President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on July 9, 2024, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Welburn, Thomas, Haley and Webb.
Agenda
Motion by Thomas, supported by Markle, to approve the agenda with the following additions:
– Under Consent Agenda – Add Item D. July 8, 2024, MAESA Report
– Under Clerk’s Report – Add Item C. Guardian Renewal
– Add Item D. 2023 Audit
– Add Item E. High Water Construction
Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Minutes
Motion by Webb, supported by Engstrom, to approve and place on file the minutes of the June 25, 2024, Regular Meeting as presented. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills
Motion by Haley, supported by Thomas, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $18,774.39. Roll call vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Webb, Irwin, Thomas, Welburn, Markle and Haley. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Webb, supported by Engstrom, to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote – Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President’s Report
Notice – Joint Marcellus Township and Marcellus Township Planning Commission Meeting and Public Hearing for Special Land Use Application July 24, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
President Irwin shared the Notice of Joint Township Board and Planning Commission Meeting and Public Hearing notice addressed to residents and property owners of Marcellus Township, Cass County, Michigan, and all other interested persons that a public hearing on the special land use request of Ranger Power and property owners of parcels subject to allowing the use of a Large Solar Energy System will take place on July 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Marcellus Township Hall located at 463 West Main Street, Marcellus, Michigan. He encouraged Village Council members and residents or business owners in the Village to attend the hearing and other meetings of the Marcellus Township Board and/or Commission since Village residents are also Township residents.
Resolution 2024-05 – A Resolution to confirm the Village of Marcellus’ desire to protect the public health, safety and welfare of Village residents, to protect property values, quality of life and natural resources related to groundwater as ordained by Village of Marcellus Ordinance No. 252.
President Irwin shared his concerns regarding the possible placement of solar panels on a part of the Village’s Wellhead Protection Area (WPA) and the unknown effects on the public water supply, citing past examples of contamination after exposure to substances in common materials that were thought to be considered safe which people have now learned are harmful to the environment, humans and wildlife. Following discussion regarding the WPA and the Village’s continued desire to protect the community’s drinking water supply from known and unknown contaminants, Irwin moved, supported by Thomas, to adopt Resolution 2024-05, A Resolution to confirm the Village of Marcellus’ desire to protect the public health, safety and welfare of Village residents, to protect property values, quality of life and natural resources related to groundwater as ordained by Village of Marcellus Ordinance No. 252. Roll call vote – Ayes: Thomas, Welburn, Markle, Engstrom, Haley, Irwin and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
The resolution is to be published in The Marcellus News on July 18, 2024.
Manager/Clerk’s Report
Steensma Lawn and Power Equipment – Two-Year Village Hall Generator Maintenance Agreement
Motion by Irwin, supported by Thomas, to approve the two-year renewal of the Village Hall Generator Maintenance Agreement with Steensma Lawn and Power Equipment of Kalamazoo, Michigan at a cost of $759.98 with half, $379.99, to be paid by MAESA per the agreement between the Village of Marcellus and MEASA to split all costs associated with the purchase and maintenance of the Hall generator. Roll call vote: Ayes: Thomas, Welburn, Markle, Haley, Irwin and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
EGLE Notice to Faith Plastics – RE: Industrial Storm Water Reconnaissance Inspection Follow-up
Village Manager/Clerk Terrill shared June 26, 2024, notice to Faith Plastics from EGLE which includes a Violation Notice Letter, Inspection Report and Photo Log as follow-up to EGLE’s June 12, 2024, Industrial Storm Water Reconnaissance Inspection by the EGLE Water Resources Division (WRD). The notice outlines required actions and responses by July 25, 2024. Mrs. Terrill has shared that the notice has been forwarded to Frank Renaldi, of Wightman & Associates, Inc., due to the possibility that the Village’s High-Water project will address two of the storm drain items that were listed in the notice. Representatives of Faith Plastics and he have been working on solutions to these issues, Faith Plastics has communicated its desire to respond in a positive and timely manner and the Village Manager/Clerk will follow-up to ensure proper compliance and response.
Guardian Benefits Health Insurance Renewal
Motion by Thomas, supported by Engstrom, to renew the Guardian Benefits Insurance Policy, which covers dental, vision, life and disability for eligible employees “as is” for the renewal period of September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. The renewal for this year comes with no increases. Roll call vote – Ayes: Welburn, Engstrom, Irwin, Webb, Haley and Thomas. Trustee Markle abstained. Nays: None. Motion carried.
2023 Audit
Manager/Clerk Terrill reported that Brian Hake, of Kruggel Lawton CPAs, informed her that the Village would need to file an extension request for submittal of the Village’s F65 Audit form with the State Treasurer. The Village’s Annual Financial Report is delinquent and Manager/Clerk Terrill, along with President Irwin, have sent a written request for a 30-day extension to the Local Audit and Finance Division at the State of Michigan Department of Treasury; and Mrs. Terrill has spoken with Jeremy Tolsma of Kruggel Lawton on July 8, 2024, and learned that the Village’s audit report is incomplete because the firm has been understaffed this year.
High-Water Project Construction Documents and Specifications
Motion by Welburn, supported by Irwin, to authorize the execution of the contract documents and specifications for the Village of Marcellus Mitigation of Lake Marcellus North project, funded through a State High Water Infrastructure grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Roll call vote – Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
June 2024 DPW Report
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to receive and place on file the June 2024 DPW Report. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Adjournment
Motion by Markle, supported by Thomas, to adjourn at 7:39 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Jacqueline A. Terrill
Village Manager/Clerk
Dennis Irwin
Village President
The Marcellus Village Council meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month at 7pm in Village Hall, 177 E. Main Street.
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