AGENDA FOR DIMONDALE VILLAGE COUNCIL
                                                        VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
May 12, 2008          7:30 p.m.

AGENDA
I.       Call to order
II.      Pledge of Allegiance
III.    Roll call
IV.    Approval of Agenda
V.     Approval of minutes of April 14, 2008 regular meeting
VI.    Treasurer’s Report
VII.   Submission and approval of bills
VIII. Open to the Public
IX.    Recommendations/Reports from Village Officers and Council Committees
        A.  Village President
              1.  S. Tribbett (concerns regarding memorial and operations)                 
        B.  Villager Manager
              1.  Community Pride Day - May 17th
              2.  Washington Street Overlook
        C.  Recreation Task Force/Public Works Committee
             1.  Tree removal on island
            
X.    Unfinished Business
        A.  None presented

XI.    New Business
         A.  Ordinance 2008-6, An Ordinance to Approve the Editing and Inclusion of Certain Ordinances
         B.  Approval of Farmers’ Market activities
         C.  Engineers recommendation for bid award (Elm/Hamilton reconstruction)

XII.   Open to the Public
XIII.  Announcements, communications, meeting schedule
XIV.  Adjournment                                               

  


                         *************************PROPOSED*****************************
   MINUTES OF DIMONDALE VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
April 14, 2008
7:30 p.m.  Meeting called to order by President Chappell
Roll Call    Present:  Ammarman, Chappell, Everson, Reznick, Rood, Self
Absent:  Macak
Also Present:  Denise Parisian, Village Manager; Jim Albertson, Street Administrator; Betsy Kelly, Recording Secretary.
President Chappell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Parisian requested that the agenda be amended to include the following: discussion of the crossing guard at the corner of Bridge and Washington Streets under Old Business and a request to burn brush on the island under New Business.  Motion by Reznick, second Self, to approve the April 14, 2008 agenda as amended.  Motion carried.
Minutes
Motion by Reznick, second Everson, to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2008 regular meeting as written.  Motion carried.
Treasurer's Report
The treasurer's report was filed with no corrections. 
Bills
The bills were reviewed.  Motion by Reznick, second Rood, to approve payment of $35,431.61 in the General Fund; $6,051.10 in the Major Street Fund and $1,775.84 in the Local Street Fund for April 14th bills and transfers.  Motion carried.
Open to the Public
-Scott Tribbett, 418 W. Jefferson St., spoke regarding the following:  a memorial to honor Bev Smith, displeasure with the sewer rate increase and disruption caused by the street sweeper.
-Brian Adler 561 Creyts Rd., spoke regarding the joint meeting of all the Village boards scheduled for July 18, 2008.
Recommendations/Reports from Council Committees and Village Officers
1.  Chappell reported that the Dimondale First Presbyterian Church has been established as a Red Cross  shelter for emergency and training purposes.
2.  Chappell presented a proposal to hold a Farmers’ Market in the municipal parking lot during the summer on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m.  Parisian stated that a formal resolution of approval will be ready for the May meeting if the members support the proposal.  Motion by Self, second Ammarman, to proceed with the Farmers’ Market.  Motion carried.
3.  Parisian noted that Community Pride day will be May 17th and that the Village has been “recommended” for the River Clean Up grant award.  She explained that the mill race cleanup is still pending based on funding and weather conditions.
4.  Parisian presented a rough itinerary for the June 29th Day in the Park and suggested that the $200.00 Chili Cook-Off donation be used to fund a portion of the activities if needed.  Motion by Self, second Reznick, to proceed with the Day in the Park planning and authorize use of the $200.00 donation for the event.  Motion carried.
5.   Parisian provided an update on the Elm/Hamilton road project noting that all easements have been secured and written confirmation is expected from the State to allow the transfer of Act 51 monies between  street funds.  Parisian invited input on this tentative schedule:  the bidding process by invitation with a May 6th opening at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers and a recommendation ready for the May 12th Council meeting followed by a neighborhood information meeting in June.  The Board members concurred with the plan as presented. 
6.  Albertson reported on the completion of the walnut tree removals.  Parisian noted the positive feedback from the community on this project.
Unfinished Business
1.  Parisian reported that the Attorney has reviewed the draft cell tower contract and will have a written opinion for the next meeting, however no update was available from MetroPCS this month regarding the status of the proposal. 
2.  Parisian presented an opinion from the Eaton County Prosecutor, forwarded to the Village Office by Linda Keefe, stating that the responsibility for funding local crossing guards is the responsibility of local law enforcement when deemed necessary.  Parisian expressed concern over the potential financial impact upon the Sheriff Department’s budget if this were applied to all schools in Eaton County.  Discussion followed regarding the severity of the situation; the lack of concern expressed by parents; the school district’s decision to remove the crossing guard and the next step to be taken.  The Council members directed Parisian to make this new information available to Mr. Cooper along with a letter stating the actions already taken by the Village to improve the safety of the intersection.
New Business
1.  Parisian presented a request to allow the burning of brush on the island.  She explained that volunteers from the American Legion have accumulated numerous piles of debris during the bi-monthly cleanups and that in addition to the practical difficulty of getting equipment over to the island for chipping the material, the condition of this material makes feeding it into the machine extremely labor intensive.  Albertson explained that the Fire Chief supports the action as a community improvement.  Reznick expressed concern over the number of trees marked for removal and suggested a less aggressive approach until a plan for the island has been developed.  Everson cautioned against burning from a smoke nuisance perspective.  Discussion followed regarding notification to residents through the newsletter; adequate Village supervision of the project; and waiting until later in the summer when it might be possible to get equipment over to the island.  Motion by Reznick, second Ammarman, to conduct a burning on the island for the purpose of clearing the brush piles in a cost effective, timely manner and to notify the community in advance through the village newsletter of this plan.  Motion carried with Everson opposed. 
Open to the Public
No comments were received.
Announcements, Communications, Meeting Schedule
1.  Parisian presented the following: recent articles on the Village in the Holt Community News, thank you notes for volunteers, the Code Enforcement Report, the Manager’s Report and a letter from the Holt Public Schools Transportation Department commending the DPW on snow removal this season.
2.  Meetings were scheduled as follows: Public Works Committee, April 16th at 6:00 p.m. on the island; Recreation Task Force, May 7th at 6:00 p.m.; and Management Committee, May 22nd at 6:00 p.m.

Motion by Reznick, second Self, to adjourn.  Motion carried at 9:05 p.m.



  ****************************PROPOSED****************************
 
RECREATION TASK FORCE
Minutes    February 26, 2007        6:00 p.m.
Present: Reznick, Chappell
Also Present: Parisian, Haynes, Markucki, Zimmerman, Abdo, Barstow-Boettcher, Gnass

1.  Parisian reported on the following items:
    - The First Presbyterian Church Chili Cook-Off was very successful with approximately 200 people in attendance.  Each of the four groups sharing the proceeds, including the Recreation Task Force, will receive about $200.
    - The Farmers Market committee has been formed and plans to meet in March to begin discussions.
    - Plans for a Walking Club are taking form with a few residents willing to work on this activity.
    - She (Parisian) has sent property survey information to a biologist at Ducks Unlimited and discussion has begun regarding possible assistance in habitat identification and riverbank plantings.
2.  Parisian initiated discussion regarding Village park donations made to Eaton County Friends of the Park.  Chappell reported that about $500 has been collected through this group and suggested that the Village submit a “grant” request.  Discussion followed regarding a project for this purpose and the group agreed to delay a formal request until the status of the submitted river clean-up grant request is known.  The members discussed the need for a tax-deductible vehicle for future donations with no clear idea of how to accomplish this.
3.  Parisian distributed copies of the current completed chapters of the draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan for the members’ review.  She explained that, upon review of the Guidelines, she feels the Action Program, Goals and Objectives and Planning chapters need introductory narratives.  After considerable discussion the following assignments were accepted:
    - Parisian will write the Planning Chapter including the community characteristics that influenced the planning process as they relate to the goals and objectives.
    - Gnass will write an introduction to the Goals and Objectives Chapter including some basic demographics.
    - Short introductions to each of the goals in the Action Program will be written as follows:  Markucki (maximizing the river and protecting natural resources); Abdo (healthy living habits and sense of community); Reznick (support mechanisms for parks)
Parisian will provide the members with directions from the Guidelines.
4.  Reznick reported on the Planning Commission’s interest in hosting an organization-wide picnic the evening of July 15th, including all of the various board and committee members and their families.  He explained that this is intended to be a get-to-know-each-other “mixer” and the PC is looking for help in organizing what is intended to be an informal, dish to pass affair.  Zimmerman offered to assist with the planning.   
5.  Discussion followed on the Task Force’s interest in proceeding with one of the Rec Plan’s goals to host a “Day in the Park” for the community.  The members agree to proceed with planning this activity in conjunction with the community church service already scheduled for June 29th.  Gnass offered to coordinate the event with Parisian’s assistance.  Suggested activities include: a bicycle clinic, a dog washing station, contests, face painting, free hot dogs, crafts, a canoe race, a kids running race and family games.  Gnass will contact area business and civic groups regarding participation.
    
The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday April 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the Village Office.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m
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