt - No report.
2. Public Works: Member Wykstra reported that the generator has a small leak on the radiator and needs to be re-cored. Cummins-Bridgeway bid is $2384 and Steensma bid is $2170. Wykstra will look around to get a better price. Horizon Operations can provide a generator in case of a power failure. Motion by Flower that we allow Wykstra to get it fixed if he can get a price below $2100, seconded by Member Hunt. Motion carried.
3. Streets: Member Wykstra reported that there is a lot of street patching needed. A list is forthcoming. He discussed renting a street sweeper rather than having our Public Works employees do cleaning by hand. Need to get the previous rate paid and see if it is more cost effective.
4. Sewer/Water: Member Flower reported continued billing problems. He and Deputy Clerk Merrill are working with BS&A for a solution. Budget will be done before the next meeting.
5. Finance: Treasurer Rambadt - no report.
6. Ordinance and Policy: Clerk Doezema is reviewing our Ordinances. No report. Resident Rick Smith has a barn that is falling down and wants to build a bigger one. Needs to know what he needs to get a variance. Member Flower will follow up.
7. Civic Affairs: Member Kelsey - no report.
8. Five Year Planning: President Brinkhuis - no report.
9. County Commissioner: Don Black reported and distributed synopses of the February 14 and February 28, 2013 County Commission meetings. He highlighted that a financial contingency was approved for the Sheriffs Office and Correction Center. He is still looking for someone to serve on a Workforce Development Board and Economic Development Board.
Old Business:
1. PW Employees compensation: Member Wykstra reported on the meeting held earlier in the day. The committee recommends that we give each of the Public Works employees approximately a 5% raise, which would put Eichler at $15.75/hour (5%) and Schaafsma at $9.75/hour (5.5%). As it is just after his one year anniversary, Schaafsma's performance was discussed. His supervisor and the Council members all gave him a good evaluation. Member Wykstra moved to approve the new pay rates for both employees, supported by Member Doezema. Motion carried. The new rates will start April 1.
New Business:
1. Rezoning costs: Member Doezema researched how other municipalities handle this issue. She will work on drafting a policy, for review by the policy committee and the Council.
2. Michigan Association of Mayors: President Brinkhuis asked Deputy Clerk Merrill if we usually join this. She said it is up to the current president. He decided to decline.
3. VanElderen Inc: Discussion on plans for the newly rezoned property purchased. VanElderen is thinking of erecting a 300 x 150 building and are researching the fire protection needed. Discussion on whether the Village needs a 3rd well and how that could be in conjunction with an increased water volume need. Also discussed whether we could use the additional well for irrigation purposes of neighboring farm. President Brinkhuis will discuss with our engineer, while Members Wykstra and Doezema will compile questions regarding the impact.
Recent Community Deaths: The following names were submitted: Bertha Kelsey, Pat Germain, and Aaron Wykstra.
Adjournment: Motion was made by Member Flower and supported by Member Hunt to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Darcy Doezema, Clerk