The regular meeting of the Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of Calhoun was held Wednesday, May 3, 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
Angela Kline, Assistant Highway Engineer
Also Present: Tom Frank, Albion Township Supervisor
Eugene Hamaker, Marshall Township Supervisor
Jim Demarest, Emmett Township Supervisor
Bob Brownell, Marengo Township Supervisor
Peter Shrontz, Marengo Township Trustee
Ken Vogt, Sheridan Township Trustee
Clarence Millard, Newton Township Resident
Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township Resident
Kevin Markovich, City of Albion
Antonio Iannarelli, Calhoun County Visitor
Paul Beardslee, Attorney - General Council
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
Erin Cummings, 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 April 19, 2006 they stand approved as printed and distributed.

A presentation was given by Mr. Paul Beardslee, CCRC attorney regarding the Draft Agreement with the City of Albion and the Calhoun County Road Commission Albion Facility. Four draft agreements were reviewed, final agreements to come before the Board later this month.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

· Received the bid for the Large Animal Carcass Removal for State Roadways
· Received Draft Agreements with the City of Albion and Calhoun County Road Commission regarding the Albion Facility
· Received MDOT Contract No. 06-5142, requesting improvements on Pennfield Road from Storkan Drive easterly to approximately .25 miles east of Wanondoger Trail
· Received a memo from Mr. Henning regarding the 2005 ACT 51 report

NEW BUSINESS

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve the April 25, 2006 accounts payable for $410,646.51. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve the April 26, 2006 payroll for $131,800.27. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve the bid for the Large Animal Carcass Removal for State Roadways to Rod Masternak. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve Resolution 2006-03 regarding MDOT Contract No. 06-5142, Pennfield Road. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve the 2005 ACT 51 Report. Voice vote: Motion carried.

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. Randolph provided the Board with the following information:

· Continue to maintain patching on potholes
· Drainage and ditching work continues
· Guardrail crews are out working
· Traffic Regulators are out with the crews
· Pennfield Road project is being advertised
· Union City project is ready to go
· Soil Erosion inspections and driveway permits
· Reviewing proposals for environmental testing services
· Doing a lot of safety studies
· Crews are continuing to work on the tree list
· Touching up some gravel roads
· Road work list is finalized

Mr. Randolph stated that he was working with Mr. Henning on the finances. We have received our MTF check and it is down 4% from May last year. Mr. Randolph stated that we are working to get the cash up because of the July Bond payments that will be coming due.

Mr. Randolph stated that Mrs. Johnson has the roadwork list ready, but we will need to cut the list by 1%. He asked the Board for input on what roads they feel need to be cut.

Mr. Randolph stated that Mr. Henning completed his first Act 51 report. This report is audited and is completed according to the State guidelines. The State defines what are fringes and what can and cannot be charged. .

Mr. Randolph stated that a major concern is the Blue Cross and Blue Shield health benefit premiums. We received our premium rate information and it has been determined that because of our good experience rating, we have received a reduction of -3.12% in our rate premiums. Mr. Randolph stated that this shows that we work with our employees and give them a nice place to work and take care of them.

Mr. Randolph commented that we also received the OSHA required hearing test results. They showed a 0% change in shift from last years hearing test.

Mr. Randolph said that Mrs. Coats provided the Board with a memo regarding the Wellness Program, which will begin June 1, 2006. Mr. Randolph said that this is a nice benefit for our employees. It will help encourage them to take care of themselves.

Mrs. Coats stated that not only are we going to have an in-house Wellness Program, but also we are trying to get discounts for our employees at other fitness centers around the county.

Mr. Randolph stated that we have contract negotiations coming up and we would like to go into a closed session soon to discuss the contracts.

Mrs. Johnson stated that on April 27, 2006, it was “Bring Your Son’s or Daughter’s to Work Day”. We participate in this event every year and this year we had about 22 children that came to work with their parents. Mrs. Johnson extended thanks to the Employee Relations Committee and especially Mr. Matt Hall, for keeping the children entertained. The children wrote a thank you note to the Board, and said thank you for letting us participate in the day.

COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS

Commissioner Veramay stated that he went to the Southeast County Road Council Meeting last week. He commented that all the Counties that attended are having the same problems that we are having. One of the largest counties on the east side of the State has not replaced nineteen of its’ drivers because they don’t have the money. Commissioner Veramay said that the State doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to correct this problem and it isn’t going to get any better.

Commissioner Veramay said that Mr. Randolph asked the Board for input on cutting five miles of roadwork, but he would like our Supervisors to advise the Board which miles to cut. He stated that he doesn’t feel that the Commissioner’s have the knowledge to make this determination.

Commissioner Veramay stated that he thought it was time that this Board had a work session with our administrative staff, to have an understanding exactly how we are supposed to function. Commissioner Veramay said that he would like the staff to set up a meeting for all of us to do this, if no one has any objections. Commissioner Travis and Commissioner Monaweck acknowledged that they had no objections to the meeting.

Commissioner Monaweck commented that the guardrails on B Drive, between 12 Mile Road and 11 Mile Road are completed, and they look very nice.

Commissioner Monaweck asked Mr. Randolph what is Calhoun County Mix. Mr. Randolph stated that Calhoun County Mix is sand sheet with a small percentage of larger stone. This helps to increase the stability of the mix. There are no State specifications for this mix.

Commissioner Travis stated that CRAM has him on the same committee twice, once as a regular member of the committee and as an alternate member. Commissioner Travis stated that he called CRAM this morning to get it taken care of.

SUPERVISOR’S & PUBLIC OFFICIAL’S TIME

Mr. Brownell asked if 22 ½ Mile Road is on the roadwork list and when will the roadwork list be available to the townships. Mrs. Johnson told him that 22 ½ Mile Road is on the roadwork list. Mrs. Johnson commented that the roadwork list will be in the township newsletter, but a copy is available now if he would like one.

Mr. Hamaker stated that they are getting ready to have their roadwork meeting.

Mr. Demarest stated that he started on accident scenes in 1972 and he hasn’t seen a tractor destroyed as bad as the one he saw on Michigan Avenue and 11 Mile Road. They had a lot of debris and fuel on the road and he told Mr. Randolph that his staff responded quickly and did an excellent job. Mr. Demarest stated that he was frustrated with the DEQ because it took 4 calls over a period of about 4 hours before they got a response.

Mrs. Johnson stated that she wanted to thank Jim Russell who was at the scene from 3:30am until after 9:30pm, we appreciate all his work out there.

Mr. Demarest asked if the staff had given any consideration to the transit issue. Mr. Randolph stated he will look into it.

Commissioner Veramay asked if this was brought to the attention of the County Board. Mr. Demarest said that he did bring it to their attention. Commissioner Veramay said that it was the County’s responsibility for the health, welfare and safety of its’ citizens.

Mr. Frank asked if the County was still going to keep materials, such as slag, at the Albion garage. Mrs. Johnson said material will be there as needed, however it was best in Marshall, since we dispatch our crews from Marshall. The City will work with us to keep trucks, salt and any other items at the facility as needed.

CITIZEN’S TIME

Mr. Millard stated that they did a great job patching potholes.

Mr. Berezonsky stated that the school buses tear the road up. He thinks the School Board should set up routes so busses go down a road only once a day. Commissioner Travis said that the School Board doesn’t set up the routes. They have a bus garage and they set up the routes.

The next regular meeting of the Calhoun County Road Commission Board is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. There being no additional business before the Board, Chairman Travis adjourned the meeting at 10:10 a.m.