City Of Albion

City Council Meeting

February 20, 2007

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor William M. Wheaton opened the regular session at 7:00 p.m.

MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED

ROLL CALL

Ron Gant (1), Betty Branche (2), Ken Waito (3), Andy Zblewski (4), Cheryl Krause (5), George Strander (6) and Mayor William M. Wheaton.

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; Barry Hicks, Director of Planning; Nidia Wolf, Downtown Development Authority Director; Colleen Verge, Albion Public Library Director; John Tracy, Code Enforcement Officer and Chuck Robison, City Attorney.

MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS' COMMENTS

Comments were received from Councilmembers Strander, Zblewski and Waito and Mayor Wheaton.

A. Mayor’s Annual State of the City Address.

Mayor Wheaton presented his 2007 State of the City Address.

B. Public Hearing on Grant Application for Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant of $ 127,500 for the Rieger Park Swimming and Beach Project.

Mayor Wheaton opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 p.m.

City Manager Herman gave opening remarks pertaining to the history and current status of the project and grant application and then requested comments from the audience regarding the project and the handicap accessibility as proposed.

Mayor Wheaton commented on verbal indications of support he has received from various community groups. Reverend Ernest Harris, 516 Mechanic Street, indicated the Albion Ministerial Association’s anticipated support of the project pending receipt of the grant. Councilmember Gant indicated his opinion that creation of the designated swimming area at the pond would result in a much needed deterrent to help keep youth from swimming at and diving off of the bridge. Councilmember Waito questioned the possible $ 7,500 local match that may be needed from General Fund. Councilmember Krause queried as to when official notification of the Grant Board’s decision could be expected. City Manager Herman stated word would be received in December of 2007, making this a Spring 2008 project. Councilmember Strander questioned when the previously mentioned $ 7,500 would be needed. City Manager Herman stated that the local match would be needed in 2008 and that City staff and interested volunteers would be pursuing other local avenues to raise any funds needed above the grant and previously received commitments from other community groups and individuals.

With no other comments brought forth, Mayor Wheaton closed the Public Hearing at 7:22 p.m.

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.)

Comments were received from Reverend Ernest Harris, 516 Mechanic Street.

CONSENT CALENDAR

A. Approval of Regular Session Minutes – February 05, 2007.

B. Approval of Study Session Minutes – February 05, 2007.

C. Request for 2^nd Reading and Approval of Ordinance #2007-01, to Amend the Grass and Weed Notification Requirements.

No comments were received.

Strander moved, Krause supported, CARRIED, to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. (7-0, rcv).

ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION

A. Request for Approval for the American Legion to Hold the Annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28, 2007.

No comments were received.

Waito moved, Krause supported, CARRIED, to Approve the American Legion Holding the Annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28, 2007. (7-0, rcv).

B. Request for Approval of Resolution #2007-05, to Make Application for a Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund Grant of $ 127,500 for the Rieger Park Swimming and Beach Project.

Comments were received from Councilmembers Zblewski and Waito and City Manager Herman.

Gant moved, Zblewski supported, CARRIED, to Make Application for a Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund Grant of $ 127,500 for the Rieger Park Swimming and Beach Project. (6-1, rcv, Waito dissenting).

Request for Approval of Resolution #2007-06, to Approve the District Library Agreement.

Comments were received from Councilmembers Waito, Krause, Strander and Zblewski; Mayor Wheaton; City Manager Herman; Albion Public Library Director Verge; City Attorney Robison; Robert Dunklin, 707 Huntington Boulevard and Nidia Wolf, 409 Irwin Avenue.

Branche moved, Krause supported, CARRIED, to Approve the District Library Agreement. (6-1, rcv, Waito dissenting).

Request for Approval to Purchase a 2001 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck from Albion Motors at a Cost of $ 8,900 to Replace the Existing Code Enforcement Vehicle.

Comments were received from Councilmember Strander, City Manager Herman and Code Enforcement Officer Tracy.

Branche moved, Zblewski supported, CARRIED, to Approve Purchasing a 2001 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck from Albion Motors at a Cost of $ 8,900 to Replace the Existing Code Enforcement Vehicle. (7-0, rcv).

E. Request for Approval for City Council to Request a $ 50,000 Grant from the Albion Trust to Support the Albion River Trail Project.

Comments were received from Councilmember Gant, City Manager Herman and City Attorney Robison.

Gant moved, Strander supported, CARRIED, to Approve City Council Requesting a $ 50,000 Grant from the Albion Trust to Support the Albion River Trail Project. (7-0, rcv).

F. Request for Approval of Policy on Use of Respirators by Public Safety Officers.

Comments were received from Councilmember Zblewski and City Manager Herman.

Waito moved, Zblewski supported, CARRIED, to Approve the Policy on Use of Respirators by Public Safety Officers. (7-0, rcv).

G. Request for Approval of Resolution #2007-07, to Transfer a Liquor License to Davan’s.

Comments were received from Councilmembers Waito, Gant and Krause, City Manager Herman and Chief of Public Safety Miller.

Gant moved, Zblewski supported, CARRIED, to Approve Resolution #2007-07, to Transfer a Liquor License to Davan’s. (7-0, rcv).

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

No action was needed as all Councilmembers were present.

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

No comments were received.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

Krause moved, Branche supported, CARRIED, to adjourn the regular session. (7-0, rcv).

Mayor Wheaton adjourned the regular session at 8:12 p.m.

____________ _________________________

date Kerry Helmick

City Clerk