MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF TAWAS CITY COUNCIL

February 2, 2009

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 February 2, 2009 regular council meeting as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock.  No - None.

Schantz moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2009 regular meeting as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger.  No - None. 

Dickman moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to approve the Claim Sheet 020209 as presented.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman.  No - None.

City Manager Moers updated the Council on the Downtown Redevelopment Project and Fire Station expansion.

City Manager Moers reported the City has had many water main breaks recently. The high pressures from the HSRUA water plant may have contributed to some of the breaks. 

City Manager Moers reported receiving two engineer quotes for the First Street Streetscape Project.  Wade Trim quoted $33,200 and Russo Engineer quoted $18,720 for engineer cost.  The total project cost is estimated at $130,000 with $80,000 from ISTEA and the remaining from the general fund. To move forward recommendation is to accept an engineer to start the process for the next budget year.  Babcock moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to move forward with the First Street Streetscape Project with Russo Engineer for the next budget year.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly.  No - None.   

Commissioner Mathews addressed the Council's questions on the ORV Ordinance.

City Manager Moers explained the resolution to move the polling location for the City elections from the Tawas City Library to the new City Hall.  This will start the process to be able to hold the May elections at the new location.  Brugger moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to adopt the resolution to approve moving precinct one (1) polling location from the Tawas City Library at 208 North Street to the Tawas City Hall at 550 Lake Street (SBM 1129).  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz.  No - None.

City Manager Moers explained the City changed BCBS policy from Community Blue PPO 1 with no deductible to Community Blue 14 with a deductible of $1,500.00 for a single employee and $3,000.00 for two person and family coverage. The City will pay the deductibles therefore saving the city on monthly premiums. Stonehouse moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to adopt the resolution to allow the City to reimburse the City employees for their BCBS deductibles (SBM 1130).  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse.  No - None.

Brugger moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to accept the Revenue/Expenditure report thru December 31, 2008 (SBM 1131).  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters.  No - None.

City Manager Moers reported the East Tawas Assembly of God requested to use Gateway Park in April for a Big Truck Show to raise money for the Halloween "Big Top" event.   Council questioned the frost laws, what affect the heavy equipment will have on the paved parking lot and if construction of the fishing pier would be started. Stonehouse moved, Brugger seconded, CARRIED, to approve the use of Gateway Park contingent on receiving information on the Council's concerns that no damages will accrue and waive the park fees.   ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock.  No - None.   

Councilman Kelly received two citizen questions. When will the City Hall clock be started? City Manager Moers replied at the grand opening.  How do citizen's call to report a water main break?  City Manager Moers replied call 911 and they will contact the appropriate personnel.

Mayor Walters invited the Councilmembers to visit the new city hall.

Councilman Babcock requested to look at purchasing equipment for next years budget to remove snow from the sidewalks on Lake Street in the business district.

The next regular meeting of the Tawas City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in the Tawas City Community Center.

Dickman moved, Stonehouse seconded, CARRIED, to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Stonehouse, Walters, Babcock, Brugger.  No - None.

Michelle M. Westcott, City Clerk