Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings – May 12, 2026

Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings – Regular Meeting – May 12, 2026

President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on May 12, 2026, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Webb, Haley M., Haley G. and Watts. 

Agenda
Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, to approve the agenda with the following addition: 
– Under Clerk’s Report – Add Item B. Invoice Cloud and BS&A

Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried. 

Minutes
Motion by Webb, supported by Markle, to approve and place on file the minutes of the April 28, 2026, regular meeting, as corrected and the May 4, 2026, special meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Bills
Motion by Haley G., supported by Engstrom, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $182,540.34. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Haley M., Irwin, Engstrom, Haley G. and Webb. Nays: Markle and Watts. Motion carried.

Consent AgendaMotion by Webb, supported by Haley M., to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.

LASA Request to Land Apply Biosolids on Village Parcel 14-051-023-014-02
President Irwin introduced Jared LeClercq, Lakes Area Sewer Authority (LASA) Field Services Manager, who requested permission from the Village Council to land apply biosolids from the LASA plant on Village owned property on Hemlock Lake Road, Parcel No. 14 051 023 014 02. The property is currently leased to Curt Johnson for farming conventional corn and soy beans.

   Jared LeClercq explained that the LASA plant is in a situation where it needs to make repairs to its reactor but must first remove the sludge in order to access it. In normal circumstances, the sludge would be dewatered prior to LASA land applying, but this is the part that performs the dewatering. He shared that LASA has no available method to dispose of the material while the reactor is offline and that the plant is at risk of violating its discharge permit if the sludge cannot be removed soon. 

   Christian Smith, EGLE Environmental Quality Analyst, Emerging Pollutants Section, reported that PFAS levels from the LASA plant were tested under the State’s interim PFAS rules and are currently classified under mitigation status, which requires a reduced application rate. He stated that the EPA has not yet issued its final PFAS ruling. Mr. Smith explained that wastewater treatment plants applying biosolids are subject to Part 201 exemption; however, each land application site must still be individually evaluated and permitted based on soil test results and any restrictions on future use of the property.

   Council members asked questions regarding potential PFAS accumulation, whether there are use restrictions after such an application and if land application would affect long term uses for the property. Mr. Smith stated that the condition of the site and results of LASA sludge testing will determine application rates and that the planned subsurface injection reduces surface runoff. He also noted that wetlands on or near the parcel would be reviewed as part of the site permitting packet required for EGLE approval.

   Mr. LeClercq stated that approximately 25 acres of the Village parcel and an additional 10 acres of LASA owned land will be used, for a total of 35 acres available for application. Farmer Jacob Robinson, who is farming on the Village-owned ground leased to Curt Johnson, has orally approved the application and Curt Johnson has signed the Biosolids/Residuals land application program agreement form for the work which is being administered by BioTech Agronomics, Inc., of Beulah, Michigan. Mr. Smith noted that soil testing for nitrogen and phosphorus levels will be required prior to application. 

   Following discussion, Irwin moved, supported by Engstrom, to authorize the land application of biosolids by LASA and its contractors, provided that all EGLE requirements are met and test results and permits are shared with the Village. Roll call vote – Ayes: Irwin, Engstrom, Webb, Haley G., Haley M. and Markle. Nays: Watts. Motion carried.

Mike Haydon – Ordinance Enforcement

Before Ordinance Enforcement Officer Mike Haydon addressed the Village Council, Village Manager/Clerk Terrill reminded Council members of their discussion during the April 28, 2026, Village Council meeting regarding the anonymous complaint listing twenty five addresses as blighted that was received in the Village Hall drop box on April 27, 2026. Mrs. Terrill again encouraged residents to clean up their properties, so they do not appear on the Ordinance Enforcement report list and reminded residents that their neighbors are watching and reporting potential blighted properties to the Village Hall. She also reminded the Council that the Township offers “free” spring dump passes for Township residents—Village residents are also Township residents—and that Village residents are provided, at no additional charge, a fall large item pickup due to the trash hauler no longer offering curbside bulk pickup.

   Mrs. Terrill then introduced Ordinance Enforcement Officer Mr. Haydon, who shared an update on current enforcement activities. He reported that he has recently sent 34 letters, several of which were for trash container violations. He noted that the Village receives approximately one third of any fines collected and that most residents correct the violations before fines are/would be assessed. Mr. Haydon added that there are agencies available to assist residents who may need help and he will provide the Village with a list of these agencies.

As Needed Engineering Services and Water Treatment Plant Assistance Proposals
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to reschedule the discussion on the As Needed Engineering Services and Water Treatment Plant Proposals to the May 26, 2026, Village Council meeting. Roll call vote – Ayes: Webb, Irwin, Haley G., Markle, Engstrom, Haley M. and Watts. Nays: None. Motion carried.

MAESA Report
Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, to receive and place on file the May 11, 2026, MAESA meeting packet. Ayes: Engstrom, Webb, Irwin, Haley M. and Haley G. Nays: Markle and Watts. Motion carried.

Clerk’s Report
L-4029 for Levying of 2026 Village Taxes
Motion by Webb, supported by Haley G., to authorize the maximum levy permitted by law and return the completed L-4029 form and Cass County’s required questionnaire to the Cass County Equalization Department following the endorsement by the Village President and Clerk and direct the Village Treasurer to levy the 2026 Village taxes as authorized, being a General Fund levy of 7.7064 mills, which levy would raise $182,588, and Street Fund levy of 4.1420 mills, which levy would raise $102,044. Roll call vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Haley G., Irwin, Webb and Haley M. Nays: Watts and Markle. Motion carried.

Invoice Cloud and BS&A
Village Deputy/Utility Clerk Garcia reported that, beginning in January 2027, Invoice Cloud will no longer cover the BS&A Integration Fee, and BS&A will begin charging the Village approximately $1,500 annually for this integration. She noted that the Village currently pays monthly Invoice Cloud service fees totaling approximately $3,024 per year, and residents are charged a 3.5% per transaction fee.

   Ms. Garcia explained that, if the Village switches to BS&A Payments, there would be no monthly service fee, no annual integration fee, and the resident transaction fee would be reduced from 3.5% to 2.95% plus $0.30 per transaction, resulting in a small per transaction savings for residents. She stated that switching to BS&A Payments would provide the Village with an estimated annual savings of approximately $4,500, or $45,000 over a ten year period.

   Motion by Irwin, supported by Watts, to authorize the Village Clerk to sign the contract for BS&A Payments services and begin the process for the changeover from the current Invoice Clous system. Roll call vote – Ayes: Webb, Irwin, Markle, Watts, Haley M., Engstrom and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried

DPW
April 2026 DPW Report
Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, to receive and place on file the April 2026 DPW Report. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Quote – Corrpro Companies, Inc. Cathodic System Service Plan for Village Water Tower
Motion by Markle, supported by Haley M., to approve and authorize the Village Clerk or Village President to sign the annual service agreement provided by Corrpro Companies, Inc., for “Plan C Service,” which includes the following for $785.00:

1. Tank to Water potential profile within tank to monitor and verify effectiveness of system on submerged surface of tank.

2. Electrical Measurements to test anode and reference cells.

3. Inspect, test and clean rectifier, controls, meters, contacts, wiring and connections. Replace fuses as required.

4. Adjust system for optimum corrosion control on submerged metal surface of tank.

5. Submit report with all data obtained, evaluation of data and recommendations for continued performance.

   Roll call vote – Ayes: Watts, Engstrom, Webb, Markle, Irwin, Haley M. and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried. 

Adjournment
Motion by Markle, supported by Haley M., to adjourn at 8:48 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed. 

Jacqueline A. Terrill
Village Manager/Clerk

Dennis Irwin
Village President

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