A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Chippewa County Road Commissioner was duly held in their offices located at 3949 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on November 29, 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, Clerk McDowell, Foreman Erickson, Foreman McConkey, Foreman Pesola, 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 $97,915.84 and Vouchers in the amount of $134,595.91 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 from the Regular Meetings held on November 1, 2007 and November 14, 2007 and Special Meetings held on November 1, 2007, November 7, 2007 and November 19, 2007 be approved and placed on file.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Union President Hopper indicated the union would be filing a request for arbitration hearing in regards to Cecil Piche case. He also complemented Board on their choice for a western regional foreman.

Chief Mechanic Sibbald indicated new mechanic Bill Lippinen is doing a great job.

Surveyor Laitinen indicated he has been working on a sand lease with the DNR for 23 Mile Road and also on 20 Mile Road to prepare for winter sand haul.

Foreman McConkey indicated crews on Drummond Island have worked on shoulder work. Crews have hauled winter sand to Neebish Island, working on equipment maintenance and general winter road maintenance.

Foreman Erickson stated his crews are on winter maintenance.

Foreman Pesola indicted they have been working on ditching on M-123, winter maintenance and have marked out Bound Road so if weather permits they might work on clearing. He also indicated that Todd Davis is doing a great job.

Manager Heckman indicated he would like to set a public hearing for local task force review proposed federal funded transportation projects and to gather public input. He indicated this meeting is held prior to the Rural Task Force Meeting, which they would like to hold sometime in January.

A tentative date was set for December 14, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. for the local task force meeting. He will confirm and get back to Board. He also indicated they have been notified that there has been a $50,000.00 reduction in State D funding for Chippewa County alone per year.

Manager Heckman presented Township Road Agreement with Trout Lake Township for work on Lake and Vertz Roads for a distance of approximately 1.50 miles. Said improvements to consist of aggregate base, HMA surfacing, gravel shoulders and pavement markings. Total township cost is estimated at $74,588.00.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to approve Township Road Agreement with Trout Lake Township for work on Lake and Vertz Roads as presented.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Manager Heckman presented 2008 Meeting Schedule for the Board of Chippewa County Road Commissioners indicated that with the exception of the meetings scheduled for November 26, 2008 and the December 24, 2008, meetings will be held every other Thursday.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to approve the 2008 Meeting Schedule as presented.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

Manager Heckman indicated with the retirement of Victor Libby who will be retiring on December 28, 2007 and who has worked for the Road Commission for 18 years there would be need to fill this plow route position.

Commissioner Holt inquired to what Manager Heckman’s recommendation would be.

He indicated we have one seasonal temporary who we have put on standby, but is hesitant to make any long term commitments until the contract has been settled. He stated we do need to do something because there is a need to have his plow route covered.

Discussion followed on re-advertising for this position and going through an interviewing process.

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to authorize Manager Heckman to advertise for need winter positions and to have Manager Heckman and Commissioner MacDonald set up interviews.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

MANAGERS REPORT

· Notice has been received for approval of funding for 1.75 miles of Mackinac Trail from M-80 to Gaines Hwy for 2009 under the Small Urban Program.

· Dave Deatrick will be starting on January 2, 2007.

· Discussion on letter received from DEQ regarding non-compliance issues.

· Request from GLSHS to have a second extension of time for completion on the underwater grant, which currently has a completion date of January 1, 2008. They would like to extended date out to May 15, 2008 because of problems with artist recreating the shipwrecks. In talking with a representative from MDOT they are not excited about granting this extension.

COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Holt presented invitation letter from urban counties regarding creating better roads with improved funding and efforts to increase road revenues.

Commissioner MacDonald questioned MTA letter referencing bill which would create two committees to review and make recommendations to replace or supplement the state gas tax and is scheduled for hearing on November 29, 2007.

Discussion followed.

There being no further business to come before the Board it was MOVED by Commissioner MacDonald SECONDED by Commissioner Holt that the meeting be adjourned at 8:55 a.m.

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

___________________________ ___________________________

Christine A. McDowell Clifford H. Carr

Secretary for the Board Chairman