Village of Breckenridge
Regular Meeting
March 24, 2008

A regular meeting of the Breckenridge Village Council was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by President Buchanan at the Breckenridge High School Media Center.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Roll Call was taken by Clerk/Treasurer Eichorn.

Councilpersons Present:  Anderson, Chapin, Schaub, Sterling, Ostrander, Zimmerman, and Buchanan.
Councilpersons Absent:   None
Staff Present:  Interim Manager/Chief Mecomber, Clerk/Treasurer Eichorn.

Steve with WadeTrim discussed our sewer issues and how we can reduce problems that we have with the sewer system.  One of the things the Village will be doing is smoke testing that will begin in the summer.

Anamica Laad touched on the final recreation plan and discussed the additions made to it.

Motion by Councilperson Schaub, seconded by councilperson Anderson, to approve the agenda with the additions.  CARRIED. 

Motion by Councilperson Zimmerman, seconded by Councilperson Sterling, to approve the consent agenda Roll Call Vote.  Yeas: Anderson, Chapin, Schaub, Sterling, Ostrander, Zimmerman and Buchanan.  Nays:  None.  CARRIED. 

Interim Manager/Chief highlighted on his report.

Committee/Board Reports were received.

Public Comments were received.

OLD BUSINESS

President Buchanan stated that there is an agreement on the golf course but does not know for sure if the papers have been signed.

Moved by councilperson Schaub, seconded by councilperson Chapin to approve the recreation plan resolution.  Roll Call Vote.  Yeas: Chapin, Schaub, Sterling, Ostrander, Zimmerman, Anderson and Buchanan.  Nays: None.  CARRIED.

4th of July
Amazing Grace church is no longer doing the 4th of July fireworks.  There are many people, such as the Chamber, and possibly have a parade.  Ed Belles was willing to put donation envelopes in the Shopper to help.

Blue Cross
Clerk/Treasurer stated that we were looking at the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO 12/20% and it would save the Village some money and the employees would still pitch in the $600 a year that they are presently contributing.  The only thing that changes is the office co-pay instead of $10 it goes to $30.  We will be saving money if we go local with the plan.

Moved by councilperson Chapin, seconded by councilperson Ostrander to get the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO 12/20% and go local to get a better rate.  Councilperson Anderson stated that he wants the Village to continue looking for insurance to find a better deal.  Roll Call Vote. Yeas: Schaub, Sterling, Ostrander, Zimmerman, Anderson, Chapin, and Buchanan.  Nays: None.  CARRIED

MERS-Pension
Councilperson Anderson Stated that the Village has an unfunded balance in the pension right now that we are trying to lower.  The recommendation from the finance committee is to go with a B2 and the employees will pay for the 25/55 RS50.  The employees are required to sign a waiver.  President Buchanan stated that he would like to see us go with a B1 and put the money saved into a 457.

Moved by councilperson, Anderson for Greg A, Greg B, and Christine E to be moved from a B4 to a B2 seconded by councilperson Sterling.  Roll Call Vote.  Yeas: Ostrander, Zimmerman, Anderson, Chapin and Schaub.  Nays: Buchanan.  Yeas CARRIED.

Belles/Collins
Manager Mecomber stated that we have settled on the summary judgment on the sewer law suit and we settled on $18,000 a piece.

Moved by councilperson Schaub, seconded by councilperson Zimmerman, to accept the summary judgment for the Belles and Collins lawsuit at $18,000.00 a piece.  Roll Call Vote. Yeas: Ostrander, Zimmerman, Anderson, Chapin, Schaub, Sterling and Buchanan.  Nays: None.  CARRIED.

Backhoe
Manager Mecomber would like the price quotes to go to the DPW committee for discussion and possible presentation before council votes.  Councilperson Schaub also thought that was a good idea.

Shell Station
Had a meeting with Flow and we would like a meeting with the county Brownfield and Greater Gratiot for possibilities on the Shell station.

Part Time Employee
Councilperson Schaub stated that the agreement was that there would be a part time employee that would only work 20hrs a week.  We need to make sure that we stick to that and that she never works an 8 hr. day.

Street Repairs
Schaub stated that on the corner of Second and Cedar and the corner of Seventh and Cedar there were barriers still up and they need to be taken care of.  Manager stated that it is still too wet and one of the things that we need to work on is not to put the wet gravel back into the hole, it has to be dry gravel.

NEW BUSINESS

Lane Christensen Phase one is complete on the new well #4.  We got the first payment of $45,000.00.

Moved by councilperson Schaub, seconded by councilperson Anderson to approve payment to Lane Christensen for Phase I payment of $45,000.00.  Roll Call Vote.  Yeas: Zimmerman, Anderson, Chapin, Schaub, Sterling, Ostrander and Buchanan.  CARRIED.

Farm Ground Lease
Humm Farms is willing to farm the cemetery land for three years or until we decide to develop it for $1200.00 and allow the Village to dump the leaves and grass clippings on the property.

Moved by councilperson Zimmerman, seconded by councilperson Chapin to allow Humm Farms to farm the cemetery land.  Roll Call Vote. Yeas: Anderson, Chapin, Sterling and Buchanan.  Nays: Schaub and Ostrander.  Yeas CARRIED.

Bell Ring
Manager Mecomber stated that because of our noise ordinance if a church wants to ring the bell for church they have to get permission from the council to do so.

Moved by councilperson Schaub, seconded by councilperson Chapin, to allow the Methodist Church to ring their bell for church services.  All Yeas CARRIED.

Lawn Mowing Bids
Councilperson Schaub stated that the idea of a cemetery sexton to maintain the cemetery might be a good idea because of how much time it takes for our DPW to do it.  Another idea is to hire part time or seasonal help for the DPW to do that and other work.  Manager Mecomber stated that he had a guy who told him an estimate for him to do it would be $35,000.00 a year.   President Buchanan stated that other bids he heard were around $1,000 and $960.00.

Mower Purchase
Every year we turn over our lawn mowers at $1,200 each on a state bid.  So every year we get new lawn mowers.  Councilperson Zimmerman stated that we own the mowers so use them until they break.

Moved by councilperson Sterling, seconded by councilperson Zimmerman to not turn over our lawn mowers every year for new ones.  All Yeas CARRIED.

Bob’s Wages
Bob is currently making $17.40 and our previous manager was making $20.82  and finance recommends Bob’s wage be moved to $19.40 and in three months evaluate him and move on from there

Moved by councilperson Chapin, seconded by councilperson Sterling to increase Bob’s wages to $19.40 and do an evaluation after three months.  Roll Call Vote. Chapin, Schaub, Sterling, Ostrander, Zimmerman, Anderson and Buchanan.  CARRIED.

Carman Stump
Carman has been using our chipper with no contract or agreement in writing.  Manager Mecomber and Gary discussed the verbal communication that he and the prior manager had.  Mecomber and Gary signed an agreement for the use of our chipper he would cut down ten trees for ten years.

Moved by councilperson Zimmerman, seconded by councilperson Anderson to accept the agreement between Carman stump and the Village of Breckenridge.  All Yeas CARRIED.

Community Pride
Community Pride and Arbor day are together this year and Linda Chapin is looking for donations and help.  Crop Production is going to help and there is already one tree purchased.  The date is on April 19, 2008 and if it rains it will be on April 26, 2008.

Public Comments were received. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine Eichorn
Clerk/Treasurer Village of Breckenridge