The regular meeting of the Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of Calhoun was held Wednesday, July 6, 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

Joseph Bramble, Convis Township Resident

Damon Powell, Emmett Township Resident

Mark Ritchie, Leroy Township Resident

Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township Resident

Paul Adams, Calhoun County Road Commission

David Fuller, Calhoun County Road Commission

Jim Russell, Calhoun County Road Commission

Robert Volkmer, Calhoun County Road Commission

Douglas Callander, Kreis, Enderle, Callander & Hudgins, P.C.

Chairperson Travis called meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. He stated that there being no additions or corrections to the regular meeting minutes of June 15, 2005 they stand approved as printed and distributed.

NEW BUSINESS

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to designate Joanna I Johnson, Assistant Managing Director, as Board Clerk effective August 1, 2005. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to designate Pixie Coats, Human Resources Director, as Deputy Board Clerk effective August 1, 2005. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve Resolution Requesting Authorization of County Board of Commissioners to Issue Notes (Act 143 Notes - $650,000). Mr. Randolph stated these funds would be used as matching project funds for Federal Aid projects and Township match projects. Voice vote: Motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve the June 24, 2005 accounts payable for $363,736.18. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve the June 22, 2005 payroll for $140,097.71. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Mr. Randolph provided the Board with the following information:

•  The crews are filling potholes, mowing and doing drainage work. The vehicle maintenance is good and we are looking toward winter time use.

•  We received a $10,000 grant for bio-diesel to use in selected vehicles and report back specific information.

•  The trees are down on the H Drive South Phase II project, they are cutting the hill at the 2 ½ Mile Road intersection this week.

•  Wattles Road has been paved; the 2 nd phase is the bike lane and is on hold by MDOT. He has been working on this for over a year and getting nowhere. There is a meeting next week in Lansing, to address the delays.

•  The River Road project is with Battle Creek City and they are putting in the utilities.

•  Battle Creek City is upgrading the signals on Beckley Road for us. It is taking longer than it should, but they are hopefully moving now.

•  The Custer Road Bridge project is scheduled for 2006; he is working on the design.

•  He has been working with Pennfield Schools regarding road improvements and drainage in conjunction with the new school construction planned for next year.

•  He has a meeting with Gloria Jeff, MDOT Director, and should get some answers regarding all the signal requests we have submitted and been refused by MDOT.

•  Annette Chapman, Parks and Recreation Director, is chairperson of the I-69 Heritage Route and is putting out a newsletter this week.

•  Tiffany Eichorst, Solid Waste Director, put out her quarterly newsletter last week.

•  The specification book has been revised. It is on the website and a CD is available. Angela Kline, Assistant County Highway Engineer; Erin Cummings, Permit Agent; Amber Dibert-DeYoung, Engineering Intern; and Barry Adams, IT Specialist have all spent a lot of time putting this together.

•  The Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) revenue is down 6% from 2004 and he sees no trend toward an increase in the foreseeable future.

•  County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM) provided a survey of the pothole procedures by county. It was interesting to see what methods others used.

Commissioner Monaweck said he would like to receive their board packets earlier to prepare. Mrs. Tabiadon indicated the information is usually in their internal mailboxes by Friday noon, prior to the Wednesday meeting days; but earlier is possible. Commissioner Monaweck said Friday is fine … he didn't realize that.

Commissioner Monaweck said a resident on Tau Road mentioned the barrels on the 15 Mile Road Bridge had been there too long. Mr. Randolph stated that Dave Fuller, Marshall Division Supervisor, has new guardrail on schedule for this year.

Tom Frank, Albion Township Supervisor, asked what material Homer Village is using on their roads. Mr. Randolph responded it was slurry seal which is fine for light traffic areas, although a little costly.

Eugene Hamaker, Marshall Township Supervisor, thanked Mr. Randolph for meeting with the Township and putting together a plan for future work. Mr. Hamaker said the intersection of 15 Mile Road at A Drive North will have a vision problem when the corn gets higher.

Robert Brownell, Marengo Township Supervisor, said Marengo Township Board officially opposes B Drive North designation as a bike route, for safety reasons. Mrs. Johnson responded that Annette Chapman, Parks and Recreation Director, would be addressing this at the Board of Park Trustees meeting this morning, if anyone would like to stay for it.

Mark Ritchie, Leroy Township resident and former employee, stated he had submitted a letter requesting a meeting with Mr. Randolph and the Commissioners and received a response from Mrs. Johnson refusing that request. He would still like to have that meeting. Chairperson Travis explained that any meeting that included two or three Commissioners would have to be advertised and open to the public, which this meeting was, so if Mr. Ritchie wanted to address the Board this was his opportunity. Mr. Callander, Attorney, explained the legal duties of the Board and the Commissioners versus the Managing Director, to clarify the responsibilities of each. Commissioner Veramay stated that Mr. Ritchie's concerns seemed to be of a civil nature and he should retain legal counsel and pursue them via that route.

Damon Powell, Emmett Township resident, wanted to know if a resolution for right-of-way purchase on Kistler Road has come before the Board. Mr. Randolph explained it has to be presented to zoning first; then to this Board.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. There being no additional business before the Board, Chairperson Travis adjourned the meeting at 9:47 a.m.