VILLAGE OF BARODA

Council Minutes

Baroda Municipal Building

July 6, 2010 - 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:  Chuck Eckenstahler (PCT), Greta Hurst, Paula Bartholome, Steve Carlisle (Wightman & Assoc., Inc.), Jeff Zordell, Taylor and Susan Tefs, Rick Ast (Herald Palladium)

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

   I.       Audience Comments

                  A.  A young boy apologized for the vandalism he committed at the Village Park. He has been picking up trash at the park to help make up for  

                        the damage he did.

                  B.  Baroda Harvest Feast

                        Greta Hurst, a Baroda resident, was present to propose a project tentatively called Baroda Harvest Feast to be held in September, 2011.

                        This project would entail a documentary video being made to highlight the farm to table produce that is so abundant in

                        Southwest Michigan, as well as the people and farm lifestyle. The meal portion would be a meal held on First Street featuring local produce

                        and wineries. The steering committee is asking that the Village and Township Boards endorse this project. It will be funded

                        through sponsorships, fundraisers and grants. The Committee is asking that any grant funds be received be handled through the Village. A

                        proposed resolution endorsing the project was presented.

                        Motion by Ed Rath, seconded by Mona Stankiewicz to adopt Resolution 2010-2011-#14 supporting the establishment of a Baroda

                        Harvest Feast. Motion carried, no nays.

        II.       Reports

                  A.  Village Engineer – See III. Unfinished Business, E. Streetscape.

B.  Committees

1.      Park – Larry Nye

a.  Trustee Rath reported that Nick Wheeler from Bridgman has been doing volunteer work at the Village Park as part of a scholarship

     requirement. He has completed 14 hours so far and will continue working into July.

b.  President Getz reported that we received a $50 gift in memory of Troy Tropin to be used to beautify the park. Mr. Tropin is the late

     husband of Grace Ann Walters, who is the daughter of the late Howard Walters, former Superintendent of the Baroda School.

2.      Finance – Treasurer Hemphill

a.  Tax bills have been sent out and to date we have collected just over 4% of the total amount due.

b.  Treasurer’s Report reflects more money in checking than usual, this is due to money transferred in for the Hills Road project and the

     upcoming grant matching funds.

c.  The County Treasurer sent a hearing notice that they are going to write off a portion of unpaid personal property taxes that are

     unable to be collected (Wolffie’s 2002 and 2003 taxes and Seabiz 2003 taxes).

C.  Planning Commission – Ed Rath

      The Planning Commission is continuing to work on updating the Master Plan.

III.       Unfinished Business

                  A.  Hills Rd/First St Intersection

                        The walk through went well with only one item needing to be reworked. There is a low spot in the asphalt by the corner of Pratt’s loading

                        dock that will need to be filled in.

      B.  Music in the Park

            There were approximately 75 people at the June Music in the Park. The next concert is July 25 with Bob Flood.

      C.  Commercial Tax Abatement Resolution #9

            Motion by Ed Rath seconded by Don Turney to approve the Commercial Tax Abatement Resolution 2010-2011 #9.                              

            Motion carried, no nays.

      D.  Trash Ordinance Amendment

            Motion by Don Turney seconded by Milt Sluder to adopt Trash Ordinance Amendment #170. Motion carried, no nays.

      E.  Streetscape

      1.  Application Submission Resolution #10

                             Motion by Don Turney seconded by Mona Stankiewicz to adopt Resolution 2010-2011 #10 to Community Development Block Grant

                            Application to the Michigan Economic Development  Corporation. Motion carried, no nays.

           2.  Wightman Authorization

                             Motion by Ed Rath seconded by Milt Sluder to authorize Wightman & Associates, Inc. to incur costs of $73,000 for the Community

                            Development Block Grant Application for the First Street Streetscape. Motion carried, no nays.

      3.  PCT Authorization

                             Motion by Milt Sluder seconded by Bob Getz to authorize Charles Eckenstahler of Public Consultant Team to incur costs of $10,000 to

                             administer the Community Development Block Grant. Motion carried, no nays.

IV.       New Business

A.  Smoking Policy Resolution #11

      Motion by Ed Rath seconded by Don Turney to adopt Resolution 2010-2011 #11 Smoking Policy. Motion carried, no nays.

B.  Lakeshore Baseball Resolution #12

      Motion by Bob Getz seconded by Milt Sluder to adopt Resolution 2010-2011 #12  recognizing the Lakeshore Baseball Team. Motion

      carried, no nays.

C.  Lakeshore Softball Resolution #13

      Motion by Don Turney seconded by Ed Rath to adopt Resolution 2010-2011 #13 recognizing the Lakeshore Softball Team. Motion

      carried, no cays.

D.  Miscellaneous

      1.  DDA Appointments

           President Getz stated that the DDA Terms have expired and he would like to re-appoint Larry Nye (Exp. 2014), John Baird (Exp.

           2013), Scott Geiger (Exp. 2011), Ron Miller (Exp. 2012), Rod Nitz (Exp. 2012), Doug Ott (Exp. 2014), and Elmer Rudlaff

           (Exp. 2011). Alan Nitz and Jeff Zordell no longer qualify to remain on the board as they do not have a business interest in the DDA

           District. President Getz recommended Jim Demski (Exp. 2013) and Ruth Semones (Exp. 2013) be appointed to replace Alan    

           Nitz and Jeff Zordell. Motion by Ed Rath, seconded by Larry Nye to approve the reappointment of Larry Nye, John Baird, Scott    

           Geiger, Ron Miller Rod Nitz, Doug Ott and Elmer Rudlaff to the DDA and to appoint Jim Demski and Ruth Semones to the DDA.

           Motion carried, no nays.

      2.  Website

            Clerk Mensinger reported that she is having trouble with the website. She talked to a website expert at the clerks conference and he

            suggested that the problem is due to the Village updating to Windows Vista and that the Front Page Software is too old to

            handle Vista. Clerk Mensinger is collecting quotes on updating the website and software.

       V.       Consent Agenda

A.    Council Minutes – June 7, 2010

B.     Treasurer’s Report

C.     Paying of Bills and Transfers

D.  Correspondence

      Motion by Milt Sluder seconded by Larry Nye to approve the consent agenda items including the bills and transfers in the amount of

      $14,496.73. Motion carried, no nays.

    VI.         Council Comments

A.    President Comments

1.  The Lakeshore Chamber will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Business After Hours at the Baroda Tap and Grille on July 20.

2.  Read a thank you letter from Tom Carson to the Fire Department for their participation in the Lest We Forget Viet Nam Memorial Ride.

3.  Reviewed Police Depart Action Report from July 3 Fireworks.

4.  On vacation July 16 – 25.

B.     Council Member’s Comments

1.  Clerk Mensinger thanked Council for the opportunity to attend the MAMC Clerks Conference this past month. The education was great

     and she also completed state required training on the Electronic Poll Book.

2.  Ed Rath – Questioned if our water loss ratio had improved at all. Treasurer Hemphill stated that the percentage had gone down. Clerk

     Mensinger stated that she and DPW Supervisor Krone met with the state and they gave us a good rating.

3.  Don Turney – Stated that he went to a movie at Celebration Cinema and that Founder’s Wine Cellar was one of the advertisements

     prior to the movie.

4.  Treasurer Hemphill – Stated she might be on vacation week of July 19.

5.  Claudia Brister, Milt Sluder, Mona Stankiewicz and Larry Nye – No comments.

Meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.