KIMBALL TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2160 WADHAMS ROAD, KIMBALL, MI 48074
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 21, 2024
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, Hoffman, Deland, Ward and Nelson.
ABSENT: None.
ALSO PRESENT: Chief Gratz.
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Wrubel: Add to New Business: L. Hiring Building Clerk II, M. Clerk I, N. Bookkeeper and O. Appointment of Deputy Clerk.
Deland motioned to approve the agenda as amended supported by Ward.
Motion Carried.
II. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES of APRIL 16, 2024 and April 30, 2024
Jackson motioned to approve the minutes of April 16, 2024 and April 30, 2024 as presented supported by Deland. Motion Carried.
III. CONSENT AGENDA AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Check Register from 04/13/2024 to 05/14/2024
- Revenue & Expenditure Report for Period Ending 05/31/2024
- Department Payroll Reports through 04/12/2024
Usakowski: We have distributions totaling $349,852.07.
Wrubel motioned to approve the distribution of $349,852.07 to pay the bills and file supported by Jackson.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Wrubel, Jackson, Usakowski, Hoffman, Deland, Ward and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
IV. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
A. Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of St. Clair Minutes for April 2, 2024 and April 16, 2024
Deland motioned to receive and file Boards and Commissions supported by Ward. Motion Carried.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT (Brief Comments)
Robert Felitz, 870 Sturdevant Road: I am running for St. Clair County Commissioner in the 5th District. I have worked for many months now to reduce odors
from the Smiths Creek Landfill and during that time I have worked with our township supervisor and found him to be a helpful co-leader as we address the landfill pollution problems.
A good leader has to know when to compromise. I as well as other candidates running for office am having our election campaigns limited by Supervisor Usakowski inability
to find a timely resolution to Kimball Townships unconstitutional sign law.
Discussion.
Usakowski explained.
Barbara Sherlock, 1935 Ditty Road: Complaint about the condition of Ditty and Griswold Roads. She has contacted the County Road Commission several times
about the condition with no results.
Usakowski will contact the road commission.
Gary and Patti Zimmerman, 2955 Wadhams Road: Water drainage issues that is flooding their field since the water was put through into Pondarosa
in 1993 instead of putting in a ditch or a culvert. I have pictures to show you. We need help to get this resolved.
Usakowski: I will contact the road commission.
Ed Kesselhauf, 2889 East Wood Drive: I am here to talk about equity and property taxes.
Discussion.
VI. CHIEF GRATZ REPORT
A. Application for Employment
1. Owen J. Tingley
This is a new applicant for Station 1. He interviewed well. We have 35 people on our staff right now and we have stopped hiring for the time being.
Deland motioned to hire Owen Tingley to Station 1 fire department supported by Nelson.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Nelson, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman and Ward. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
B. Request for Expenditure over $500.00
Sargent Shifflett is doing inspections for us as a non-license inspector and he is ready to move on to the class. The only place that offers the class is through
Michigan Fire Inspectors Society and that is at School Craft and he will be down there for a week.
Jackson motioned to approve the class for Sargent Shifflett at a cost of $1,025.00 supported by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Jackson, Deland, Usakowski, Wrubel, Hoffman, Ward and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
C. Request to Modify Budget
Gratz mentioned that they put money into the Capital Outlay to expand our staffing program. Gratz explained what the staffing covers during hours of operation.
Deland motioned to allow Chief Gratz to modify his budget supported by Ward.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Ward, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
D. Standard Operating Procedures: Emergency Operations
Gratz explained.
Pancake breakfast went well. Thank you to the church for letting us use their table and chairs.
County Commissioners meeting did approve the ARPA funding for the 12 additional radios.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
None.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Cross Connection Hiring
Usakowski explained that we posted for this position twice and the only candidate that I would recommend is Ken MaKay.
Jackson motioned to hire Ken MaKay for our Cross Connection position supported by Usakowski.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Jackson, Usakowski, Wrubel, Hoffman, Deland and Ward. NO: Nelson. ABSENT: None. (6-1-0) Motion Carried.
B. DPW and Fire Department: Gas Detection Instrument
Gratz explained that the DPW does not have a Gas Detection Instrument and they should be checking for gas while going into confined spaces.
We had the money to pay for ours through a donation through the community and a grant through Blue Water Underwater Storage. Ours is shared with three
other communities. It is important that the DPW has this equipment.
Discussion.
Deland motioned to purchase the Gas Detection Instrument for $2,620.00 for the DPW supported by Ward.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Ward, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman, and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
C. Culvert Replacement for Fish Road
Usakowski explained the cost for the Engineering on the project will cost $4,000 and if we do the projects then they will wave this fee.
Usakowski motioned that we approve the work order for engineering for the culvert replacement for Fish Road supported by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Usakowski, Deland, Jackson, Ward, Wrubel, Hoffman and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
D. Request for Expenditure over $500.00: Library Roofing
Usakowski received two bids for the new roof at the library. One bid from Tri-Star at a cost of $60,400.00 and one from D & D for $26,500.00.
We had Capital Outlay for the library at $15,000.00 and we still have $661,000.00 ARPA Funds so we are just going to take the balance from the ARPA Funds.
Discussion.
Ward motioned to hire Tri-Star at a bid of $60,400.00 for the library roof supported by Nelson.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Ward, Nelson, Usakowski, Jackson and Deland.
NO: Wrubel and Hoffman. ABSENT: None. (5-2-0) Motion Carried.
E. Request for Expenditure over $500.00: DPW Roofing
Usakowski received bids from the same vendors. We had a bid of $74,000.00 from Tri-Star and $36,500.00 from D & D.
Discussion.
Jackson motioned to hire Tri-Star to replace the roof at DPW at a cost of $74,000.00 supported by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Jackson, Deland, Usakowski, Nelson and Ward.
NO: Wrubel and Hoffman. ABSENT: None. (5-2-0) Motion Carried.
F. Request for Expenditure over $500.00: Culvert Repair Ravenswood Road Design
Usakowski explained that this would be the same as Fish Road. We did budget for this at a cost of $132,000.00 for the project.
Usakowski motioned to approve the work order for the culvert repair at Ravenswood Road for $8,500.00 support by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Usakowski, Deland, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman, Ward and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
G. Request for Expenditure over $500.00: Culvert Repair Allen North of Ravenswood
Usakowski explained that the total cost is $8,500.00 and we did budget $10,000.00 for this project.
Usakowski motioned to approve the $8,500.00 for the culvert replacement on Allen Road supported by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Usakowski, Deland, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman, Ward and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
H. Request for Expenditure over $500.00: Culvert Repair Burns South of Card
Usakowski explained that the cost of this project is $6,200.00.
Usakowski motioned to approve the crossover culvert on Burns Road at a cost of $6,200.00 supported by Jackson.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman, Deland, Ward and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
I. Request for Expenditure over $500.00: Crossover Tubes and Ditching
Usakowski explained the extent of the project on Ravenswood. Nine driveway culverts will be affected. The road commission will pay for the first
$10,000.00 with their local ditching program and we will be responsible for the other $32,000.00. We will use $19,684.00 of our drain balance and then the
balance of the project of $12,815.00 we would have to pay for this improvement.
Usakowski motioned to approve the culvert and ditching project on Ravenswood Road at the cost of $12,815.00 supported by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Usakowski, Deland, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman, Ward and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
J. Denise Focht Retirement
Usakowski explained that Denise would like to retire on June 30th. She would like to stay on with us for 18 hours and continue her GAP Insurance.
Usakowski: We have to modify the resolution to change the 20 hours to 18 hours.
Discussion.
Jackson motioned to approve Denise’s early retirement with her working 18 hours a week and continuing with $571.00 a month Gap Insurance supported by Ward.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Jackson, Ward, Usakowski, Wrubel, Hoffman, Deland and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
K. Hiring Building Clerk II
Usakowski explained that we had to employees leaves us these past few weeks.
Wrubel: I posted within the office for the Clerk II position and Shelly Gilbert put in her notice that she would like the position. She would be at the current
pay rate as it states in the union contract and it will be full-time.
Deland motioned to approve the hiring of Shelly Gilbert in the Clerk II position supported by Ward.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Ward, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0)
Motion Carried.
L. Clerk I
Usakowski explained about the Clerk I position.
Becky mentioned it was Christine Zeller that was interviewed and who we chose to fill the position.
Discussion.
Ward motioned to hire Christine Zeller for the Clerk I position supported by Deland.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Ward, Deland, Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
M. Bookkeeper
Usakowski explained that we posted for the bookkeeping position and had a couple of applicants.
Wrubel explained that they interviewed Thomas Marigold for the bookkeeping position and thought he was a good fit for our office.
He had semi-retired and decided that he did like retirement.
Discussion.
Jackson questioned about the starting wage.
Wrubel: He will start at $21.00 an hour for 30 hours a week.
Jackson motioned to hire Thomas Marigold at $21.00 an hour for 30 hours a week to the bookkeeping position supported by Ward.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Jackson, Ward, Deland, Usakowski, Wrubel, Hoffman and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0)
Motion Carried.
N. Appointment of Deputy Clerk
Wrubel explained that she hired a new Deputy Clerk Michele Erdman and would like to start her pay at $18.83 an hour.
Wrubel motioned to approve the hiring of Michele Erdman for Deputy Clerk at $18.83 an hour supported by Usakowski.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Wrubel, Usakowski, Jackson, Hoffman, Deland, Ward and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.
Usakowski thanked former Deputy Clerk Christine Carwyn for all her hard work and expertise.
IX. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
None.
X. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Christine Carwyn, 1224 Pine Street, Port Huron: Thanked the board for all their help and understanding. She will be at Washington Township
as an accountant position where my heart is.
Michele Erdman, the new Deputy Clerk introduced herself and that she is looking forward to working here.
XI. OFFICERS REPORT
A. Supervisor Usakowski
I have had five meetings this last week about the landfill. We are applying for a grant that resolves a lot of issues for the township.
It resolves getting the leachate off our system. There has been a decision made by the City of Port Huron based on EPA requirements that PFAS
are not going into the Port Huron sewer systems. The landfill will have to make some accommodations to remove PFAS which goes into the
leachate line and right into the sewers. Western Michigan University has been a great asset.
$50,000.00 of the ARPA funds was given to the township. How do we spend it?
We talked about putting a sidewalk in at Sutherland Park from the west pavilion to the bathrooms.
B. Clerk Wrubel
May elections are finished and certified.
DPW finished the foundations at Caswell Cemetery.
The Veteran’s Flags will be going up at the cemetery on Saturday.
The fire department put up the veteran flags
We are looking into getting bids for a shallow well in the front and the back at the Caswell Cemetery.
Wrubel welcomed Michele Erdman as the new Deputy Clerk and thanked Christine Carwyn for all her hard work.
C. Treasurer Jackson
We had seven dumpsters filled on Saturday for the clean-up.
Review of Financials.
D. Trustee Hoffman
Questioned Rob about a bridge for the railroad tracks.
- Trustee Deland
Questioned about the park equipment and when they will go up.
Usakowski said the parks are too wet yet.
Deland mentioned that the landfill does not accept yard waste. Can we find someone to compost?
Usakowski said he would check with Marty Torrello.
- Trustee Nelson
We had a ZBA meeting and the Master Plan issue was brought up about a small section on Griswold that was zoned commercial.
They were talking about cleaning that up and making it more residential.
Usakowski will look into it.
Nelson: The County Commissioners did approve the home-schooling resolution for the county.
- Trustee Ward
No report.
Barbara Sherlock: Fishing Tournament is June 8th.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Deland motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. supported by Nelson.
Motion Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Submitted by Becky Wrubel, Clerk