The regular meeting of the Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of Calhoun was help Wednesday, August 3, 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 - Board Clerk
• Pixie A. Coats, Human Resource Director - Deputy Clerk
• Angela Kline, Assistant County Highway Engineer
• Also Present: Tom Frank, Albion Township Supervisor
• Robert Brownell, Marengo Township Supervisor
• Eugene Hamaker, Marshall Township Supervisor
• Sharon Drumhiller, Tekonsha Township Supervisor
• Joseph Bramble, Convis Township Resident
• Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township Resident
• Clarence Millard, Newton Township Resident
• Doug Myers, Tekonsha Township Resident
• Ron Tesch, Tekonsha Township Resident
• Jim Russell, Calhoun County Road Commission
• Steve Ball, Calhoun County Road Commission
• Hershel Stacy, Calhoun County Road Commission
• David Fuller, Calhoun County Road Commission
• Paul Adams, Calhoun County Road Commission
• Paul Beardslee, Attorney - General Counsel

Chairperson Travis called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. He stated that there being no additions or corrections to the regular meeting minutes of July 20, 2005 they stand approved as printed and distributed.

COMMUNICATIONS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to authorize Joanna I. Johnson, Assistant Managing Director to vote on all matters on behalf of Calhoun County Road Commission at the Annual Meeting of the County Road Association Self-Insurance Fund (CRASIF) on September 7, 2005, and designate Steve Ball, Superintendent Assistant as alternate. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve 2005 Mid-Year Budget Adjustments as presented per memo. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve Resolution 2005-18; MDOT Contract Number 05-5346, Bicycle Lane along Wattles Road. Voice vote: Motion carried.

RESOLUTION 2005-18

WHEREAS, A agreement between the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of Calhoun, Michigan for the purpose of approving Contract Number 05-5346, Job Number 76857, Control Section STE 13010, Federal Item Number YY 0266; and all together with necessary related work.

Bicycle lane work along Wattles Road from Wattles Road to Historic Bridge park; including pavement marking and signing work; and all together with necessary related work.

BE IT RESOLVED, that Chairperson Chester E. Travis and Vice-Chairperson David D. Veramay sign Contract Number 05-5346 on behalf of the Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of Calhoun.

OTHER BUSINESS

Moved by Commissioner Monaweck and supported by Commissioner Veramay to approve the July 25, 2005 accounts payable for $181, 023.72. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Moved by Commissioner Veramay and supported by Commissioner Monaweck to approve the July 20, 2005 payroll for $139,964.72. Voice vote: Motion carried.

Mr. Randolph provided the Board with the following information:

• Due to Act 51 Funds and the way the funds were disbursed, the check was 5% less than last year.
• The bill for the emulsion used for the Chip and Seal projects are pretty heavy.
• August looks a little more positive, but not as good as last year.
• The County is calling for an emergency budget meeting tomorrow.
• The Federal Aid budget has increased 30% but CCRC must match 20% on Federal Aid projects.
• We are trying to build up our cash fund for next year.
• Our 11 Mile Road interchange is now getting a little interest from the State, however it is also a match issue.
• We have had our pot hole crews out everyday, as well as our Chip and Seal and Paving crew.
• We encourage citizens to call in potholes and service requests, so we know where they are at and can take care of them.
• Our vehicle maintenance crew finished up the flat bed truck.
• We have been mowing the major routes into Marshall, so that it will look nice for anyone coming to the County fair.
• We have had trees down all around the County.
• H Drive S should be completed by the end of August and River Road should be done by mid September.
• The signal work at B Drive North should be done before mid September.
• We have put up a turning signal at Beadle Lake Road and B Drive North.
• We are paving in Leroy Township.
• Pennfield Road is on the BCATS schedule for next year and will also have a CMI grant.
• Continuing to work on the plans for the ethanol plant.
• Working on economic development with the City of Marshall.
• The draft for the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) has arrived, a public hearing will be held on August 24 th .
• Congress passed the transportation bill and 2 bills that noted CCRC will receive $225,000 for the Eastern Calhoun County Regional Waste Water Treatment System.
• Metro money from the cable companies is available for the townships to use on road right-of-way.
• Reviewed and completed traffic pattern/speed information on B Drive N, Marengo Township.

Commissioner Veramay stated that when he went to the CRAM quarterly meeting he learned that the financial situation for road commissions wouldn't be improving. He asked that Mr. Randolph put together something to show what the cost for material is today vs. 3 years ago.

Commissioner Monaweck stated that he went to the Athens Township Board meeting and citizens had concerns that M66 didn't have 4-foot shoulders. He also asked if the Road Commission could mow the shoulder in front of the cemetery at O Drive South, east of 2 Mile Road. Commissioner Monaweck asked if the Road Commission could put an article in the paper with our 1-800 number, so that citizens will know to call in service requests. Mr. Randolph told him that we have done this before but, will make sure we put another one in the paper.

Sharon Drumhiller, Tekonsha Township Supervisor thanked Dennis and his staff for fixing the potholes right away after they were called in.

Eugene Hamaker, Marshall Township Supervisor, thanked Mr. Randolph and staff for the work he has done on some economic issues.

Robert Brownell, Marengo Township Supervisor, said there was a big hole on I Drive between 19 and 20 Mile Road.

Tom Frank, Albion Township Supervisor, asked about the bio diesel use, which the Road Commission noted was too early to comment. He also asked about the meeting with the State regarding signals. He also stated that the work done on M99 is very nice.

Ronald Tesch, Tekonsha Township resident, had a complaint about the low hanging trees and limbs and stated that he would cut them himself. Mr. Randolph told him that he would need a permit to work in the right-of-way and is required to follow all of the MIOSHA/MMUTCD safety requirements. He was asked to submit service requests for any issues. Paul Beardslee commented on the law and that Road Commission liability is on the paved surface of the road, and not the right-of-way. Issues and liability in the paved surface of a roadway depend on how long there has been an issue and if in fact the Road Commission had knowledge of such an issue. Mr. Randolph noted economic/financial/manpower issues prevent the Road Commission from spending a lot of time in this area. Mr. Tesch also commented on "gray pick up trucks" and what they do. Mrs. Johnson noted that the "gray pick up trucks" are used by our supervisors and staff, all of which hold a responsibility to put in service requests to take a proactive approach to issues on our roadways.

Doug Myers, Tekonsha Township resident, also had a complaint about the low hanging trees and limbs and asked if it wasn't the Road Commission's responsibility to make sure they are cut. Mr. Randolph commented that the state law notes the Road Commission's responsibility is to maintain the road surface only.

Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township resident, said that cell phone use is not safe while driving and wanted to know if this has been addressed at the Road Commission. Mrs. Johnson stated that we have drafted a policy, however we wanted to insure our equipment was equipped with working radios before implementing the policy.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at 9:00 a.m.

(This meeting is cancelled)

The following meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. There being no additional business before the Board, Chairperson Travis adjourned the meeting at 10:15 a.m.