Buchanan Board of Education (June 6)

Virtual Academy graduates: The board recommended the graduation of Virtual Academy graduates Brixton Adkerson, Kassandra O’Hara and Breeana Hendershot. Yes: Laesch, Writer, DeVlaminck, Lee, Tobler and Burnett. Absent: Wentworth.

MHSAA resolution: The board voted to adopt a resolution stating that the middle and high schools are to be enrolled as members of the Michigan High School Athletic Association and are further enrolled to participate in approved interschool athletic activities sponsored by the MHSAA. The authorization will be in effect from Aug. 1, 2017, to July 31, 2018. Yes: Laesch, Writer, DeVlaminck, Lee, Tobler and Burnett. Absent: Wentworth.

Athletic coaching recommendations: The board voted to approve the following 2017-2018 coaches: Shelly Bender as varsity volleyball coach; Reid McBeth as middle school football coach; Orville Thomas as varsity football coach; Brad Kyle as the assistant varsity football coach; and Bill Carson, Jim Worke and Erik Johansen as assistant high school football coaches. The also voted to update Natalie Kluge as the 2016-2017 middle school girls track coach. Yes: Laesch, Writer, DeVlaminck, Lee, Tobler and Burnett. Absent: Wentworth.

Moccasin principal recommendation: The board voted to approve the recommendation of Superintendent Andrea van der Laan to place Mrs. Stacey Denison as the principal of Moccasin Elementary School for the 2017-2018 school year. Yes: Laesch, Writer, DeVlaminck, Lee, Tobler and Burnett. Absent: Wentworth.

Public budget hearing for 2017-2018 school year: The board voted to approve a public hearing for the 2017-2018 school year budget for 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 19, at Buchanan Middle School, 610 W. Fourth St., Buchanan. Yes: Laesch, Writer, DeVlaminck, Lee, Tobler and Burnett. Absent: Wentworth.

Resolution to levy taxes: The board voted to approve a resolution to approve the tax rates as authorized by the levy on the 2017 tax roll per the 2017 tax rate request for L-4029. Yes: Laesch, Writer, DeVlaminck, Lee, Tobler and Burnett. Absent: Wentworth.

High school asphalt paving: The board voted to approve asphalt maintenance at the high school using Affordable Asphalt located in Buchanan. The cost for the project will be $335,200, with an additional $11,300 for an alternate section of the staff lot. The project is estimated to be complete by Aug. 15, 2017. Yes: Laesch, Writer, DeVlaminck, Lee, Tobler and Burnett. Absent: Wentworth.

Buchanan City (May 22)

Keys to the city: The mayor presented Mr. Blossomtime First Runner-up Dylan Catalano and Miss Buchanan Andrea Bair with keys to the city.

Consider beer and wine sellers application: City Manager Bill Marx explained that Marathon, uptown across from Hilltop, has applied for a license to sell beer and wine. The board voted to offer a positive recommendation to the state for the business to sell beer and wine as they apply for a license. Yes: Hess, Vigansky and Toerne. Absent: Moore and Cole.

Emergency expenditure for Mill Pond Lift Station: The board voted to approve an emergency expense for new slide rails that pull pumps up and down for repairs. The current rails failed due to age and normal wear and tear. Yes: Hess, Vigansky and Toerne. Absent: Moore and Cole.

Niles City (May 22)

Emergency purchase of Rock Trap: Niles City Council members voted to approve the consent agenda item of an emergency purchase of one Rock Trap from Performance Machining, Inc. of Niles at a cost of $3,000. Yes: Unanimous.

Purchase of transformers for Southside Switching Station: Niles City Council members voted to approve the consent agenda item of the purchase of three current transformers for use at the Southside Switching Station for the single-source quote of $7,941 from Power Line Supply Company of Reed City, Michigan. Yes: Unanimous.

Purchase of transformer for Lakeland Health: Niles City Council members voted to approve the consent agenda item of a quote of  $9,695 for an in-stock 750KVA transformer from Solomon Corporation of Solomon, Kansas, for use at Lakeland Health’s Medical Office building. Yes: Unanimous.

Purchase of transformer for Ballard School: Niles City Council members voted to approve the consent agenda item of a quote of  $9,695 for an in-stock 750KVA transformer from Solomon Corporation of Solomon, Kansas, for use at Ballard School. Yes: Unanimous.

Bid for Phase III of sewer improvements: Niles City Council members voted to approve the administrator’s report item to accept a bid for $69,080 to complete the 2017 Phase III portion of the Sewer Collection System Improvement Project and authorize the mayor to sign. Yes: Unanimous.

Professional agreement for airport improvements: Niles City Council members voted to enter into a professional services agreement in the amount of $89,450.17 with Mead & Hunt Inc. of Lansing to complete the Airport Improvement Project and consideration of authorizing the mayor to sign the agreement. Yes: Unanimous.

Purchase of Digger Derrick: Niles City Council members voted to approve the administrator’s report item for a quote for $222,921 for the purchase of one Digger Derrick from Altec Industries of Birmingham, Alabama, which will utilize Michigan’s MiDeal program. Yes: Unanimous.

Revision of City of Niles schedule of fees: Niles City Council members voted to approve the administrator’s report item for the revision of the City of Niles schedule of fees as submitted. Yes: Unanimous.

Public Park and Recreation board ordinance: Niles City Council members voted to approve a second reading and enactment of a proposed change to the Public Park and Recreation board ordinance for the City of Niles. There will be a revision to certain portions of the ordinance including provisions for the membership of the Public Park and Recreation board, provide for the operation of the Public Park and Recreation Board and to provide responsibilities. Yes: Unanimous.