Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Meeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
South Range council approves alley tree removal, parcel sale and CD rollover; hears complaints about Baltic Avenue rental
Summary
At its Sept. 7 meeting, the South Range Common Council approved routine municipal actions — including alley tree removal, a parcel sale, fountain repairs and rolling a bank CD — and heard residents report aggressive driving and other problems connected to a rental on Baltic Avenue.
The Common Council of the Village of South Range met Sept. 7 and approved several routine expenditures and administrative moves while addressing resident concerns about a rental property on Baltic Avenue and aggressive driving by students.
Village President George Eakin opened the meeting at 6 p.m. and noted he has contacted the sheriff about complaints that students at a rental on Baltic Avenue have been racing four-wheelers and driving recklessly on M-26; he said the village also will send a letter to the landlord and may tow vehicles if they block sidewalks this winter. Several residents raised related enforcement requests, including reinstating a caution light and better code enforcement.
The council approved a series of motions by unanimous vote: awarding North Mine Tree Service $1,300 to remove trees from the 5th and 6th Street alley; accepting Craig Hamlin’s $3,250 bid for Lot 20, Block 7 (Baltic Avenue); hiring Payden Rothenberger to repair the fountain in front of the fire hall for $325; and rolling a maturing Superior National Bank certificate of deposit into an 11‑month CD at 5.05 percent. Trustees also approved payment of bills totaling $104,047.55 (including $71,476.26 in older bills and $32,571.29 in new bills). Trustee Cody Bonini made or seconded multiple motions; Trustee Therese Parolini supported or moved several items.
Clerk Kristen Archambeau told the council the village audit for fiscal year 2022–23 is complete and asked members to review the new municipal website content, especially the village history and "Our Village" section. The clerk also relayed a request from Grace Lutheran to be added to the village plowing list and provided current plowing rates for council consideration.
Street Commissioner Craig Burkman reported routine public-works activity, including responding to 21 Miss Dig requests, marking manholes for DNR work, repairs to water main shutoffs struck by a grader, transferring lagoon water ahead of discharge, and staff signups for wastewater and water certification tests in November. Burkman said the vac truck is operational again and that EGLE scheduled the village’s five-year tank inspection. He presented quotes for alley tree cutting and removal that the council later approved.
On property matters, the council directed staff to move forward with a lot sale to a Mr. Franchi but removed a two-year "must build" requirement because of utility uncertainties. The council also accepted a letter of interest from Justin Marier to fill a trustee vacancy and welcomed him to the body.
Trustee Therese Parolini asked the council to pursue trail repairs to the village water tank, consider hiring a grant writer, clarify who will cover staff travel to the upcoming water conference, and bring back a policy on free hall rentals for firefighters. Several administrative items, including a proposed employee handbook and the Public Works trailer item, were tabled to the Oct. 5 meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
