Buchanan City Council (June 12)

Community Development Block Grant: Zoning Administrator Debra Patzer explained that funds received from the grant that was established in the 1980s were unable to be currently utilized. The state has mandated that unused funds ($78,897.42) be returned. The funds would be set aside for the city should a use be found. The council voted to return the funds to the state. Yes: Cole, Hess, Moore and Vigansky. Absent: Toerne.

Downtown Development Authority budget for 2017-2018: Patzer explained that the DDA had voted to approve a budget for the next fiscal year and required a vote of approval by the city council. The council voted to approve the budget. Yes: Cole, Hess and Moore. No: Vigansky. Absent: Toerne. Passed by majority.

Wastewater Treatment Plant ultraviolet lights: The council voted to purchase new UV lights for testing at the plant. The bid was in the amount of $4,273.88 from American Air & Water Inc. Yes: Cole, Hess, Moore and Vigansky. Absent: Toerne.

Demolition of forclosed properties: The council voted to demolish three properties that are currently under foreclosure: 128 Elizabeth, 503 Arctic and 316 Fulton. There are currently 11 properties in the city in tax forclosure. Yes: Cole, Hess, Moore and Vigansky. Absent: Toerne.

Emergency repair of HVAC system at city hall: The council voted for emergency spending not to exceed $11,000 to make repairs to the air conditioning unit at city hall, which degraded due to age. Yes: Cole, Hess, Moore and Vigansky. Absent: Toerne.

Introduction of ordinance amendment Chapter 106, Vegetation: The council reviewed an amendment to the city ordinance of vegetation on city-owned property or in the public right-of-way. The proposed amendment would allow ornamental perrenial plants not exceeding 16 inches in height to be planted in the right-of-way. The council voted to approve the introduction of the amendment to the public. Yes: Cole, Hess, Moore and Vigansky. Absent: Toerne.

Cass County Board of Commissioners (May 18)

Roll call: Present — Terry Ausra, Annie File, Michael Grice, Skip Dyes, Robert Ziliak, Roseann Marchetti and E. Clark Cobb; absent — none.

Approval of claims: The board approved claims in the amount of $8.52 million. Motion carried.

Appointments: The board approved by voice vote the reappointment of certified surveyors Chris Marbach, Mikel Currier, Dale Kesler and Matthew Reinking as peer group members for three-year terms.

Adult Drug Grant budget amendment: The board approved by voice vote a budget amendment to the Adult Drug Grant, as approved by the grant. Motion carried.

Law enforcement agreement: The board approved a motion by voice vote to approve a law enforcement contract between Marcellus Township and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office through Dec. 31.

New vehicle purchase: The board approved by voice vote the purchase of a 2017 Sedan Police Interceptor from C. Wimberley Auto Group at a cost of $28,010, for use by Marcellus Township. The vehicle will be paid out of the Motor Pool Fund.

New email provider: The board approved by voice vote a transition of the county email services to Xmission Inc., at a yearly cost of $7,224. The terms are part of a three-year contract.

New storage device: The board approved by voice vote the purchase of a new EMC DataDomain storage device from from CDW, Inc. for the cost of $30,139 (with a 5 percent contingency). The purchase will be paid for from the 2017 Public Improvement Fund Budget.

Waste planning reappointments: The board approved by voice vote the reappointments of Henry Valkema, Katie Harman and Roger Bowser to the Solid Waste Planning Committee for two year terms ending June 1, 2019.

Contract extension: The board approved by voice vote the ratification of a contract extension agreement between Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, the sheriff’s office and the Cass County Board of Commissioners for road deputies, dispatchers, detectives and inspectors.