CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

October 15, 2007

 

The Cadillac City Council met in a regular meeting on Monday, October 15, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, 200 N. Lake Street , Cadillac , Michigan .

 

COUNCIL PRESENT:   Baas, Dean, Dyer, Stevens, Mayor Blanchard

 

COUNCIL ABSENT:   None

 

Staff Present:     Stalker, Walker, McCurdy, Benson

 

Mayor Blanchard called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.   

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

2007.167 Consent Agenda approved

Motion was made by Baas and supported by Dyer to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes from the regular City Council meeting and the work session held October 1, 2007.

Motion unanimously approved.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

At 7:03 p.m., Mayor Blanchard opened a public hearing to consider the adoption of Ordinance No. 2007-10 which would amend the Cadillac City Code by adding a new Section 11.147 to Title XI, Chapter 4, to permit the exchange of real estate for the purpose of constructing a boardwalk for the Clam River Greenway Project. City Manager Stalker explained that by exchanging two parcels owned by the city for one parcel owned by property owners Dale and Nicole Whaley of 215 Wright Street, it would allow the city to reduce the length of boardwalk needed over a wetlands area and save on overall project costs. There was no public comment. The public hearing closed at 7:05 p.m.

 

2007.168 Ordinance No. 2007-10 adopted, exchange of land

Motion was made by Dyer and supported by Dean to adopt Ordinance No. 2007-10 to exchange real estate for the purpose of constructing a boardwalk for the Clam River Greenway.

Motion unanimously approved.

 

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

 

2007.169 Off-premise signs for Zion Lutheran Church approved

Motion was made by Dyer and supported by Baas to approve the placement of two temporary 32” x 48” off-premise sandwich board signs at the corners of Mitchell Street/Pearl Street and Pearl Street/Sunnyside Drive as requested by Zion Lutheran Church, subject to the following conditions: 1) Pursuant to location, signs shall not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian movement nor interfere with the clear vision safety requirements of such movements. 2) Signs shall be properly secured to prevent movement by winds. 3) Signs placed within the right-of-way of a state trunkline located in the City of Cadillac shall comply with the permitting requirements and standards of the Michigan Department of Transportation, as applicable. 4) The period of display shall be limited to 12 noon of October 18, 2007 to 5:00 p.m. on October 20, 2007.

Motion unanimously approved.

 

REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

 

2007.170 Public Hearing set for Ordinance No. 2007-11, alley vacation

Motion was made by Baas and supported by Dyer to set a public hearing for November 19, 2007, to consider for adoption, Ordinance No. 2007-11, which would vacate that portion of the undeveloped public alley bounded by lots 9 through 40 in Block 4 in the plat of the Highway Park Addition.

Motion unanimously approved.

 

MINUTES OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

 

The minutes of the Wexford County Airport Authority from the meeting held September 18, 2007 and the minutes of the Downtown Development Authority from the meeting held August 16, 2007 were presented for information only.

 

PUBLIC APPEARANCES

 

Clare Caldwell, representing the Cadillac Industrial Fund, presented a letter of support for the Post Office Addition and Renovation Project.

 

Lake City resident Mark Pressell, of the Citizens for Historic Cadillac said that he is opposed to the post office renovation but said that he will work hard to keep the post office in the city.

 

Terry Beck, 5850 Seeley Road, passed out a packet to council members and spoke about his FOIA requests.

 

GOOD OF THE ORDER

 

During the October 1 city council meeting, township resident Terry Beck noted that there had not been a recent election for Mayor Pro-Tem. In an effort to address the issue, City Attorney Dave McCurdy stated that council could either vote for a Mayor Pro-Tem, whose term would run through December 31, 2007, or council could wait until the first meeting after the November election to elect a Mayor Pro-Tem, whose term would not begin until January 1, 2008. If the election was not held, the city would remain without a Mayor Pro-Tem until January 1, 2008. Discussion followed. Council member Stevens said that a vote at this time would further violate the charter. Notes of comments made are on file in the city clerk’s office.

 

2007.171 Vote for Mayor Pro-Tem approved

Motion was made by Dean and supported by Dyer to elect by paper ballot a Mayor Pro-Tem to serve until December 31, 2007.

Ayes:   Baas, Dyer, Dean, Mayor Blanchard

Nays:   Stevens

Motion carried.

 

Paper ballots were passed out to the mayor and each council member. The tally was:

Baas – 4 votes

Dean – 1 vote

Council member Gordon Baas was elected Mayor Pro-Tem for a term to end December 31, 2007. The paper ballots will become a part of the permanent record.

 

City Manager Stalker spoke briefly about the city’s health care insurance. He said that city staff will take a look at other programs in the spring, if needed.

 

When asked whether the post office was going to have a public hearing or a presentation on the proposed renovation, City Manager Stalker said post office representatives have said been asked to meet with the public and have said yes.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

As there was no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Ronald J. Blanchard, Mayor         Christine L. Benson, Deputy Clerk

Janice E. Nelson, City Clerk