ABSENT: Student Representative Snyder and Jeff Holmstrom

CITY OF WHITEHALL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 12, 2016

PRESENT: Tanya Cabala, Ellie Dennis, Debi Hillebrand, Patrick Landis, Steve Salter, and Edward Whalen

ALSO PRESENT: Student Representative Moore, City Manager Huebler, City Attorney Sweeting, Police Chief Squiers, Sgt. Doug Morris and City Clerk Bourdon

Mayor Whalen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Motion by Salter, seconded by Dennis, CARRIED, to approve the agenda. All ayes.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: LANDON MONTGOMERY, EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT White Lake Eagle Scout, Landon Montgomery presented his proposed project to raise $3,700 to make improvements to the nature trail in Lions Park (includes regraveling, replacing railroad ties, fixing balcony, painting, and adding a culvert). APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Motion by Cabala, seconded by Hillebrand, CARRIED, to approve the March 22 meeting minutes. All ayes.

APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Motion by Salter, seconded by Hillebrand, CARRIED, to approve the account payables in the amount of $188,250.37 and checks to be drawn in their several amounts.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Salter, Hillebrand, Landis, Cabala, Dennis, and Whalen; No – None; Absent – Holmstrom.

COMMUNICATIONS Ambulance Authority, Annual Police Report, Arbor Day Foundation, Community Center, Comprehensive Community Development, Downtown Phase III, Friends of the Playhouse, Loss Control Achievement Award, Marsh Data Collection Grant, Senior Center

City of Whitehall Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2016 Page Two

Motion by Hillebrand, seconded by Dennis, CARRIED, that the communications be received and placed on file. All ayes. PUBLIC COMMENT Bruce Froelich, 5150 Brookwood Circle of Montague, encouraged Council to stick around and pass the Articles of Incorporation to lift the 1 mill limit.

Kathy Russell of the White Swan Inn, 303 S. Mears commented that the demolition of Pinheads is an eyesore and a stricter timeline needs to be applied so that it is taken care of before the summer season.

MESSAGES FROM THE MAYOR

Chief Squiers recognized Officer Jim Duram for the Chief’s Commendation award and retirement plaque with over 35 years of service.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. Resolution 16-08: Ambulance Authority

Motion by Dennis, seconded by Cabala, CARRIED, to approve the Third Amended Restated Articles of Incorporation which eliminates the one mill cap for taxes levied (allowable by Act 57 of the Public Acts of 1988) and having provided notification of its intent to withdraw from the Authority effective midnight, June 30, 2016 and as such passage of this Resolution will in no way subject our residents to any millage levies approved subsequent to June 30, 2016 and approval of the forgoing amendments to the WLAA Articles are contingent thereon.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Dennis, Cabala, Hillebrand, Landis, Whalen; No – Salter; Absent – Holmstrom.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Tag Day Request – Old Newsies

Motion by Hillebrand, seconded by Landis, CARRIED, to approve the Old Newsies Tag Day request for Saturday, December 3rd from 8 am – 12 pm. All ayes. City of Whitehall Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2016 Page Three

B. Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Budget Schedule Motion by Cabala, seconded by Hillebrand, CARRIED, to schedule May 17 at 5:30 pm as a special budget work session and May 24 as the required public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2016/2017 budget. All ayes. Motion by Cabala, seconded by Hillebrand, CARRIED, to excuse Ellie Dennis from the May 17th budget work session. All ayes.

C. Barr Environmental

Motion by Salter, seconded by Cabala, CARRIED, to authorize the execution of the agreement for Construction Oversight Services with Barr Engineering.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Salter, Cabala, Dennis, Hillebrand, Landis, Whalen; No – None; Absent – Holmstrom.

D. White Lake Ambulance Budget

Motion by Dennis, seconded by Hillebrand, CARRIED, to propose a modification to the White Lake Ambulance budget whereby the deficit recovery from Fruitland is eliminated and the millage is increased adequately to cover the lost revenue.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Dennis, Cabala, Hillebrand, Landis, Whalen; No – Salter; Absent – Holmstrom.

E. Resolution 16-10: White Lake Ambulance Authority

Motion by Salter, seconded by Landis, CARRIED, to affirm the City’s prior position of withdrawing from the White Lake Ambulance Authority effective midnight June 30, 2016. Should the Authority Board of Directors officially call for dissolution prior to June 30, the City reserves all membership rights and duties. The Whitehall City Council also authorizes staff and the Committee to immediately begin negotiations with Life EMS.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Salter, Landis, Hillebrand, Dennis, Whalen; No – Cabala; Absent – Holmstrom.

City of Whitehall Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2016 Page Four PUBLIC COMMENT Bruce Froelich returned to comment on his disappointment on Whitehall’s decision to withdraw from the Ambulance Authority.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Salter, supported by Dennis that the Council meeting be adjourned at 7:00 p.m. All ayes.

______Edward L. Whalen, Mayor

______Brenda Bourdon, City Clerk