Minutes:
UNAPPROVED COUNCIL MINUTES
VILLAGE OF FAIRGROVE
FEBRUARY 2, 2009
Present: Maguire, Eurich, Hoag, Farnum, Hall, Adams
Absent: Prusi
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Maguire.
Motion Eurich second Farnum to accept the January 19, 2009 regular meeting minutes as printed. Carried.
Audience member Steve Young asked if the council had inquired into the economic stimulus package President Obama was presenting and if there could be any benefit to the village. The council has a person to contact for information.
Fire Chief Young reported his department had 4 assists for January.
MotionHall second Hoag to approve Nathan Maguire as probationary firefighter pending an acceptable physical, positive MVR and background check. Carried.
Police Chief Sherrod presented his department’s activity report for January. Chief Sherrod also informed the council that Village President Maguire administered a police clerk oath of office to Village Clerk Bev Parsell to act as a civilian liaison so as to officially assist the department with office duties. This is a non-compensatory position.
Correspondence was received from Tuscola County Planning Commission requesting copies of the village’s zoning ordinance and master plan. The clerk was instructed to provide those documents.
Adams again reminded the council that they must address illegal storm sewer hookups into the sanitary sewer system. The clerk was instructed to obtain a detailed written opinion from the village attorney as to how to proceed and how any fines for non-compliance would be handled.
The first reading of the 2009-10 Budget began at 8:05 and ended at 8:25.
Motion Adams second Eurich to appoint Robert Ahrens to the Planning Commission. Carried.
Hoag suggested that the council may want to consider tax breaks to attract new businesses into the community.
The president presented an updated list of village committee members. The clerk informed him that the president could not choose a president pro-tempore but that the position must be chosen by council vote. If both the village president and the current president pro-tempore can not attend a meeting the trustee with the most seniority would conduct that council meeting.
In the clerk’s report, the clerk asked the council to consider having a plan in place if the current sweeper was not usable for leaf pickup, cleaning catch basins or sweeping streets so that residents’ questions could be answered. The village CPA provided a general figure of what is considered a healthy General Fund fund balance. The range is anywhere from three months to one year of operating costs in the General Fund. This would be anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000 with the higher figure being preferred. The villages current fund balance in the General Fund is $189,000. If the council did choose to purchase a used sweeper and leaf vacuum system it would bring that figure down to around $100,000, still within the acceptable range. The clerk sought clarification on whether all village staff is required to pay the current $100 rental fee for use of the meeting room. The council stated that they were. The council also stated that village staff could not use the fire hall and kitchen for personal use. With spring approaching the clerk also wanted policy on who was responsible for dealing with residents who have water in their basement. The council stated it was the village president’s responsibility.
Motion Adams second Eurich to pay bills of approximately $8,275.16. Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Bev Parsell, Clerk | 