Approved Minutes

Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees

March 12, 2001
Grosse Ile Township Hall - 2nd Floor Board Room
9601 Groh Road

6:30 p.m. Study Session - Wage Review Non-Union Personnel
7:00 p.m. Study Session - Administrative Consent Order Agreement
7:30 p.m. Study Session - Public Works Commission - Plant Overflow Level
8:00 p.m. Regular Meeting

Present: Supervisor Jones, Clerk O'Connor, Treasurer Kobiljak, Trustees Neal, Raithel, Will, and Interim Township Manager Dale Reaume.
Absent: Wojewodzic

Supervisor Jones opened the regular meeting at 8:20 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Additions/Deletions to Agenda

Moved Raithel, second Kobiljak, to delete Action Item # 2, Celebration Committee Appointment.
Moved Raithel, second Kobiljak, to delete Action Item # 12, Seaway Commerce Park Water Main Bid Award.
Moved Neal, second Raithel, to add Action Item # 15, Amendment to Motion 01-014 Township Manager's Resignation

Final Agenda

Public Comment

Clerk's Report

1. Approve Minutes of February 12, 2001
2. Approval for bills dated February 27 and March 13, 2001
3. Approval to pay bills through April 9, 2001

Treasurer's Report

1. Encumbrance Lists for February 27, and March 13, 2001
2. Investment Report

Supervisor's Report

1. Downriver Linked Greenways Project: Representative George Mans
2. Planning Commission Appointments
3. Township Hall Time Capsule
4. Introduction of Interim Township Manager

Township Manager's Report:

Action Items:

1. Designation of March as Parenting Awareness Month on Grosse Ile.
2. Celebration Committee Appointments.
3. Water's Edge Commission Re-appointments
4. Approve Bid for Water Reel Irrigation System.
5. Approval to Advertise Sale of 1978 Fire Truck.
6. Amend Chapter 31 Municipal Code Marine Safety Ordinance.
7. Community Development Block Grant Project Funding.
8. Reimbursement Resolution SSES Design Fees.
9. Amend Employee Dental Plan - Fire Department.
10. Amend Section 125 Employee Benefits Cafeteria Plan.
11. Budget Extension through April 7, 2001.
12. Seaway Commerce Park Water Main Bid Award.
13. (a) Annual Water Rate Increase Resolution.
    (b) Sewer Rate Increase Resolution.
14. Macomb Street - Street Tree Project Grant Agreement.
15. Amendment to Motion 01-014 Township Manager's Resignation.

Discussion Items

Public Comment

Public Comment

1. Woody Clark, 19620 Parke Lane, inquired about when the window on the East wing of Hangar # 1 would be permanently repaired. Supervisor Jones advised it will be repaired permanently at some point.
2. Mr. Clark asked about the status of the Moxlow Project at Hangar # 1. Airport Manager Stout replied there has been no response from Mr. Moxlow, therefore, the Airport Commission is pursuing other possibilities.

Clerk's Report

1. 1. Moved O'Connor, second Raithel, to approve minutes of February 12, 2001, as presented. All aye. Motion carried.
2. Moved O'Connor, second Neal, to approve paying the bills for February 27, 2001, as presented. All Aye. Motion carried.
3. Moved O'Connor, second Raithel, to approve paying the bills for March 13, 2001. All Aye. Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report

1. Moved Kobiljak, second Neal, to approve as presented Encumbrance List dated February 27, 2001. All Aye. Motion carried.
2. Moved Kobiljak, second Raithel, approval as presented Encumbrance List dated March 13, 2001. All Aye. Motion carried.

Supervisor's Report:

1. Supervisor Jones asked for a Moment of Silence Honoring Merle Solomon & Bill Krauss, Jr.
2. Representative George Mans spoke about the Downriver Linked Greenways Keystone Project / Phase II, which runs north from Woodruff, through Gibraltar, back to Jefferson, on east side to Grosse Ile Parkway, and into Elizabeth Park. Representative Mans asked the Township to join the Greenway Project. One major impediment, he noted, is the upgrading of the Wayne County Bridge. He appreciated Grosse Ile's support in the past and said he hopes Grosse Ile will join in this project.
3. Moved Raithel, second Will, Jay Frucci approved for appointment on the Planning Commission. All Aye. Motion carried.
4. Moved Raithel, second Will, Michael Martin approved for appointment on the Planning Commission. All Aye. Motion carried.
5. Trustee Raithel asked residents to bring items for the Township Hall Time Capsule to Township Hall by March 23, 2001.
6. Dale Reaume was introduced to the Township as the Interim Manager.

Township Manager's Report:

1. Dale Reaume thanked the board, township employees, and the community for their support in making him the Interim Township Manager. Over the next 6 months he will be following up on the former Township Manager's list of current projects and will prioritize the criteria for the permanent Manger.

Action Items:

1. 01-030
   Moved Neal, second Kobiljak, a resolution recognizing March as Parenting Awareness Month in Grosse Ile Township. Sponsored by: Grosse Ile Township
   WHEREAS, March is Parenting Awareness Month in the State of Michigan; and
   WHEREAS, Parenting Awareness Month celebrates people who are raising children; and
   WHEREAS, Parenting Awareness Month seeks to draw public attention to the critical importance of parenting in helping children to become healthy, caring; and contributing citizens; and
   WHEREAS, Parenting Awareness Month seeks to promote education and resources for developing parenting skills throughout the year; and
   WHEREAS, Parenting Awareness Month encourages the development of local parent networks; and
   WHEREAS, Parenting Awareness Month encourages everyone to participate in the lives of all of our children ; now, therefore, be it
   RESOLVED, that GROSSE ILE TOWNSHIP declares March, 2001, as Parenting Awareness Month in GROSSE ILE TOWNSHIP; and be it further
   RESOLVED, that GROSSE ILE TOWNSHIP supports all efforts, and resources, particularly local, that promote, encourage, support, and educate the community on parenting issues; and be it finally
   RESOLVED, that GROSSE ILE TOWNSHIP upholds the vision that every person., everywhere, everyday, understands their responsibility in raising our children.
   Adopted March 12, 2001 All Aye. Motion carried.

2. Deleted from Agenda
3. 01-031
   Moved Kobiljak, second Neal, to re-appoint Curt Johnson and James Mehanic to the Water's Edge Commission for the term of April 1, 2001-March 31, 2004. These two commissions expire at the end of this fiscal year, and both members wish to continue serving. All Aye. Motion carried.
4. 01-032
   Moved O'Connor, second Raithel, the Township Board gave approval to the Recreation Department to seek competitive bids for the purchase of a Water Reel Irrigation System. Based on that recommendation the Board accepted the bid in the amount of $4,993.50 for a B 140 Kifco Water Reel submitted by Century Rain Aid. All Aye. Motion carried.
5. 01-033
   Moved O'Connor, second Raithel, the Township Board gave approval to Grosse Ile Fire Department to advertise for sale, a 1978 Fire Truck (Mini Pumper) in fire apparatus and fire engineering magazines. The minimum bid shall be $10,000. All Aye. Motion carried.
6. 01-034
   Moved Kobiljak, second Neal, recommendation to the Township Board to amend Chapter 31, Entitled, "Marine Safety Ordinance" to update personal watercraft sections and convert certain sections of the "Marine Safety Ordinance" from misdemeanors to municipal civil infractions. Amendments to the current ordinances will update personal watercraft sections of the "Marine Safety Ordinance" and decriminalize most of the violations, making it easier for the Township and Wayne County Sheriff's Department to process.
   Roll call vote: Ayes, Neal, Kobiljak, O'Connor, Raithel, Will and Jones.
   Nay, none. Motion carried 6-0.
7. 01-035
   Moved O'Connor, second Neal, to approve the 2001/2002 Community Development Block Grant Projects for the Township of Grosse Ile as follows:
   Senior programs Meals on Wheels/Staffing - $15,000
   ADA Compliance Playground equipment and East River Elementary School - $35,000
   Airport demolition/clearance building 142 - $41,000
   The Recreation Director and Airport Manager are supportive of this proposal. The Recreation Director, Tim Rooney reported that no township tax dollars are used for these projects. The Recreation Department will utilize funds for senior programs, which consists of funding for staffing, nutrition program driver, and facility rental. In addition, ADA work is proposed at the grounds of East River Elementary School in the recreation area which consists of the removal and replacement of decrepit playground equipment and the removal of an old and dangerous asphalt pad near the same location. The funds for the demolition (in September-I month duration) of building 142, the old pump house, will be used to leverage Brownfield money. There were no adversarial comments at the public hearing. One request was to use the CDBG funds for parking lot improvements at the Centennial Farm. This was considered a very good idea, but it is no longer an eligible expense. The Airport Manager reported that demolition of Bldg. 142 costs estimated $225,000. No general fund or airport fund money would be used. Potentially more expensive known mercury in the building. Intent to make it green area/grass.
   All Aye. Motion carried.
8. 01-036
   Moved Raithel, second Koblijak, approval of Township of Grosse Ile Reimbursement Resolution for the Sanitary Sewer Evaluation System Capital Improvement Program. Resolution for Action Item #8.
   The adoption of this resolution will allow the Township of Grosse Ile to be reimbursed from proceeds of the bonds for any expenditures undertaken by the Township and advanced by the Township for the project prior to issuance of the bonds. This resolution is needed in the event that either the Township of Grosse Ile or the Grosse Ile/Trenton Utility, propose to issue and sell bonds for the purpose of paying part of the cost of acquiring and construction of certain public facilities. Based on estimates provided by Spalding DeDecker Associates, the estimated amount needed for reimbursement prior to receiving any bond proceeds is approximately $1,665,000 for design fees required prior to submitting the plan to the MDEQ for approval of revolving loan funds. If the anticipated revolving loan funds are not rewarded from the MDEQ, the Grosse Ile/Trenton Utility Authority will have it issue and sell bonds at an estimated cost of the project not to exceed $28,000,000. The initial estimated design fees have been budgeted in the Department of Public Works operating budget for the 2001-2002 fiscal year from prior year resources. All Aye. Motion carried.
9. 01-037
   Moved Kobiljak, second Neal, to amend the Township of Grosse Ile Dental Plan Document Number 501 to increase the orthodontic limit per lifetime from $500 to $ 1,000 for all firefighters volunteers effective March 12, 2001. This change is based on the recommendation of the Fire Commission. In the past, the firefighters were always given the same benefit levels as the Police Department. The change for the police department was effective as of July 28,1994. This increase has been budgeted for in the 2001-2002 fiscal year. This benefit is based on a fiscal year. The annual increased cost to the Fire Operating budget will be minimal due to a small number of employees who use this benefit on an annual basis. The actual increase to the department can not be determined since this plan is self-funded and distributed equally based on number of employees. All Aye. Motion carried.
10. 01-038
    Moved Kobiljak, second Raithel, to amend the Township of Grosse Ile Cafeteria Plan Document Number 501 to increase the employer contribution from $250 to $300 for all firefighters employees for the period January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2002. This change is based on the recommendation of the Fire Commission. In the past, the firefighters were always given the same benefit levels as the Police Department. The recent change for the police department resulted from recent POAM negotiations. This increase has been budgeted for in the 2001-2002 fiscal year. This benefit is based on a calendar year. The annual increased cost to the Fire Operating Fund will be approximately $1,550. All Aye. Motion carried.
11. 01-039
    Moved Kobiljak, second Raithel, to authorize an extension of the current operating budget through April 7, 2001 based on previous year's allocation of prior year's resources, according to Finance Director, Ann Silver. Public Act 621 requires the adoption of the annual budget prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. Due to the scheduled date of the annual meeting on April 7, 2001, funds will need to be allocated from prior year's resources to operate through April 7, 2001 from the prior year's budget until the 2001-2002 annual budget is adopted. All Aye. Motion carried.
12. Deleted from Agenda
13. (a) 01-040
    Moved Raithel, second Kobiljak, based on the recommendation of the Public Works Commission and the Plante & Moran ten-year Capital Projects Plan, to increase water consumption rate from $1.61 to $1.85 per thousand gallons of water.
    March 9, 1998 - Township Board approved implementation of ten-year Capital Projects Plan
    February 7, 2001 - Suburban wholesale water rate schedule.
    February 21, 2001 - City of Detroit Water Rate increase of 10.57%
    All Aye. Motion carried.
    (b) 01-041
    Moved Raithel, second Kobiljak, based on the recommendation of the Public Works Commission and the Plante & Moran ten-year Capital Plan, to increase the sanitary sewer from $1.43 tp $1.73 per thousand gallons of sewer.
    March 9, 1998 - Township Board approved implementation of a ten-year Capital Projects Plan
    June 18, 1999 - Mandate of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) that Grosse Ile must remediate sewer issues.
    July 20, 2000 - Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Survey (SSES) Work Plan approved by MDEQ. Due to the excess flow of liquid entering the sewer system, the SSES program is directed at the identification and reduction of inflow and infiltration sources, thus eliminating wet weather sanitary sewer bypassing at the sewer plant.
    All Aye. Motion carried.
14. 01-042
    Moved Raithel, second Kobiljak, the Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees authorizes the Township Supervisor and Township Clerk to execute an agreement between the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Grants Administration Division and the Township of Grosse Ile entitled COOPERATIVE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE GRANT AGREEMENT. This grant agreement will provide funding for the completion of the Macomb Street Tree Project. This project entails the planting of one hundred street side trees. These trees will be placed between the sidewalk and the street along Macomb Street. The purpose of these plantings is to finish the Macomb Streetscape project.

    Implementation Schedule
      Design Preparation            Completed
      Grant Application             November, 2000
      Bid Preparation               March, 2001 
      Bidding                       April, 2001
      Review of Construction Bids   April, 2001
      Award of Contract             April, 2001
      Tree Planting                 May, 2001
      Final Report Submittal        September, 2001
    
    
    Breakdown of Costs/Funds
    
      State Grant Award             $10,000.00 
      Local "Cash" Contribution     $15,000.00
      Local "In Kind" Contribution  $15,360.00 
      Total Project Cost            $40,360.00

    All Aye. Motion carried.
15. 01-043
    Moved Kobiljak, second Neal, Amendment to Motion # 01-014 from the February 12, 2001, Supervisor's Report 2A. Moved Kobiljak, second Neal to accept the resignation of Township Manager David Mekarski, effective March 1, 2001, and to authorize severance payment of $2000.00. All Aye. Motion carried.

Discussion Items:

1. Supervisor Jones discussed the McLouth Steel Site Legal Fund. Intermodal Transport Barges Receipt of Resolutions from Trenton & Riverview. The Board has asked that a committee be set up & bring back to the Board at the April 7, 2001 meeting. Koblijak / Reaume interested.

Motion Koblijak, second Raithel to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m. All aye.

- Ute O'Connor, Township Clerk

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