CALL TO ORDER.
The Jackson City Council met in regular session in City Hall and was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Mayor Jerry F. Ludwig.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - INVOCATION.
The Council joined in the pledge of allegiance. Councilmember Gaiser gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL.
Present: Mayor Jerry F. Ludwig and Councilmembers Carl L. Breeding, Robert B. Howe, Daniel P. Greer, Kenneth E. Gaiser, Andrew R. Frounfelker and John R. Polaczyk-7. Absent: 0.
AGENDA.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Howe to adopt the agenda. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
Mayor Ludwig called Community Development Director Carol Konieczki and Economic Development Project Manager Debi Stuart to the podium to announce that the City of Jackson has been awarded a $1,000,000 revolving loan fund grant from the US EPA. Sixty applications were submitted and only twelve were awarded throughout the country. City Manager Ross commended Ms. Konieczki and Ms. Stuart and other staff members for a job well done. It is a credit to them and to the organization.
PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS.
None.
CITIZEN COMMENTS.
Scott Fleming, Executive Director of The Enterprise Group, offered his congratulations to Ms. Konieczki and Ms. Stuart on the grant award. Mr. Fleming brought attention to the Enterprise Group's new brochure and explained they are helping to market the industrial/business parks, including Micor.
Ken Williams, Concord Excavating and Grading, asked the Council to consider his bid for the Center Street project.
Robert Inman, Barrington Circle, introduced himself as a candidate for the Jackson Public Schools Board of Education.
CONSENT CALENDAR.
Motion was made by Councilmember Frounfelker and seconded by Councilmember Polaczyk to approve the following Consent Calendar. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
Consent Calendar
A. Approval of the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 25, 2008.
B. Approval of the request from the Jackson National Day of Prayer Task Force to conduct the National Day of Prayer service at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Bucky Harris Park. (Recommended approval received from the Police, Fire, Traffic Engineering, Public Services, and Parks/Forestry Departments, and the Downtown Development Authority. Hold Harmless Agreement executed in lieu of insurance coverage.)
C. Approval of the request from the Downtown Development Authority to hold Cruise Nights on Friday, May 23, June 27, July 25, August 22, and September 26, 2008, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., and to close the following streets from 5:15 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.:
Michigan Avenue from Blackstone Street to Francis Street
Jackson Street from Cortland Street to Louis Glick Highway
Mechanic Street from Washington Avenue to Pearl Street
(Recommended approval received from the Police, Fire, Traffic Engineering, and Public Services Departments. Insurance coverage is in place.)
D. Approval of the request from the Downtown Development Authority to conduct their Discover Downtown Again “DDA” Day at Bucky Harris Park, Blackman Park, and throughout downtown on Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. (Recommended approval received from the Police, Fire, Traffic Engineering, Public Services and Parks/Forestry Departments, and the Downtown Development Authority. Insurance coverage is in place.)
E. Approval of the request from the Downtown Development Authority to conduct their Summer Planting Day on Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in downtown Jackson and Bucky Harris Park. (Recommended approval received from the Police, Fire, Traffic Engineering, Public Services and Parks/Forestry Departments, and the Downtown Development Authority. Insurance coverage is in place.)
F. Approval of the request from the Mid-Town Association to hold their Taste of Jackson event, in conjunction with the Downtown Development Authority's Cruise Night on Friday, September 26, 2008, beginning at 5:00 p.m. (Recommended approval received from the Police, Fire, Traffic Engineering, Public Services Departments, and the Downtown Development Authority. Proper insurance coverage received.)
G. Approval of the request from Marriage Matters Jackson - United Way, to hold a community marriage policy signing event at Bucky Harris Park, Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at 12 noon. (Recommended approval received from the Police, Fire, Traffic Engineering, Public Services and Parks/Forestry Departments, and the Downtown Development Authority. Proper insurance coverage received.)
H. Approval of the first renewal of the 2007 Mowing and Grounds Maintenance contract for the Water Treatment Plant and Water facilities, with Deer Hunter's Construction, Jackson, at an estimated contract renewal amount of $14,260.35, and authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the appropriate contract document(s), in accordance with the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent and the Director of Public Services.
I. Receipt of Dangerous Building Report through March 31, 2008.
J. Establishment of April 22, 2008, at the City Council meeting as the time and place to hold a public hearing on the following Special Assessment roll for water main and street construction:
1. Roll No. 3348 for Hibbard Street from Ganson Street to North Street.
K. Establishment of May 13, 2008, at the City Council meeting as the time and place to hold public hearings for the following:
1. To establish an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District OPRD #6 at 159 West Pearl Street.
2. Approval of an application for an OPRD Tax Exemption Certificate at 159 West Pearl Street.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
None.
APPOINTMENTS.
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS.
A) PUBLIC HEARING TO ESTABLISH AN OBSOLETE PROPERTY REHABILITATION DISTRICT (OPRD) #5, ENCOMPASSING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 212 AND 228 W. MICHIGAN AVENUE.
Mayor Ludwig opened the public hearing. Bruce Inosencio, 740 W. Michigan, spoke in support of the OPRD designation. The Mayor closed the public hearing.
1. RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OPRD #5.
Motion was made by Councilmember Howe and seconded by Councilmember Frounfelker to adopt the resolution. The electronic voting system failed and the motion was adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
RESOLUTIONS.
A) CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION URGING THE CREATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PACKAGE BY THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. (POSTPONED AT MARCH 25, 2008, CITY COUNCIL MEETING.)
Motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Gaiser to adopt the resolution, with the last line deleted (AND AS A LAST RESORT ONLY AFTER ALL OTHER AVENUES HAVE BEEN TAKEN [TO NO AVAIL] an increase in vehicle registration fees and/or an increase in fuel taxes).
Motion was made by Councilmember Breeding and seconded by Councilmember Greer to amend the main motion by adding the following to the resolution: “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be sent to Michigan's Governor and Legislature, news media, the Alternative Task Force and MDOT.”
Motion was made by Councilmember Frounfelker and seconded by Councilmember Gaiser to amend the main motion to delete the phrase, “such as optional sales tax authority,” from Section 3, Bullet Point 4. The motion was adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk and Mayor Ludwig-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
Councilmember Breeding's amendment was voted on and adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker, Polaczyk and Breeding and Mayor Ludwig-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
The main motion, presented by Councilmember Polaczyk and with the two amendments, was then voted on and adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker, Polaczyk, Breeding and Howe and Mayor Ludwig-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
B) CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO REBECCA M. OEXLER TO OPERATE A HOT DOG VENDING CART IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.
Motion was made by Councilmember Breeding and seconded by Councilmember Howe to adopt the resolution. The motion was adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Gaiser, Frounfelker, Polaczyk, Breeding, Howe and Greer and Mayor Ludwig-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
C) CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2004/2005 (YEAR 30), 2005/2006 (YEAR 31), 2006/2007 (YEAR 32), AND 2007/2008 (YEAR 33) HOME GRANT BUDGETS REALLOCATING UNSPENT FUNDS TO THE 2007/2008 HOME GRANT BUDGET.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Howe to adopt the resolution. The motion was adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Frounfelker, Polaczyk, Breeding, Howe, Greer and Gaiser and Mayor Ludwig-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
ORDINANCES.
None.
OTHER BUSINESS.
None.
NEW BUSINESS.
A. CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUEST TO APPROVE THE LOW BID AWARD TO PAUL BENGEL MECHANICAL, JACKSON, IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,490.00, FOR A POOL HEATER AND INSTALLATION AT ELLA SHARP PARK POOL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND GROUNDS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ELLA SHARP PARK.
Motion was made by Councilmember Frounfelker and seconded by Councilmember Howe to approve the request. The motion was adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Polaczyk, Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser and Frounfelker and Mayor Ludwig-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
B. CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUEST TO APPROVE THE LOW BID AWARD TO TCI INC. OF MICHIGAN, EATON RAPIDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $382,858.02, FOR WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT, AND SANITARY SEWER AND PAVEMENT REPLACEMENT ON CENTER STREET FROM GANSON STREET TO NORTH STREET, AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE APPROPRIATE CONTRACT DOCUMENT(S), IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT, THE PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR, AND THE CITY ENGINEER.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Polaczyk to award the bid to Concord Excavating and Grading, Inc. because they are a local company and the difference between their bid and the lowest bidder is slightly less than $750.00. The motion was adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-6. Nays: Councilmember Gaiser-1. Absent: 0.
C. CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUEST TO APPROVE THE LOW BID AWARD TO JULE SWARTZ AND SONS, JACKSON, IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,744.67, FOR STORM SEWER CONSTRUCTION ON HOBART STREET FROM WALKER TO THE WEST DEAD END THROUGH AN EASEMENT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY TO MONROE STREET, AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY CLEKR TO EXECUTE THE APPROPRIATE CONTRACT DOCUMENT(S), IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT AND THE CITY ENGINEER.
Motion was made by Councilmember Frounfelker and seconded by Councilmember Breeding to approve the request. The motion was adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk and Mayor Ludwig-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
D. CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUEST TO APPROVE THE BID AWARD TO AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,915.00, FOR THE OWNER-OCCUPIED REHABILITATION PROJECT AT 506 SEYMOUR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Frounfelker to approve the request. The motion was adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker, Polaczyk and Breeding and Mayor Ludwig-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
CITY COUNCILMEMBERS' COMMENTS.
Councilmember Frounfelker announced he will hold a neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Karen Coffman, Chief Deputy Treasurer for Jackson County, will be the guest presenter and will discuss the duties of the County Treasurer and the Land Bank Authority.
Councilmember Polaczyk announced he will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Cascades Elementary School. Police Chief Heins will be the guest speaker and will talk about the 6th Ward.
Councilmember Greer echoed the City Manager's compliments to the Community Development Department staff, acknowledging their hard work and efforts, which resulted in the award of the $1,000,000 EPA grant.
Councilmember Gaiser inquired about the status of the Charter Review Committee. The Mayor and Manager responded that packets are being prepared and will be sent to each member.
The City Manager reported that the legislation extending the Michigan Roads Today Program passed the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor. This is critical to the City in getting the East High Street project going, which is 100% funded by the State. Secondly, the Jackson Hotel is on its way to becoming property of the County. The Manager briefly outlined how this process will work and said he will keep the Council informed. Councilmember Breeding asked if some of the taxes are monies due to the City and if we wanted the Hotel would we have to pay money that we have not received. The City Manager gave a brief explanation of that process.
EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LABOR MATTERS.
Motion was made by Councilmember Howe and seconded by Councilmember Greer to go into closed executive session. The motion was adopted by the following roll call vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker, Polaczyk, Breeding and Howe and Mayor Ludwig-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Breeding to return to open session. The motion was adopted by unanimous voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT.
No further business being presented, a motion was made by Councilmember Howe and seconded by Councilmember Greer to adjourn the meeting. The motion was adopted by unanimous voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
Lynn Fessel
City Clerk
© City of Jackson, 2012
