MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF TAWAS CITY COUNCIL

December 7, 2009

Mayor Walters called the regular meeting of the Tawas City Council to order at 7:30 p.m. in the council chamber at the Tawas City Hall.

Council Members Present:     Sandra Brugger, Dave Dickman, Kane Kelly, Dave Schantz, Duane Walters, and Danna White.

Council Members Absent:      Brent Babcock

Others Present:                        City Manager Mark Moers, City Clerk Michelle Westcott

Mayor Walters excused Brent Babcock absent due to his passing.

Mayor Walters offered the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a moment of meditation.

Dickman moved, Schantz seconded, CARRIED, to accept the agenda of the December 7, 2009 regular council meeting as presented. Roll Call Vote:  Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters, White.  No - None.

Schantz moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2009 regular meeting as presented. Roll Call Vote:  Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters, White, Brugger.  No - None. 

Dickman moved, Brugger seconded, CARRIED, to approve Claim Sheet 120709 as presented.  Roll Call Vote:  Yes - Kelly, Schantz, Walters, White, Brugger, Dickman.  No - None.

Brugger moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to approve the Tawas Hardware bill in the amount of $514.27.  Roll Call Vote:  Yes - Schantz, White, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly. No - None.  Abstain - Walters.

City Manager Moers reported that MDOT held a public hearing on December 3, 2009 on the repaving of U.S. 23 from the Tawas River Bridge south to Ruel Road.  The 2.2 million dollar project is scheduled to start in mid July of 2010 which will include new curb, grading, paving, and a center turn lane within the city limits. 

City Manager Moers updated the Council on the status of the 301 Elms Street development.

Mayor Walters introduced Mr. Bob Morand, Stephenson, Gracik & Co., P.C. to present the auditors report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.  Mr. Morand explained that the City has received an unqualified opinion, which is the best opinion the City can receive.   The general fund balance is healthy with an increase of $559,708.00 from last year.  Dickman moved, Schantz seconded, CARRIED, to accept the auditor's report from Stephenson, Gracik & Co., P.C. for the year ending June 30, 2009.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Walters, White, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz.   No - None.

Schantz moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to accept the 2010 Council meeting dates with changing the November 15^th meeting to November 22nd.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - White, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters.  No - None.

City Manager Moers presented the Huron Shore Regional Utility Authority budget for 2010.  The total cost to the City is approximately $305,340.00, which includes bond payments, operation and maintenance fees and capital improvement projects.  Brugger moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to approve the Huron Shore Regional Utility Authority budget for 2010 (SBM 1172).  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters, White.  No - None.

City Manager Moers reported that the Water System Hydraulic Model that Wilcox prepared for the City is just about complete.  This model provided the City with a map of the existing and proposed water system distribution improvements and also existing and proposed available fire flows. 

City Manager Moers reported the city received fourteen bids for the Gateway Park Boardwalk Project.  Lang Construction of Flint was the low bidder at $138,777.00 and Schaaf & Associates Construction, Inc.  of East Tawas was the second lowest bidder at $143,346.00.  Russo Engineer was required to do due diligence on Lang Construction and found that they had no previous experience of construction involving the lake shore and deemed them unqualified. Russo Engineer then recommended that the second lowest bidder Schaaf & Associates Construction Inc. was qualified and be recommended to the DNR for the contract.  The City requested the City Attorney to review this issue for a legal opinion on the recommendation of the contract to the DNR.  Brugger moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to adopt the resolution recommending to the DNR that Schaaf & Associates Construction, Inc. as the lowest qualified bidder in the amount of $143,346.00 should be awarded the contract solely based on the recommendation of the City Attorney and City Engineer (SBM 1173).  Roll Call Vote:  Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters, White, Brugger.  No - None.  

Mayor Walters stated there is a vacant seat on the Planning Commission.  Mayor Walters read a letter from Greogory Adamiak expressing his interest at serving on the Planning Commission. Schantz moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to appoint Greogory Adamiak for a four year term to the Planning Commission.  Roll Call Vote:  Yes - Kelly, Schantz, Walters, White, Brugger, Dickman.  No - None.

City Manager Moers reported the Mathews Street Pay Request #2 is the final payment except the restoration and street light poles.  The restoration work will be done in the spring and street light poles are up.  Schantz moved, Kelly seconded, CARRIED, to approve pay request #2 for the Mathews Street Project in the amount of $129,615.94.  Roll Call Vote:  Yes - Schantz, Walters, White, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly.  No - None.

Councilmember White stated it was an honor to be on the Council and looked forward to working with them. 

Councilmember Schantz thanked the City Staff for a good job on the Audit.

Councilmember Kelly encouraged businesses to look at improving security around their business to deter B&E's.

Councilmember Brugger stated she is proud of the City staff and the work they perform.

The entire Council expressed their sorrow on the passing of Councilman Babcock and offered condolences to his family.

The next regular meeting of the Tawas City Council is scheduled for Monday, December 21, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at the Tawas City Hall.   

Schantz moved, Kelly seconded, CARRIED, to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m.  Roll Call Vote:  Yes - Walters, White, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz.  No - None.

Michelle M. Westcott, City Clerk