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, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to approve the agenda of the January 5, 2009 regular council meeting as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock. No - None.
Stonehouse moved, Brugger seconded, CARRIED, to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2008 regular meeting as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger. No - None.
Brugger moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to approve the Claim Sheet 010509 as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman. No - None.
City Manager Moers reported that the Michigan Department of Transportation has proposed a center left-turn lane on US-23 (Lake Street) from Townline Road to 9th Avenue for a 2010 project.
City Manager Moers updated the Council on the Downtown Redevelopment Project.
City Manager Moers reported he would submit an application for a Brownfield grant to remove approximately 4000 square feet of contaminated soil from the Odd Fellows site at 117 Mathews Street.
City Manager Moers reported the Tawas Police Authority have assembled a short list to interview for the Chief of Police position. The Tawas Police Authority has submitted a proposed contract to the POAM union for the police officers to accept or reject.
City Manager Moers stated MDOT recommended the City close the right north bound lane of US-23 (Lake Street) to remove the snow that is encroaching in the driving lane.
City Manager Moers reported there are two businesses Gotcher Cabinets and Hawgs Bait that have been notified that they are in violation of the zoning ordinance by opening a business without planning commission approval. The Appliance Outlet at 1193 Lake Street violations has been referred to the City attorney.
City Manager Moers reported Jeff Wolgast on Grove Street informed the City that a branch fell on his car and broke his window from a tree in the City's right of way. This is report ably the second time the tree has damaged his vehicle. After the first incident he requested the tree be removed and the previous DPW director concluded that the tree was not a safety issue. He is requesting the tree be removed and the city pays his $250.00 deductible. The consensus of the Council is to pay the deducible and remove the tree.
City Manager Moers stated the Tawas Area School has requested the City to collect 2009 summer taxes. The City has reviewed the labor, postage and material cost to collect summer taxes and concluded an increase to $1.25 per parcel is recommended. Dickman moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to approve the collection of the Tawas Area Schools 2009 summer taxes with a $1.25 per parcel fee. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz. No - None.
City Manager Moers reported that the MDOT performance resolution is a requirement to file with the annual permit to work in the MDOT right a way for 2009. Babcock moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to adopt the MDOT Performance resolution for governmental agencies for 2009 (SBM 1125). ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse. No - None.
Babcock moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to approve Iosco County 4-H to sell tags for the annual tag day on May 15th and 16th at Tawas City businesses. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters. No - None.
City Manager Moers reported County Commissioner Matthews and Director Timlick inquired if the City of Tawas City would opt in or out of the new County ORV Ordinance to allow ORV's to operate on public streets. City Manager Moers informed the Council there has not been any citizen interest at this time. If Tawas City elects to allow ORV's within the City limits, we will have to adopt the County ordinance or write and adopt our own. Brugger moved, Schantz seconded, CARRIED, to table the ORV Ordinance until further notice if interest arise by citizens and to inform the County that Tawas City will opt out of the County ORV Ordinance at this time. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock. No - None.
Schantz moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to approve the Fire Station Expansion Pay Request #3 in the amount of $29,804.00. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger. No - None.
City Manager Moers reported Arlene Dillon expressed interest in serving as a board of review member. Dickman moved, Schantz seconded, CARRIED, to appoint Arlene Dillon for a one-year term to the board of review and post an opening for an alternate member. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman. No - None.
Councilmember Brugger stated she is working on angels for the cemetery.
Councilmember Kelly was asked if the Tawas City Community Center/Library would remain a Community Center after the new city hall is finished. Mayor Walters responded that it would remain a community building.
Councilmember Dickman stated the Tawas Police Authority is moving in a positive direction.
Mayor Walters requested the council members to bring ideas to the next Council meeting on the Tawas Police Authority budget for 2009-2010.
The next Regular Meeting of the Tawas City Council is scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in the Tawas City Community Center.
Dickman moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes - Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly. No - None.
Michelle M. Westcott, City Clerk
