VILLAGE OF CONSTANTINE
Regular Meeting
March 3, 2008
Council Room, 7:30 pm

NOTE: There is no tape of the meeting due to equipment failure.

President Weiss called the Regular March 3, 2008 meeting of the Constantine Village Council to order at 7:30PM at the Village Hall.

Present at Roll Call: Trustees Brewer, Brown, harder, Mathers and Witek, and President Weiss. Also present at Roll Call: Manager Honeysett, Treasurer Strawser, rental inspector Lammott and Clerk Strawser. The pledge of allegiance followed Roll Call.

President Weiss spoke of: the Census Bureau’s Detroit Open House on March 31 st, the MML Review article on websites, the Hometown Gazette article re: the Constantine/US-131 Bypass, the Fire Department’s annual Oyster Dinner, Dave Irvin’s “Can Small Cities Be Cool” March 24 th presentation at the CHS LGIR, the Small Town & Rural Development Conference at Crystal Mountain April 15 th-17 th and the Village Council’s upcoming special meeting dates.

Trustee Witek asked that Committee and Board appointments be placed on the agenda, saying his repeated requests to discuss all vacancies and possible appointments has been ignored or denied.

Motion by Witek, Seconded by Mathers to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed by affirmation 6 – 0.

Motion by Brewer, Seconded by Mathers, to approved the regular February 18, 2008 minutes as amended. Motion passed by Roll Call 5 – 1. Voting YES: Brewer, Brown, Harder, Mathers and Weiss. Voting NO: Witek. Insert in Page 3, Paragraph 5, following Line 7: …based on estimated, not hard figures, without the 2008 budget in place. Mathers further stated that the project would conform to the village parks and recreation plan, would offer something for all ages, would draw visitors, and would enhance the existing boardwalk and parks.

 In response to Treasurer Strawser’s inquiry, Manager Honeysett said discussion of the January 2008 Three Rivers Sewer Bill/Report would be discussed under the Sewer Ad Hoc agenda item.

Fire Commissioner Brown reported that LifeCare is meeting response-time standards and there have been no complaints about their service.

Trustee Brown said that the Sewer Ad Hoc Committee has been meeting bi-weekly in order to deal with infiltration and “equipment on hand” issues and asked that discussion of these issues be added to the March 10 th Special Meeting, in expectation of receiving relevant information that may prompt Council action.

Motion by Brown, Seconded by Harder, to hold a Special Meeting on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 7:30PM at Village Hall for the purpose of receiving and discussing information on the Sewer Infiltration issue from the Sewer Ad Hoc Committee. Motion passed by Roll Call 6 – 0. (This meeting to be held along with the Special March 10, 2003 meeting to conduct interviews of candidates seeking appointment to the vacant trustee seat.)

Trustee Brown said that Scott Chiddister’s singular history with sewer issues and his technical expertise and credentials make him invaluable to the Sewer Ad Hoc Committee and asked that he be (re-)appointed to the committee as a community member. Trustee Witek said he was troubled that a private citizen was privy to information where other trustees were not allowed access. Treasurer Strawser asked what specific items were assigned to the Sewer Ad Hoc Committee, and asked if the Council has been kept up-to-date on all sewer issues. Trustee Brown said that was the reason for inclusion in the March 10 th special meeting, saying the Sewer Ad Hoc Committee had sent out RFP’s for sleeving of sewer mains on Riverside Drive and when the committee had reviewed the responses, they would make a recommendation to the Council. Trustee Witek asked, with Mr. Chiddister’s pattern of resignation and the responsibilities of the committee, why another Council member was not being appointed and educated in the issues. Treasurer Strawser asked how long the appointment would last and if infiltration was the only issue Mr. Chiddister would deal with; it is not. Manager Honeysett said Mr. Chiddister’s appointment would last for the life of the committee, until the committee was re-appointed by the President or he resigned. Manager Honeysett said he had initiated legal opinion to allow private citizen attendance in closed sessions. Trustee Harder said that Mr. Chiddister’s background saves the Village from paying [more] for experts on much of the information and had put in a great deal of work on sewer issues [as a trustee]. Trustee Witek said he did not take issue with Mr. Chiddister’s background on sewer issues, but that the Council should not rely on a single individual, believing the Village could only benefit when Council members are equally educated on such an important subject.

Motion by Brown, Seconded by Harder, to appoint Scott Chiddister to the Sewer Ad Hoc Committee as a community member, his appointment to run with the current Council term, and to direct the Village Manager to take all necessary steps to allow Mr. Chiddister’s attendance at open and closed sessions. Motion passed by Roll Call 6 – 0.

Trustee Brown led discussion on the January 2008 Pipeline Activity Report, that showed the Village had exceeded its monthly sewer flow to Three Rivers by 167,258 gallons, at an additional cost of approximately $13,000. Much of the increase is thought to come from inflow and filtration. Manager Honeysett said that had the Village exceeded BOD’s & Suspended Solids, there would have been surcharges in additional to excessive flow charges. Treasurer Strawser asked why the #1 pump at the Village lift station had not been taken out for repair [as planned] and why Three Rivers was ignoring the recommendation to replace the VDF unit. Manager Honeysett said Three Rivers apparently did not think it necessary. Treasurer Strawser said that she has yet to see the actual January 2008 bill.

The owner of 110 South Washington Street asked Manager Honeysett to designate a parking spot behind the building as a handicapper space since she has limited mobility.

Motion by Harder, Seconded by Mathers, to adopt Traffic Order # 01-2008 as presented. Motion passed by Roll call 6 – 0. (This provides a marked handicapper space and sign at 110 South Washington Street .)

Don and Shontel King, 660 White Pigeon Road , asked the Council to consider changing the name of either White Pigeon Street or White Pigeon Road . They said mail and delivery mix-ups are common, but that their concern increased following an ambulance mix-up, especially since they have a medical needs child. Manager Honeysett said perhaps White Pigeon Street could be changed to a historic name. Trustee Brown pointed out the cost and difficulties such a change would bring to all of either affected residents and businesses and suggested asking for residents’ opinions before proceeding. Trustee Brewer agreed. Trustee Witek asked what associated costs there might be to the Village. Trustee Brown suggested Manager Honeysett check with the Post Office and the County regarding procedure. Manager Honeysett said that a name change could not take place without a Public Hearing. Trustees discussed how the issue would be publicized and who would be directly contacted of the Public Hearing.

Motion by Mathers, Seconded by Harder, to set a Public Hearing for April 21, 2008 at 7:35PM at the Village Hall for the purpose of receiving public comment on the request to change the street name of either White Pigeon Street or White Pigeon Road. Motion passed by Roll Call 5 – 1. Voting YES: Brewer, Harder, Mathers, Weiss and Witek. Voting NO: Brown.

Diana Lammott presented a slide show on the old WWTP asking that the Council adopt the resolution for Grant Funding for partial dismantling of the former village wastewater treatment facility, saying 45% of the Village’s $35,000 match requirement, or approx. $19,000, would be

“in-kind” funding, from salaries and benefits of DPW employees and equipment, with the anticipated salvage metal and concrete likely exceeding the Village’s remaining monetary obligation, including the hiring of a part-time employee at $8/hrour or less to do the salvage and re-sale. There will be four (4) buildings remaining after the project is completed, but the $130,000 project would be a start toward removing an eyesore and begin waterfront development. Trustee Witek, citing the lack of itemized estimates and costs, said more facts were needed to make a decision. Treasurer Strawser listed the anticipated expenses facing the Village and reminded the council they hadn’t even started a budget review. Manager Honeysett said it was not included in the budget because they had only learned of the grant two (2) weeks earlier, but the application deadline was March 21 st. Trustee Mathers asked how the project would affect the proposed Fish Hatchery. Manager Honeysett said it would not preclude a hatchery as the tall tank would remain, but the others would be removed. Ms. Lammott said the fishponds would remain. Several audience members joined with President Weiss, speaking in support of the proposal. Trustee Brewer expressed concern, saying every project has cost more than claimed. Manager Honeysett said that sewer Fund and Dell Lawsuit money could cover any shortfall.

Manager Honeysett exits 8:30PM ; Returns 8:32PM .

Motion by Brown, Seconded by Harder, to adopt Resolution No. 08 –___ (number to be assigned). Motion passed by Roll Call 5 – 1. Voting YES: Brewer, Brown, Harder, Mathers and Weiss. Voting NO: Witek.

Village of Constantine Resolution No. 08–03

Resolution seeking Grant Funding for partial dismantling of the former village wastewater treatment facility:

WHEREAS, the removal of the dilapidated corrugated metal buildings will improve the aesthetics of the property at the west end of West Water Street ; and

WHEREAS, some of the concrete pits are an eyesore and do present potential danger to young children and animals; and

WHEREAS, the property borders the St. Joseph River and, has the potential to be developed either as recreational property or housing or myriad other uses; and

WHEREAS, the Village acknowledges that it will be required to provide a minimum of twenty-five per cent (25%) match for grants received through the Michigan ’s Brownfield Grant and Loan Program, and that “in-kind” activities qualify toward that match.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Constantine Village council hereby agrees to undertake and complete the stated project for the former wastewater treatment facility, if awarded a Clean Michigan Initiative Waterfront Redevelopment Grant.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Village Council designates Village Manager, Mark Honeysett as the primary contact person authorized to sign all documents related to the Wastewater Treatment Facility Project.

Adjourned meeting at 9:00PM .

Ruth Strawser
Village Clerk

Included in the packet, but not discussed: Memo asking for input on the proposed Little League Lease Agreement.