Village of Clinton

November 2, 2009

 

The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.

 

Members present were President Mowery, Carl Habrick, Dianne Davis, Joe Orban (7:10 PM), Larry Sines and Laurence Peters (7:20 PM).  Todd Morgan was absent.

 

Motion was made by Sines and seconded by Davis to approve the October 5, 2009 and October 19, 2009 Council minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Motion was made by Habrick and seconded by Sines to approve the checks written for the period ending October 31, 2009.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Water and sewer sales are down 8.87 percent to the 10 year average and down 7.00 percent from 2008 sales. Some of the decrease is weather related and some from the poor economy.

 

Joe Orban joined the meeting at 7:10 pm.

 

The Village continues to maintain adequate fund reserves for operations and projected capital improvements. 

 

Council was presented with the preliminary 2010-11 budget.  The decreased taxes, state shared revenues, and utility sales are creating a problem with balancing the budget.  The situation was complicated by the announced closing of the Pilkington plant. The Village has several months to work through the budget details before it is adopted April 5, 2010.

 

Laurence Peters joined the meeting at 7:20 pm.

 

Council discussed the closing of the Pilkington plant in the summer of 2010.

 

The closure of the Pilkington Plant will pose some significant financial problems for the Village.  Even though the Tate Park Trust was going to pay for some of the extra park improvements, Council felt it would be better to delay some of the work until the full impact of the Pilkington Plant closing was determined.  Council felt it was better to be financially conservative at this point because the soccer field paved path and softball netting could be added in the near future.

 

Motion was made by Habrick and seconded by Orban to delay the softball netting, soccer paved path, and the installation of three benches and two picnic table around the play ground area.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

The updates to the Master Land Use Plan were discussed.  The Planning Commission will likely hold a hearing on the Plan in December.

 

Council was updated on the Woolen Mill case.

 

The Council was updated on the Tecumseh Road CMAQ Grant application.

 

The Tecumseh Road construction project details were presented.  The engineers will make a formal presentation to Council.

 

The Village is down to its last few parking tickets from about 15 years ago.  Those tickets charge $5.00 and if not paid in 10 days increase to $10.00.  The new tickets will charge $10.00 and if not paid in 14 days will increase to $20.00.

 

Motion was made by Sines and seconded by Orban to authorize the execution of the Biosolids Management Services Agreement with Synagro Central LLC.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Council discussed the problem with the fire department warning sirens not shutting down one night last week.  The Department is working with Adrian Communications to determine the problem and what repairs are needed.

 

Motion was made by Orban and seconded by Davis to authorize the execution of the Construction Board of Appeals Agreements with Clinton Township and Village of Britton.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Motion was made by Peters and seconded by Habrick to receive and file the council information packet.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Motion was made by Habrick and seconded by Orban to authorize the Village Manager, DPW Superintendent, Utility Billing Clerk, and the Village Clerk to execute Village checks.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

The Village Manager updated Council on the State adding a property to the Clinton Downtown Historical District.  President Mowery asked for a motion to exclude the property from the District.  It failed do to lack of a motion.

 

The following comments were from Council.  Dianne Davis asked when Tate Park will be closed for the season, and Carl Habrick asked if we are lighting the downtown trees for Christmas.

 

Motion was made by Habrick and seconded by Davis to adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:48 pm.

 

 

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Toni Gibson, Village Clerk                                                                                            Date