KIMBALL TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2160 WADHAMS ROAD, KIMBALL, MI 48074
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 01, 2025
6:30 P.M.
Usakowski opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Bowen, Deland, Lokers and Reilly.
ABSENT: None.
- APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Deland motioned to approve the agenda as presented for April 1, 2025, supported by Reilly. Motion Carried.
- PRESENTATION OF MINUTES OF MARCH 18, 2025
Deland pointed out that on page 3, V. Andrew Kercher’s name was spelled wrong and on page 6, IX. Fielitz name was spelled wrong also.
Jackson motioned to approve the minutes of March 18, 2025, as amended supported by Bowen. Motion Carried.
III. CONSENT AGENDA AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Check Register from 03/11/2025 – 03/25/2025
- Revenue & Expenditure Report for Period Ending 03/31/2025
Usakowski mentioned that we have $1,650,132.00 in disbursements.
Jackson motioned to disburse $1,650,132.00 to pay the bills and file supported by Bowen.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Jackson, Bowen, Usakowski, Wrubel, Deland, Lokers and Reilly. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
- BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
- Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of St. Clair Regular Meeting Minutes for 03/04/2025
- Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of St. Clair Agenda for 03/18/2025
Deland motioned to receive and file Boards and Commissioners Minutes and Agendas supported by Jackson. Motion Carried.
- PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS (Paperwork for this is on pages 122-125)
Usakowski explained that we have some rules that we need to follow during our meetings. Speaking time at the meetings are limited to three minutes.
Reilly motioned to adopted 2.4E supported by Bowen. Motion Carried.
- PUBLIC COMMENT (Brief Comments)
Edward Amyot, 6935 Frith Road, St. Clair Township: Commented about the land that the township purchased and was happy to see the township purchase it.
Mr. Amyot discussed working in the Kimball Township Fire Department since 2020 and the improvements that they have made there. He also talked about the firefighter that was harassed after having a heart attack. He was a good man and firefighter.
Jessica Smeader, 1795 Maple Road: Complaint about a neighbor with blight issues. Wants to know what the process is because she has called the township to complain but never received any response back.
Usakowski explained what the process is about blight and will call her tomorrow to let her know where her complaint is.
- CHIEF GRATZ REPORT
- Request for Expenditure Over $500.00
Chief Gratz discussed replacing one water well tank and installing a new 20- gallon tank system. I have contacted three vendors:
A & B Well Drilling: $3,500.00
Welser Well Drilling: $1,150.00
Clearwater Well Services: No quote turned in.
Discussion.
Bowen motioned to hire A & B Well Drilling to replace the water well tank and install a new 20 gallon one at a cost of $3,500.00 supported by Reilly.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Bowen, Reilly, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Deland and Lokers. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
- Request for Expenditure Over $500
Chief Gratz explained that they will remove and install new stairs at Station 2, and I have three vendors with bids.
Set in Stone Construction: $4,000.00
Ward Construction: $6,900.00
B & B Maintenance Services: $5,600.00
Reilly motioned to approve the bid from Set in Stone Constructions at a cost of $4,000.00 supported by Lokers.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Reilly, Lokers, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Bowen and Deland. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
Gratz explained that he has been in touch with CN and MDOT and the Road Commission about the trains and the overpass on Allen Road. We have not had any problems with it yet, but we are concerned about it.
Floyd Hubbard passed away Sunday and was a volunteer firefighter for 45 years with Kimball Township Fire Department. Services will be Thursday, April 3.
Pancake Breakfast is May 18th from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Station 1.
- OLD BUSINESS
None.
- NEW BUSINESS
- Park Attendant Hiring
David Oles
Usakowski explained that they had several applicants and narrowed it down to eight. Then of the eight we decided to hire David Oles.
Bowen asked if he would get benefits?
Usakowski mentioned that he will be full-time with benefits.
Jackson motioned to hire David Oles for the full-time park attendant position supported by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Jackson, Deland, Usakowski, Wrubel, Bowen, Lokers and Reilly. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
- Union Contract – Clerical
Usakowski explained what was covered under the new contract.
Deland motioned to approve the Clerical Union Contract supported by Bowen.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Bowen, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Lokers and Reilly. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
- Brownfield Request Teltow
Usakowski explained about how this development would work but has concerns about this project. His recommendation is to reject the request.
Lokers motioned to turn down the Brownfield request supported by Deland.
Motion Carried.
- I-69 Trade Corridor Next Michigan Development Corp
Usakowski explained what this all includes for $500.00 a year.
Usakowski motioned to withdraw from the Next Michigan Development Corp supported by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Usakowski, Deland, Jackson, Wrubel, Bowen, Lokers and Reilly. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
- AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Diana Nielsen, 5212 Griswold Road: Inquired about the park attendant position.
XI. OFFICERS REPORT
A. Usakowski
Usakowski mentioned that the new phone system is in and working well.
We applied for the DNR Grant for the new Black River property. Thank you to Kim Harmer for her help with getting everything set up. Now we just must wait to see if we get approved.
We had an audience member asking about getting complaints in writing. I did forward to him our policy procedures, but he said he will not be following it.
On the applications that we received, Thomas Hines was the most qualified for the DPW summer help in mapping.
Deland motioned to approve the hiring of Thomas Hines for the summer mapping help with the DPW supported by Bowen.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Bowen, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Lokers and Reilly. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
Usakowski suggested that Dennis Clark do our grass cutting this year and not as a park attendant.
Reilly motioned to approve hiring Dennis Clark as our grass cutter this year supported by Jackson.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Reilly, Jackson, Usakowski, Wrubel, Bowen, Deland and Lokers. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
B. Wrubel
Tri County Aquatics contacted us and wanted to know if we would like to have a service contract with us to treat the pond. We usually have them come out at least three times a year and the cost will be $1,425.00. I need the board to approve the contract.
Usakowski mentioned that it has made a significant difference at the pond. I would like to keep the people safe.
Deland motioned to approve the contract with Tri County Aquatics to treat the Sutherland Pond for $1,425.00 supported by Jackson.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Jackson, Usakowski, Wrubel, Bowen, Lokers and Reilly. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
We received a $10,000.00 grant for the elections, and we need to replace five laptops that we use for them and the cost will be $4,629.95.
Reilly motioned to approve the purchase of five laptops for elections at a cost of $4,629.95 supported by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Reilly, Deland, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Bowens and Lokers. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
The newsletter will be going out in the mail on May 1st, and we need all the articles by April 7th.
Spring clean-up is scheduled for May 17th from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. We will not be taking tires at this clean-up.
- Jackson
Taxes have been done.
Jackson went over the financials.
- Lokers
Questioned about blight issues and asked if vehicles in the yards must be registered and licensed.
Usakowski said yes.
Lokers also questioned the Allen Road bridge.
Usakowski explained.
- Deland
Can we do some extra signage about the Spring Clean-Up?
Usakowski agreed.
- Bowen
Wanted to know who is using the phone app and how it works?
Usakowski explained.
- Reilly
Spoke about raises with the board and what other townships pay. I would like to see an 8% raise put on the agenda for the board members.
- ADJOURNMENT
Deland motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. supported by Bowen. Motion Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Submitted by Becky Wrubel, Clerk
