City Of Albion

City Council Meeting

May 18, 2009

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Joseph Domingo opened the regular session at 7:00 p.m.

MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED

ROLL CALL

Ron Gant (1), Betty Branche (2),  Andy Zblewski (4), Cheryl Krause (5), George Strander (6) and Mayor Joseph Domingo.  Thorland Bradley (3) was absent.

            Administration: Mike Herman, City Manager;  Kevin Markovich, Director of Public Services; Kerry Helmick, Finance Director/City Clerk/City Treasurer; Eric Miller, Chief of Public Safety; John Tracy, Code Enforcement Officer; James Hull, Albion City Water Department and Chuck Robison, City Attorney.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' COMMENTS

Comments were received from Council Members Gant, Zblewski and Krause and Mayor Domingo.

A.         Proclamation – National Dog Bite Prevention Week – Jackie Belcher, TLC Dog Training.

Mayor Domingo read the Proclamation and presented same to Ms. Belcher.  Comments were received from Ms. Belcher.

V.         CITIZENS’ COMMENTS (Persons addressing the City Council shall limit their comments to agenda items and to no more than five (5) minutes.  Proper protocol and decorum is required.)

No comments were received.

VI.       PUBLIC HEARING – 2009 Tax Levy.

            Mayor Domingo opened the Public Hearing at 7:07 p.m.

            City Manager Herman gave an overview of the budget and tax levy calendars and stated that the mills suggested are the same as last year.

            Council Member Strander requested clarification of millage rate reductions since 2007 and how the rates are computed.

            City Manager Herman responded that the General Operating millage was lowered after the voters approved the District Library millage, that the water debt millage is based on the specific dollar amount of debt to be re-paid each year, and that the street millage has been lowered from the original voter-approved levy of 3.0 mills due to the Headley rollback.

            Mayor Domingo inquired as to whether the millages levied are listed individually on the tax bills.

            City Manager Herman responded in the affirmative.

            James Hull, 301 Perry Street, inquired as to the reason for comparing the 2009 proposed levy with the 2007 actual levy rather than the 2008.

            City Manager Herman responded that it was done in order to clarify for the taxpayers that the City’s millage rate was lowered once the City discontinued funding the Library out of its Operating Funds subsequent to the Library obtaining the authorization to levy its own millage.

            Mr. Hull requested a clarification as to the other non-City millages on the Summer tax bill.

            City Manager Herman responded that various other taxing entities have been moving their levies from the Winter bill to the Summer bill over the past few years.

            With no other comments being brought forth, Mayor Domingo closed the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m.

VII.     CONSENT CALENDAR

A.                 Approval of Regular Session Minutes – May 04, 2009.

B.                  Approval of Study Session Minutes – May 14, 2009.

Comments were received from Council Member Krause and City Manager Herman.

Strander moved, Branche supported, CARRIED, to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented.  (6-0, rcv).

VIII.   ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION

            A.         Presentation of 2008 Annual Audit – Bill Tucker, Abraham and Gaffney.

                        Bill Tucker, CPA, presented an overview of the 2008 Audit to Council.

                        Additional comments were received from Council Members Gant and Strander, Mayor Domingo, City Manager Herman and Jackie Belcher, 107 Ford Road.

B.                  Request for Approval of Resolution #2009-17, to Set the 2009 Tax Levy.

No comments were received.

Strander moved, Krause supported, CARRIED, to Approve Resolution #2009-17, to Set the 2009 Tax Levy.   (6-0, rcv).

C.                  Request for Approval to Use Barnes Park for Public Viewing for the Annual Fireworks Show on Friday, July 3, 2009 with a Rain Date of July 5, 2009.

No comments were received.

Branche moved, Krause supported, CARRIED, to Approve Using Barnes Park for Public Viewing for the Annual Fireworks Show on Friday, July 3, 2009 with a Rain Date of July 5, 2009.  (6-0, rcv).

D.         Request for Approval of License Agreement Language and Resolution #2009-18, to Approve Ballot Language for the Apostolic Church Sign.

            Comments were received from Council Members Zblewski and Strander and City Manager Herman.

            Gant moved, Branche supported, CARRIED, to Approve the License Agreement Language and Resolution #2009-18, to Approve Ballot Language for the Apostolic Church Sign.  (4-2, rcv, Zblewski and Strander dissenting).

E.         Discussion of Possible Relocation of Voting Site for Precincts #4 and #6.

            Comments were received from Council Members Zblewski, Krause and Strander, Mayor Domingo, City Manager Herman and Finance Director/City Clerk Helmick.

F.         Motion to Excuse Absent Council Member(s).

Comments were received from City Manager Herman.

Krause moved, Zblewski supported, CARRIED, to Excuse Council Member Bradley.

IX.       CITIZEN'S COMMENTS (Persons addressing the City Council shall limit their comments to no more than five (5) minutes.  Proper decorum is required.)

Comments were received from Council Member Gant; Mayor Domingo; City Manager Herman; Director of Public Services Markovich; City Attorney Robison; Jackie Belcher, 107 Ford Road; Joe Jackson, 806 Maple Street; Justin Denney, 4202 Aspen Way, Jackson and Gloria Lopez, 411 North Clinton Street.

X.         ADJOURNMENT

            Krause moved, Branche supported, CARRIED, to adjourn the Regular Session.  (6-0, rcv).

            Mayor Domingo adjourned the Regular Session at 8:11 p.m.

____________                                             _________________________

date                                                                Kerry Helmick

                                                                        Finance Director/City Clerk