President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on January 14, 2025, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Webb, Thomas, Haley and Watts.
Agenda
Motion by Thomas, supported by Engstrom, to approve the agenda with the following additions:
• Under President’s Report – Add Item C. Chapter 2 Customs Social Media Report
– Add Item D. Flag at Fire Station
• Under Consent Agenda – Add Item I. Handrail Emails
• Under DPW – Add Item C. December 2024 DPW Report
Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Minutes
Motion by Webb, supported by Markle, to approve as presented and place on file the minutes of the December 3, 2024, regular meeting, as amended. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills
Motion by Haley, supported by Thomas, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $40,672.35. Roll call vote – Irwin, Webb, Haley, Watts, Markle Engstrom and Thomas. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 255 Expansion of DDA and Expansion of DDA Boundaries:
Motion by Irwin, supported by Watts, to suspend the special Village Council meeting and open the public hearing for consideration of proposed DDA Ordinance No. 255 at 7:03 p.m. Roll call vote – Ayes: Markle, Irwin, Thomas, Watts, Haley, Engstrom and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried. Village Council members discussed the proposed ordinance and potential benefits of expanding DDA boundaries to the Village’s economic development and its businesses. There was no public comment. Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to close the public hearing and return to the regular session at 7:12 p.m. Roll call vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Webb, Haley, Watts, Irwin, Markle and Thomas. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Resumption of Regular Session and Adoption of DDA Ordinance No. 255
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to approve and adopt proposed Ordinance No. 255, An Ordinance to Amend the Downtown Development Authority Ordinance, with an effective date of February 28, 2025. Roll call vote – Ayes: Thomas, Engstrom, Webb, Markle, Irwin, Watts and Haley. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Webb, supported by Haley, to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote – Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President’s Report
DDA Appointments
Alisa Burleigh
President Irwin appointed Alisa Burleigh to the DDA Board. Motion by Markle, supported by Thomas, to ratify and confirm the appointment of Alisa Burleigh to the DDA Board with a term expiring on November 30, 2025. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley, Webb, Markle, Engstrom, Irwin, Thomas and Watts. Nays: None. Motion carried.
James R. Thomas, Jr
President Irwin appointed James, R. Thomas, Jr., to the DDA Board, pending an amendment of Planning Commission Ordinance No. 193. Motion by Webb, supported by Irwin to ratify and confirm the appointment of James R. Thomas, Jr., to the DDA Board, effective once the Village’s Planning Commission Ordinance is adopted and goes into effect, with a term expiring on November 30, 2025. Roll call vote – Ayes: Thomas, Watts, Irwin, Haley, Engstrom and Webb. Nays: None. Trustee Markle abstained. Motion carried.
Clerk’s Report
Resolution 2025-01 – to Adopt the Cass County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Motion by Markle, supported by Thomas, to adopt Resolution 2025-01, as revised, a Resolution to adopt the 2024 Cass County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Roll call vote – Ayes: Irwin, Engstrom, Markle, Webb, Watts, Thomas and Haley. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Steensma Service Renewal
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to approve the two-year service agreement for the Water Tower generator with Steensma Lawn & Power Equipment of Plainwell, Michigan, at a cost of $449.98. Roll call vote – Ayes: Watts, Haley, Webb, Engstrom, Markle, Thomas and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
CPR, AED and Basic First Aid Training – January 25, 2025
Clerk Terrill requested Village Council members approve and pay for CPR, AED and Basic First Aid Training/Certification of the eight Village employees who are either not currently certified or are due for renewal (two Village employees currently work in ambulance and fire fighter capacities and are therefore already certified) – the training will result in all Village employees being trained and certified. Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to authorize payment for the class, up to $880.00, and payroll for the hours of training for eight employees. Roll call vote – Ayes: Irwin, Webb, Engstrom, Haley and Watts. Nays: None. Trustees Thomas and Markle abstained. Motion carried.
MSHDA MI Neighborhood Program
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley, to approve the execution of the public amenity portion of the MSHDA MI Neighborhood agreement, as necessary and required for any modification to the agreed upon project, due to affordability and MSHDA requirements. Roll call vote – Ayes: Webb, Markle, Engstrom, Irwin, Thomas and Haley. Nays: Watts. Motion carried.
Audrey E. Salesberry CPA Quote for DDA Accounting Assistance
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to approve the quote from and to hire Audrey E. Salesberry CPA for QuickBooks set up and recreation of the 2024 financials for the DDA in an amount not to exceed $$1,200.00. Roll call vote – Ayes: Thomas, Watts, Engstrom, Markle, Irwin and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Planning Commission
2024 Annual Report
Planning Commission Chair James R. Thomas, Jr., shared the Planning Commission’s 2024 Annual Report, noting the various activities and accomplishments of the Planning Commission during the year. He noted Planning Commission member attendance at a number of training classes, review of the Planning Commission’s bylaws and its public engagement efforts and results for 2024.
Motion by Irwin, supported by Watts, to receive and place on file the 2024 Planning Commission report. Roll call vote – Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Planning Commission and Village Council Special Kickoff Meeting for Master Plan, Economic Development and Marketing Plans – January 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Chair James R. Thomas, Jr., reminded the Village Council that there is a special, joint meeting with the Planning Commission for the Master Plan, Economic Development and Marketing Plan kickoff meeting with McKenna, of Kalamazoo, Michigan on January 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
DPW
December 2024 DPW Report
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to receive and place on file the DPW Report for December 2024. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Adjournment
Motion by Markle, supported by Thomas, to adjourn at 8:28 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Jacqueline A. Terrill
Village Manager/Clerk
Dennis Irwin
Village President
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