Berrien County Board of Road Commissioners
Regular Meeting
February 24, 2016
The Board of Berrien County Road Commissioners met at its office, 2860 E. Napier Avenue,
Benton Harbor, Michigan. Meeting was called to order by Chairperson August Zielke at 9:00
a.m.
Invocation – Given by Brian Berndt
Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America
Roll Call:
Commissioners Present: Bill Hodge, Tim Lynch, Joe Margol, Jess Minks, August Zielke
Also Present:
Managing Director - Louis Csokasy
Highway Engineer - Brian Berndt
Finance Director - Kari Taylor Bennett
Superintendent - Don Geisler
Traffic Services & Technology Supervisor – Michael Juengling
Weighmaster – Don Goulooze
Chief Deputy County Clerk - Diane Mensinger
Guests:
Tony Benhart, Ron Paustain
Agenda
Commissioner Minks moved to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Commissioner
Margol.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Minks, Zielke and 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Ron Paustain commented on the Trip Permit System and feels that it has gone backwards this
past year making it difficult for construction and farm vehicles.
Correspondence
Residents of Airport Road in Benton Niles Charter Township submitted a petition to change
Airport Road to a dead end road to stop all the noise and speeding. Managing Director Csokasy
stated he has spoken with the individual who filed and explained that their issue is a local
township ordinance issue.
Consent Calendar
Commissioner Lynch moved to approve the consent calendar including the minutes of the
2/10/2016 regular meeting and the Payroll Voucher #4 in the amount of $212,806.25,seconded
by Commissioner Margol.
1 Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Lynch, Margol, Minks, Hodge, Zielke and 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Financial Summary
Chemical Bank
1st Source Bank
Edgewater Bank
Honor Credit Union
$
$
$
$
Cash on Hand
Deposit
Sub-Total
$2,931,266.47
$ 211,988.74
$3,143,255.21
500,000.00
500,000.00
500,000.00
500,000.00
Less Payroll Fund Transfer
($ 448,000.00)
NEW CASH ON HAND
$2,695,255.21
Actual Payroll No. 4
Actual A/P No. 4
$212,806.25
$285,853.59
RECEIPTS:
AT&T Charges
Permit Revenue
Insurance Premiums
Accounts Receivable
Total
($ 235.535)
$ 1,950.00
$ 6,870.70
$202,932.69
$211,988.74
Vouchers
90672
90673
90674
90675
90676
90677
90678
90679
90680
90681
90682
90683
90684
90685
90686
90687
90688
90689
90690
90691
90692
A & J HARDWARE
ACE-SAGINAW PAVING CO.
ALRO GROUP
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER
AMERICAN SAFE & FIRST AID
ANDY J EGAN COMPANY INC
ARROW UNIFORM DEPT 039101
AT&T
BEAVER RESEARCH COMPANY
BEST ONE TIRE & SERVICE
BIG C LUMBER CO., INC.
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
CARQUEST AUTO PARTS STORE
CARRIER & GABLE, INC.
CHASE CARD SERVICES
CO-ALLIANCE
COMPASS MINERALS AMERICA
D & B Environmental
DELTA DENTAL
DEYO STONE ASSOC., INC
DLT SOLUTIONS, LLC
52.83
14,882.67
1,208.49
1,160.24
53.12
1,418.39
702.93
121.75
202.25
916.35
23.75
129,093.29
95.15
3,325.00
930.01
7,018.00
51,084.35
1,893.70
6,415.09
1,800.00
5,286.76
2 90693
90694
90695
90696
90697
90698
90699
90700
90701
90702
90703
90704
90705
90706
90707
90708
90709
90710
90711
90712
90713
90714
90715
90716
90717
90718
90719
90720
90721
90722
90723
90724
90725
90726
90727
90728
90729
90730
90731
90732
90733
90734
90735
90736
90737
90738
90739
90740
90741
90742
90743
EAU CLAIRE FRUIT EXCHANGE
FALCON ROAD MAINT. EQUIP LLC
FD LAKE
FIRST ROW, INC.
FREIGHTLINER OF KALAMAZOO
FUTURE ENVIRONMENTAL, INC
GOODYEAR COMMERCIAL TIRE
GREAT LAKES TRUCK& AUTO REPAIR
GREENMARK EQUIPMENT INC.
HANSON BEVERAGE SERVICE
HEI WIRELESS
HFS TRACTOR SALES & SERVICE
HOT SPOT
KALIN CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.
LACAL EQUIPMENT, INC.
LOWE'S
MATERIAL RESOURCES
MICHAEL JUENGLING
MICHIANA SUPPLY, INC.
MICHIGAN GAS UTILITIES
MID COUNTY LAWN & GARDEN
MILLER INDUSTRIAL GASES, LLC
MILLER, CANFIELD, PADDOCK
NEWMAN GARAGE DOORS
PIPESTONE SMALL ENGINE
PRAXAIR DISTRIBUTION, INC
QUILL CORPORATION
R.A. MORT SUPPLY CO.
RAPID PRINT
RAY'S TOOL DIST. INC.
REDBUD HARDWARE
RIDGE & KRAMER
RIDGE NAPA AUTO PARTS
SECURALARM SYSTEMS, INC
SEMCO ENERGY GAS CO.
SOUTHERN MI ROAD COMM-F&HR
SOUTHWESTERN SUPPLY
STAPLES
STREFLING OIL CO.,INC.
THAYER, INC.
TOPCON SOLUTIONS STORE
TRUCK & TRAILER SPEC. INC
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
UNITED PETROLEUM EQUIP
UNUM LIFE INS COMPANY
VALLEY TRUCK PARTS
VERIZON WIRELESS
VESCO OIL CORP.
VULCAN SIGNS
WEST MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL
WESTERN MI FLEET PARTS
3 197.25
299.10
357.47
1,100.00
167.46
135.00
2,041.88
2,999.54
28.25
123.25
81.95
17.34
890.46
11,736.77
2,703.04
743.28
61.56
50.00
437.24
2,089.23
505.58
135.65
412.50
1,020.00
3.99
190.48
258.95
54.05
373.44
46.00
16.13
320.91
789.29
317.00
955.58
20.00
209.52
39.21
142.56
94.40
440.00
2,079.56
500.00
4,189.08
3,043.11
946.14
198.07
240.00
2,290.00
7,601.93
1,223.97
90744
90745
90746
WEX BANK
WHITEFORD-KENWORTH
WINTER EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.
Total Expenses
130.48
1,270.31
1,851.51
285,853.59
Action Items
1. Accounts Payable Voucher #4
Commissioner Lynch moved to approve Accounts Payable Voucher #4 in the amount of
$285,853.59, seconded by Commissioner Zielke.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Margol, Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
2. CRASIF Membership Renewal
Commissioner Lynch moved to authorize the Managing Director or Board Chairperson to
sign the CRASIF membership renewal form effective July 1, 2016, seconded by
Commissioner Minks.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
3. Bittner Jennings Law Firm Fee Agreement
Tabled to the next Board meeting for clarification on document title.
4. PPI-4 – Alcohol and Controlled Substance Policy
Commissioner Lynch moved to approve the PPI-4 – Alcohol and Controlled Substance
Policy as presented, seconded by Commissioner Zielke.
Roll Call Vote: 3 Yeas: Lynch, Margol, Zielke and 2 Nays: Minks, Hodge. Motion carried.
5. FP-6 – Credit Card Policy
Commissioner Lynch moved to approve the FP-6 – Credit Card Policy as
presented, seconded by Commissioner Zielke.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Margol, Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
6. PPI-5 – Sexual Discrimination Policy
Commissioner Minks moved to approve the PPI-5 – Sexual Discrimination Policy as
presented, seconded by Commissioner Margol.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
7. PPI-7 – Smoke-Free Policy
Commissioner Minks moved to approve the PPI-7 – Smoke-Free Policy as
presented, seconded by Commissioner Lynch.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Minks, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
8. PPI-13 – Personal Use of Road Commission Tools
4 Commissioner Margol moved to approve the PPI-13 – Personal Use of Road Commission
Tools Policy as presented, seconded by Commissioner Zielke.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Lynch, Margol, Minks, Hodge, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
9. PPI-15 – Resignations
Commissioner Lynch moved to approve the PPI-15 – Resignations Policy as presented,
seconded by Commissioner Zielke.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Margol, Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
10. PPI-16 – Solicitations Policy
Commissioner Minks moved to approve the PPI-16 – Solicitations Policy as presented,
seconded by Commissioner Zielke.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
11. OP-14 Right of Way Policy
Commissioner Lynch moved to approve the OP-14 Right of Way Policy as presented,
seconded by Commissioner Margol.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Minks, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
12. OP-15 – Dead Animal Policy
Commissioner Margol moved to approve the OP-15 – Dead Animal Policy as presented,
seconded by Commissioner Lynch.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Minks, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
13. Ballot for Board of Directors for CRA
Commissioner Minks moved to cast the BCRC for CRA Board of Directors for William L.
Watkins, Hillsdale County, seconded by Commissioner Margol.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Lynch, Margol, Minks, Hodge, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
14. Abandonment of Portion of McKinley Street in Hagar Township
Engineer Berndt has received authorization from Mr. Phil Rotham, but has yet to receive his
written authorization.
Commissioner Hodge moved to table the abandonment request to the March 1, 2016
meeting, seconded by Commissioner Lynch.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Margol, Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
15. Bid Award for Two (2) Plastic Truck Mounted Tanks
Commissioner Lynch moved to award the bid for two (2) plastic truck mounted tanks to
5 Plastic-Mart in the amount of $10,355.00, seconded by Commissioner Margol.
Roll Call Vote: Yeas: Minks, Hodge Lynch, Margol, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
16. MiDeal Quote for Two (2) Hot Boxes
Commissioner Lynch moved to approve the quote for two (2) hot boxes from MiDeal-Falcon
Asphalt Repair Equipment in the amount of $41,425.00 seconded by Commissioner Zielke.
Roll Call Vote: 3 Yeas: Lynch, Margol, Zielke and 2 Nays: Hodge, Minks. Motion carried.
17. Bid for Mill and Fill Project on Wilson Road
Commissioner Lynch moved to award the bid to Rieth-Riley in the amount of $149,989.00
for the Wilson Road Mill and Fill Project, seconded by Commissioner Margol.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Lynch, Margol, Minks, Hodge, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
18. Bid Award for 2016 Guardrail Spraying Program
Commissioner Lynch moved to award the bid to Trugreen in the amount of $8,561.20 for the
2016 Guardrail Spraying Program, seconded by Commissioner Zielke.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Margol, Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
19. Bid Award for Tree Trimming and Tree Removal (Leave all Wood) in Area Two
Commissioner Hodge moved to award the bid to Hurst Tree Service for the Tree Trimming
and Tree Removal (leave all wood) in Area Two for the duration of the contract period,
seconded by Commissioner Lynch.
Roll Call Vote: 5Yeas: Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
20. Bid Award for Tree Trimming and Tree Removal (Remove all Wood) in Area Two
Commissioner Hodge moved to award the bid to Hurst Tree Service for the Tree Trimming
and Tree Removal (remove all wood) in Area Two for the duration of the contract period,
seconded by Commissioner Lynch.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Minks, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
21. Bid for Tree Trimming and Tree Removal (Leave all wood) in Area Three
Commissioner Hodge moved to award the bid to Hurst Tree Service for the Tree Trimming
and Tree Removal (leave all wood) in Area Three for the duration of the contract period,
seconded by Commissioner Lynch.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Lynch, Margol, Minks, Hodge, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
22. Bid for Tree Trimming and Tree Removal (Remove all Wood) in Area Three
Commissioner Hodge moved to award the bid to Hurst Tree Service for the Tree Trimming
and Tree Removal (remove all wood) in Area Three for the duration of the contract period,
6 seconded by Commissioner Lynch.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Margol, Minks, Hodge, Lynch, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
Discussion/Review Items
1. 2016 County Road Association Conference
Managing Director Csokasy asked for confirmation of who will be attending the conference.
2. Job Description for New Position of Utility Worker
Discussion was held regarding CDL requirement and wages.
Commissioner Hodge moved to recess the regular meeting at 9:53 a.m. to hold the St. Joseph
Charter Township Annual Meeting, seconded by Commissioner Lynch.
Roll Call Vote: 5 Yeas: Hodge, Lynch, Margol, Minks, Zielke. Motion carried, no nays.
Regular Meeting reconvened at 10:50 a.m.
Management Reports - Managing Director Csokasy
1. Operations Report
A. The new chip spreader is scheduled to arrive on Friday.
B. Participated in the pre-meetings with a number of the Township Supervisors.
C. Received quotes for additional hot boxes.
D. Looking to MiDeal for one (1) ton trucks.
2. Engineering
A. Received bids on paving job on Wilson Road.
B. Schedule to let Red Arrow Highway on March 4. The project has been amended to show a
completion date of August 4, 2016 due to potential delivery problems during the height of
the tourist season.
C. The stoplight at Napier and Pipestone has been replaced as of yesterday. The sidewalks
need to be completed and the camera needs to be hooked up yet.
D. Engineering selections have been made for NATS and TWI
3. Managing Director
A. Prepared for Township Annual Meetings.
B. Processed one FOIA request.
C. Attended along with Traffic Services & Technology Supervisor Juengling, a meeting in
Kalamazoo with the City of Kalamazoo and City of Portage plus the Kalamazoo County
Road Commission to assist them on their sign policy.
D. Held several conversations with Kevin Kniebes of Coloma regarding the Horse Drawn
Vehicles signs along Friday Road. The BCRC offered to locate several “Caution – Slow
Moving Vehicle” signs on Friday Road. Mr. Kniebes’ final response was the only
acceptable sign is to reinstall the original “Horse Drawn Vehicle” signs. It was a Board
consensus to post the “Caution – Slow Moving Vehicles” signs along Friday Road.
7 Commissioner Reports
1. Commissioner Margol – No report.
2. Commissioner Minks – Reported that he attended the NATS meeting and brought the Funded
Projects List for the others to review. He also complimented Highway Engineer Berndt on
his presentation.
3. Commissioner Zielke – No report.
4. Commissioner Lynch – Reported that he will not be able to attend next week’s Township
Annual Meetings.
5. Commissioner Hodge
A. Inquired about the BCRC 15-16 Audit. Finance Director Bennett has contacted Plante
Moran to make sure they have it to us by 2/29/16.
B. Reminded the Board that there is a BCRC CD maturing in April.
C. Inquired on the status of the four mowers. Superintendent Geisler stated that they are in
storage at the Watervliet facility. Mowers are valued at approximately $28,000. Managing
Director Csokasy will look into the auction options and report at the next regular Board
meeting.
Committee Reports
1. Finance Committee – Will schedule March meeting after the Township Annual Meetings are
completed.
2. Safety Committee – Canceled the March meeting. Tentative date set for April 13 for county
wide safety training.
3. Personnel and Policy Committee – Commissioner Minks stated that Traffic Services &
Technology Supervisor Juengling has been working on updating all of the policies and
hopes to have them completed and approved by August 2016.
Announcements:
 Township meetings on February 24, 2016 starting at noon at the Benton Harbor Office.
 Township meetings on February 25, 2016 starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Benton Harbor Office.
 Township meetings on March 1st and 2nd starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Benton Harbor Office.
 Regular scheduled Board Meeting on March 9, 2016 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Niles Charter
Township Hall.
Adjournment
Commissioner Margol moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Zielke.
Motion carried, no nays.
Meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
_____________________________
_____________________________
August Zielke, Chairperson
Diane Mensinger, Chief Dep. Clerk
Minutes to be approved at the next regular Road Commission Meeting on March 9, 2016.
8