President Irwin called the special meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on May 6, 2025, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Webb, Irwin, Haley M., Haley G. and Watts.
Agenda
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to approve the agenda as presented.
Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Downtown Beautification Project Construction Update and Construction Consultant
President Irwin invited Attorney Daniel Hatch, of Butzel Long’s Grand Rapids office, to speak. Mr. Hatch reported that the Village of Marcellus had secured a commitment from Wightman & Associates, Inc. and Balkema Excavating for a response by May 1, 2025. As a result, a meeting took place at the Village Hall on April 30, 2025, where representatives from the Village of Marcellus (President Irwin, President Pro Tempore Engstrom and Village Manager/Clerk Jacqueline Terrill), Wightman & Associates, Inc. and Balkema Excavating met to discuss and pinpoint issues concerning the Downtown Beautification Project.
Mr. Hatch explained that the Village would need to engage a forensic engineer and architect to develop a comprehensive list of the project’s issues, including their identification and quantification. He recommended the Council consider two expert firms that had submitted proposals and requested the hiring of Higgins & Associates, Inc., Forensic Engineers and Architects, of Irving, Texas. He noted that their proposal included hourly rates ranging from $150 to $300, with an estimated cost of $20,000. This would cover the review of contract documents with Wightman & Associates, Inc., and Balkema Excavating, a site inspection with a focus on ADA compliance and coordination with MDOT to address its project concerns.
Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, to hire Higgins & Associates, Inc., as a consultant to the Village for addressing Village concerns with design, workmanship and ADA compliance issues with the Main Street Beautification Project. Roll call vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Haley M., Watts, Irwin, Webb, Markle and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Public Comment
During the public comment period, questions were raised and comments were made by Trustee Watts, Trustee Haley M., Erica Watts and Anthony Raucho concerning:
• The design of two business entrances with two steps.
• The anticipated timeline for the completion of the report.
• The funding source for legal and expert analysis.
• The possibility of Village taxpayers being reimbursed for these costs.
Adjournment
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley M., to adjourn at 7:28 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Jacqueline A. Terrill
Village Manager/Clerk
Dennis Irwin
Village President
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