City of Albion

City Council Meeting

October 06, 2008

I.         CALL TO ORDER

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

II.       MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED

III.     ROLL CALL

Ron Gant (1), Betty Branche (2), Ken Waito (3), Andy Zblewski (4), George Strander (6) and Mayor William M. Wheaton.  Cheryl Krause (5) 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; Jill Domingo, Deputy Clerk; James Hull, City of Albion Water Department and  Chuck Robison, City Attorney.

IV.       MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’ COMMENTS

Comments were received from Mayor Wheaton.

V.         PRESENTATIONS

A.     Albion College International Students – Debra Peterson, Director – Center For International Education.

Director Peterson introduced Albion College’s first-year International Students. Mayor Wheaton then presented each student with a City of Albion lapel pin and honorary citizenship certificate.

B.      Domestic Violence Awareness Month – John Hallacy.

Mayor Wheaton read the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation aloud and then presented it to Calhoun County Prosecuting Attorney Hallacy and Elaine Lohrke, Safeplace Personal Protection Order Coordinator.

Additional comments were received from Prosecuting Attorney Hallacy and PPO Coordinator Lohrke.

C.      TEFRA Public Hearing – Ambulance/Fire Building.

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

City Manager Herman stated that the TEFRA Public Hearing was required under State of Michigan statute as the current proposal would involve leasing space to a non-profit organization – the Albion Community Ambulance Service.

City Manager Herman also gave a project status update.

With no other comments being brought forward, Mayor Wheaton closed the Public Hearing at 7:14 p.m.

VI.       CITIZEN’S 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.

VII.     CONSENT CALENDAR

A.                 Approval of Regular Session Minutes – September 15, 2008.

B.                  Request for 2^nd Reading and Approval of Resolution #2008-21, to Sell Property to Sheena Caudill.

City Manager Herman stated that Mrs. Caudill had requested that her husband’s name be included on the Quit Claim Deed.

Comments were received from Council Member Gant.

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

VIII.   ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION

A.         Request Approval of Resolution #2008-23, to Authorize the Establishment of a Local Election Receiving Board.

                        Comments were received from City Manager Herman.

Waito moved, Zblewski supported, CARRIED, to Approve Resolution #2008-23, to Authorize the Establishment of a Local Election Receiving Board.  (6-0, rcv).

B.         Request for Approval to Award the Cable Broadcast Equipment Replacement Project to Thalner Electronic Laboratories - $15,833.

Comments were received from Council Members Strander and Gant, City Manager Herman and City Attorney Robison.

Strander moved, Branche supported, CARRIED, to Approve Awarding the Cable Broadcast Equipment Replacement Project to Thalner Electronic Laboratories - $15,833.  (6-0, rcv).

C.                  Request for Approval of City Manager Contract Extension.

Comments were received from Mayor Wheaton, City Manager Herman and City Attorney Robison.

Strander moved, Gant supported, CARRIED, to Approve the City Manager’s Contract Extension as Presented.  (6-0, rcv).

            D.         Motion to Excuse Absent Council Member(s)

Comments were received from Mayor Wheaton.

Branche moved, Strander supported, CARRIED, to Excuse Council Member Krause.  (6-0, rcv).

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 Members Strander and Gant; Mayor Wheaton; City Manager Herman; Calhoun County Clerk/Register of Deeds Anne Norlander; Robina Quale-Leach, 422 Darrow Street; Gloria Lopez, 411 North Clinton Street; Chris Simmons, 393 Aldred Street, Battle Creek and James Hull, 301 Perry Street.

X.         ADJOURNMENT

Waito moved, Branche supported, CARRIED to adjourn the regular session.  (6-0, rcv).

Mayor Wheaton adjourned the regular session at 7:50 p.m.

______________________           _________________________________________

Date                                                    Kerry Helmick, Finance Director/City Clerk/Treasurer