By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax Village Council learned at its regular meeting November 18 the Village has recovered money for fees and attorney expense at one location in the Village and the process at a second location the village holds a lien to recover past due money has started.
The Council learned at the previous meeting there are $25,000-$30,000 in fees and attorney expense at three locations the Village has liens on.
The Village has liens at 110 South Main Street, 115 Watson Street, and 329 West Maple Street.
Village Council President Bill Lewis said the village attorney said the lien at 115 Watson Street that has been in place for nearly four years for $2,580 for costs associated with hiring a company to remove items from the yard for an ordinance violation, needs to be put into a warrant. Lewis said he signed the warrant that now places the past due money onto the property taxes.
Lewis adds the Village has received a check payment for a lien at 329 West Maple Street. He said once the check clears the bank, the lien will be cleared at the county level. The Council was attempting to recoup $14,920 for demolition and attorney costs at the location.
The Council also holds a lien at 110 South Main Street for what was stated at a previous council meeting is a $25 per day fine for permit non-compliance through a court order that totals $10,675. It has been noted at previous council meetings the Council has also absorbed approximately $2,000 in attorney fees during the process at the location.
Lewis said the village attorney is reviewing the information provided by the village and from the court order.
Fire Department Report
Assistant Fire Chief Sean Perrin said the Climax Township Fire Department responded to 18 runs in October, including four runs in the Village of the Climax, all medical runs.
Perrin said as of November 18 the local fire department has responded to over 18 calls for service, including four personal injury accidents. The assistant fire chief reminds the public there is typically an uptick in car-deer collisions in November.
Perrin adds with the Climax Township Fire Department becoming first responders for Wakeshma Township calls approaching, the Climax Township Fire Department started training with the Athens and Leonidas Fire Departments, training with some of the equipment the two area fire departments have.
Water Committee Will Review Water Rate Adjustment
The water/recycling/spring cleanup committee will consider a resolution that will change the administration fee name on water bills to Readiness To Serve fee as part of the quarterly water billing cycle.
The committee will also consider a recommendation by DPW Manager T.J. Gibson to increase the Administration or Readiness To Serve fee from $25 per quarter to $31.25 per quarter, for an overall increase of $25 per year. Gibson said the increase is still lower than some municipalities in the area.
Adjusting the water rate could also be discussed in the future.
A Water Reliability Study DPW Manager T.J. Gibson has already started working with Prein & Newhof on, could give the Council some insight on what the administration and per thousand gallon rate increases should be.
Gibson said there are a number of accounts that are reviewed in the Water Reliability Study, however some include pumpage reports, water usage and water pressure.
The Committee will wait until the Water Reliability Study is completed before bringing a recommendation back to the council.
Insurance Representative Meets With Committee
Finance/Insurance/Administration Chairperson Denise Pyle said a representative from the Village’s insurance carrier met with village representatives to discuss the Village’s Risk Assessment Plan, offering options that are not required, but could help reduce reliability.
It was noted the Village should make sure job descriptions, employee handbooks and expectations for village employees are up to date.
Ordinance Violations Corrected
Ordinance/Zoning/Planning & Development Chairperson Carolyn Kelly said her committee has learned six residents have responded to ordinance violation letters the committee sent out, She said most of the violation letters the committee has sent out is for blight.
Kelly adds she has been working with a Michigan Municipal League representative reviewing clarifications on some of the terms in the Village’s Code of Ordinances and recommendations the MML representative made that should go back to the attorney for input.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
