A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Chippewa County Road Commissioners was duly held in their office located at 3949 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on November 14, 2007.

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m.

Chairman Carr lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENT: Commissioners Carr, Holt and MacDonald, Manager Heckman, Foreman Erickson, Foreman McConkey, Chief Mechanic Sibbald and Union President Hopper.

ABSENT: Office Mgr. Decker

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that the Payroll in the amount of $90,046.64 and Vouchers in the amount of $638,451.14 authorized for payment from the County Road Fund subject to audit.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Foreman McConkey indicated crews are now finished working on Drummond Island for the winter and are concentrating on preparing roads for winter.

Foreman Erickson stated just working on preparing roads for winter.

Manager Heckman indicated the Small Urban Committee would like to meet this afternoon and will need a voting delegate appointed to represent the Road Commission.

MOTION by Commissioner MacDonald SECONDED by Commissioner Carr to appoint Commissioner Holt to be voting delegate for the small urban committee.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that Manager Heckman be appointed as alternate voting delegate for the small urban committee.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Manager Heckman presented Township Road Agreement with Pickford Township for work on School Street, for a distance of approximately 600 feet. Manager Heckman indicated this is to replace a previous Road Agreement dated July 12, 2007, which included some additional work which the township has decided they don’t want to do. Work to consist of HMA surfacing, gravel shoulders and pavement markings. Total township cost is estimated to be $9,350.00.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to approve replacement Township Road Agreement with Pickford Township for work on School Street as presented.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Manager Heckman stated interviews were held last week for the two mechanics positions and the recommendation of the interview committee was to hire John Meehan and Bill Lipponen to fill the two mechanic positions.

Manager Heckman indicated that one of the individuals would start on Monday the other would start in approximately two weeks.

Chief Mechanic Sibbald thanked the Board for allowing him to sit in on the interviews.

MOTION by Commissioner MacDonald SECONDED by Commissioner Holt to hire John Meehan and Bill Lipponen as recommended by the Manager.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Manager Heckman presented Unions FOIA request pertaining to when action was taken to retain attorney Mike Ward to represent the Road Commission during Union negotiations.

Commissioner MacDonald indicated he didn’t feel this issue was something that needed formal action.

Union President Hopper indicated it was his understanding that no decisions could be made during a closed session.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that Attorney Mike Ward assist management during Union negotiations.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Manager Heckman requested setting a Special Meeting to discuss Union negotiation strategies and employee organization. He recommended Monday, November 19, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.

The Board agreed to hold a Special Meeting on this date.

Manager Heckman presented Resolution #2007-10 recommending we change the method by which equipment is charged to the State from a group rate to an individual rate for each piece of equipment used when maintaining state trunklines.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to approve Resolution #2007-10 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

MANAGERS REPORT

· H & D has finished county paving last week.

· Tilson Road project has been shut down for the winter, with the road reopened.

· DEQ has made a stream crossing inquiry regarding project on Dryberg Road, with questions relating to fill placement over an existing structure.

· Chippewa Township never passed a resolution in support of abandonment of a section of Piatt Lake Road so there will be no need for a Public Hearing regarding this issue.

· Update on the hiring of Dave Dedrick as Engineering Assistant.

COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner MacDonald stated what a great job was being done by crews in preparing gravel roads for winter.

Commissioner Holt remarked how loyal employees who are on vacation have been in past years in returning to work when needed.

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 12:35 a.m.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

_________________________ ____________________________

Christine A. McDowell Clifford H. Carr

Secretary for the Board Chairman