The Jackson City Council met in regular session in City Hall and was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Karen F. Dunigan.
The Council joined in the pledge of allegiance. The invocation was given by Councilmember Polaczyk.
Present: Mayor Karen F. Dunigan and Councilmembers Carl L. Breeding, Robert B. Howe, Daniel P. Greer, Kenneth E. Gaiser and John R. Polaczyk-6. Absent with excuse: Councilmember Andrew R. Frounfelker-1.
Also Present: Interim City Manager Christopher W. Lewis, City Attorney Julius A. Giglio and City Clerk Lynn Fessel.
Councilmember Breeding and Mayor Dunigan stated they had action items for consideration under Councilmembers’ Comments. Motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Greer to adopt the agenda, as amended. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser and Polaczyk-6. Nays: 0. Absent: Councilmember Frounfelker—1.
Greg Lucas, DPW General Foreman, stated that he supports the concept of the Jackson Area Fire Apparatus Maintenance Proposal. He explained how the work is currently being performed and expressed concern with some of the details included in the Proposal. He concluded by stating that DPW needs to be involved in this plan.
Arlene Robinson, 159 Randolph, stated that she learned at the NAACP general membership meeting that Michelle Gossett has been or will be terminated. She requested the following information from the City. How was the termination determined, what is the number of employees who have been or will be terminated during this process, how many years of service do these individuals have, will there be a severance package offered to them and will they still receive their retirement benefits.
None.
Councilmember Greer requested Item E be removed for separate consideration. Motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Greer to approve the following Consent Calendar, with Item E removed for separate consideration. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser and Polaczyk-6. Nays: 0. Absent: Councilmember Frounfelker—1.
Consent Calendar
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM E.
Receipt of the Jackson Fire Department Fire-Transport Proposal and the Jackson Area Fire Apparatus Maintenance Proposal, and referral to the Finance Committee for their review and recommendation.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Polaczyk to postpone consideration of this matter until the March 9, 2010, Council meeting and place it on that agenda under New Business or Other Business.
Motion was made by Councilmember Breeding and seconded by Councilmember Gaiser to amend the motion to postpone consideration of this matter until the March 23, 2010, Council meeting. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser and Polaczyk-6. Nays: 0. Absent: Councilmember Frounfelker—1.
The main motion, as amended, was voted on and adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser and Polaczyk-6. Nays: 0. Absent: Councilmember Frounfelker-1.
None.
None.
PUBLIC HEARING OF NECESSITY FOR STREET CONSTRUCTION ON WESLEY STREET FROM JACKSON TO BLACKSTONE STREET.
Mayor Dunigan opened the public hearing. No one spoke; the Mayor closed the public hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING OF NECESSITY FOR STREET CONSTRUCTION ON E. MASON STREET FROM MECHANIC TO FRANCIS STREET.
Mayor Dunigan opened the public hearing. No one spoke; the Mayor closed the public hearing.
None.
Councilmember Breeding. Motion was made by Councilmember Breeding and seconded by Councilmember Gaiser that the City Council freeze and/or prohibit 2010 budget related terminations and that the City Manager, the City Treasurer and the Finance Director provide the Council with hard copy evidence of the City’s financial condition by March 1, 2010.
Councilmember Greer made the following substitute motion: Call for a special City Council meeting on March 2, 2010, to sort this all out. He withdrew his motion.
Councilmember Breeding’s motion was voted on and lost due to the following tie vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Breeding, Howe and Gaiser-3. Nays: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Greer and Polaczyk-3. Absent: Councilmember Frounfelker-1.
Motion was made by Councilmember Breeding and seconded by Councilmember Howe to place consideration of Councilmember Breeding’s motion on the next regular Council meeting agenda. The motion was lost due to the following tie vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Breeding, Howe and Gaiser-3. Nays: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Greer and Polaczyk-3. Absent: Councilmember Frounfelker-1.
Councilmember Greer. Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Howe to place on the March 9, 2010, Council meeting agenda an item to revisit the Deputy City Assessor’s position. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser and Polaczyk-6. Nays: 0. Absent: Councilmember Frounfelker-1.
Councilmember Gaiser requested that a formal presentation of the ISO report be placed on the next regular Council meeting agenda. He also requested a copy of Chief Beyerstedt’s letter of response.
Councilmember Polaczyk asked Interim City Manager Lewis to explain what the ISO report is for the public’s understanding. Mr. Lewis explained that the ISO report is an evaluation of the fire fighting capabilities of the entire City. It looks at fire suppression capability, including waterflow, hydrants, number of fire fighters and engine companies and there were some findings that Mr. Lewis took exception to. The report showed that our ISO rating dropped from a 3 to a 4 and this is partly due to training, dispatching and the number of emergency lines coming into the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). These are things that both Chief Beyerstedt and Chief Heins are working on.
Mayor Dunigan reminded everyone of the importance of participating in the census. She also announced that Tom Steiger, Superintendent of Parks, Forestry and Grounds, has a new program entitled The Second Saturday, which will run from April through October. This program will provide opportunities for volunteers to come to the City and perform neighborhood cleanups and is in conjunction with one of the Master Gardener programs.
Regarding negotiations with Warren Renando for the Interim City Manager position, Councilmember Greer stated that when Councilmember Frounfelker returns they will try to schedule a Rules & Personnel Committee meeting. He would like to see this matter on the next regular Council meeting agenda (March 9) or maybe call a special meeting. Because Mayor Dunigan will be absent at the March 9 meeting, Councilmember Howe stated he would like to wait to consider this matter until the March 23 meeting when everyone is in attendance.
None.
No further business being presented, a motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Howe to adjourn the meeting. The motion was adopted by unanimous voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Lynn Fessel
City Clerk
© City of Jackson, 2012
