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Laurium council adopts parks plan, approves budget amendments and new personnel actions
Summary
The Laurium Village Council on Jan. 14 adopted a five-year Parks and Recreation Plan, approved budget amendments and passed motions to hire a part-time police officer and create a rink manager position; most votes were 4–1 with one abstention by Andrew Erickson (participating by Zoom).
The Laurium Village Council on Jan. 14 approved its five-year Parks and Recreation Plan, passed several budget amendments, and authorized two new personnel actions, the council said at its regular meeting.
President John Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the council adopted the agenda and the Dec. 17 minutes. Committee member Jennifer Jenich-Laplander moved the agenda and minutes approval; both items passed with four votes in favor and one abstention from Andrew Erickson (who participated by Zoom and could not vote). The council also approved payment of regular and prepaid bills under the same vote pattern.
On financial items, the council approved amendments proposed by Village Manager Ian Lewis to increase the Sanitation budget from $6,000 to $16,500, the Water Fund from $7,000 to $12,000, and the Municipal Fund from $2,000 to $2,500. Jeff Erickson moved the budget amendments; John Galbraith seconded. The motion carried, 4–0 with one abstention (A. Erickson).
The council passed a Performance Resolution for Municipalities required for Michigan Department of Transportation permitting; Lewis said passage makes the village eligible to pursue MDOT permits. The resolution passed with four yes votes and one abstention.
On land-use and planning matters, the council voted to adopt the five-year Parks and Recreation Plan; the Planning Commission will handle any minor updates and typographical corrections. John Galbraith made the motion and it passed 4–0 with one abstention.
Personnel actions included a vote to hire one part-time police officer, with the council directing staff to advertise immediately. The hiring motion passed 4–0 with one abstention. The council also approved creation of a salaried Rink Manager position to support Gipp Arena operations (winter and summer duties), with funding drawn from multiple municipal accounts; the position will include a training commitment if the village pays for CDL instruction. That motion carried 4–0 with one abstention.
Manager Lewis also proposed moving the advertised budget hearing date from Feb. 18 to Feb. 27; staff were instructed to publish the required notices.
The meeting concluded with routine property and equipment reports, recognition plans for outgoing clerk Trisha Goulus, and an adjournment at 7:41 p.m.
Votes at a glance: 1) Approval of agenda — passed (4 yes, 1 abstain). 2) Approval of Dec. 17 minutes — passed (4 yes, 1 abstain). 3) Acceptance of bills — passed (4 yes, 1 abstain). 4) Budget amendments — passed (4 yes, 1 abstain). 5) MDOT Performance Resolution — passed (4 yes, 1 abstain). 6) Adoption of five-year Parks and Recreation Plan — passed (4 yes, 1 abstain). 7) Hire one part-time police officer — passed (4 yes, 1 abstain). 8) Create Rink Manager position — passed (4 yes, 1 abstain).
