A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Chippewa County Road Commissioners was duly held in their offices located at 3949 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on September 20, 2007.

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

Chairman Carr lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENT: Commissioner Carr, Holt and MacDonald, Mgr. Heckman, Office Mgr. Decker, Foreman Erickson, Foreman McConkey and Union President Bill Hopper.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that the Payroll in the amount of $87,593,75 and Vouchers in the amount of $226,782.83 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 Special Meetings held on August 28, 2007 and September 12, 2007 be approved and placed on file.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jesse Knoll stated projects on North Shore and East Shore look good.

Sugar Island Supervisor Derek Myerscough presented signed Township Road Agreement for work on 7 Mile Road.

Supervisor Myerscough indicated culvert at the top of 4 Mile hill is heaving up and asked if this could be looked at. Approximately 200,000.00 budgeted for next years project.

Mr. Willis thanked Road Commission for putting up emergency vehicle signs.

Mr. Smith asked about start time of Homestead Road.

Manager Heckman stated we don’t as a rule commit to starting dates on projects, but it should be within next two to three weeks. Mr. Smith stated water is running down middle of roads on some of the new pavement jobs. Manager Heckman explained the inspection process and detail followed on each project. Gravel (new) and ditching are also issues that were questioned. Mr. Smith presented a video to the Board that can be viewed at a later time. Also asked about 3-4 loads of top soil taken off the end of Homestead Road where it went. Manager Heckman indicated he would look into this matter and report back to Mr. Smith.

Mr. Arnold Mills stated two new posts have been placed on Shenandoah Street after the last meeting.

Manager Heckman stated the posts were survey markers which indicate the end of the section line and the end of the county road. Manager Heckman indicated he did verify with our Brimley garage foreman that we have never maintained Shenandoah Street beyond that section line. He indicated we have no authority to pull the posts.

Mr. Mills stated that there is a public alley between Shenandoah Street and West Shenandoah Street that is 25’ wide which has a steel pipe in the road.

Mr. Mills indicated ditching needs to be looked at on Shenandoah Road. Snowmobile traffic on his property will be closed this year and diverted onto Irish Line. Chairman Carr recognized a letter sent by Mr. Mills and stated it would be placed on file.

Union President Hopper-No Comment.

Foreman Erickson crews working on North Shore and brush hogging.

Foreman McConkey things are going well on Drummond Island.

County Commissioner Moore indicated he looked at 3 Mile Road by Shunk and agreed with Commissioner MacDonalds concern voiced at the last meeting. He indicated there is no shoulder past asphalt and then drops straight down.

Manager Heckman indicated plans are in the process for adding on to the shoulder in that area.

Mr. Tom Farnquist for GLSHS voiced his concerns with the “No Parking ban” on Whitefish Point Road. Sheriff has recently started writing tickets for people parking on the road. He presented drawings and pictures of the site for Board review. He asked if there is anything the Road Commission can do so parking would be allowed. Discussion ensued. Manager Heckman stated that we were directed to place those signs there by MDOT. And MDOT still wants those signs maintained.

Commissioner Holt believes that we may be able to get a temporary moratorium on the parking ban for June, July and August until the permanent facility is approved and constructed. Commissioner Holt also indicated he felt it would be a good idea to have a meeting at Whitefish Point with all parties involved including the township.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to have Manager Heckman work with Mr. Farnquist and contact all parties they feel have interest in no parking issues to try and resolve their concerns.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Mr. Farnquist also gave an update on the Underwater Grant including drawings and paintings that have been created from this grant. He also presented project books showing the steps taken to produce the exhibits. They have approximately 8 paintings left to do as well as a couple other things before January when the grant is supposed to be completed.

Lane plowing agreement for Arbor Ridge was discussed, as we have been approached to maintain the roads in this development again this year.

Commissioner MacDonald stated we did decide to get out of the driveway plowing business a couple of years ago. He also stated we have a policy against accepting internal sub-division roads and that includes maintenance of.

Manager Heckman stated we have gone past our original exception for this contract by two years. It was $2,500.00 for last year to maintain it. Further discussion ensued.

MOTION by Commissioner MacDonald SECONDED by Commissioner Holt to defer discussion until the next regular meeting.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to move agenda item #9 Medical Disability Retirement for Michael Honkanen to end of agenda.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Manager Heckman stated the hiring committee recommends that Scott Johnston be hired to file the vacancy of welder and Earl Skeans as Equipment 5 in Eckerman.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to fill the positions as recommended by the hiring committee.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to authorize Manager Heckman to advertise for a mechanic.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to add Engineering Assistant to item #12.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to appoint Commissioner MacDonald and Manager Heckman to interview potential candidates.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

MANAGERS REPORT

· Tilson Road culverts, clearing and sand/gravel have been started.

· Dryburg Road should be completed by end of next week with exception of fine grading the shoulders and restoration work.

· Notice of MTA Meeting tonight at 7:30 Kinross Twp Hall.

· Project on Lockhart should be completed today.

· East Shore has been fine graded and paving is scheduled for tomorrow and Monday.

· Drainage at Woodside has become more of a problem as we have been getting quite a few complaints. He indicated we did not accept any of the utilities when we took over those streets, and therefore the drainage problem needs to be addressed at the local level. County Commissioner Moore asked for copies of correspondence validating this so he could relay it to the township and to local residents.

Manager Heckman presented Township Road Agreement with Sugar Island Township for work on 1.30 miles on 7 Mile Road. Work to consist of clearing, drainage improvements, sand subbase and gravel surfacing. Township cost is estimated to be $16,554.00. Manager Heckman stated we are anticipating BIA funding for this project.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to approve Township Road Agreement with Sugar Island Township for work on 7 Mile Road as presented.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Discussion ensued over maintenance and snow plowing on Sugar Island. Supervisor Myerscough stated he has received quite a few complaints over snowplowing, but in the summer months two employees take good care of the island roads. It was decided to have Manager Heckman and the foreman review and decide if more help is needed.

COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Holt discussed the ongoing budget problems in Lansing. He asked that a letter be sent to GLSHS thanking them for the pictures they presented.

It was MOVED by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to recess at 9:41 a.m. until Mr. Mike Honkanen returns.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Meeting reconvened at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Mike Honkanen and his wife Pam were present to ask what options would be available if he were not able to drive truck anymore. He indicated that after three surgeries to his back the doctors are not recommending he return to driving a truck.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to allow Mr. Honkanen to submit his application to MERS for a medical disability.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Further discussion ensued with regards to options available while waiting on the MERS process. Donation of sick time was discussed.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald explore all options available and implement best program.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to maintain employee benefit status while on lost time and awaiting approval of MERS medical disability.

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 10:27 a.m.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

__________________________ ________________________

Brian F. Decker Clifford H. Carr

Deputy Clerk Chairman