President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on June 11, 2024, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Welburn, Thomas, Haley and Webb.
Agenda
Motion by Welburn, supported by Engstrom, to approve the agenda with the following additions:
• Under Clerk’s Report – Change Item N to DDA Business Summit
• Insert Item 11. MAESA
Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Minutes
Motion by Webb, supported by Markle, to approve and place on file the minutes of the May 28, 2024, Regular Meeting as presented. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills}
Motion by Haley, supported by Engstrom, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $146,958.96. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley, Engstrom, Welburn, Thomas, Markle, Irwin and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Market Van Buren Proposal: Julia Well
Julia Wall, of Market One, formerly Market Van Buren (MVB), addressed the Village Council and talked about Market One’s proposal for Economic and Community Development Services in the Village of Marcellus. Market One is requesting contributions from Cass County municipalities in varying amounts, based upon their taxable value and populations. The potential payments by municipalities based on taxable values in 2023 is $61,718.00 for the year 2024, with the amount proposed to the Village being $669.46 for “Economic Development Services for the Village of Marcellus – services to be performed by Market Van Buren.” The Village was presented with a letter requesting payment and an invoice for services in the amount of $669.46.
It was noted in the Council meeting packet that Market Van Buren currently has a three-year agreement with Cass County for Economic Development Services at a cost of $115,000, with 2% annual increases each year, as follows:
1. Business Engagement: MVB will engage with businesses within Cass County to execute a business retention, expansion and attraction effort with the intentions to grow jobs, the tax base and improve the resiliency of local businesses.
2. Grant Development: MVB will support the preparation and submission of applications for grants that are related to economic and community development. This is to ensure businesses and communities have the chance to receive funding and not miss an opportunity at the regional, state and federal levels.
3. Industrial Property Development: MVB will place industrial properties in Cass County on Zoom Prospector and add properties to Requests for Properties from the MEDC Site Selection Team. Market Van Buren will also work with property owners on the development of buildings or land to best prepare them for businesses and site selectors.
4. Governmental Affairs: MVB will help establish Cass County’s presence in Lansing with key Administration and Legislative leaders to advance its economic development interests. This will be done by connecting County officials to subject matter experts to champion the County’s interests on an array of issues. MVB does not lobby on behalf of its investors and partners.
After discussion regarding services provided and the Village’s and its DDA’s desire to economically develop the Village as a whole and to share any costs associated with this particular proposal and exactly what the Economic Development Services will entail, Irwin moved, supported by Haley, to reschedule the discussion to the June 25, 2024, Village Council meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Webb, supported by Thomas, to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote – Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President’s Report
June 6, 2024, Meeting with LASA Representative
President Irwin reported on the June 6, 2024 meeting with Lakes Area Sewer Authority (LASA) Representative Alan Smaka, along with Wightman Engineer Frank Renaldi, Township Supervisor Ed Koshar, DPW Superintendent Timothy J. Weston and Manager/Clerk Jacqueline Terrill. This meeting was part of an ongoing discussion regarding the future of the Village’s lagoons and their operation and how the Village and LASA might work together to ensure continued safe and proper service to users of the Village and LASA sewer systems. Three alternatives are currently being evaluated, including:
• No change
• Updated wholesale agreement with capital cost-saving provisions (such as net metering, future buy-in methodologies, etc., and
• Treatment Authority framework
Currently there are no plans or recommendations. The group will meet again on July 16, 2024, in the Village Council room of the Village Hall.
Manager/Clerk’s Report
Notice of Award, Change Order 1 and Notice to Proceed for High Water Project
Motion by Irwin, supported by Welburn, to approve and authorize the Village President’s and/or Village Manager/Clerk’s execution of the Notice of Award, Change Order 1 and Notice to Proceed for the High Water Storm Grant project which includes a total budget of $666,965.42 for the project with $427,952 coming from the State of Michigan EGLE State High Water Infrastructure program grant funds. Roll call vote – Ayes: Thomas, Webb, Welburn, Markle, Irwin, Engstrom and Haley. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Utility Clerk Computer Replacement
Motion by Welburn, supported by Engstrom, to authorize the replacement of the Utility Clerk computer at a cost not to exceed $1,559.00 as quoted by the Village’s IT provider, VC3. Roll call vote – Ayes: Welburn, Irwin, Engstrom, Markle, Webb, Thomas and Haley. Nays: None. Motion carried.
2024 Utilities Posted to Taxes
Motion by Welburn, supported by Irwin, to approve and authorize the submission of the utilities/specials to the Cass County Equalization Department in the amount of $5,926.53. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Michigan’s Finest Farms, LLC – Issued Provisional Certificate Issued 06/03/2024
Manager/Clerk Terrill reported that Michigan’s Finest Farms, LLC has met the requirements for the issuance of a Provisional Certificate for a retail marihuana business at 105 West Main Street, as required by Village Ordinance No. 241 (Marihuana Establishments and Medical Marihuana Facilities). The certificate was issued June 3, 2024. A license will not be issued until all remaining requirements are met.
Ordinance No. 251 – Amending Ordinance No. 241, Marihuana Establishments and Medical Marihuana Facilities.
Motion by Webb, supported by Engstrom, to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 251, an Ordinance Amending the Village of Marcellus Recreational Marihuana Establishments and Medical Marihuana Facilities Ordinance (Ordinance No. 241, adopted September 28, 2021) with an effective date of July 20, 2024. Roll call vote – Ayes: Irwin, Engstrom, Markle, Haley, Webb, Welburn and Thomas. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Updated Application for a Village of Marcellus Marihuana Operating License
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to approve the updated Application for a Village of Marcellus Marihuana Operating License, with corrections. Roll call vote – Ayes: Markle, Thomas, Haley, Webb, Irwin,
Welburn and Engstrom. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Ordinance No. 252 – An Ordinance to Amend the Village of Marcellus Ground Water Protection Ordinance
Motion by Irwin, supported by Thomas, to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 252, An Ordinance to Amend the Village of Marcellus Ground Water Protection Ordinance with an effective date of July 20, 2024. Roll call vote – Ayes: Markle, Irwin, Webb, Haley, Engstrom, Thomas and Welburn. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Wellhead Protection Committee Meeting June 12, 2024
Manager/Clerk Terrill reminded Village Council members that the Wellhead Protection Committee will meet in the Village Hall on June 12, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. The Committee will review the importance of protecting the Village’s public water supply, to include a review of the Village’s Ground Water Protection Ordinance, Marcellus Public Water Supply Quality and Risks from Existing and Future Land Uses.
Village Council members reviewed the Village’s Wellhead Protection Program Plan and its Ground Water Protection Ordinance that Marcellus Township also passed in 2014. The ordinances were enacted to:
1. Preserve and maintain existing ground water supplies, aquifers and ground water recharge areas of the Village, and Protect them from adverse development or land use practices.
2. Preserve and protect present and potential sources of drinking water supply for public health and safety.
3. Conserve the natural resources of the Village.
4. Protect the financial investment of the Village in its drinking water supply system and to meet state requirements for wellhead protection.
5. Assure that state regulations that help protect ground water are implemented consistently when new or expanded development proposals are reviewed and considered.
In addition, the Council discussed the proposed Steelhead Solar project in Marcellus Township, the possibility that there are plans to place solar panels on a portion of the delineated Wellhead Protection Area and the Village’s desire to protect the public water supply.
President Irwin, Trustee Webb and Village Manager/Clerk Terrill will attend the June 13, 2024, Marcellus Township Planning Commission Public Hearing and meeting to offer public comment on the Village’s wish to protect the drinking water for its residents, ask for cooperation with this effort and report back to the Village Council during the next Village Council meeting on June 25, 2024.
Planning Commission Site Plan Review Training for 6/20/2024
Motion by Webb, supported by Welburn, to authorize the payment of $80.00 for Village Planning Commission members James R. Thomas, Jr., Diane Mierzejewski, Brian Wilmore and George Markle to attend the training webinar, Site Plan Review for Planning Commissioners, offered by MSU on June 20, 2024. Roll call vote – Ayes: Welburn, Engstrom, Haley, Webb and Irwin. Trustees Thomas and Markle abstained. Motion carried.
Crossing Guards for 2024-2025 Schoolyear
Manager/Clerk Terrill shared that two Crossing Guards will not return for the 2024-2025 school year and the Village will need to begin its search for replacements soon.
DDA Business Summit
DDA Chair Seth Carlson shared information and extended an invitation to the DDA’s Small Business Summit scheduled for June 20, 2024, at the Marcellus VFW from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. which aims to connect business owners and entrepreneurs in addition to an opportunity for attendees to hear from representatives of the MEDC about resources and opportunities for economic and community development.
Village Treasurer Tina Thornburgh’s Evaluation
President Irwin reported Village Treasurer Tina Thornburgh’s three-year employment anniversary was missed on November 17, 2023. The Personnel Committee met with her on June 3, 2024, giving her a favorable evaluation and is recommending a 75 cent per hour raise effective June 3, 2024. Engstrom moved, supported by Irwin, to approve the pay raise of 75-cents per hour effective June 3, 3024. Roll call vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Thomas, Markle, Haley, Webb, Welburn and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW
May 2024 DPW Report
Motion by Irwin, supported by Thomas, to receive and place on file the May 2024 DPW Report. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Balkema Excavating, Inc. Quote for Installation of Gate Valve and Box
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to approve the quoted price of $11,824.09 for the installation of a new 10” gate valve and box, to include road restoration, for the leaking valve on the corner of Woodland and Snyder Streets. Roll call vote – Ayes: Thomas, Markle, Welburn, Irwin, Engstrom, Haley and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Adjournment
Motion by Thomas, supported by Markle, to adjourn at 8:23 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Jacqueline A. Terrill
Village Manager/Clerk
Dennis Irwin
Village President
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