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: Brent Babcock, Sandra Brugger, Dave Dickman, Kane Kelly, Dave Schantz, and Duane Walters.
Council Members Absent: Tim Stonehouse
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, Schantz seconded, CARRIED, to accept the agenda of the September 8, 2009 regular council meeting. Roll Call Vote: Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters, Babcock. No - None.
Brugger moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to approve the minutes of the August 17, 2009 regular meeting as presented. Roll Call Vote: Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters, Babcock, Brugger. No - None.
Schantz moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to approve the Claim Sheet 090809 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Yes - Kelly, Schantz, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman. No - None.
Dickman moved, Brugger seconded, CARRIED, to approve the Tawas Hardware bill in the amount of $2,981.43. Roll Call Vote: Yes - Schantz, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly. No - None. Abstain - Walters.
City Manager Moers reported Mr. Roggenbuck from the MEDC is re-evaluating the CDBG grant that was submitted for the 2nd Avenue lift station.
City Manager Moers reported the Skate Board Park was closed for the weekend due to damage and an altercation at the park.
City Manager Moers reported the water entry into the light fixtures at the Veteran Park and City Hall is still occurring. Alumilite has agreed to replace all of the light fixture heads to repair the water issue.
City Manager Moers met with Doug Morse from the DEQ to review the boardwalk project for Gateway Park. Doug Morse stated once the DEQ review board approves the plans he will sign the permit 20 days after the hearing. The Army Corp of Engineer has been contacted on the project for permits.
City Manager Moers reported the Mathews Street project bids are due by September 17th and will require a new sewer line. The 1st Street Project should start this month.
Dickman moved, Brugger seconded, CARRIED, to reappoint Robert Short and Mark Ferguson to the Park and Recreation Board for another two year term. Roll Call Vote: Yes - Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz. No - None.
City Manager Moers recommended that an economic development plan should be established for the property at 301 Elms. The plan should require (1) the doubling of the current taxable value of $41,000 (2) the current structure should be demolished or upgraded to the County Building Department and City Planning Commission requirements by the developer (3) the existing structure should be offered as a residential grandfathered non-conforming structure if renovated to create a buffer to the adjoining residential district (4) the new commercial venture must comply with the B-1 business district requirements and be approved by the City Planning Commission (5) joint ownership between the City and the developer to remain in effect until all planning commission conditions are met and (6) an agreement drafted by the City Attorney be required by the developer and the City before any land transaction is considered (7) must employ at least eight employees. Brugger moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to proceed with advertising the economic development plan and support the conditions set forth by the City Manager. Roll Call Vote: Yes - Babcock, Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters. No - None.
City Manager Moers asked the Council to consider opening Wheeler Street that is one way from Lake Street to Court Street back to two-way traffic. City Manager Moers stated the residents would like to see it opened and it would benefit the DPW when plowing snow. The street was changed to one-way under the Hanes Administration with the intention of building a new road from Wheeler to M-55 which never happened. Schantz moved, Brugger seconded, CARRIED, to request Chief Ferguson to prepare a traffic control order to open Wheeler Street to two-way traffic from Lake Street to Court Street. Roll Call Vote: Yes - Brugger, Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters, Babcock. No - None.
City Manager Moers reported the resolution for water and sewer ready to serve fees, surcharges, and special charges includes all the fees for water and sewer in one resolution to simplify for the office staff. The City Manager re-evaluated the non-taxed property owner private fire protection line fees that was adopted at the August 17, 2009 meeting and recommended reducing the fees. Babcock moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to adopt the resolution for water and sewer ready to serve fees, surcharges, and special charges (SBM 1162). Roll Call Vote: Yes - Dickman, Kelly, Schantz, Walters, Babcock, Brugger. No - None.
Councilmember Babcock thanked City Manager Moers for reconsidering and changing the private fire protection line for non-taxed property owners.
Mayor Walters welcomed everyone to attend the Open House on September 16th for City Hall and the Fire Station.
The next regular meeting of the Tawas City Council is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at the Tawas City Hall. The open house for City Hall and the Fire Station will be September 16th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Schantz moved, Dickman seconded, CARRIED, to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Yes - Kelly, Schantz, Walters, Babcock, Brugger, Dickman. No - None.
Michelle M. Westcott, City Clerk
