The regular meeting of the Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of Calhoun was held Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in their office located at 13300 Fifteen Mile Road, Marshall, Michigan.

Present: Commissioner Chester E. Travis, Chairman

Commissioner David D. Veramay, Vice-Chairman

Commissioner Charles E. Monaweck, Member

Joanna Johnson, Assistant Managing Director

Kevin Henning, Finance Director

Pixie Coats, Human Resource Director

Also Present: Tom Frank, Albion Township Supervisor

Eugene Hamaker, Marshall Township Supervisor

John Neterer, Leroy Township Supervisor

Richard Harvey, Bedford Township Resident

Joe Bramble, Convis Township Resident

Bob Brownell, Marengo Township Supervisor

Donna Patrick, Marengo Township Resident

Clarence Millard, Newton Township Resident

Maurice Shaffer, Newton Township Resident

Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township Resident

Peter Shrontz, Marengo Township Resident

Randy Fisher, Sheridan Township Resident

Bill Pipekow, Lee Township Resident

Mariann Denecen, Silver Leaf Faire Productions

Walt Gamble, Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire Productions

Jim Russell, Calhoun County Road Commission

Steve Ball, Calhoun County Road Commission

Robert Volkmer, Calhoun County Road Commission

Hershel Stacy, Calhoun County Road Commission

Dave Fuller, Calhoun County Road Commission

Paul Adams, Calhoun County Road Commission

Annette Chapman, Calhoun County Road Commission

Chairman Chester Travis called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. There being no additions or corrections to the regular meeting minutes of May 17, 2006 they stand approved as printed and distributed.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

•  Received a memo from Joanna Johnson, Assistant Managing Director asking to extend the Fuel Bid for two years

•  Received a memo from Justian Crane of Civil Engineers, Inc. asking for support from the Calhoun County Road Commission for the proposed extension to the Page, Big Creek & Sleeper Drain west of the Bingham Drain

•  Received Resolution 5/11/06/15 from Bedford Township requesting CCRC to include the Charter Township of Bedford in the Road Improvement Program

•  Received the 2007 BCATS Local Funding Resolution

•  Received the form for the limited reimbursement of engineering costs during the period of July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006

•  Received a memo from Annette Chapman, Parks Director, on behalf of Mr. Craig Parrish requesting letter of support for Old US27 Historic Route

NEW BUSINESS

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve the May 24, 2006 accounts payable for $234,026.96 . Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to a pprove the May 24, 2006 payroll for $130,230.54. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve the Fuel Bid extension for two years. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve Mr. Dennis Randolph, Managing Director, to sign the petition in support of the proposed extension to the Page, Big Creek & Sleeper Drain west of the Bingham Drain. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve Resolution 05/11/06/15 from Bedford Township requesting CCRC to include the Charter Township of Bedford in the Road Improvement Program. Commissioner Veramay asked what this would do to our budget. Mr. Randolph stated that we knew Bedford was going to be coming in so we allowed for it. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve the 2007 BCATS Local Funding Resolution. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve the reimbursement for engineering costs. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve signing the letter of support for Old US27 Historic Route. Voice vote: Motion carried.

MANAGING DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Mr. Randolph provided the Board with the following information:

The engineering cost addressed on the agenda is the regular reimbursement any Road Commission can receive if they keep a registered engineer on staff. We receive an additional $10,000.00 a year over the Act 51 allocations.

Mr. Randolph said that he wanted the Board to know that the approval for signage of the petition for a drainage improvement was in Lee Township between 22 ½ Mile Road and 23 ½ Mile Road.

Mr. Randolph stated that we were trying to build up our cash for the bond payments in July. In August or September we will have some big emulsion bills, depending upon when our chip and seal projects are completed.

Mr. Randolph stated that he didn't see that there would be any change in the revenue for next year. Michigan's gas tax is $.19 a gallon and that is what goes into the pot for disbursement. Out of that $.19, they have $.06 going to the highway department, $.06 going to all the Road Commission's, $.01 going to economic development and the balance goes to cities and villages.

Mr. Randolph said that the paving operations have started. The crew is out on 30 Mile Road and doing a nice job.

Mr. Randolph stated that the Road Commission will have a lot of Federal Aid projects for next year and will need over $400,000 in match money.

Mr. Randolph discussed the traffic, signals and other questions that were asked during the meeting he attended for the new Walmart Store in Pennfield Township.

•  Continue to have crews out patching potholes
•  The mowing contractor has started mowing
•  Working on signs
•  Brining on gravel roads
•  Drainage and ditching work continues
•  Traffic regulators are out with the crews

COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS

Commissioner Veramay stated that he had talked to Mrs. Johnson this morning regarding the cards that are sent out to citizens that call in service requests. He had asked her if it was possible to add a comment at the bottom of the card that says "If you do not receive action on a complaint within 10 days, call us back". If the rest of the Board doesn't have any objections then I would like to propose that we do that. Commissioner Veramay said that it is very aggravating to the people that call here a second or third time and get no response. Usually when people call, they really have a problem. Not under any condition should the response time be over thirty days. Commissioner Veramay said that he is making a suggestion to the Board to modify our thank you cards.

Mrs. Johnson stated that the service request system has been in place for many years. Any time a service request is put into the system it is routed to the Supervisor. The Supervisor checks the priority list and distributes the crews accordingly. If we receive three service requests from the same person in that area, it is then routed to our Superintendent who works with our crews to try to respond as quickly as possible. Mrs. Johnson stated that we absolutely do not want to get to the third call. We always want to respond sooner. If you look at the crews and the work that needs to be done on a daily basis, we are trying to prioritize everything, including pothole service requests.

Mrs. Johnson asked Commissioner Veramay if the following comment is what he wants added to the thank you cards. "Should you not receive a response or corrective action within ten days, please contact our office again". Commissioner Veramay confirmed that it was correct.

Commissioner Monaweck stated that Commissioner Veramay had asked for information regarding the pick up of dead carcasses in the road. Commissioner Monaweck said that he received information that Menominee County is no longer going to pick up carcass but they are going to send a crew out to push it to the side of the road. Commissioner Monaweck stated that Calhoun County is the third highest deer kill county in the state. He hopes that we don't go to that type of system because he is strictly opposed to it.

Mr. Randolph stated that he would not consider that type of system and he agrees with Commissioner Monaweck. Mr. Randolph said that just to kick the dead carcass into the ditch is a poor invitation to anyone who comes into Calhoun County.

Mr. Randolph stated that he has asked the Solid Waste Committee for funding to help with the cost of deer pick up and they have refused to do so. The County is planning on going to the Solid Waste Board and having them pay for the Drain Commissioner's share of the educational cost. The County wants to go to the Solid Waste Board, so that they don't have to pay for their educational cost associated with the clean water initiative.

Commissioner Veramay stated that this was the purpose of the Solid Waste fees that were generated under contract. It was for all those things that we pick up along side of the road. Commissioner Veramay stated that he would like the Road Commission to put a formal letter together and ask them to share in the cost.

Mr. Randolph stated that he would put something together and bring it to the Board.

Mrs. Johnson noted that the Board would be receiving an informational memo on the level of cost that is spent by the Road Commission in the deer removal process. They will also be receiving some general information from other Road Commission's.

Commissioner Monaweck inquired about the 2006 prices from Asphalt Material Inc. He asked if this price increase was due to the market. Mr. Randolph responded yes.

SUPERVISOR'S & PUBLIC OFFICIAL'S TIME

Mr. Brownell stated that there were a few potholes on 22 ½ Mile Road between Rice Creek and H Drive and also on 20 Mile Road between Michigan Ave and B Drive North.

Mr. Hamaker stated that he was very happy with the programs they were working on. Commissioner Monaweck reported to Mr. Hamaker that he understands his need for a light by the Fire Department. He was at the corner when the fire trucks were heading to a fire by the foundry on 15 Mile Road and he agrees that traffic does not stop for the fire trucks. It is a very dangerous corner.

Mr. Frank asked when the gravel program would start up. Mr. Randolph said that Mr. Adams was in charge of that crew. Mr. Frank said that 30 Mile Road looks great.

Mr. Neterer asked if we were going to re-grind the whole road or just the edges on Steamburg Drive. Mr. Randolph said it would be just the edges. Mr. Neterer stated he had a few potholes on 3 ½ Mile Road and 4 ½ Mile Road between B Drive and H Drive. Mr. Neterer asked if we were going to work on the guardrails on K Drive South. Mr. Fuller replied that the material was ordered two weeks ago but we haven't received it yet.

Mr. Bramble said they had a few potholes. Mr. Bramble stated that he knows what Dennis is talking about when it comes to the money in the Solid Waste fund. He said that he thought they had about $500,000 in that fund and they are not using it the way they should use it. It's public money and they won't let it go. Mr. Bramble commented that the only time he has seen them release money is on a grant basis, so why don't we write a grant.

CITIZEN'S TIME

Mr. Millard stated that on B Drive North and B Drive South there are dips in the road that hide the cars and he thought the crest of the hills should be cut down. You can't cross the road safely. Mr. Millard said that he has turned in potholes before and he is tired of looking at the same potholes. Mr. Randolph said that we have a system in place that is working, but to keep in mind, we do have 30 days in which to fix the pothole, even though we don't want to take that long.

Mr. Fisher stated that he was running for the 7 th District. Mr. Fisher stated that the residents on Michigan Avenue are not happy because when the snow is plowed it dumps the gravel from the shoulder of the road into resident's yards.

Commissioner Veramay commented that Mr. Fisher's grandfather, Gordon Martin, was a County Commissioner at one time.

Mrs. Donna Patrick stated that she was from Sealcoat Plus, and wanted to know what could be done about the speed in that area. Mr. Randolph said right now we can't do anything because the speed is regulated by the State Police. Mr. Randolph asked her to write a letter in November requesting a speed study, so that when the laws change we can take a look at it. She also inquired on repairs for Centennial. Commissioner Travis responded it is on this years road list.

Mr. Shaffer asked if they would be improving the traffic flow on M-66 by Wal-Mart. Mr. Randolph said yes.

Mr. Berezonsky said he wanted to thank Mr. Adams for the patching job that was done on B Drive North. Mr. Berezonsky asked why we waved the permit fee on the road that was closed at the fair grounds. Mr. Randolph said that it was a decision he made.

Commissioner Travis asked to recess at 10:28 a.m., so that the Board can go into closed session to discuss union contracts after the Parks Trustees meeting.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to go into closed session at 11:18 a.m. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Commissioner Travis called the regular meeting to order again at 12:48 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Calhoun County Road Commission Board is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. There being no additional business before the Board, Chairman Travis adjourned the meeting at 12:49p.m.