Public Works Committee Larry Bargy Joseph Allen, Chairman Eugene Dawson
Minutes
June 6, 2008
Members present:	Larry Bargy, Gene Dawson and Joe Allen
Members absent:	none
Others present:	Jack White, Pete Garwood and Bob Massey
1. Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.

2. Public Comment:

None.

3. Building Department Update:

Bob Massey, Building Official, joined the meeting. Mr. Massey presented the monthly report for the department.

The report illustrated the continuing trend of higher expenditures than income. Included in Mr. Massey's report were ideas for possible cuts in the department’s expenditures.

Motion by Larry Bargy, supported by Gene Dawson, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approves laying off the part-time secretary and reducing the hours of the inspectors to 37.5 hours. Motion carried – unanimous.

4. Drain Commissioner Update:

Mark Stone, Drain Commissioner joined the meeting. John Bech, who owns a commercial building just upstream and adjacent to the Antrim County hydro facility has requested a communication from the County regarding his proposal to construct a deck on his building, that would extend over the water. Mr. Stone read a draft letter to Mr. Bech, indicating that the County was fine with the proposal as long as the structure did not impede the flow of water. The communication also expressed the County’s concerns about the safety factor of having a deck over the water for the public to use in an area that has a very strong current toward the hydro dam. The Committee indicated their support for Mr. Stone’s draft letter.

Mr. Stone informed the Committee that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will be coming to Elk Rapids to do an inspection at the hydro facility on June 18, 2008. Mr. Stone has also scheduled a Hydro Ad Hoc Committee meeting after the inspection, including a lunch meeting and a boat tour of the Elk Lake area. He indicated representatives of the DNR Fisheries Division will be invited.

Motion by Gene Dawson, support by Larry Bargy, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve renting a pontoon boat for taking the FERC representatives on a tour of Elk Lake and River above the Hydro facility. Motion carried - unanimous

5. Communications:

The Committee received a letter complimenting the Building Department.

Mr. Garwood informed the Committee that Marshall Wright sent a letter indicating that he did not want to be re-appointed to the Board of Public Works. Mr. Garwood indicated that since the Public Works Committee has become more active there really wasn’t anything for the Board of Public Works to do. Thus, they have not met for quite some time (years).

The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.