7:30 P.M.
Barber School
Meeting Room
I. Call to Order
President Keller called the meeting to
order at 8:45 p.m.
II.
Pledge of Allegiance
III.
Roll Call
A.
Present: Filber, Fischer, Holland, Keller, Palma & VanStrate
B.
Excused: Hall
IV.
Reports and Statements
of Citizens:
No reports or statements of citizens were
presented.
V. Consent Agenda
A.
Approved a resolution pertaining to non- discrimination
under Title VI pertaining to amending the Spring Lake Village Personnel
Policies to revise the Village’s equal opportunity policy to conform with MDOT
contract requirements and authorized the Village Manager as the equal
opportunity employment coordinator to execute the personnel policies and other
required documents. This resolution was
newly required under Title VI by MDOT.
The impact was to re-state our current hiring practices and ensure they
are included in the personnel policies and procedures manual as such.
B.
Approved extending the policy to have the
Village Council review demolition permits for buildings 50 years old or older,
with the inclusion of a potential 30-day additional review period for
structures believed to have historical merit.
The Village Attorney would draft the policy.
On
a motion by Fischer, support from Filber, the Village approved the consent
agenda as presented.
Yes: 5 No: 1(VanStrate)
VI.
Report By the Village Clerk
A. Held a public hearing on renewal of a nonexclusive
2004 Cable Television Franchise Agreement with CC Michigan, d/b/a Charter
Communications for a term of fifteen years.
The group cable
franchise negotiations were done.
Most of the Village’s
protections and requirements stayed the same in this “round,” except updates
mandated by preemptive state and federal statutes/regulations.
The overall gains
were: better insurance provisions, the
potential to get grants to support school or Village channels, improved contact
information, continuation of one free modem service for the Village, conclusion
of the audit, continuation of the 5% franchise fee and three (PEG) channels,
along with modest funding if desired.
Significantly, the
“bundling” clause was different, given the advent of cable modem for Internet
users. The change ensured that a
“package” of services that included television cannot be sold under the larger
umbrella of “cable modem internet” services and franchise fees thereby be
escaped. Without this change, the
cable company would have had the right to offer cable modem via the Internet
and theoretically reduced the Village’s 5 % franchise payments under new
Federal Communications Commission’s regulations. This provision would stem possible loss of 5% and ensured that it
was prorated appropriately.
Following this hearing,
action on the franchise ordinance would be scheduled for February 7, 2005. At that time, the Council would also be
asked for authorization to execute a cable modem side letter and to approve of
a resolution resolving the franchise fee audit process.
President Keller declared the public hearing open for comments at 8:56
p.m.
No public discussion was presented.
On a motion by Fischer,
support from Holland, the Village Council closed the public hearing at 8:57
p.m.
Yes: 6 No: 0
VII.
Report by the Village Manager
A. Designated 207 East Savidge as a Historic Landmark.
Subject: The Historic Conservation Commission
regularly recommended new landmarks upon application of the property owner and
review. Mark and Christine Miller were
interested in having their house included as a historic landmark at 207 East
Savidge. Members of the Historic
Commission were present to discuss their recommendation with the Village
Council.
On a motion by Holland, support from Fischer, the
Village Council designated 207 East Savidge as a historic landmark.
Yes: 6 No: 0
VIII.
Reports by the Village Council:
On a motion by Fischer, support from Holland, the Village
Council appointed Councilmember
Filber to serve as an alternate council representative on the Village Planning Commission.
Yes: 6 No: 0
On a motion by Holland, support from VanStrate, the
Village Council approved cancellation
of the January 17, 2005 regular village council meeting.
Yes: 6 No: 0
IX.
Statements of Citizens:
No
statements of citizens were presented.
X. Executive
Session to Discuss Collective Bargaining
On a motion by Fischer, support from
Holland, the Village Council adjourned into executive session at 9:03 p.m.
Yes: 6 No: 0
Resolved that
the Village Council meet in executive session for reasons permitted by Section
8(C) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act, MCL 15.268 (e); MSA 4.1800(18)(e); as
requested by the Village Manager, to confer with legal counsel on matters
permitted by Section (e) of the Open Meetings Act.
On a motion by
Holland, support from VanStrate, the Village Council arose from executive
session at 9:13 p.m.
Yes: 6 No: 0
XI.
Adjournment
On a motion by VanStrate, support from Palma, the Village
Council adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Yes: 6 No: 0
______________________________________________
Daniel Keller,
Village President
_______________________________________________
Maribeth
Lawrence, Village Clerk/Treasurer