City Council Minutes

July 17, 2004 - 7:30pm

PRESIDING OFFICER:         MAYOR JOHN C.M. DAVIS

OPENING PRAYER:             PASTOR JOHN WALWORTH

                                            MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE CENTER CHAPLAIN

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  CHARLES L. SCHAUFELE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FIRE AND MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE DIVISION

PRESENT:                              Mayor John C. M. Davis, Mayor Pro-Tem Susan J. Osika, Councilpersons Joane E. Ford, Justin R. Horvath, Mark D. Owen, Linda L. Robertson, and Charles J. Sumrack.

ABSENT:                                 None.

APPROVE AGENDA   

Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Osika to approve the Agenda as presented with the addition of a Special Presentation- Rotary Club Outbound Exchange Students.  Motion supported by Councilperson Ford and concurred in by unanimous vote. 

APPROVE MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 6, 2004

Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Osika to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 6, 2004 as presented.  Motion supported by Councilperson Sumrack and concurred in by unanimous vote. 

Mayor Davis read the Rules for Addressing the City Council. 

PROCLAMATIONS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 

Introduction of New Deputy Director of Public Safety for the Fire and Medical Emergency Response Division-Charles Schaufele 

Director of Public Safety Michael Compeau introduced Charles Schaufele as the new Deputy Director of Public Safety for the Fire and Medical Emergency Response Division.  Deputy Schaufele introduced his family in attendance. 

Rotary Exchange Students 

Tyler Merkel, Brian Starr, and Lindsey Riddle were introduced by Rotarian Dianne Rodgers as outbound Rotary students.  Mayor Davis gave the students City of Owosso pins for their exchange program. 

CITIZEN COMMENTS  

Betty Coon, 1204 Palmer Street, commented that City Manager Guetschow did a good job of explaining the ballot questions on the water bill insert.  She also commented about his “confusing” letter to the editor in the Argus Press about the 1% administrative fee. 

Terry Carriveau, 114 North Howell Street, invited the Mayor and Councilmembers to the Kona Villa apartments on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. regarding a pest infestation.  He also commented that the brick street looks good. 

City Manager Guetschow responded to Mrs. Coon’s comments regarding the “editing” of his letter to the editor in the Argus Press.  He reported that the complete letter had not been published and the part left out led to the confusion.  

City Manager Guetschow commented regarding Mr. Carriveau’s concerns with the pests at Kona Villa. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

Motion by Councilperson Ford to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

Contract Payment.  Authorized Progress Payment No. 3 to Barnhart and Son for work completed on the infrastructure installation for Phase One, Osburn Lakes Site Condominium Project in the amount of $58,776.15. 

Change Order.  Authorized Change Order No. 9 with J.R. Heineman & Sons, Inc. for additional work done on the Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project in the amount of $3,602.90.

Boards and Commissions Appointments.  Accepted the following Mayoral boards and commissions appointments (*reappointments):

Warrant No. 296.  Accepted Warrant No. 296 as follows:

Motion supported by Councilperson Horvath.

Roll Call Vote.

AYES:              Councilpersons Owen, Robertson, Ford, Horvath, Mayor Pro-Tem Osika, Councilperson Sumrack, and Mayor Davis.

NAYS:              None.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS 

MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONVENTION REPRESENTATIVE 

Motion by Councilperson Ford to designate City Manager Gregg Guetschow as City Representative and Mayor John Davis as Alternate to cast vote of municipality at the Annual Michigan Municipal League Convention business meeting on September 30, 2004. 

Motion supported by Mayor Pro-Tem Osika. 

Roll Call Vote. 

AYES:              Mayor Pro-Tem Osika, Councilpersons Owen, Ford, Horvath, Robertson, Sumrack, and Mayor Davis. 

NAYS:              None. 

CONTRACT AGREEMENT-CONSUMERS ENERGY 

Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Osika to authorize Electrical Service and Street Light Agreement with Consumers Energy for Phase One of the Osburn Lakes Site Condominium Project in the amount of $79,447.26. 

Motion supported by Councilperson Robertson. 

Roll Call Vote. 

AYES:              Councilperson Robertson, Mayor Pro-Tem Osika, Councilpersons Horvath, Sumrack, Ford, Owen, and Mayor Davis. 

NAYS:              None. 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT – 419 Abrey Street 

Motion by Councilperson Robertson to authorize the purchase of property located at 419 Abrey Street and legally described as the West 151’ of Lots 15, 16 and 17 of Block 41 of George T. Abrey's Woodlawn Park Addition to the City of Owosso, Shiawassee County, Michigan from Elmer Bigelow in the amount of $46,000.00 and including title insurance, transfer tax and recording deed costs (estimated $800). 

Motion supported by Councilperson Sumrack. 

Roll Call Vote. 

AYES:              Councilpersons Ford, Robertson, Sumrack, Owen, Mayor Pro-Tem Osika, Councilperson Horvath, and Mayor Davis. 

NAYS:              None. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

John F. Archer, Building Official.  June 2004 Building Department Report.

John F. Archer, Building Official.  June 2004 Code Violations Report.

Michael T. Compeau.  June 2004 Police Department Report.

Downtown Development Authority.  Minutes of Meeting of July 7, 2004. 

City Manager Guetschow (in City Attorney Brown’s absence) reported on the progress on Owosso Drain negotiations.  He reported no further action at this time; we are waiting to hear back from attorneys after negotiations. 

Mayor Davis commented regarding a telephone call thanking us for the quick and fast cleanup by Public Works crews after recent storms. 

CITIZEN COMMENTS 

Terry Carriveau, 114 North Howell Street, commented regarding the paving of the skate park and inquired if we are planning on expanding this area.  Mayor Davis commented regarding the lack of fund raising from the community to assist with this project. 

Councilperson Robertson thanked Utilities Director Gary Burk for his response to her questions about the drain issue.  She inquired about flooding issues following the heavy rain on Friday afternoon.  Gary Burk responded to her comments. 

Councilperson Ford commented regarding a washout at the Green Meadows Park. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Motion by Councilperson Robertson for adjournment at 8:02 p.m., supported by Mayor Pro-Tem Osika and concurred in by unanimous vote.

John C.M. Davis, Mayor

Gail L. Schultz, City Clerk