City of Tuscola City Council met Nov. 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Brace, Day (virtual), Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker (virtual), Slaughter, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance Public Comment - None Consent Agenda Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda:
• Minutes of the October 26, 2020 meeting - Financial report for October 2020
• Payment of bills totaling $837,769.94
• Pay request in the amount of $398,424.60 from Barton Electric for Ervin Park lighting
• Salvation Army request to conduct fundraising - various dates/times Hoey moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Morris seconded. Mayor Kleiss noted the Barton pay request is included in the bills total. The bill total also covers four weeks and the annual insurance premium. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day,'Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Rund moved to approve the consent agenda for November 23, 2020, Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Requested Time on the Agenda Paul Wisovaty addressed council on behalf of the Salvation Army red kettle program. The Salvation Army would like permission to collect donations downtown at Main and Sale on Saturday, mornings from 9 am - noon. The Saturday dates will begin November 28 and end December 19, Wisovaty also requested bell ringing aid from city employees/council members on December 19. Sav-Mor has offered to allow bell ringers in front of their store from 9 am - 1 pm on the 19th Wisovaty added the Salvation Army felt it would be great if city employees could handle the collections at Sav-Mor. In closing, Wisovaty wished everyone a happy holiday season and a much better 2021!
Mayor Mayor Kleiss asked when the last leaf pickup date would be. Foreman Cruzan stated December 2 is the last day for this service. Kleiss commented the Christmas decorations look really nice. City Clerk - No Report City Treasurer Treaşurer Long reported Eddie Boutilier and Red Barn Veterinary Services are delinquent on their TIF loans.
City Attorney Attorney Bequette (virtual) wished all a Happy Thanksgiving!
City Administrator - No Report
Contracts and agreements
Treasurer Long reported the annual employee health insurance renewal for the current plan is quite a bit higher for 2021. The net increase to the city would be more than 16%. Long is looking at other options, including higher deductibles and increased HSA by the city. The new plan year begins January 1, 2021, Long added, and we will need to offer a benefit choice enrollment period beginning December 1. Due to the tight timing, Long would like council to approve either the renewal of the same plan at an acceptable price or a better plan. Morris moved to authorize Administrator Hoel to execute the renewal of the employee health insurance plan for 2021, Slaughter seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Administrator Hoel stated a professional services agreement (PSA) with MSA for construction engineering services on the Ervin Park project has been submitted. MSA is requesting $8000 for this service and Hoel recommends approval. The city entered into a prior PSA with MSA for planning and design, Hoel added, and is now ready for the construction engineering phase. Waldrop moved to approve the PSA with MSA Professional Services in the amount of $8000,00, for construction engineering services on the Ervin Park project, Brace seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Requests for TIF Assistance Mavor Kleiss opened discussion on the outlet mall property marketing study which began several months ago. The study is ongoing and necessary in order to develop concepts and marketing materials for redevelopment of the property. Administrator Hoel reported we are working with a potential buyer and need further evaluation of tenant leases, environmental clearances, and surveys/platting. Hoel added this will be valuable information for the city and current mall owner if the potential sale does not work out. Hoey moved to approve the expenditure of $46,025, in TIF funds for the outlet mall marketing study project. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Other
✓ Mayor Kleiss asked for confirmation of the 2020 tax rate levy established at the October 26, council meeting.
Council felt no adjustments were needed. The 4.5% rate levy will be included in the ordinance for action at the next council meeting. Administrator Hoel updated council on the Ironhorse Drainage Project and discussed details of the recent bid opening. The approved Special Service Area (SSA) for funding the project was based on a $325,000, project budget. The day of the bid opening, the engineer's estimate for the project was $281,540, and the one and only bid was $426,139.24. Hoel stated he felt this was an honest bid. The project has many unknowns which is probably why the engineer's estimate was low and the bid was high. Hoel went on to say he will meet with the contractor and review the bid; however, he does not think we can get the bid down to the $325,000 budget established for the SSA. Slaughter questioned only one bid. Hoel answered there were five bid holders but only one bid was actually submitted. He thinks the project scared the others away. Slaughter asked if we would lose the $325,000. Hoel answered no - this is the amount established for the SSA taxing of the Ironhorse residents. The city is out $22,000 for establishing the SSA and engineering for the project. If the SSA is rescinded these costs will not be recovered.
Mayor Kleiss wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and asked all to wear masks, wash their hands, and maintain social distancing.
The motion to adjourn was made by Waldrop and seconded by Brace. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop
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