Council Meeting

Attendance

Village President: Kristen Valentine
Trustees present: Bill Barkowska, Margo Chambers, Kathy Freeland, Beau Shaver
Absent: None
Employees present: Police Chief Louis Cook; Fire Chief Terry Blackmer; Assistant Fire Chief Jason Bellor; DPW Superintendent Ray Herington; Clerk/Interim Manager Kayla Reed
Guests: 4

Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

Invocation led by Police Chief Louis Cook.

Public Comments

None

Consent Agenda

Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes

February 17, 2026
Motion by B. Shaver, second by M. Chambers to approve.

• Yays: 4

• Nays: 0

• Abstain: 1

• Motion carried

March 3, 2026
Motion by B. Shaver, second by K. Freeland to approve.

• Yays: 5

• Nays: 0

• Motion carried

Approval of Bills as Presented

Motion by B. Shaver, second by K. Freeland.
Roll call vote:

• K. Freeland – Y

• B. Barkowska – Y

• B. Shaver – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

Action Items

USDA Phase 1 Invoice Approval

Motion by M. Chambers, second by B. Barkowska to approve Phase 1 invoices totaling $90,472.23 (Spicer Feb $4,496.00; Spicer Mar $5,070.00; Wolverine Generator $65,566.00; generator parts $3,500.00; TSC $2,949.27; Core & Main $8,890.26) to be submitted to USDA for payment.
Roll call vote:

• B. Barkowska – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• K. Freeland – Y

• B. Shaver – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

2026–2027 Budget Resolution

Motion by K. Freeland, second by M. Chambers to approve the resolution to adopt the budget and make appropriations for fiscal year April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
Roll call vote:

• K. Freeland – Y

• B. Barkowska – Y

• B. Shaver – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

FCU CD 301 Renewal

Motion by B. Shaver, second by K. Freeland to renew CD 301 for 7 months at 3.1% interest.
Roll call vote:

• K. Freeland – Y

• B. Barkowska – Y

• B. Shaver – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

MSB CD 2281 Water Reserve Maturity

Motion by B. Shaver, second by M. Chambers to close out CD 2281 ($5,000) upon maturity on March 19, 2026.
Roll call vote:

• B. Shaver – Y

• K. Freeland – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• B. Barkowska – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

Move Water Reserve Funds

Motion by B. Shaver, second by K. Freeland to open a new 7-month Water Reserve CD at FCU for $5,000.
Roll call vote:

• B. Shaver – Y

• K. Freeland – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• B. Barkowska – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

Insurance Proposal

Motion by B. Shaver, second by B. Barkowska to accept the insurance proposal for April 1, 2026–March 31, 2027 in the amount of $53,625.00, with a $225 credit for reclassification of the FD truck as an antique parade truck.
Roll call vote:

• B. Barkowska – Y

• B. Shaver – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• K. Freeland – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

CIP/Capital Improvement Plan 2027–2032 Approval

Motion by K. Freeland, second by B. Shaver to approve the 2027–2032 CIP.
Roll call vote:

• B. Barkowska – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• K. Freeland – Y

• B. Shaver – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

Resolution Approving Amended MI-MABAS Agreement

Motion by B. Shaver, second by M. Chambers to approve and adopt the amended Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Association Agreement.
Roll call vote:

• K. Freeland – Y

• B. Barkowska – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• B. Shaver – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

Wage Increase Clarification

Motion by M. Chambers, second by B. Shaver to confirm a 3% cost of living raise for all eligible employees and an additional $0.50/hour for the two DPW employees effective April 1, 2026.
Roll call vote:

• B. Barkowska – Y

• B. Shaver – Y

• K. Freeland – Y

• M. Chambers – Y

• K. Valentine – Y

Motion carried

Department Reports

• DPW report by Ray Herington

• Fire Department report by Chief Terry Blackmer

• Police Department report by Chief Louis Cook

• Zoning report – none submitted (vacant)

• Planning Commission verbal report by Chair Cecilia Kapcia

• Ambulance report by Jason Bellor

• Manager report by Clerk/Interim Manager Kayla Reed

Recess

Motion by B. Shaver, second by B. Barkowska for a five-minute recess at 8:14 pm.
Yays: 5; Nays: 0; Motion carried

Meeting Resumed

Called back to order at 8:25 pm.

President Updates

Fifteen applications received for Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement; top three to be interviewed.

Public Comments

None

Adjournment

Motion by B. Shaver, second by M. Chambers to adjourn at 8:59 pm.
Yays: 5; Nays: 0; Motion carried