Elberta council approves large payables, authorizes clerk and treasurer access, and appoints street administrator

Elberta Village Council trustees approved several administrative and financial items at the Dec. 19 meeting, including the authorization of large accounts payable and personnel access measures.

Council approved accounts payable totaling $718,745.20; President Jennifer Wilkins moved the motion and Trustee Brett McGregor seconded. The roll call recorded unanimous approval. The council also approved payroll payments totaling $12,192.00; Wilkins and Pro Tempore Emily Votruba recused from the payroll vote and the motion passed on a three-aye vote.

Trustees adopted Amended Resolution #2024-007, a technical correction to the wage and compensation pay scale for appointed officials (Clerk and Treasurer) without changing wage amounts. The motion to adopt the corrected math passed unanimously.

The council authorized Clerk Rachel Perkins to be a signatory at State Savings Bank and granted her access to MiClass, MiBusiness, MiLogin (Login.gov), SAM, SIGMA and the village credit card. Separately, the council authorized Treasurer Jan Erlewein to access online bank and state systems (MiClass, MiBusiness, SAM, SIGMA, EFTPS) but clarified she will not be a check signatory. Trustee Brett McGregor requested an organizational chart listing which personnel have access to which services and physical spaces; the council directed staff to produce that chart.

Council approved the 2025 management contract for the Elberta Life Saving Station with Kristine Mills and appointed Justin Towle as Streets Administrator after redoing the authorization document that had previously been lost. The council also approved the 2025 Council and commission meeting schedule and added Jon Ottinger to the Personnel and Policy Committee. A proposed fireworks policy was tabled for further research.

Several motions were unanimous; the payroll vote recorded two recusals. The council adjourned at 8:21 p.m.