The regular meeting of the Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of Calhoun was held Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in their office located at 13300 Fifteen Mile Road, Marshall, Michigan.

Present: Commissioner Chester E. Travis, Chairperson

Commissioner David D. Veramay, Vice-Chairperson

Commissioner Charles E. Monaweck, Member

Dennis A. Randolph, Managing Director

Joanna I. Johnson, Assistant Managing Director

Carole S. Tabiadon, Deputy Managing Director – Clerk

Angela Kline, Assistant County Highway Engineer

Pixie Coats, Human Resources Manager

Also Present: Tom Frank, Albion Township Supervisor

John Nieterer, Leroy Township Supervisor

Robert Brownell, Marengo Township Supervisor

Eugene Hamaker, Marshall Township Supervisor

Pete Shrontz, Marengo Township Trustee

Joseph Bramble, Convis Township Resident

Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township Resident

Clarence Millard, Newton Township Resident

Steve Ball, Calhoun County Road Commission

David Fuller, Calhoun County Road Commission

Hershel Stacy, Calhoun County Road Commission

Jim Russell, Calhoun County Road Commission

Robert Volkmer, Calhoun County Road Commission

David Fisher, C.P.A., The Rehmann Group

Paul Beardslee, Attorney – General Counsel

Chairperson Travis called meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. He stated that there being no additions or corrections to the regular meeting minutes of July 6, 2005 they stand approved as printed and distributed.

COMMUNICATIONS

•  Letter from Marengo Township regarding Bike Route on B Drive North

OTHER BUSINESS

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve the July 8, 2005 accounts payable for $565,969.36. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve the July 6, 2005 payroll for $139,122.45. Voice vote: Motion carried.

PRESENTATION

David Fisher, C.P.A. from The Rehmann Group presented the 2004 Financial Audits to the Board.

PARKS

•  Received a Clean Opinion

•  The fund summary shows break-even for the year, which leaves the fund deficit at $65,579

•  There are talks ongoing with the County to reduce or eliminate the deficit

PUBLIC WORKS

•  Received a Clean Opinion and no fund deficits

•  This shows the Solid Waste summary and major activities of Debt Service Fund for various townships

ROAD COMMISSION

•  Received a Clean Opinion and no fund deficits

•  It is presented in the GASB-34 reporting format with a Management Discussion and Analysis letter

•  Includes Housing Rehabilitation, Planning Department and Remonumentation with the Road Commission

•  There was an excess of expenses over revenue to reduce the fund balance by $427,239

•  There were no debt increases in 2004

•  The Management letter addresses the OTT land contract; inter-fund loans; journal entries and budgeting amendments.

Mr. Fisher noted that he had worked with Carole Tabiadon for 11 years and it has been a pleasure. This agency with its various activities presents many challenges and she has been up to the task.

Mr. Randolph provided the Board with the following information:

•  He thanked David Fisher for his presentation and stated Mr. Fisher will provide the training for the new Finance Director.

•  He is talking with the County regarding a countywide G.I.S. system.

•  The crews are working on potholes, shoulders, trees, vehicle maintenance and mowing.

•  We have received a Bio-Diesel Grant.

•  The Wattles Road overlay has been completed. He finally received approval to begin the Bike Lane project.

•  The Custer Bridge design is being done by Western Michigan University students.

•  They are getting ready to pave H Drive South.

•  We will be paving the car pool lot for MDOT at I-69 and Old 27 South.

•  He has been working on several Economic Development projects.

•  The signal project with Battle Creek City on Beckley from Riverside Drive to 6 ½ Mile Road is continuing. This is BCATS funding.

•  There is a public hearing notice for the Casino Impact Environmental Study on August 24 th . This is one of the final steps before going to Washington D.C. for approval.

•  MIOSHA Inspection Report was very positive; there were no major safety issues or concerns.

•  He received an Attorney-General Opinion regarding truck traffic on county roads that Paul Beardslee, Attorney – General Counsel has been working on.

•  The paving costs are good so far this year.

•  This is the last Board meeting for Carole Tabiadon, who is retiring.

Commissioner Veramay asked if we have the authority to post weight limits on roads, similar to how we post bridges. He stated that a lot of roads were not built to take the type and weight of the traffic that is on them today. Paul Beardslee, Attorney – General Counsel said he would look into it for the Board.

Commissioner Monaweck said that A Drive North between 12 Mile Road and 15 Mile Road needs work. Mr. Randolph said it would receive crack sealing and he would have it seal coated in the next couple of years.

Tom Frank, Albion Township Supervisor, asked how the land sale proceeds were going to be used. Mr. Randolph indicated that he needs those funds just to pay bills. Mr. Frank asked if the Sealcoating projects would start in August. Mr. Randolph responded they would. He wished Mrs. Tabiadon well on her retirement.

Eugene Hamaker, Marshall Township Supervisor, said he wanted to thank the Road Commission for their quick assistance with downed trees after a recent storm.

Robert Brownell, Marengo Township Supervisor, said he wanted to thank Commissioner Monaweck for attending their Township Board meeting. He invited the other commissioners to do the same.

Joseph Bramble, Convis Township resident, said he wanted to thank Mrs. Tabiadon for all her years of work at the Road Commission. He stated that Commissioner Monaweck attended the Convis Township Board meeting, too, and he appreciated it. He asked if the S Drive North engineering was done. Mr. Randolph replied that the culvert was in, but there was more to do.

Clarence Millard, Newton Township resident, said that 6 ½ Mile Road between D Drive South and Boyd Drive was holding up very well with the crushed concrete gravel. He stated that most gravel roads are in good shape.

Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township resident, said the bicycle traffic on the designated bike route has really increased five or six times, since the signs went up.

Chairperson Travis recessed the regular meeting at 10:09 am.

Chairperson Travis reconvened the meeting at 11:30 am for the Public Bond Sale. There was a conference call with William Danhoff, Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone in Lansing; Steve Frank, Municipal Advisory Council of Michigan in Detroit; and Carole Tabiadon on speakerphone.

Mr. Danhoff instructed Mrs. Tabiadon to open the Chemical Bank Shoreline bid received at the Road Commission, read it aloud and have it faxed to both other parties. This was done. Steve Frank read the Citizen's Bank and Co-America Bank bids that were received by the Municipal Advisory Council of Michigan. Chemical Bank Shoreline submitted the winning bid.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve Resolution Authorizing Issuance and Sale of Michigan Transportation Fund Notes, Series 2005 to Chemical Bank Shoreline. Roll call vote: Motion carried unanimous.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. There being no additional business before the Board, Chairperson Travis adjourned the meeting at 11:38 a.m.