Hartford Hispanic Heritage Committee receives recognition, a new police officer is hired
On Monday, Sept. 25, the Hartford City Commissioners held their business meeting for the month. The city officials in attendance were Mayor Richard Hall, Mayor Pro-Tem John Miller, Clerk RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht, and Commissioners Frank Dockter, Terry Tibbs, Helen Sullivan, and Jane Danger. Absent from the meeting were Commissioner Ramon Beltran and Pam Shultz, the City Treasurer.
Guests
Lori Antkoviak, from the Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center, was on hand to inform the board of the center’s mission. She explained that their organization partners with prosecutors, law enforcement, and protective services to coordinate the investigation of child, sexual and severe physical abuse.
Brad Geesaman, Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools, publicly thanked the many people who have helped navigate the traffic jam that continues to occur due to current construction. He expressed his gratitude to the police department and the mayor, who has been on hand to help streamline the drop-off and pick-up lines at the school.
Geesaman also informed the board that there will be an opportunity to vote on a Hartford Public School Bond Proposal on the Nov. 7 ballot. If approved, this proposal will provide $22.6 million for health, safety, and critical needs identified through recent facility assessments and community input.
Angelica Mireles of the Hartford Hispanic Heritage organization was presented with an appreciation award from the event held on Sept. 16 at Ely Park in honor of the Mexican Independence Day.
Public comments
Mark Little addressed the board looking for support for his run for Commissioner.
Charlene Sikes was present voicing her opinion on the candidates up for election this November.
Resident, Michael Menck addressed the board with an opportunity to have the Interim City Manager, Linnea Rader be the mediator for a potential ‘Meet the Candidates’ night that could be possibly held at Hartford Public Schools. He also followed up on his concerns about a bill from the city’s attorney. He asked the board to make a motion to hold accountable the commissioner who was responsible for the bill.
Joe Truman, owner of ZIP Cannabis, addressed the board to ask that they reconsider an ordinance that restricts the use of the word ‘cannabis’ in signage. He also asked the board to adopt an outside consumption use ordinance.
Communications
The communications that were reviewed were from the Van Buren County Road Commission about the open position they are looking to fill, a program change notice from Comcast, an invite to the Chambers’ After Hours Event, Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive on Oct. 6 - 8, and a Notice of Public Hearing from the Hartford Planning Commission for Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m., to name a few.
Van Buren Conservation District
The Van Buren Conservation District announced their Recycle Roundup Collections that will be held on Oct. 14 in Lawrence along with their August Program Update.
Safety departments’ reports
The city of Hartford’s Police Chief, Mike Prince submitted the August Police Report to the board. The report reflected 800 hours worked with seven arrests, eight arrest warrants issued, 18 traffic citations written, and three drug investigations.
Prince also announced that they should have a new bi-lingual officer starting by the end of October.
Fire Department
Hartford Township Supervisor, Ron Sefcik addressed the meeting as the Chairman of the Hartford Fire Board, telling the audience that the fire board has adopted new policies in the following areas: Investments, Ethics, Credit Card, Purchasing, and ACH.
Sefcik also announced that the Fire Board hired attorney, Phillip Reed. Reed will be tasked to set up the 501c3 for the Hartford Fire Board as he did for the Mattawan Fire Department.
Assistant Fire Chief, Kevin McGrew gave the August statistics from the fire report. The report reflected 54 calls for August. The breakdown of the calls was for one fire, 37 rescue and emergency medical services, nine service calls, three good intent calls, and four false alarm/false calls, for the month. The assistant chief also reported that the department’s response time for the month was around five minutes.
McGrew also reminded the audience that there will be another car seat check event on Oct. 13.
Van Buren County Board of Commission
Mike Chappell spoke at Monday night’s meeting informing the board that the Van Buren Board approved the purchase of eight patrol vehicles for the 2023-2024 fiscal year not to exceed $500,000. Chappell also reported that a request for disposal of a 2013 Dodge Caravan, a 2013 Ford Van, and two 2008 Ford Pickup Trucks through the Biddergy Auction site was approved. He also announced new employee appointments that occurred.
Public Works Department
Danny Staunton from the Department of Public Works was on vacation so an update was provided by Mayor Hall.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The July DMR for the Wastewater Treatment Plant was completed and submitted to the state. Repairs to the concrete walls of the primary clarifiers are being addressed and new piping is being installed in the collection system.
City Manager report
The Interim City Manager, Linnea Rader had the following updates for the Council:
Following the August meeting, she composed a letter of support for Hartford Township’s building project.
She noted that they have made a conditional offer of employment for a full-time Police Officer. The city is still looking for a part-time officer as well. Filling both vacancies would bring Hartford back to full staffing levels in the Police Department.
The Interim City Manager also met with union representatives for the Police Department, as they continue working to understand concerns and make any adjustments needed to best serve the City.
In other staffing issues, she said that interviews for the Deputy City Clerk and Administrative Assistant positions were completed. City Hall is in the process of contacting references to be able to move forward with hiring.
Rader reported that the City of Hartford was not offered any portion of the grant or loan forgiveness for the water project discussed at the last council meeting. She continued that she will evaluate the needs of the city following the coring project currently going on and apply again when funding becomes available in the future.
Old business
Under old business, the status of the City Manager search shows there has been a handful of applications submitted this far. All other interested individuals have until Oct. 13 to submit their resume for consideration.
The board decided to reopen the request for proposals for the demolition of the house on 106 South Center Street and two were received. Cross Excavating & Demolition, LLC. quoted $49,070.50 and Kalamazoo Excavation quoted $59,749.00 for the job. However, with both of these proposals totaling more than the blight elimination grant award, the contract went to the lowest bid.
New business
Under new business, the board passed the Crossing Guard Program and City of Hartford Employee Handbook Amendment. They also agreed to pay for striping the parking lots and streets along with the painting of the curbs for a total of $17,547.50 and they agreed to give $1,000 to the Lions Club for Christmas decorations in Ely Park.
In other new business, the board passed an Excessive Force Policy, Resolution 2023 - 025 Early Voting Agreement, Resolution 334-2023 Title XVI Housing Discrimination Against Protected Classes, the Policy on Non-Discrimination on Basis of Handicap, and the Grievance Procedure Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. They also approved amendments for code ordinances 110.01 and 110.03.
The board heard the first reading of Ordinance 51 & 52 Water/Sewer Discounts and Ordinance 337 - 2023 Amendment to Chapter 93.01 and 93.02 Fire Code.
The paying of bills totaling $982,165.01 for Sept. 25, 2023 was approved.
Having no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 10:12 p.m.
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