President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on May 27, 2025, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Webb, Irwin, Haley M., Haley G. and Watts.
Agenda
Motion by Engstrom, supported by Watts, to approve the agenda with the following additions:
• Add No. 12. Planning Commission Training – Roles and Responsibilities of a Planning Commission
• Under Clerk’s Report – Add to Item B. Higgins & Associates – MaryJean McCarthy-Tapp
• Under Personnel Committee – Add Item B. James Ebeling Personnel Committee Discussion
Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Public Comment
State Representative Steve Carra introduced himself to the Village Council and shared that residents are always welcome to contact his office with any questions, concerns or feedback they might have.
Minutes
Motion by Webb, supported by Engstrom, to approve and to place on file the minutes of the May 13, 2025, regular meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills
Motion by Haley G., supported by Markle, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $22,089.07. Roll call vote – Irwin, Haley M., Webb, Markle, Watts, Haley G. and Engstrom. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Webb, supported by Haley M., to receive and place on the sole item on the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote – Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President’s Report
DWSRF Change Order No. 3
President Irwin informed the Council that the meeting for Trustees Markle and Watts, approved on April 22, 2025, is still pending. He is awaiting a scheduled date and time from Wightman & Associates, Inc., Balkema Excavating, Inc., and potentially SWT Excavating, Inc., following the meeting request.
MaryJean McCarthy-Tapp of Higgins & Associates – Main Street Downtown Beautification Project Inspection
President Irwin reported that Village Manager/Clerk Terrill and he met with MaryJean McCarthy-Tapp of Higgins & Associates on May 27, 2025. Ms. McCarthy-Tapp began her inspection of the work on Main Street for the Downtown Beautification Project and will continue her work on May 28, 2025, when she will meet with Attorney Dan Hatch, and representatives from MDOT. Trustee Watts requested notification be sent to Village Council members when Ms. McCarthy-Tapp is on site so that he may speak with her to make sure she does not miss anything. Trustee Webb requested that the affected business owners be notified when Ms. McCarthy-Tapp is in town.
Clerk’s Report
MSHDA CHILL Program Updates
MSHDA CHILL Program Local Team Member Seth Carlson shared that the Village of Marcellus’s MSHDA CHILL Grant Program is progressing. Steps 1 (Applicant Eligibility) and 2 (Property Evaluation) are complete, with all documentation collected and uploaded.
The project is now in Step 3 (Contractor Selection), pending review by MSHDA and relevant regulatory partners like SHPO. This review ensures all proposed work is within the program scope. Homeowners are permitted to collect quotes from contractors now to expedite the process once approval is granted. Ms. Chris Nofsinger will help evaluate these bids.
Construction (Steps 4-5) can only begin after MSHDA issues a “Proceed to Work” order, which follows approved contractor selection and finalized contracts. Finally, closeout (Step 6) involves a homeowner satisfaction survey and project summary upon completion of work.
MSHDA MI Neighborhood (MIN) Program Updates
The Village of Marcellus continues to advance with the administration of the MIN grant. The project team is actively compiling all necessary documentation and coordinating with the local building inspector and homeowners to prepare properties for rehabilitation.
To date, all MIN program participants have completed income verification, submitted the Homeowner Certification Form and provided various supporting documentation, including authorization to release information and demographic details. Additionally, before photos have been taken for all properties, contractor/subcontractor insurance and licensing are on file, current homeowner’s insurance has been verified, property taxes confirmed as current and year-built verification completed.
As of May 16, 2025, inspection reports have been received for two properties, while three other inspection reports are still pending. Only two properties are eligible to move forward in the MIN grant program. Team Member Chris Nofsinger will be working directly with these households to collect contractor quotes. Inspection summaries are still pending for the remaining three properties. Once received, a formal review will be conducted and consultation with the MSHDA will occur, if necessary, before proceeding. These properties are currently on hold.
Mr. Carlson shared that it is essential to follow the outlined steps carefully. A further update will be provided at the next Village Council meeting. The CouncilCouncil will be updated sooner if additional inspection summaries are received beforehand.
Motion by Webb, supported by Markle, to receive and place on file the MSHDA CHILL and MSHDA MI Neighborhood Program updates. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW
Quotes for Ditch Cleaning
Motion by Irwin, supported by Watts, to approve the quote from Roberts Bros. Excavating of Three Rivers, Michigan, for the machine and labor to dig out and haul away ditch spoils from the ditch running west to east (on the north side of East Read Street) and the ditch running north to south from East Main Street, and to haul spoils to the Village-owned property on Hemlock Lake Road at an estimated cost of $3,750.00. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley G., Engstrom, Markle, Watts, Haley M., Irwin and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Quote – Corrpro Companies, Inc. Cathodic System Service Plan for Village Water Tower
Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, approving and authorizing 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 $745.00:
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: Markle, Watts, Haley G., Engstrom, Irwin, Webb and Haley M. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW Employee Interviews/Hire
Motion by Engstrom, supported by Watts, to hire James Ebeling, pending background check and drug screening, to begin work on June 3, 2025 at a rate of $26.00 per hour (includes $1.00/hour, each for two water, one sewer and CDL licenses) and $25 per month for his phone . Roll call vote- Webb, Irwin, Haley M., Engstrom, Markle, Haley G. and Watts. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW Employee James Ebeling
President Irwin reported that the Personnel Committee recommended the hiring of James Ebeling, with the understanding that Mr. Ebeling had two pre-planned vacations. He will take these days off as non-paid leave because he will not have accrued vacation time with the Village yet. Irwin moved, supported by Watts, to authorize the days off for Mr. Ebeling. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Planning Commission
MSU Extension Training – Roles and Responsibilities of a Planning Commission
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley M., to authorize the payment for Manager/Clerk Terrill, Planning Commission Member Jaclyn Lyles and another Planning Commission Member (up to three persons) at $25.00 each for attendance at the MSU Extension’s Roles and Responsibilities of a Planning Commission training that will be provided at the St. Joseph County ISD in Centreville, Michigan, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Roll call vote – Ayes: Watts, Webb, Irwin Markle, Engstrom, Haley M. and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Public comments included the following:
1. An offer from Dan Meachum to partially fund fixing the problem on Main Street, then suing the engineer and construction contractor to get a return on the money.
2. Request from Alex Motter for information on the Tailgater sign and when it may go up for bid.
3. Seth Carlson shared that a Community Stakeholder Listening Session will be held at Patch & Remington, 115 East Main Street in the Village of Marcellus on June 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. He reported that the community meeting is an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities that may be on the horizon.
Adjournment
Motion by Markle, supported by Haley M., to adjourn at 7:59 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Jacqueline A. Terrill
Village Manager/Clerk
Dennis Irwin
Village President
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