Mayor Walters called the regular meeting of the Tawas City Council to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Tawas Community Center.
Council Members Present: Brent Babcock, Sandra Brugger, Dave Dickman, Kane Kelly, Dave Schantz, Tim Stonehouse, Duane Walters
Council Members Absent: None
Others Present: City Manager Mark Moers, City Clerk Michelle Westcott
Mayor Walters offered the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a moment of meditation.
Dickman moved, Brugger seconded, CARRIED, to approve the agenda of the January 19, 2009 regular council meeting as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock. No - None.
Stonehouse moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to approve the minutes of the January 5, 2009 regular meeting as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger. No - None.
Schantz moved, Kelly seconded, CARRIED, to approve the Claim Sheet 011909 as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman. No - None.
Babcock moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to approve the Tawas Hardware bill for $177.05. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Schantz, Stonehouse, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly. No - None. Abstain - Walters.
City Manager Moers reported he received a letter from the DNR on the Gateway Park Grant listing the items that should be completed prior to the project start date once the project agreement is executed. The project needs to be engineered to meet the grant requirements and the City Manager will proceed on the engineer quotes for the project.
City Manager Moers stated he would meet with POAM on Tuesday to find out the status of the officer's contract that was presented by the Tawas Police Authority committee.
City Manager Moers reported John from Valley City Signs contacted him about signage for the Parks and City Hall. The Council will look at a signage plan for the City and budget for the next fiscal year.
City Manager Moers stated that since Harris Avenue is rated nine in the road software program. He recommends the $80,000.00 the City will receive from ISTEA be transferred to a First Street Project. The project proposed would be from Lake Street to Court Street or possibly the bridge. This may include repaving, sidewalks, lighting, trees, storm drains, curb and gutter. Babcock moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to get bid quotes for the First Street streetscape project. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz. No - None.
City Manager Moers updated the Council on the Downtown Redevelopment Project.
Bob Felcyn updated the Council on the Towne Square Project.
Mayor Walters stated that Holy Family Catholic School would be celebrating National Catholic Schools the week of January 25th. The Mayor will read the proclamation at the luncheon with the children.
City Manager Moers reported that Dan Stock requested to use the City Library to offer free tax preparation and assistance services. Mr. Stock has used the Library in past years. Dickman moved, Brugger seconded, CARRIED, to approve Dan Stock to use the City Library to offer free tax preparation and assistance to our citizens on Tuesdays from February 3 through April 14 from 10:30 to 1:00 and from 2:00 until 5:00. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse. No - None.
City Manager Moers reported that the Federal Trade Commission has mandated a "Red Flag Rule" policy that needs to be adopted by municipalities that provide water and sewer services. Schantz moved, Brugger seconded, CARRIED, to adopt the Identity Theft Prevention Program Policy (SBM 1126). ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters. No - None.
Stonehouse moved, Kelly seconded, CARRIED, to adopt a resolution to open a bank account to accept donations for the Veteran's Memorial Project (SBM 1127). ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock. No - None.
City Manager Moers reported Andy Griffin applied for a taxicab license to operate his taxicab service in Tawas City. He has provided all the documentation and met all the requirements within the Taxicab Ordinance. Brugger moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to approve a taxicab license for Andy's taxicab service operated by Andy Griffin for one year (SBM 1128). ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger. No - None.
Ed Nagy, 701 North Street, asked the Council to look at paving Whittemore Street, the 8 blocks by 9th Avenue and 4th Street, and the parking lot by the Soccer field complex when working on the budget.
Councilmember Brugger stated her and Councilmember Babcock met to discuss the possible developments of the 110 acres and would like to review the wetland delineation of the property.
Councilmember Schantz stated the roof on the fire station expansion would be started this week.
Councilmember Stonehouse asked the status on the Tawas River Trailer Park water meter installation. City Manager Moers replied the City is working on coordinating the final details.
Mayor Walters stated fourteen people contacted him about the ORV Ordinance with one in favor and 13 not in favor of ORV's in the City Limits. Mayor Walters's recommendation is to keep the ORV Ordinance tabled. Mayor Walters thanked the school students for attending the meeting.
City Manager Moers reported he and Councilmember Stonehouse has been working on funding to dredge the mouth of the river. There is no funding available for just dredging, but there may be available funding for dredging if a boat launch is incorporated with the project.
The next Regular Meeting of the Tawas City Council is scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in the Tawas City Community Center.
Stonehouse moved, Kelly seconded, CARRIED, to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman. No - None.
Michelle M. Westcott, City Clerk
