Under the public comments opens the meeting policy, Lisa Friden was present to update the Council on recent activities and events through the Grove Chamber of Commerce. The Grove Chamber is a private organization in Grove, who usually only shows at city council meetings when wishing money from city fathers. One can presume that someone requested a presentation from the Chamber. Video of Lisa’s presentation accompanies this story.
The Council approved of Minutes of the Previous Meeting and Approved of Minutes of the Special Meeting for November 12, 2013. Minutes of these 2 meetings are attached. Minutes Grove City Council Nov 5, 2013 Minutes Grove City Council Nov 12, 2013.
The Council approved of the Purchase Order Register., copy attached, and funds expended from the City General Fund $50,307.38 and City Capital Fund $222,579.33 Payables paid Grove Council Nov 19th 2013
Ruth Ann Barnhart, Realtor with Prudential Grand Lake Wistrom Realty – reappointed to the Grove Planning and Zoning Board
The Mayor reappointed Ruth Ann Barnhart and Dennis Brown to the Planning and Zoning Board, and reappointed Rollie Cornelson and Chuck Perry to the Zoning Board of Adjustments. He was about to appoint Mr.Jimmy Campbell but realizing Mr. Campbell was not in attendance, the mayor suggested he wait till he meets him before he appoints him to this board.
Chief of Police showed off the new uniforms for Grove Police
The Council approved Mayor Marty Follis appointments to the Zoning Board of Adjustments and to the Planning arid Zoning Commission passed by a 3/2 vote, with no discussion from any of the councilors on candidates. Open meetings laws prohibit council members from gathering together to discuss appointments outside of official Council Meetings. If there is no discussion outside of council meetings, and with no discussion here at the council meeting, where is the collaboration so necessary to get the best appointments. What gives?
Councilors Ivan Devitt and Don Nielsen both said they voted no to the Mayors nominations, for they wanted well known public citizen Judith Reed appointed to the Planing and Zoning Authority, and the sources say the Mayor won’t appoint Ms. Reed because she is a rebel, and not easily influenced.
There are no qualifications to become appointed to the Grove Zoning Board of Adjustments. None. Nada. You could live in Detroit and be appointed to the City of Grove Board of Adjustments.Applications for open seats in P&Z and Appeals
The City Managers Report
#6. on the Agenda was “Discussion And I Or Action Requesting Authorization for Processing of a One-Time Salary Adjustment for Full-Time Employees That Are Not Eligible for Longevity Pay.” What this is is a Christmas Bonus for the employees who have worked for the city for less than 4 years. When Bill Galletly was City Manager, the council at that time approved an annual bonus, first refereed to as Holliday Bonus, and quickly changed to a euphemism of Longevity and One time Salary Adjustment of $5 per month of months worked up to a max of $1,200.
These allotments, what ever you call them for 90 employees amounts to $4,950 for new employees, and $41,020 for the other employees, for a total of $45,020. For an employee who has served the City of Grove for 5 years, is a nice check of $300 is pretty nice to get this time of year.
The Council Authorized the Advertisement for Bids for the CNG Station Site Improvements.