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 March 6, 2008.

 

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

 

Chairman MacDonald lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PRESENT:  Chairman MacDonald and Commissioner Carr, Office Mgr. Decker, Foreman McConkey, Foreman Erickson, Foreman Pesola, Chief Mechanic Sibbald, Union President Bill Hopper and Surveyor Laitinen.

 

ABSENT:  Commissioner Holt and Manager Heckman-Annual Highway Conference in Lansing, Clerk McDowell-Vacation.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that the Payroll in the amount of $115,904.66 and Vouchers in the amount of $104,675.79 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 MacDonald that the minutes from the Regular Meeting of February 21, 2008 and Special Meeting held on February 22, 2008 be approved and placed on file.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Jesse Knoll sighted a few water problems on Sugar Island.  Requested quote sheet for Managers vehicle.  Further discussion ensued regarding the Dodge vehicles and comments published by Barry O’Connor in the Evening News.

 

Mike Wallis was present to clear up the comment made suggesting the only thing he would operate would be a Caterpiller dozer.

 

 

 

 

 

Surveyor Laitinen indicated he is busy preparing for spring projects along with preparation of Annual Act 51 maps.

 

Foreman Pesola stated his crews have been busy taking care of water problems created by recent rain, working on general winter maintenance and proceeding with sand haul on Bound Road as weather permits.

 

County Commissioner Moore indicated he received some complaints because there was no plowing done last week in the Kincheloe housing after Friday’s storm. 

 

Foreman McConkey indicated that all trucks were out over the weekend.

 

Foreman Pesola stated they did have some trucks down and also were short staffed over weekend, so crews concentrated on main roads.

 

Foreman Erickson indicated we are starting to have our normal water problems and frozen pipes, also crews are still busy with winter maintenance.

 

Mr. Smith from Sugar Island asked if there are contracts for work on all of Homestead Road on Sugar Island.

 

Surveyor Laitinen indicated it was his understanding there were Township Road Agreements to complete all of Homestead, but suggested Mr. Smith verify that with Manager Heckman.

 

Mr. Smith inquired about why the curve on Homestead Road was not being worked on this winter.

 

Surveyor Laitinen indicated it was started in the fall, but because of winter maintenance haven’t been able to continue this project.  Discussion ensued.

 

Questions arose regarding sanding roads after they are bladed off and plowing on main roads on the Island.

 

Foreman McConkey responded to Commissioner Moores concerns regarding the plowing in the Kincheloe housing area.  He indicated it was his weekend watch and all the crews were called out, but because it was a weekend we don’t always get a full crew because employees sometimes have made other plans.

 

Engineering Assistant Deatrick gave update on training he attended and new funding applications.

 

Chief Mechanic Sibbald indicated busy working on equipment and preparing for construction season.

 

Chairman MacDonald corrected statement made regarding dollar amount difference in Managers vehicle.  He reiterated agreement to purchase from Newberry Motors was justified and discussed Purchasing Procedures as they related to our operation.  He has discussed the scenario with Phil Wolf from Anderson Tackman & Company and he didn’t find a problem with the way the vehicle purchase was handled.  Chairman MacDonald addressed comments made regarding “leather and loaded” stating these were false and can’t be substantiated, comments regarding dozer’s purchased indicating difference after trade-ins and other options was closer to $1,000.00 not $30,000.00 as stated in the paper.  Discussed the vehicles submitted by O’Connor’s for the Boards review with problems with both were detailed.  He stated again that we do operate with the best interests of the public in mind.

 

Jesse Knoll asked about the call to Newberry Motors after the other bids were received. 

 

Chairman MacDonald stated that he believes it was, but with quotes being requested it didn’t affect the results. 

 

Commissioner Carr talked about a similar transaction with heavy equipment that happened in the past.

 

Chairman MacDonald read the section in the Accounting Purchasing Policy in the Accounting Manual regarding local vendor preferences.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to authorize Manager Heckman to impose seasonal weight restrictions when appropriate.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

The cover sheet for plan design between CCRC, BIA, Federal Hwy Administration and MDOT for bridge replacement on 6 Mile Road over Waishkey River were presented for signing.

 

Chairman MacDonald and Commissioner Carr signed the plan sheet no further action. 

 

Questions were raised regarding time frames of this project.

 

Surveyor Laitinen indicated we could possibly have it in for a May bid letting with construction to begin this summer.

 

Concerns were raised regarding the possibility of this project being underway at the same time MDOT is working on M-28 project. 

 

Assistant Engineer Deatrick indicated he would contact MDOT to inquire about time frames, but thought the M-28 project would not be bid until June due to bonding requirements not in place yet.

 

Chairman MacDonald reviewed bids tabulations opened on March 5, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. for truck equipment.

Discussion ensued regarding information presented and time frames of 45-60 days from award.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to accept Truck and Trailer Specialties bid in the amount of $78,358.00 for Bid Tab #1.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to accept bid from Truck and Trailer Specialties for Bid Tab #3 in the amount of $69,373.00.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to accept bid from Truck and Trailer Specialties for Bid Tab #2 in the amount of $261,102.00.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office Manager Decker requested authorization to take bids for used equipment.  He indicated that when we bid out the new trucks there was an option given for trade in on vehicles we would be replacing.  Based on the trade in values the truck manufactures are willing to give we feel we might be able to get a better price for them on the open market. 

 

MOTION by Commissioner MacDonald SECONDED by Commissioner Carr to authorize management to advertise and receive sealed bids for sale of used equipment.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

Office Manager Decker presented request to receive bids for a 12,000 gallon above ground fuel tank system (10,000 gal diesel and 2,000 gal no-lead) at the Soo garage.

He indicated the current system was installed around 1989 and is required to be tested every two or three years.  During last years test, this tank failed.  Various options available were discussed.  Problems with tanks at other garage locations were discussed.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to receive bids for 12,000 gallon above ground fuel tank at the Soo garage.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

Commissioner MacDonald stated that Commissioner Holt and Manager Heckman are going to have an on site viewing of the Gray Hoist system while in Lansing and will report back.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board it was MOVED by Commissioner Carr SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald that the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 a.m.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

 

 

___________________________   __________________________

Brian F. Decker               Louis N. MacDonald

Deputy Clerk                  Chairman