VILLAGE OF MORRICE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MORRICE VILLAGE HALL
(Approved 07/28/20)
This Meeting was held as a Virtual Meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, under the authority of Executive Order No. 2020-75 of the Office of the Governor of the State of Michigan.
Tuesday, July14, 2020
6:00 p.m.
Meeting was called to order at 6:12 p.m. by President Harold Dickerson.
Council Members Present: Belinda Markell, Philip Hruska, Cathy Mulholland, Robert Peterson,
Todd Scott, Phyllis Dickerson, and Harold Dickerson.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Attorney: John Gormley, Police Chief: Matt Balsley, Treasurer: Brian Swett, and
Clerk: Karen McGuire.
Additions / Deletions to Agenda: Add: 11.4 CARES Act – Hazard Pay
11.5 Township Sewer Contract
Guest Comments on the Agenda: None.
MOTION by H. Dickerson, seconded by Hruska to approve the agenda as amended.
Roll Call: Ayes: P. Dickerson, T. Scott, R. Peterson, C. Mulholland, P. Hruska, B. Markell, H. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
MOTION by C. Mulholland, seconded by P. Dickerson to approve the June 23, 2020 minutes with one correction. On page three, in the last paragraph, under 11.2, change the “will work” to” may work.”
Roll Call: Ayes: B. Markell, P. Hruska, C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, T. Scott, P. Dickerson, H. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Special Guests: Caroline Wilson – Shiawassee County Clerk
Ms. Wilson gave an update on operations at the County since COVID-19 appeared. The office is open to the public but with limited access. Everyone is monitored at the door before entering the building. They are all ready for the August election with all the safety measures in place. Absentee voting shows an increase.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
9.1 Personnel / Police / Transfer Station / Insurance / Retirement
Chief Balsley reported local criminal activity has been down during the pandemic. The Department is taking safety precautions.
9.2 DPW / Municipal Buildings / Park
No Report.
9.3 Street / Sidewalks / Newsletter / Web Site
No Report.
9.4 Sewer / Codes
No Report.
9.5 Zoning / Ordinances / Annex / 425 / DDA
No Report.
Village of Morrice
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 14, 2020
9.6 SSESA
No Report.
9.7 Homecoming
No Report.
9.8 Budget
No Report. A Budget Committee meeting was set for Thursday, July 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at Village Hall.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10.1 Transfer Station Sign
Remove from agenda until further notice.
10.2 Site Plan Review – 307 N. Main Street
TABLED.
10.3 SSESA Millage / Assessment
- Hruska had a meeting with Troy Parmalee, Perry Township Treasurer, to discuss the differences, and the pros and cons of a special assessment versus a millage to cover ambulance service costs. He explained the information in the Council packets. There was discussion.
Gormley presented a Resolution for approving ballot language for the November election. The proposition will ask for approval by voters of a special assessment district in the Village for ambulance funding.
MOTION by P. Dickerson, seconded by H. Dickerson to adopt the Resolution as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: P. Dickerson, T. Scott, R. Peterson, C. Mulholland, P. Hruska, B. Markell, H. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
10.4 Work Share Program
The original plan was to review at the end of July to decide to extend the reduced hours out further or not.
The Budget Committee will discuss and bring a recommendation back to the next Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
11.1 CARES Act – Public Safety & Public Health Payroll Reimbursement Program
- Hruska explained that this program is part of the original CARES Act with funds finally being released. The Federal government left the application definitions very vague. There is a possibility that the Village may be able to receive some reimbursement for some payroll costs incurred during the pandemic. The first round deadline is July 17th and the payout may be pro-rated depending on the number of applicants. There may or may not be a round two depending on the remaining funding. Applicants can choose any percent of “substantial dedication.” P. Hruska suggested the Village apply knowing that we may or may not receive any reimbursement. The first step would be to adopt the definition of “substantial dedication” for employees. Gormley and P. Hruska presented a document defining the threshold of “substantial dedication” of employees related to mitigating the Covid-19 pandemic.
MOTION by P. Hruska, seconded by C. Mulholland to adopt the definitions of “Substantial Dedication” in the document as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: B. Markell, P. Hruska, C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, T. Scott, P. Dickerson, H. Dickerson.
Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Village of Morrice
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 14, 2020
MOTION by T. Scott, seconded by P. Dickerson to move forward with applying for the Public Safety & Public Health Payroll Reimbursement Program.
Roll Call: Ayes: P. Dickerson, T. Scott, R. Peterson, C. Mulholland, P. Hruska, B. Markell, H. Dickerson.
Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
11.2 Lagoon Sprayers
- Dickerson explained that Steve Hughes, the lagoon operator, thinks it is time to think about replacing the sprayers at the lagoons. He has been having trouble keeping the big (west) one going this year. He submitted bids from Michigan Valley Irrigation for the costs to replace each sprayer. Estimates are $59,191.00 and $38,600.00. He suggested starting with the big (west) one first. P. Hruska suggested splitting the costs up over two years, replacing the larger sprayer first. A Michigan Valley representative would like to have an on-site visit to ensure the purchase of the right equipment and options before moving forward with purchase and installation.
MOTION by H. Dickerson, seconded by P. Hruska to approve spending up to $65,000 for the purchase and installation of the larger (west) sprayer at the lagoons.
Roll Call: Ayes: B. Markell, P. Hruska, C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, T. Scott, P. Dickerson, H. Dickerson.
Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
11.3 Sewer Bills Due September 1, 2020
These bills will have to be calculated and mailed out the first week of August. The last bill was at a sewer rate reduction of 50% and the late fees were waived. Council needs to decide if the bills should go back to the regular rate or be at the reduced rate again. There was discussion. Gormley will have to adjust the previous Sewer Rate Resolution again.
MOTION by T. Scott, seconded by H. Dickerson to calculate the next sewer bills at the regular sewer rate and to waive the late fees once again.
Roll Call: Ayes: R. Peterson, T. Scott, P. Dickerson, C. Mulholland, P. Hruska, B. Markell, H. Dickerson.
Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
11.4 CARES Act – Hazard Pay
- Hruska explained the program. It is only for First Responders so would only concern the Police Department. It is a first come first served basis with no guarantee of reimbursement. There was discussion.
MOTION by T. Scott, seconded by P. Dickerson to TABLE until more details are available.
Roll Call: Ayes: B. Markell, P. Hruska, C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, T. Scott, P. Dickerson, H. Dickerson.
Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
11.6 Township Sewer Contract
- Hruska would like permission to go to the Township to see if they are amenable to opening up the sewer contract for re-negotiations. The contract includes the properties on Industrial Drive that empty into the Village lagoons. Gormley explained that it is a very old contract and the fee calculations are extensive.
MOTION by P. Hruska, seconded by P. Dickerson to give permission to P. Hruska to contact the Township about re-negotiating the sewer contract.
Roll Call: Ayes: B. Markell, P. Hruska, C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, T. Scott, P. Dickerson, H. Dickerson.
Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Village of Morrice
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 14, 2020
Review Financial Statements / Pay Bills
MOTION by P. Hruska, seconded by P. Dickerson to pay the bills as presented. (List Attached.)
Roll Call: Ayes: P. Dickerson, T. Scott, R. Peterson, C. Mulholland, P. Hruska, B. Markell, H. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Announcements / Correspondence: None.
Guest Comments: None.
MOTION by H. Dickerson, seconded by T. Scott to adjourn the meeting.
Roll Call: Ayes: B. Markell, P. Hruska, C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, T. Scott, P. Dickerson, H. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Harold Dickerson, Village President
Karen McGuire, Clerk