President Irwin called the joint meeting of the Marcellus Village Council and Village of Marcellus Planning Commission to order at 6:30 p.m. on November 28, 2023, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Welburn, Thomas, Haley and Webb.
Agenda
Motion by Welburn, supported by Markle, to approve the agenda as presented. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Minutes
Motion by Webb, supported by Engstrom, to approve and place on file the minutes of the November 14, 2023, Regular Meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills
Motion by Engstrom, supported by Haley, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $262,673.06. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley, Webb, Markle, Thomas, Engstrom, Irwin and Welburn. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Planning Commission
Public Hearing – Zoning Ordinance No. 249
President Irwin turned the meeting over to the Planning Commission at 6:32 p.m. The Planning Commission left its regular session and opened a Public Hearing for the Village’s updated Zoning Ordinance and accompanying Zoning Map. Planning Commission Chair James R. Thomas, Jr., and other Planning Commission members shared a final draft of the Zoning Ordinance, with Kyle Mucha, of McKenna in Kalamazoo, Michigan, addressing the Village Council and presenting a summary of the items updated in the Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map, also noting that the updates comply with the RRC requirements.
After discussion that included the Village’s Zoning Administrator, Village Attorney and the Village Council, Planning Commission Chair James R. Thomas, Jr., asked for public comment. Hearing none, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the updated Zoning Ordinance and Map and recommended that the Village Council adopt the same, with minor clarifications, to include:
• The addition of the Code Enforcement Office in Section 5.03
• Clarification that the Village Council acts as the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and may appoint a ZBA, rather than shall.
• Minor spelling corrections, and
• Updating the official effective date of the Ordinance.
The Planning Commission turned the meeting back to the Village Council at 7:12 p.m.
Motion by Markle, supported by Engstrom, to reopen the Village Council meeting at 7:14 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Ordinance 249 – Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map
Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, to adopt Zoning Ordinance No. 249, and approve the updated Zoning Map as presented to the Village Council and as revised by the Marcellus Village Planning Commission with an effective date of December 14, 2023. Roll call vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Markle, Welburn, Webb, Irwin, Thomas and Haley. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Proposed Ordinance No. 250 – Solid Waste Ordinance Amendment
Village Attorney Luke Nofsinger shared proposed Ordinance No. 250, a Solid Waste Ordinance Amendment with the Village Council. The ordinance extends the allowable contract term from three to five years and preserves the competitive process while allowing for counteroffer and negotiation. Motion by Webb, supported by Markle, to adopt Ordinance No. 250 with the insertion of the word “hereby” in Sections 1 and 2, with an effective date of December 7, 2023. Roll call vote – Ayes: Thomas, Irwin, Haley, Markle, Welburn, Engstrom and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
2023 and 2024 Budget Workshop Discussion
Village Council members discussed the General, Major and Local Streets, Municipal, Sewer, Water and Garbage Budgets for 2023 and proposed 2024 budgets for all funds.
The Village Council will hold its Budget Hearing on December 12, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Garbage and Recycling
The Village Council reviewed the two bids received from the current Garbage and Recycling provider Lakeshore Recycling Service (LRS) of Carol Stream, Illinois, formerly Michiana Recycling and Disposal, and Borden Waste-Away Services, Inc. of Elkhart, Indiana. There were no representatives from either company present for the discussion. Motion by Irwin, supported by Welburn, to reschedule the conversation about garbage and recycling contracts to the December 12, 2023, Village Council meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bluegill Frolic
Amy Segerdahl addressed the Village Council as a representative of the Blue Gill Frolic and requested Council permission to move the 2024 Blue Gill Frolic location to the Main Street blocks of just east of the railroad tracks to Worden Street, due to the planned construction for the Water and Downtown Beautification projects scheduled in 2024. She explained that the old football field is too small for the event and the school will not be able to offer space because there is construction planned there as well.
After talking about MDOT requirements for road closures, detour routes and the Village’s lack of jurisdiction on Township roads, President Irwin requested the Blue Gill Frolic committee first contact Marcellus Township and/or the Cass County Road Commission for direction and bring the question back to the Village Council with that information at a future Village Council meeting.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Webb, supported by Thomas, to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President’s Report
DDA Appointment
President Irwin reappointed Nicole Hostetler to the DDA. Motion by Welburn, supported by Markle, to ratify and confirm that appointment with a term expiring on November 20, 2027. Roll call vote – Ayes: Markle, Welburn, Haley, Webb, Irwin, Engstrom, and Thomas. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Christmas Bonuses
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to pay employee Christmas Bonuses in the amount of $100.00 for each full-time employee and $50.00 for each part-time employee position as has been done in previous years and as provided for in the Personnel Policies Manual. Roll call vote – Ayes: Welburn, Haley, Engstrom, Thomas, Webb and Irwin. Nays: None. Trustee Markle abstained. Motion carried.
Clerk’s Report
Resolution 2023-10 – Credit Card Policy
Motion by Webb, supported by Markle, to adopt Resolution 2023-10 – a Credit Card Policy as required by the Michigan Public Act 266 of 1995 which requires that all municipalities have a written policy when authorizing the use of credit cards to purchase goods and service for official business of the municipality. Roll call vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Irwin, Welburn, Haley, Thomas, Markle and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Special Meeting December 05, 2023, for a Blight Elimination Grant Resolution
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to schedule a Special Meeting on December 5, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering a resolution in support of a Blight Elimination grant by the Cass County Land Bank to assist with the clean-up of the former Tailgater at 140 E Main Street. Roll call vote – Ayes: Welburn, Irwin, Thomas, Webb, Engstrom, Markle and Haley. Nays: None. Motion carried.
MSHDA CDBG Housing Improving Local Livability (CHILL) Program
Manager/Clerk Terrill reported that the Michigan State Housing Development Authority has announced a grant program called the Housing Improving Local Livability (CHILL) grant program for the creation of housing programs that benefit low-and moderate-income households. The CHILL program includes two activity types that are eligible for funding: Homeowner improvement rehabilitation to preserve affordable housing units; and demolition/ reconstruction/resale to remove blight and create single-family housing for resale to income eligible homebuyers. She then explained that she would like the Economic Development Director Sarah Ayers to write the Letter of Intent (LOI) that is due by Monday, December 11, 2023, and, if the Village is invited to apply for the grant, to then offer the Village a proposal for writing the grant application. Sarah Ayers has agreed to write the letter and offer the proposal if the Village is chosen for application. Motion by Markle, supported by Engstrom, to approve the LOI and to receive for review, a proposal for writing the application to MSHDA’s CHILL program. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
MDARD Rural Development Grant
Motion by Markle, supported by Engstrom, to approve actions taken by Village Manager/Clerk Terrill in pursuit of a grant from MDARD’s program to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure in rural communities for roof improvements and the painting of the Village-owned buildings occupied by Marcellus Metalcasters and Faith Plastics. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
MML Newly Elected Officials Training
Manager/Clerk Terrill requested the Village Council schedule a Special Meeting on December 13, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. for the purpose of attending the Michigan Municipal League’s Newly Elected Officials Training via Zoom. The cost to attend is $170.00 each for a total of $1,190.00. Webb moved, supported by Irwin, to schedule the Special Meetings and pay for the Council training on these dates and at these times. Roll call vote – Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Adjournment
Motion by Markle, supported by Thomas, to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Jacqueline A. Terrill
Village Manager/Clerk
Dennis Irwin
Village President
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