A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Chippewa County Road Commissioners was duly held in their offices located at 3949 S. Mackianc Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on September 6, 2007.

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m.

 

Chairman Carr lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PRESENT:  Commissioners Carr, Holt and MacDonald, Manager Heckman, Office Mgr. Decker, Clerk McDowell, Foreman McConkey, Foreman Erickson, Chief Mechanic Sibbald and Union President Bill Hopper.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that the Payroll in the amount of $89,789.31 and Vouchers in the amount of $77,904.46 be approved and authorized for payment from the County Road Fund subject to audit.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

MOTION by Commissioner MacDonald SECONDED by Commissioner Holt that the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on August 23, 2007 and Special Meetings held on August 22nd and 27th, 2007 be approved and placed on file.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Jesse Knoll asked if something could be done to prevent people from cutting up the county roads with dune buggies.

 

Manager Heckman indicated he could notify law enforcement agency and inform them of what is happening.

 

Commissioner Holt recommended Manager Heckman write a letter to individuals who are doing the damage and address our concerns.

 

Mr. Knoll also asked when the paving on East Shore would begin.

 

Manager Heckman indicated it is scheduled for the week of September 17, 2007.

 

Chief Mechanic Sibbald informed the Board of a problem with the tires on our new sign truck which were worn out with only 8,000 miles on them.  Discussion followed.

 

Chief Mechanic Sibbald reported on a truck fire due to a possible short in engine cooling fan.

 

Office Manager Decker informed the Board of dates that Blue Cross/Blue Shield Representative would be available for a meeting.

 

Discussion followed on when to meet with him.  No decision was made on a date at this time.

 

Foreman Erickson stated his crews are working on North Shore and also with ditching and pipe projects on the main land side.

 

Foreman McConkey stated his crews continue their work on Drummond Island.

 

Mr. Arnold Mills requested that the Road Commission extend our County Road (Shenandoah Ave) in Brimley an additional 20’ which would allow access to a parcel of property which his step son is trying to purchase.  The extension would assume part of a 25 foot private easement which is specific to certain land owners.

 

Discussion ensued with Board informing Mr. Mills this is not a Road Commission issue but he might seek legal counsel.

 

Notice of Superintendents Seminar to be held October 3rd – 5th at Crystal Mountain was presented.  No action taken.

 

Manager Heckman presented Township Road Agreement with Rudyard Township for work on H-40 for a distance of 3000’. Said improvements to consist of HMA milling, structure adjustments, HMA surfacing and pavement markings.  Total township cost, which is 50% of the local match, is estimated to be $28,000.00.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to approve Township Road Agreement with Rudyard Township for work on H-40 as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

Chairman Carr asked for a decision on request from the Union to have Mr. Lee McLeod, who has been terminated reinstated into the open Welder position.

 

Chief Mechanic Sibbald asked if he could address the Board at this time on Mr. McLeods behalf.  He indicated that Mr. McLeod was a good employee and there are always two sides to every story.  He also indicated that the victims father told him that he didn’t wish for Mr. McLeod to loose his job.  Chief Mechanic Sibbald indicated he would not object to having Mr. McLeod reinstated into the welder position.

 

Commissioner MacDonald stated the Boards decision to terminate Mr. McLeod had nothing to do with Mr. McLeods work ability or work record, but with the nature of the offence and clear violation of written policy.

 

Further discussion ensued.

 

MOTION by Commissioner MacDonald SECONDED by Commissioner Holt to reaffirm the Boards decision to terminate Mr. McLeod.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

Manager Heckman indicated we received 15 applications for the welder position and 14 applications for heavy equipment operator for the Eckerman garage. 

 

Commissioner Holt recommended Commissioner MacDonald and Manager Heckman sit on interview committee.

 

Manager Heckman asked that Chief Mechanic Sibbald also be allowed to sit in on interviews for the welder position.

 

MANAGERS REPORT

 

  • Dryberg Road is approximately ˝ complete.
  • DEQ application for culvert replacement on Bound Rd and 8 Mile Rd has been submitted.
  • 3 Mile project complete. 

 

Commissioner MacDonald addressed concerns he has had from a few individuals with the 3 Mile Rd project.

He indicated at the 3 Mile and Shunk Rd intersection there is no shoulder at the edge of the white strip.

 

Manager Heckman stated they could take a look at this area and other job sites crews have been working on this summer after the meeting if the Board was available.

 

  • Clearing was started last week on the Tilson Road project and hope to start culvert replacement within next few weeks.
  • Project on installing sheet piling on culverts on Lockhart Rd west of Bound Rd was discussed.
  • Update on discussions with attorney regarding stream crossings and his recommendation to secure a botanist to contest the endangered species that were sited in the Corp of Engineers letter for the Airport Road project.
  • Secured lease agreement with DNR for 23 Mile pit and Drummond Island.
  • Informed the Board that Todd Davis signed and has been awarded the garage foreman position at the Eckerman garage.
  • Request from Arbor Ridge to assume lane plowing agreement with the Road Commission.  This is the only lane plowing agreement we have had in the last 3 years.  Manager Heckman will put on agenda for action at next regular meeting.
  • Discussion on MUSTFA Funding and update on various sites.

 

COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

 

Commissioner Holt asked if we have any projects which would qualify under the TED (Transportation Economic Development) funding.

 

Manager Heckman indicated we currently have two applications submitted for funding under this program.

 

Commissioner Holt indicated cuts are being looked at in Lansing to various programs to try and balance the budget.

 

Commissioner Holt sited various counties that do not have state maintenance contracts and other counties which are considering not renewing their maintenance agreements.  In some areas state has been sending in their crews to perform work that should be being performed by the contracting county.

 

Next Thursday at 8:00 a.m. CRAM will be holding a meeting to discuss these issues.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board it was MOVED by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that the meeting be adjourned at 9:22 a.m.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

 

_______________________       _________________________

Christine A. McDowell         Clifford H. Carr

Secretary for the Board       Chairman