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 January 24, 2008.

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:02 a.m.

 

Chairman MacDonald lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

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

 

ABSENT:

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner Carr that the Payroll in the amount of $116,560.56 and Vouchers in the amount of $63,168.84 be approved and authorized for payment from the County Road Fund subject to audit.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner Holt that the minutes from Special Meetings held on January 8th and January 15th 2008 and Regular Meeting held on January 10, 2008 be approved and placed on file.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Supervisor Myerscough inquired about having the county clean out in front of the fire truck pumping station at the ferry.

 

Foreman Pesola, Erickson and McConkey indicated their crews are busy with winter maintenance and winter haul projects on Bound Road and Soo Line.

 

Office Mgr. Decker stated we received funds from Bay Mills for additional plowing.

 

Manager Heckman presented annual request to use Road Commission grader at the I-500 race and to run safety advertising ads on WSOO during race day and the week following.  He also indicated we have a volunteer from the Road Commission who will be operating the grader.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner Carr to authorize the use of the Road Commission grader for the I-500 and also the advertising with WSOO.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

Manager Heckman presented Contractual Service Agreement between the Michigan State Police and Chippewa County Road Commission for weight enforcement during spring of 2008.

 

Manager Heckman indicated the State Police Motor Carrier Division is funded through MDOT’s portion of MTF and in effect have been sponsoring weight enforcement patrolling on county roads.  In an effort to stop this practice the State Police have prepared an agreement with several counties for weight enforcement services.

 

Manager Heckman stated the Contractual Agreement is for enforcement of up to 10 hours per week to a maximum of 50 hours for the season at the rate of $49.95 (overtime rate) per hour plus $.3ll6 per patrol mile.

 

Manager Heckman indicated he would anticipate the cost for the 2008 season to be approximately $3,000.00.

 

Questions were raised to why this would be done on overtime basis.

 

Manager Heckman stated the Motor Carrier Division has other commitments during regular hours not only on state roads, but also at the International Bridge.

 

Manager Heckman also stated he has had discussions with the Sheriff Department to see if they would be agreeable to entering into a joint venture for the purchasing a set of certified scales and the training of one of their sheriff deputies to patrol county roads not only during seasonal weight restrictions but throughout the year.

 

Manager Heckman stated he didn’t know how quickly we could get this arrangement together and recommended to go ahead with the Contractual Service Agreement with the Michigan State Police for the 2008 season.

 

 

Discussion followed on having an employee of the Road Commission appointed to act as a weigh master, having an agreement with the Sheriff Department for enforcement and entering into agreement with Michigan State Police.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner Carr to defer action until next meeting to allow for further review.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

Chairman MacDonald indicated the purchase of a new vehicle for the manager was an approved COL purchase for 2008.

 

Manager Heckman reviewed quotes received from Newberry Motors and Sadler Motors. 

 

Chairman MacDonald indicated we also looked at Dodge products and received information from Ford regarding Expeditions, but neither had the capacity we need.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner Holt to authorize purchase of the 2008 Suburban from Newberry Motors in the amount of $37,011.66.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

MANAGERS REPORT

 

  • DEQ permit for work on Bound Road has been received.
  • Updated on meeting with DEQ on Tuesday in Gwinn regarding violations of soil erosion sedimentation.
  • MDOT has approved extension of time request submitted by the Great Lakes Historical Shipwreck Society for under water work at Whitefish Pt. to May 31, 2008.
  • Informed Board of DEQ violation received for project completed 2 years ago on the Hewer Road.
  • Indicated we have taken delivery of new steamer.
  • Northwoods, Bay Mills Tribe, Forrest Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are still working on realignment of Plantation Road.
  • Forrest Service is still considering our proposal for a possible leasing agreement for the Fibre pit.
  • Mechanic position is currently being advertised will be reviewing applications next week and setting up possible interview committee.
  • Reminder that the next Regular Meeting has been rescheduled to February 6th at 8:00 a.m. due to U.P. Road Builders Meeting.

 

COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner Carr that Commissioner MacDonald sit in on any interviews for mechanic.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

Commissioner Holt indicated he will be in Lansing next week for a Workers Comp Meeting.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that the meeting be adjourned at 8:55 a.m.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

 

 

___________________________     _________________________

Christine A. McDowell           Louis N. MacDonald

Secretary for the Board         Chairman