PRESENT: Loeffler, Meyer, Rupprecht, Schmitzer, Schoenow & Zeilinger.

ABSENT: Galsterer.

ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Graham, City Clerk Kerns, DDA Director Stamiris, Parks & Recreation Director Kaschinske, DPW Superintendent Braeutigam, Police Chief Mawer, Water Superintendent O’Brien, Adam Muszynski and John Deterding.

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M. and opened the meeting by leading the pledge of allegiance. He also recognized Parks & Recreation Director Kaschinske who introduced new Recreation Programmer Adam Muszynski.

This regular work session meeting was scheduled to provide an opportunity for discussion of the following items of business that either are being or may be considered at upcoming regular Council meetings.

There being no public comments, the Mayor proceeded with the agenda.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schoenow, to approve the agenda as reviewed by the Mayor. Unanimously carried.

Engine Brakes on Trucks. Reviewed a recommendation by the Transportation Advisory Committee concerning engine brakes and their request to install signage at the City limits stating "Don’t Use Engine Breaks". The signs would be placed north and south on Main Street and west of town on Junction Road at the City limits.

Discussion took place on the brakes and legal issues if an ordinance were adopted.

Moved by Schmitzer, seconded by Loeffler, to approve the Transportation Advisory Committee’s recommendation to contact the MI Department of Transportation for review and approval of signs addressing engine brakes within the City limits. Unanimously carried.

M83 Alternate Truck Route. Reviewed recommendations and discussions from the DDA Board, Chamber Board and the Transportation Advisory Committee concerning a proposal to implement an M83 alternate truck route to provide truckers with an option to bypass the downtown/S. Main Street area.

Being that mixed reviews took place from the DDA and Chamber Boards concerning the proposed alternate truck route, discussion took place on other funding for the implementation in lieu of the City paying the expense being there is concern over whether the truck route will be utilized enough to justify the expense.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Zeilinger to not pursue the project.

Additional discussion took place on obtaining non-City funding sources and that the motion from last month’s meeting specifies that the City implement the project at a cost of approximately $4,100.

Ayes: 2. Nays: 4. Absent: 1. Defeated.

Schoenow made a motion to continue with the truck route implementation as long as the DDA and Chamber funded the project; however, the motion died due to lack of support.

City administration was directed to pursue funding alternatives for implementing the alternate truck route and report that information back to Council.

March 2012 Council Meeting Date Change. Discussed changing the March 6^th Council meeting date to March 12^th due to some members not being available on March 6.

Moved by Schoenow, seconded by Meyer, to change the Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Council meetings to Monday, March 12, 2012. Unanimously carried.

2012-2013 City Budget Adoption Process. Reviewed potential dates for the upcoming 2012-2013 City Budget adoption process.

Moved by Schmitzer, seconded by Schoenow, to introduce the 2012-2013 City Budget at the March regular meeting, to hold a budget work session meeting in April, and to schedule a public hearing and adoption of the budget at the regular May meeting. Unanimously carried.

2012 Herbert L. Keinath Award. Discussion took place on a potential recommendation for the 2012 HLK Award.

Discussion took place on eligible nominees and the need for a listing with some criteria thereon to make the process easier.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schmitzer, to forward former Library Board Chair & Board of Review Member Charles Nickless’ name to the Herbert L. Keinath Award Nominating Committee for consideration. Unanimously carried.

December Audited Bills – Preliminary Review. The bills were available for review.

Miscellaneous. Discussed the fundraising for the local match of the dam/fish passage project and that the City will not need to commit to the project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers until sometime in April and that potable water options are currently under review by the Water Board.

Review of Upcoming Council Meeting Agenda Items/Meeting Schedule. The preliminary Council agenda for the February meeting was available for review.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:54 P.M.

Phillip W. Kerns

City Clerk