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South Range council approves 10‑year $1 lease for baseball fields, hires part‑time worker and adopts winter policies
Summary
At its Nov. 6 meeting, the Village of South Range council agreed to a 10‑year $1 lease of the baseball fields to the VFW, hired a part‑time employee at $20/hour, approved a new resident snow policy, donated $700 to the village Christmas event and approved routine bills totaling $83,152.75.
The Village of South Range Council on Nov. 6 approved a package of routine and local measures, including a 10‑year lease of the village baseball fields to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for $1, the hiring of a part‑time employee and adoption of new winter policies.
President Eakin called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and the council heard public comments about winter snowmobile parking. R. LaPorte of the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club and M. Franchi raised parking needs; in response Trustee Marier moved to plow the pavilion parking area for one more winter and to direct snowmobile traffic from Franchi’s new business down Trimountain Avenue. Trustee Balma seconded both motions; the transcript records the motions but does not record a roll‑call vote for those specific motions.
The council approved payment of October bills totaling $83,152.75 after Trustee Korby moved and Trustee Balma seconded the motion; the roll call recorded ayes from Trustee Marier and Trustee Hill and the motion carried.
Leasing baseball fields: A VFW representative addressed the council about a lease for the village baseball fields. Trustee Korby moved to lease the fields for $1 for a 10‑year term, seconded by Trustee Balma; the motion passed by roll call (ayes recorded for Trustee Marier and Trustee Hill). The council instructed that a legal contract be prepared to formalize the lease.
Hiring and personnel: The council interviewed part‑time applicant Sydni Schwandt and voted to hire her at $20 per hour after Trustee Korby moved and Trustee Balma seconded the motion; the roll call recorded ayes from Trustee Marier and Trustee Hill and the motion carried.
Winter policies and community support: The council approved a new snow policy for residents and voted to continue the prior "let‑run" winter policy until further notice. The village also agreed to donate $700 to the annual "Christmas in South Range" celebration on Dec. 13; the donation motion passed with Trustee Balma recorded as abstaining.
Other reports and items: President Eakin presented the street‑commissioner report, noting the garbage truck was repaired and the street sander is being fixed for winter. Clerk Steven Dorsey said annual insurance for village property was renewed and parking enforcement occurred Nov. 1. Chief Balma reported fire apparatus maintenance, a new recruit in training, school fire‑prevention outreach and the planned Dec. 13 community event.
The council briefly discussed attendance records and adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The Oct. 2 meeting minutes were left on hold for approval at the Dec. 4 meeting.
