CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 8, 2009

The Port Huron City Council met for a regular meeting on June 8, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of the Municipal Office Center in Port Huron.

There was a presentation scheduled for Mark Brochu of the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation division to explain the new canoe and kayak launch to be placed at the River Street Marina, which is now being run by Acheson Ventures. Mark Brochu could not be present, so Dan Collins, the city Harbor Master, stepped up to make the presentation.

Recently funds became available through grants that would be used for recreation purposes. The Kayak Easy Dock is a floating devise that will allow those with canoes and kayaks to put them in the water safely. It will also allow those with disabilities to be able to access their canoes and kayaks with ease and safety. The dock would be approximately 25 ft. long and 10 or 15 ft wide. Dan said the dock would be a partnership between the county, city and Acheson Ventures. The county would retain ownership of it so that if it didn’t work well, it could be returned to the county.

A public hearing was scheduled to hear public comment on the Waterwater Treatment Plan Improvement Draft Project of May 2009. Bob Clegg, City Engineer Department Head reported that the treatment plant was constructed from 1972 to 1975 and now services an area that includes the City of Port Huron, Port Huron Township, Kimball Township and Fort Gratiot Township. This area has a population of around 69,000 people. The plant must remove pollutants from sewage before the water is returned to the river.

The idea is to fix and rehabilitate the plant. The equipment is over 30 years old and it is becoming increasingly hard to find parts for. It is costing more and more to repair the equipment, so the city engineer is looking for ways to make the upgrades. The city can apply for low interest loans through Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality. The project would be done in two phases. Phase one would have a total price of $2,400,000. The estimated user cost per month would be 76¢. The total project cost of Phase 2 would be $10,600,000. The estimated user cost would be $2.09 per month. Mr. Clegg estimated that by applying for the low interest loans, the city stands to save $750,000 on Phase 1 and $3,400,000 for Phase 2. This would be in comparison to using conventional loans.

Councilmember Lewandowski wanted to know if it would interrupt service to the public at any time. Mr. Clegg felt that it would not. That is why it takes multiple years to finish a project like thiis.

Councilmember Byrne wondered if the project was adjustable in the financing in light of the economy being so poor. Mr. Clegg said that it will be. No money will be spent without council approval.

Mayor Moeller requested Mr. Clegg to explain why the public was required to sign in when they came to the meeting. Mr. Clegg said it wasn’t anything bad. It’s just that when cities do projects like this, MDEQ requires that there is a public hearing. They also require that people sign in so they have a record of who attended the meeting. A court reporter must be in attendance to record what was said.

Ken Harris spoke at the public audience part. He knew that the St. Clair County Administration was getting ready to push about 10 million gallons of some sort of bleach through our sewer system. He wanted to know who was in charge of that and who would be paying for it. Mr. Clegg responded that they will comply with all agreements made and that an industrial permit will have to be granted for this to happen.

Mr. Clegg also mentioned that the debt service will be about 20 years. He told the council that if we do not properly operate the plant, MDEQ will fine the city and a sewer moratorium can be added.

There was no more discussion on the topic and the council voted yes to this unanimously.

At public audience, Richard Young was the first to speak. He is the head of the South Park Heritage Group. He wanted to update the council on where they stood with their project. He said they were going to put benches in at the corner of Military and South Blvd. He also said they were looking into a sign that will talk about the history of South Park/Lincoln Park. He also said their completion date would be July 26th, and hoped they would be able to finish the entire project by then.

Mayor Moeller asked Mr. Young to contact the city manager and keep him updated on the progress.

Margaret Enright supported the new Kayak Easy Dock and also wished the council had more input on the Float Down. She participated last year and said that several kayaks and canoes were wreaking havoc on the inflatable devices people were floating in. In other words, her inflatable was punctured by a wooden canoe and she sunk. She said this was really dangerous because her inflatable sunk and she doesn’t know how to swim!

Carolyn McNeal spoke about the signs at Lincoln Park. She felt that a sign shold be put up that says South Park/Lincoln Park. The was a little disturbed that no surveys were done with the home owners asking them what they think of this. She also wanted the sign that says Welcome To Port Huron would stay.

Sharon Bender was appalled that the council just gave permission for signs to be placed without a survey being done. She likes the signs the way they are. She chastised the council for not doing their job. She also commented that if a sign is to be placed, put it at the site of Lincoln School. She was very upset that no citizen input was asked for and feels this whole thing is being shoved down her throat.

Lynn Secory, local historian, wanted to be sure that everyone understood no signs would be changed or moved. She said the South Park Heritage Group has been meeting with councilmember Stevens and that more meetings are scheduled. This new sign will be a historical marker.

Ken Harris wanted to address Resolution #5 concerning relocating water and sewer and wanted to know if the City would have to pay for it. He also addressed Resolution #8 concerning unemployment. He said it was a disservice to the people that the city pays $100,000 unemployment for seasonal employees.

The city council approved the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Byrne asked that Resolution 6 be removed from the consent agenda. The Mayor then read through it:

From Corporate Council – Receive and file a legal opinion regarding a proposed ordinance to allow customers with water lines 3” or less to install separate water-only meters for tracking water which is not returned to the wastewater treatment system.

Resolution 2 – Confirming and declaring a single lot special assessment in the total amount of $9,305.35 for demolition proceedings of the structure at 605 Division Street (Code Case 08-001).

Resolution 3 – Confirming and declaring a single lot special assessment in the total amount of $10,701.35 for demolition proceedings of the structure at 1301 Lapeer Ave. (Case Code 08-114).

Resolution 4 – Approving the submission of applications of the Port Huron Housing Commission for various grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for miscellaneous improvements to their properties.

Resolution 9 – Approving various resolutions necessary to continue the special assessment district for the maintenance of the Huron Avenue streetscape project (from the north side of Black River to the south side of McMorran Blvd.) and for the purpose of reviewing said special assessment roll as follows:

(a) Directing the City Manager to prepare a report on the proposed special assessment district.
(b) Tentatively declaring the special assessment of maintenance costs to the Huron Avenue streetscape project to be of public necessity and directing necessary procedures to make such special assessment.
(c) Approving report of the City Manager, tentatively designating said special assessment district and further directing the City Assessor to prepare a special assessment roll.
(d) Scheduling a public hearing for June 22, 2009 for the purpose of hearing all persons interested in the maintenance costs of Huron Ave. streetscape project and for the purpose of reviewing said special assessment roll.

Resolution 10 – Approving various resolutions necessary to continue the special assessment district for the maintenance of the Military Street streetscape project (from the south side of the Black River to the north side of Court Street) and for the purpose of reviewing said special assessment roll as follows:

(a) Directing the City Manager to prepare a report on the proposed special assessment district.
(b) Tentatively declaring the special assessment of maintenance costs of the Military Street streetscape project to be of public necessity and directing necessary procedures to make such special assessment.
(c) Approving report of the City Manager, tentatively designating said special assessment district and further directing the City Assessor to prepare a special assessment roll.
(d) Schedule a public hearing for June 22, 2009, for the purpose of hearing all persons interested in the maintenance costs of the Military Street streetscape project and for the purpose of reviewing said special assessment toll.

The Mayor announced all upcoming events in the City of Port Huron:

June 9 – Port Huron Charter Commission meeting at 7 p.m. in Room 408
June 11 – Taste of Port Huron (Downtown Port Huron)
June 13 – St. Clair County River Day
June 13 – Flower Market at Vantage Point
June 14 – Welkin Baseball Club hosts London Tecumseh at 2 p.m. at Lincoln Park
June 16 – Bolt playing on the big screen at Palmer Park at dusk
June 18 – Taste of Port Huron
June 19 & 20 – Studio 1219 hosts “Renaissance Art Roam”
June 20 – Sunrise 5K run at YMCA at 6 a.m.
June 20 – Destroyer Escorts Sailor Association’s Memorial Service at International Flag Plaza

From the City Manager – Recommendation that the bid of Watson Brothers in the amount of $17,000.40 for the Roof Drain Separation project located at the DPW building be accepted.

The council wanted to be sure this fit in the budgeted amount and Mr. Clegg told them the budgeted amount was for $20,000 so it was under the amount. The council also commended him on using a local vendor to do this work.

This was passed unanimously by council.

Resolution #5 – Approving the contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the removal and replacement of water main along the alignment of the existing State Street end of Gratiot Avenue to the alignment of Forest Street to the south of Elmwood Street and authorizing a local match of $139,200.

The council wanted the city engineer to explain how this benefits the public. Mr. Clegg responded that this will be funded by MDOT and stimulus money. It will cost $1.2 million to do this project. It will improve the State / Gratiot intersect and will help the public to have a safer view for turning. 100% of this is their cost and they will be able to get the roads away from the bridge due to the plaza expansion project. The city does have a water main to replace near that Gratiot area and Mr. Clegg felt this would be a great time to do it.

This was passed unanimously by council.

Resolution #6 – Authorizing the levy of the operating tax rate for the Blue Water Transportation Commission, as authorized by the voters on May 6, 2008, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009.

Councilmember Byrne has some concerns about this particular issue. He felt this sort of thing should be voted on during a general election to get a better representation on how voters really feel. He pointed out that it’s a raise in taxes and since it was voted on in May, not many people came out and voted on it. The discussion was about the laws in Michigan that only allow for so many elections throughout the year. This has been voted on before in May. Councilmember Byrne still felt it needed to be on the ballot during a regular election so that more people would see it and vote on it.

Council passed this resolution with Councilmember Byrne voting no on it.

Resolution #7 – Approving the Memorandum of Understanding with the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission for the placement of a canoe and kayak launch a the Desmond Marina (River Street Marina).

Councilmember Byrne wanted to know where people will park when they bring the kayaks and canoes there. It was pointed out there are two parking lots at the Marina area. Councilmember Byrne was also worried how people with disabilities will be able to get their canoes or kayaks to the water. Dan Collins informed the council that the Acheson people do have dock attendants there that assist people all the time and will assist anyone with special needs. Their friends will also help too.

Mayor Moeller pointed out that there is a parking lot west of the 10th Street bridge that is city property. He wanted Dan Collins to know that was city property because apparently no one knows this. Mayor Moeller didn’t know it until just recently.

Councilmember Lewandowski wanted to know if there will be rentals down there for those who don’t have their own boats. Dan Collins said the city would not be supplying rentals but that Acheson could partner with a private company to open a business there. Councilmember Lewandowski was concerned this would affect the grant used to obtain the dock, but Mr. Collins assured him it wouldn’t.

The council approved this unanimously.

Resolution #8 – Approving the agreement with St. Clair County and the St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney to provide specified legal services for the City of Port Huron.

Mayor Moeller wanted compliment Councilmember Lewandowski for thinking outside the box to come up with this plan. Mayor Moeller was being interviewed the other day concerning this and said he really wished he could take credit for this, but he felt that Councilmember Lewandowski needs to be recognized for this idea.

The council approved this unanimously.

Resolution #11 Approving a three-year ageement with AT&T for local and long distance telephone services and appointing James Brennan, Data Processing Manager, as the project coordinator and authorized representative for all aspects of the agreement.

Councilmember Byrne wanted to know if anyone else had bid on this. Mr. Brennan said they had investigated 3 services. The difference in the quotes were miniscule so they chose AT&T for a couple reasons. The first reason is that AT&T has handled all their services and they felt that it would not be beneficial to piece meal services together with 3 different vendors. The new system they are looking at will result in $750 in savings each month. Plus, AT&T is one of the largest non-governmental employers in the area.

The council voted and approved this unanimously.

Resolution #12 – Approving the Uniform Video Service Local Franchise Agreement with Comcast of Michigan IV, LLC for a period of ten years.

Councilmember Byrne stated that the State of Michigan has pretty much taken away the cities ability to bid this out or negotiate it. There were some questions concerning the bill people receive in the mail. There used to be a franchise fee on the bill but it’s no longer there. The council wanted to find out how it works for the city. They were informed by City Attorney John Livesay, that the city receives 5% of gross revenue. The city also receives a piece of the internet and pay-per-view services offered by Comcast.

The council approved this resolution with Mayor Moeller voting no just to tick Comcast off. Everyone got a good laugh over that.

At the end of the meeting, Councilmember Stevens wanted to let everyone know that there has been no movement to change the name of Lincoln Park. She knows this is a hot topic for those living in that area and she wanted to second Lynn Secory’s address to council that what they have been working on is a historical marker for Lincoln Park/South Park.

The next council meeting will be on June 22nd at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers.

    Add a Comment