September 26, 2011
7:30 pm

The Council of The Village of Grand Rapids convened in regular session from 7:30 P.M. to 8:55 P.M. in the Grand Rapids Town Hall. Mayor Judy Keifer called the meeting to order with the following members and visitors present:

Bill Hutchison - Present 
John Berry - Present
Sara Lewis - Present 
Carolyn Erdody - Present
Jeremy Treen - Present 
Curt Williams - Present

EMPLOYEES: Chad Hoffman, Karen Rader

MINUTES:
Erdody made a motion, seconded by Lewis to approve the Minutes of the September 12th meeting with the Town Hall corrected to read Fire Hall.
    Votes were: 
        Lewis - yes 
        Treen - yes 
        Berry - yes
        Erdody - yes 
        Williams- yes 
        Hutchison - yes
    MINUTES APPROVED

BILLS:
Hutchison made a motion, seconded by Williams, to pay the bills from September 13 thru September 26, 2011.
    Votes were: 
        Treen - yes 
        Berry - yes 
        Erdody - yes
        Williams- yes 
        Hutchison - yes 
        Lewis - yes
    BILLS APPROVED

ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
The Administrator gave his report. A copy will be attached to the official minutes.

After discussion, Hutchison made a motion, seconded by Erdody, to allow Bethany Baptist Church to rent the Town Hall at the resident rate.
    Votes were: 
        Berry - yes 
        Erdody - yes 
        Williams - yes
        Hutchison - yes 
        Lewis - yes
        Treen - yes
    MOTION APPROVED

A Finance, Wages, & Audit committee was set for October 3 at 6:30pm at the Administration Building.

He also advised Council that a representative of MJ Park regarding the old footbridge. Council agreed to donate it to the park system.
He requested input from Council regarding a sign permit that was not submitted correctly, therefore not issued. The sign was put up anyway. Council agreed that the $100.00 fee should be enforced.

He advised that the key box for the Town Hall has been removed and will now be kept at the office.

FISCAL OFFICER'S REPORT:
Erdody acknowledged the $14090.18 supplemental appropriation to allow for the transfer of the insurance reimbursement check out of the general fund.

COMMITTEES:
Williams gave his report from the September 19th Buildings, Parks, Properties, & Maintenance Committee meeting.

Williams made a motion, seconded by Treen, to write a proposal to purchase the GR elementary building and properties for $1.00.
    Votes were: 
        Erdody - yes 
        Williams - yes 
        Hutchison - yes
        Lewis - yes 
        Treen - yes 
        Berry - yes
    MOTION APPROVED

Hutchison questioned the steps to take regarding the Second Street property. He was advised to contact the Health Department as the Chairman of the Safety Committee.

Hutchison mentioned a call from a resident regarding the removal of a sidewalk at another property and not replacing it because there is no sidewalk on either side of it. Council agreed that the property owner should present the request in writing to Council for consideration.

ORDINANCES:
The Fiscal officer gave a third reading to Ordinance 2011-6 An ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR SERVICES BY THE WOOD COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE OF VILLAGE CODE CRIMINAL CHARGES.

Erdody made a motion, seconded by Hutchison, to pass Ordinance 2011-6.
    Votes were: 
        Williams - yes 
        Hutchison - yes 
        Lewis - yes
        Treen - yes 
        Berry - yes 
        Erdody - yes
    ORDINANCE APPROVED

She read Resolution 2011-4 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR

Erdody made a motion, seconded by Berry, to declare Resolution 2011-4 an emergency and waive the three readings.
    Votes were: 
        Hutchison - yes 
        Lewis - yes 
        Treen - yes
        Berry - yes 
        Erdody - yes 
        Williams - yes
    SO DECLARED

Erdody made a motion, seconded by Williams, to pass Resolution 2011-4.
    Votes were: 
        Lewis - yes 
        Treen - yes 
        Berry - yes
        Erdody - yes 
        Williams - yes 
        Hutchison - yes
    MOTION APPROVED


She gave a second reading to Ordinance 2011-7 An ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A PARTIAL ASSIGNMENT OF THE WHOLESALE WATER SUPPLY CONTRACT TERRITORY WITH THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN TO THE NORTHWESTERN WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
At the Applebutter Fest Safety Meeting, the Sheriff recommended having an ordinance regarding free speech. Mr. Marsh suggested not to rush through as an emergency and suggested having a "free speech" area.

NEW BUSINESS:
Lewis advised Council of an overgrown area behind the Pharmacy. Hutchison advised Hoffman to send the property owner a letter for cleanup.

She also questioned the safety of a ditch hole with a ladder in it. She was advised that it is the property owner's responsibility since the property owner had petitioned to have it enclosed. Council advised Hoffman to send Mr. Schuman a letter to take care of the hole.

Berry advised Council that the Historical Society would like the area around the Town Hall to be cleaned - along the fire escape, etc. Hoffman advised that there is not enough time for the Village employees to get it done prior to the Festival.

ADJOURNMENT:
Hutchison made a motion, seconded by Berry, to adjourn.
    Votes were: 
        Hutchison - yes 
        Lewis - yes 
        Treen - yes
        Berry - yes 
        Erdody - yes 
        Williams- yes
The meeting was adjourned. The next scheduled meeting is October 10, 2011 at 7:30 P.M. at the Grand Rapids Town Hall.