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 November 1, 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, Manager Heckman, Office Mgr. Decker, Clerk McDowell, Foreman Erickson, Foreman McConkey, Chief Mechanic Sibbald, Surveyor Laitinen and Union President Hopper.

 

ABSENT:

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that the Payroll in the amount of $112,793.88 and Vouchers in the amount of $94,959.75 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 minutes for the Special Meeting held on October 16, 2007, and the Regular Meeting held on October 18, 2007 be approved and placed on file.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

Jesse Knoll indicated new road looks good.

 

Chief Mechanic Sibbald stated we are set for winter with salters on some of our trucks.  Indicated new welder Scott Johnston is working out very well.

 

Foreman McConkey indicated they will finish up work on Bass Cove Drummond Island for this year today with just under a mile left to go.  Working on winter salt sand and installing winter snow markers.

 

Foreman Erickson indicated his crews are working on general maintenance and preparing for winter.

 

Office Manager Decker stated we should be receiving around $42,000.00 from the Medicare D, drug subsidy program through the Federal Government for last year.  Letters have been mailed to all retirees for the new program year beginning in February 2008, certifying that our drug program is equal to or better than the Medicare D program.

 

County Commissioner Moore stated he has spoke with individuals who when purchasing land within the Arbor Ridge Estates are being informed that the County will continue to plow the roads.  He indicated he stressed to them this was not going to happen after this year.  

 

Surveyor Laitinen indicated he is working on Soo Line project and collecting data for stream crossing permits for next year.

 

Notice of 37th meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 was presented.

 

Union President Hopper questioned Special Meeting minutes held on October 16, 2007.

 

Manager Heckman informed the Board of a Special Meeting to be held tonight by Chippewa Township Board at which a proposed Resolution in support of the abandonment of Piatt Lake Road will be discussed.

 

Manager Heckman stated it has been requested by the Piatt Lake Association that action be taken on the abandonment of Piatt Lake before our next regular board meeting so they could begin making improvements to the road before winter.

 

Scheduling and advertising for a public hearing in regards to the Piatt Lake abandonment were discussed.

 

Manager Heckman will work out scheduling for public hearing and inform Board.

 

Manager Heckman stated we have advertised for the hiring of two mechanics, which will close on Friday, November 2nd and requested setting the interviewing committee so to proceed with interviewing process next week.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to have Commissioner MacDonald set in on interviews.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

MANAGER’S REPORT

 

·           Will return to 5-8hr shifts next week along with the starting of our state winter night patrol and weekend watch.

·           Will hold our Winter Maintenance Meeting at 10:00 a.m.

·           County wide paving update.

·           Notice of upcoming township contract with Trout Lake Twp for work on Lake Rd and Birch Rd.

·           Update on improvements to the Rudyard garage.

·           Tilson Rd project will be graveled up next week and will be shutting down work the end of next week.

·           Gravel crusher has moved back to the Soo pit to and will be crushing up some additional material for next years projects.

·           Update on DEQ after the fact application fees for permits for East Shore and North Shore, which   Attorney Ed McNeely recommended we go ahead and submit and reserve the right to contest at a later date.

·           Notification of group in Superior Twp headed by Mary Schwiderson trying to get a bicycle path installed from lighthouse east along Lakeshore Drive an eventually connecting up to M-221 and out to M-129. Manager Heckman indicated the group has extended an invitation to the Road Commission to attend one of their scheduled meetings to be held November 8th at 2:00 p.m. or November 13th at 9:00 a.m.  Manager Heckman stated in speaking to MDOT they indicated the possibility of participating in this development.  There will be decisions to be made when working on this development.     

 

COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

 

Commissioner Holt requested the date of the next Regular Meeting be changed.

 

Discussion followed.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to reschedule the Regular Meeting of November 15, 2007 to Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 12:00.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

Commissioner MacDonald complimented crews on a fine job on 3 Mile and Shunk Road repair.

 

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 8:52 a.m.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

 

 

 

_________________________    __________________________

Christine A. McDowell        Clifford H. Carr

Secretary for the Board      Chairman