VILLAGE OF BARODA

Council Minutes

Baroda Municipal Building

August 3, 2009

6:30 p.m.

Members Present: Claudia Brister, Bob Getz, Larry Nye, Ed Rath, Milt Sluder, Mona Stankiewicz, Don Turney, Treasurer Hemphill and Clerk Mensinger

Guests Present: Doug deBest, Pastor Kendall Holder, Dave Wolf, John Baird, Nancy and Joan Milius, Ginny Janca, Chris Getz and Steve Schmidtke

Meeting called to order by President Getz at 6:30 p.m. Meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

I.       Audience Comments

         A.  Chris Getz introduced Miss Baroda 2009, Joan Milius. Joan has been doing an outstanding job representing our        

               community.

         B.   Doug deBest was present to ask why we are raising taxes and what services are the residents receiving. Treasurer      

               Hemphill explained Truth & Taxation and how the Headlee Rollback works with taxes. We will get a copy of the  

               2009-2010 budget to him for his review.  President Getz explained that the Village taxes goes to pay for our street

               upkeep, street lighting, wages for water and sewer plus other departments, etc.

        C.   Steve Schmidtke was present to ask if we had any openings on our Police Department. President Getz explained that

               hiring is done through the Police Board.

II.     Reports

        A.    Police Chief – No report was submitted.

        B.     Village Engineer – No report at this time.

        C.  Committees

                1.      Park – Larry Nye

                        a.   Volunteers are needed to help with weeding.

                        b.   There is a bad wash out in the creek to the north of the walk bridge. Clerk Mensinger is to call Wightman

                              and Associates, Inc. to have them look at this problem.

                2.      Finance – Treasurer Hemphill

                      a.   Reported that she moved some money around to make sure that we are fully insured.

                      b.   Tax collection through July was $13,840 (total to be collected is $189,855).

        D.  Planning Commission – Nothing to report.

III.   Unfinished Business

        A.  Music in the Park Update - Clerk Mensinger reported that there were approximately 85 people at the July concert.    

              The next event is Sunday, August 23 at 4 p.m. with UpHill Climb Bluegrass Gospel band.

        B.  Trash Ordinance Update - Baroda Twp. Trustee, Dave Wolf, was present to review the Trash Ordinance and

              Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village. John Baird was present to express his concern that the Baroda Mobile

              Home Estates is not being allowed to opt out of the trash pickup. Several Trustees felt that there were too many

              unknowns to make a decision at this time.

              Motion by Larry Nye, seconded by Bob Getz to table the adoption of the ordinance and approval of the

              intergovernmental agreement until the September 8 meeting.

                                                                    YES    NO

            Claudia Brister              X          

            Bob Getz                      X          

            Larry Nye                     X

            Ed Rath                                   X

            Milt Sluder                              X

            Mona Stankiewicz                   X                    

            Don Turney                   X

Motion carried.

            C.  Miscellaneous

                    1.   CDBG Survey – Chuck Eckenstahler

                          On July 8, we mailed out 383 surveys. Eleven were returned as vacant and 118 were returned properly filled

                          out. We need 200, so we are in the process of doing a door to door survey to receive the required number of

                          surveys. If this does not work, we will have to do phone calls.

                    2.   Safety Day Update – Clerk Mensinger

                             a.   Clerk Mensinger requested that we set October 18 as the rain date for Safety Day. It was a general

                                   consensus to approve October 18 as the rain date.

                            b.    So far there is representation from Baroda-Lake Police, Baroda Fire Dept., Health Department and the

                                   Bike Rodeo.

                    3.   Christmas in the Park – Clerk Mensinger

                          Clerk Mensinger stated that nobody has come forward to help plan the event. The pavilion will also be full of  

                          equipment so we wouldn’t have that available to do the refreshments. She proposed that we postpone the

                          event for this year. It was council consensus to go ahead with the event even if we do it at the Township Hall.

                    4.   Sam’s Club – A representative stopped into the office to see if the Village would like a business membership.

                          Council consensus was to decline this offer.

                    5.   United Sports – Clerk Mensinger

                          Clerk Mensinger stated that the Township has decided to decline to split the cost of digitizing the logo for

                          embroidery purposes. It was Council consensus not to have the logo digitized.

V.       New Business

            A.  Barodafest Volunteers – Clerk Mensinger

                 We are in need of volunteers to help the day of the festival. Please let Audra Johnson or Diane Mensinger know if

                 you are available to help. Ed Rath stated that they could use his club car again this year.

            B.  Miscellaneous - nothing.

V.       Consent Agenda

           A.    Council Minutes

           B.     Treasurer’s Report

           C.     Paying of Bills ($1,444.77) and Transfers ($16,361.49)

           D.  Correspondence

           Motion by Ed Rath, seconded by Mona Stankiewicz to approve the consent agenda items.Motion carried, no nays.

VI.     Council Comments

          A.    President Comments

                1.   Starr Wellington Drain – President Getz and Drain Commission Zilke walked along thedrain to determine what

                       the issue is with the drain. Trustee Rath was absent. President Getz later held a conference call with Engineers     

                       Carlisle and Veldman and they agreed with Commissioner Zilke that the drain should not be dredged and that

                       the drain is lower than the cross drain. No action will be taken.

                2.   Maint. Supervisor Krone reported to President Getz that there is another dead tree in the road right-of-way that

                       needs to be removed. Bob’s Tree Service is willing to remove the additional tree for an additional $300.

                       Motion by Don Turney, seconded by Milt Sluder to add the tree to the previously approved list of trees to be

                       removed. Motion carried, no nays.

                3.   Thanked Crystal Springs Florist & Greenhouse for the generous donation of geraniums, Nature’s Way

                       Landscaping for the potting soil, discounted flower pots from Lowe’s and to the volunteers who potted all of the 

                       plants.

          B.   Council Member’s Comments

                 1.   Clerk Mensinger – Clerk Mensinger thanked the Council for the wonderful reception in recognition of her being

                        named the 2009 Village Clerk of the Year.

                 2.   Trustee Turney

                        a.   There is a hole at the intersection of Lemon Creek and the alley behind Bill’s Tap that needs to be looked

                              at.

                        b.   The drain cover at the corner of First and Church is in need of repair.

                        c.   Suggested that we consider having a light installed in the pavilion as kids tend to congregate there after dark.

                 3.   Trustee Brister – Stated that she has seen older kids who are actually too big to be on the rocking toys at the

                       park and questioned if we are liable if an older child is hurt on one of them. Consensus was that we are liable.

                 4.   Trustee Rath – Reported that cars are flying down Lemon Creek Road.

                 5.   No comments from Treasurer Hemphill, Trustee Nye, Stankiewicz and Sluder. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Recorded by:

Diane Mensinger

Village Clerk