Minutes

Special Meeting of the Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees

May 7, 2007

1. Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Supervisor Kurt Kobiljak at 7:07 p.m. In attendance were Wally Pociask, John Raithel, Ute O’Connor, Rodger Will and Jeff Forrester. Also in attendance were Township Manager Dale Reaume and Administrative Assistant Carol Knopp.

Absent: Lee Wojewzdic

Pledge of Allegiance.

Introduction by Supervisor Kobiljak, explaining purpose of meeting and introducing the other participants present.

Supervisor Kobiljak introduced the Police Chief Bill Barron, Fire Chief Duncan Murdock and Police Lt. Joe Porcarelli.

Chief Barron began presentation by explaining that planning was done in preparation for the free bridge closure. Some of the problems that occurred on Wednesday, May 2^nd were caused by the traffic signals being timed incorrectly by the county and have since been adjusted. The idea in planning was to allow the rush hour traffic to move off and on the island as smoothly as possible so the traffic lights were to allow this free flow but just the reverse happened. Following the problems on May 2^nd, a meeting was held on May 3^rd to address and fix the issues. Due to the many backups on the first day, it was decided to allow traffic to flow two lanes on and/or off the island depending on the time of rush hour. Having the additional lane to move the traffic will hopefully prevent the backups.

Fire Chief Duncan Murdock discussed emergency vehicles crossing and the new rescue boat.

Police Lt. Porcarelli discussed monitoring the Meridian/Bridge Road intersection and how the timing of the signals was working.

Supevisor Kobiljak opened the floor to questions from the trustees to the public safety officials.

Treasurer Raithel asked what would trigger the two lane movement on and off the island during peak rush hour. Bill Barron responded if backup were indicated to both Sibley and Pennsylvania Roads, the plan would be put in place.

Mr. Raithel felt the Bridge pass lane should be open for both token and cash customers coming onto the island. He urged the Bridge Company to use this lane as needed to prevent backups.

Clerk O’Connor asked how many vehicles are actually crossing the bridge. No reliable numbers are available as yet. We have not only residents involved in the crossings but also workers, contractors, vendors, etc. Priority crossings have been given to Utility trucks, school buses to the front of the line. Trash trucks have to wait their turn.

Trustee Will encourages all to get a bridge pass. He owns two passes and finds that they work very well.

Chief Barron asked all residents to work together during this time. Be considerate of each other, have the correct change for the tollbooth attendants, etc.

Trustee Forrester asked if the lane change plans could be put on the Grosse Ile website so that all residents could read and study the plan so that they could understand it completely.

Supervisor Kobiljak opened the public forum at 7:34 p.m. Asked that questions or comments be limited to bridge issues only and be 3 minutes in length.

Richard Nielsen: 29495 East River

The toll arms should be in the upright position all the time for traffic coming onto the island, this will save time. He also did not like the contract wording on the bridge pass contract.

Bill Smoke P.O. Box 127 Grosse Ile, Mi 48138

Widen the lanes at the toll plaza. Asked about the right hand turn on red, is it allowed? Lt. Pocarelli will contact Vicky Holland at Wayne County for additional signage to indicate right turn on red allowed when traffic is clear. This will certainly help with the traffic flow. Right now, some people turn, some don’t.

Supervisor Kobiljak indicated that DTE would be stationing trucks on the island to be able to respond to emergency repairs (gas leaks, power outages, etc.)

Gary Jones 7738 Macomb

Where is the Wayne County Representation tonight? He mentioned that the DTE power shutdown was very successful. Is it possible to have a backup generator for the traffic signals if a power outage happens so police would not necessarily have to be stationed at Meridian and Bridge Roads.

Dave Doolin 29755 East River

To obtain a bridge pass is a 4 to 8 week wait. Has observed no workers at the county bridge, what is going on there, thought a staging area would have been set up immediately.

Supervisor Kobiljak responded that the contractor is to date on schedule. They are on site to prepare site for construction and are working from the inside out.

Treasurer Raithel agreed that no work appears to be going on, observed 2 pick up trucks. We need to be in daily contact with the county and keep residents informed through regular e updates, maybe even daily updates. We need to keep on the county about this project.

Greg Jones 23509 West River

Everything is running as smoothly as it can right now. Perhaps now is the time to think about a third bridge, start environmental and engineering studies.

Jerry Carver 8870 Sunnybrook Lane

Feels that the county and contractor should be better prepared to start on the bridge as the bids were received by county on April 6 th. There was a slight backup this morning leaving the island.

Trustee Will suggested Mr. Carver contact Joe Palamara with any issues or concerns about the bridge project. Mr. Palamara is our County Commissioner.

Supervisor Kobiljak also said that though we would hold Wayne County accountable for a safe and smooth project we also need to work cooperatively with them.

Peg Bailey 28025 East River

She is glad we have a second bridge.

Richard Nielsen 29495 East River

Thanked Kurt for the e-updates and all updates on this project.

Bill Smoke

Complimented the Grosse Ile community; this should unify the community; we have open space, the airport and a beautiful place to live. We do need emergency generators for the lights. Perhaps we should consider floating bridges by those used by the US Military.

Chief Barron commented that if power to the bridge was lost and was in the open position, the bridge has a crank to move the bridge back into position and can be moved by 4 people.

Ron Janowski 9170 Groh

The poll conducted by the Bridge Company indicated that the residents did want tokens kept, so this method of payment is acceptable as well as the bridge pass. Who at the township is in charge of watching over this project and keeping in touch with Wayne county? In fact, who is in charge of township projects, the bike path for instance?

Supervisor Kobiljak suggested Mr. Kanjorski could call Cindy Dingell at Wayne County about the bridge project and resident/commissioner Jack Delphy oversees the bike path program.

Jim Johnson 19839 Meridian

Thanked the bridge company for not raising fees.

Treasurer Raithel asked Chief Barron: have we missed anything? Have we learned anything? Bill answered that we have reached out and used every available resource. Day to day progress is being made.

Supervisor Kobiljak thanked the public safety officials from Riverview, Wyandotte and Trenton for their assistance but their cities do not have the resources to continue. Wayne County Sheriff may be called for their assistance. We need to respect everyone; we want good news about Grosse Ile not bad news.

Final Board Comments.

Clerk O’Connor

People are working together and we need the mainlanders (businesses) as much as they need us. She had a sense of togetherness and humor that the community displayed the first days of the closure.

Clerk O’Connor reminded all residents that tomorrow is Election Day.

Supervisor Kobiljak was asked to extend public comment; he allowed this.

Greg Karmazin 8734 Macomb for the Grosse Ile Bridge Company

The Bridge Company will review all reasonable traffic suggestions to improve the traffic flow. He thanked Bill Barron and Duncan Murdock for their assistance last Wednesday May 2.

Motion to adjourn by Treasurer Raithel, seconded by Clerk O’Connor,

Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

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Ute O’Connor, Township Clerk