April 20, 2021 Organizational Minutes
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
The Village Board met Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 6:10 PM.
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Steve Collins, Trustee
Sue Eckert, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No members of the public were present.
Before going over the proposed Appointments and Assignments of Trustees, Mayor Spaeth gave some insight on how the Board needs to operate moving forward. He stated that over his terms as Mayor, he has spent a lot of time in the office and as a result, the Committee chairs haven’t been as active in the day to day running of the departments. He stated that he will not be running again for Mayor and he wanted to begin delegating more responsibility to the Committee chairs as a new Mayor coming in may not be able or willing to spend as many hours in the office as he did. He stated that with the Committee structure working, it will be less burden on future Mayors.
MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
APPOINTMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS OF TRUSTEES
The Mayor made the appointments and assignments listed below.
| Position | Incumbent | Appointed |
| Deputy Mayor | Trustee Eckert | Trustee Eckert |
| Street Commission & Assistant | Trustee Markiewicz
Trustee Collins |
John Markiewicz
Trustee Collins |
| Water Commission & Assistant | Trustee Sedon
Trustee Eckert |
Trustee Sedon
Trustee Markiewicz |
| Police Commission & Assistant | Trustee Collins
Trustee Markiewicz |
Trustee Collins
Trustee Eckert |
| Joint Youth | Trustee Eckert
Trustee Sedon |
Trustee Eckert
Trustee Sedon |
| PR Commission & Assistant | Trustee Sedon
Mayor Spaeth |
Trustee Markiewicz
Trustee Sedon |
| Intermunicipal Committee | Mayor Spaeth
Trustee Markiewicz |
Trustee Collins
Trustee Markiewicz |
| Budget Officer | Mayor Spaeth | Mayor Spaeth |
| Cyber Audit Officer | Mayor Spaeth | Mayor Spaeth |
| Historian | Gail Cramer | Gail Cramer |
| Village Attorney | Carmel Greco | Carmel Greco |
| Dog Control Officer | Vernon Duesler | Vernon Duesler |
Motion to confirm was made by Trustee Collins, seconded by Trustee Sedon and passed by voice vote as follows.
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Markiewicz to appoint Barb Spaeth to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a 5-year term. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Eckert to appoint Chris Draffen to the Planning Board for a 5-year term. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Eckert to appoint Lanie Groff to the Tree Commission for a 2-year term. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Eckert to appoint Andres Meirama to the Tree Commission for a 2-year term. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Markiewicz to appoint Carl Seddon to the Tree Commission for a 3-year term. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Markiewicz that a board meeting be held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the village offices. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Markiewicz that the Leader Herald be named the Village’s official newspaper. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Markiewicz that Pioneer Bank, be named depository for the Village funds. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Markiewicz, to appoint Mayor John Spaeth as Records Appeals Officer. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Sedon that the Village Investment Policy 2021 be adopted. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion was made by Trustee Eckert that the Personnel Policy, including Workplace Violence, Sexual Harassment, and Code of Ethics be adopted. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
The above resolution was approved on a motion by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows.
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
The following resolution was proposed by Trustee Sedon, who urged its adoption:
RESOLUTION #4-2021
Prepaying Some Utility Bills
WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has determined to authorize payment in advance of audit of claims for public utility services, postage, freight and express charges, and
WHEREAS all such claims shall be presented at the next regular meeting for audit, and
WHEREAS the claimant and officer incurring or approving the same shall be jointly and severally liable for any amount disallowed by the Board of Trustees,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
Section 1. That the Board of Trustees authorizes payment in advance of audit of claims for public utility services, postage, freight and express charges and all such claims shall be presented at the next regular meeting for audit and the claimant and officer incurring or approving the same shall be jointly and severally liable for any amount disallowed by the Board of Trustees.
Section 2. That this resolution shall take effect immediately.
The above resolution was seconded by Trustee Collins and passed by voice vote as follows.
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Trustee Markiewicz proposed the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION #5-2021
Authorizing Attendance At Seminars
WHEREAS there is to be held during the coming official year, schools, conferences, and seminars conducted for the benefit of the Village of Northville, and
WHEREAS it is determined by the Board of Trustees that attendance by certain municipal officials and employees at one or more of these meetings, conferences or schools benefits the municipality,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
Section 1. That municipal officials and employees be authorized to attend these schools, conferences and seminars conducted for the benefit of the Village of Northville.
Section 2. That this resolution shall take effect immediately.
The above resolution was seconded by Trustee Collins and passed by voice vote as follows.
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
The following resolution was proposed by Trustee Eckert who urged its adoption:
RESOLUTION # 6 of 2021
Procurement Policy
WHEREAS, Section 104-b of the General Municipal Law requires the governing body of every municipality to adopt a procurement policy for all goods and services which are not required by law to be publicly bid, and
Whereas, comments have been solicited from all officers in the Village of Northville involved in the procurement process, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Village of Northville does hereby adopt the following procurement policy which is intended to apply to all goods and services which are not required by law to be publicly bid.
PROCUREMENT POLICY FOR THE VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
- Every purchase to be made must be initially reviewed to determine whether it is a purchase contract or a public works contract. Once that determination is made, a good faith effort will be made to determine whether it is known or can reasonably be expected that the aggregate amount to be spent on the item of supply or service is not subject to competitive bidding, taking into account past purchases and the aggregate amount to be spent in a year. The following items are not subject to competitive bidding pursuant to §103 of the General Municipal Law: purchase contracts under $20,000 and public works contracts under $35,000; emergency purchases; certain municipal hospital purchases; goods purchased from agencies for the blind or severely handicapped; goods purchased from correctional institutions; purchases under State and county contracts; and surplus and second-hand purchases from another governmental entity.
The decision that a purchase is not subject to competitive bidding will be documented in writing by the individual making the purchase. This documentation may include written or verbal quotes from vendors, a memo from the purchaser indicating how the decision was arrived at, a copy of the contract indicating the source which makes the item or service exempt, a memo from the purchaser detailing the circumstances which led to an emergency purchase, or any other written documentation that is appropriate.
- All goods and services will be secured by use of written requests for proposals, written quotations, verbal quotations, or any other method that assures that goods will be purchased at the lowest price and that favoritism will be avoided, except in the following circumstances: purchase contracts over $20,000 and public works contracts over $35,000; goods purchased from agencies for the blind or severely handicapped pursuant to §175-b of the State Finance Law; goods purchased from correctional institutions pursuant to §186 of the Correction Law; purchases under State contract pursuant to §104 of the General Municipal Law; purchases under county contracts pursuant to §103(3) of the General Municipal Law; or purchases pursuant to subdivision 6 of this policy:
- The following method of purchase will be used when required by this policy in order to achieve the highest savings:
| Estimated Amount of
Purchase Contract |
Method |
| $2,500 – $7,499.99 | Verbal quotations |
| $7,500 – $19,999.99 | Written/fax quotations or
written request for proposals |
| Estimated Amount of
Public Works Contract |
Method |
| $2,500 – $7,499.99 | Verbal quotations |
| $7,500 – $19,999.99 | Written/fax quotations |
| $20,000 – $34,999.99
|
Written/fax quotations or
written request for proposals |
A good faith effort shall be made to obtain three proposals or quotations. If the purchaser is unable to obtain the required number of proposals or quotations, the purchaser will document the attempt(s) made at obtaining the proposals. In no event shall the failure to obtain the proposals be a bar to the procurement.
- Documentation is required of each action taken in connection with each procurement.
- Documentation and an explanation are required whenever a contract is awarded to other than the lowest responsible offeror. This documentation will include an explanation of how the award will achieve savings or how the offeror was not responsible. A determination that the offeror is not responsible shall be made by the purchaser and may not be challenged under any circumstances.
- Pursuant to General Municipal Law §104-b(2)(f), the procurement policy may contain circumstances when, or types of procurements for which, in the sole discretion of the governing body, the solicitation of alternative proposals or quotations will not be in the best interest of the municipality. In the following circumstances it may not be in the best interests of the Village of Northville to solicit quotations or document the basis for not accepting the lowest bid:
- Professional services or services requiring special or technical skill, training or expertise. The individual or company must be chosen based on accountability, reliability, responsibility, skill, education and training, judgment, integrity, and moral worth. These qualifications are not necessarily found in the individual or company that offers the lowest price and the nature of these services are such that they do not readily lend themselves to competitive procurement procedures.
In determining whether a service fits into this category the Board of Trustees shall take into consideration the following guidelines: (a) whether the services are subject to State licensing or testing requirements; (b) whether substantial formal education or training is a necessary prerequisite to the performance of the services; and (c) whether the services require a personal relationship between the individual and municipal officials. Professional or technical services shall include but not be limited to the following: services of an attorney; services of a physician; technical services of an engineer engaged to prepare plans, maps and estimates; securing insurance coverage and/or services of an insurance broker; services of a certified public accountant; investment management services; printing services involving extensive writing, editing or art work; management of municipally owned property; and computer software or programming services for customized programs, or services involved in substantial modification and customizing of pre-packaged software.
- Emergency purchases pursuant to §103(4) of the General Municipal Law. Due to the nature of this exception, these goods or services must be purchased immediately and a delay in order to seek alternate proposals may threaten the life, health, safety or welfare of the residents. This section does not preclude alternate proposals if time permits.
- Purchases of surplus and second-hand goods from any source. If alternate proposals are required, the Village of Northville is precluded from purchasing surplus and second-hand goods at auctions or through specific advertised sources where the best prices are usually obtained. It is also difficult to try to compare prices of used goods and a lower price may indicate an older product.
- Goods or services under $2,500. The time and documentation required to purchase through this policy may be more costly than the item itself and would therefore not be in the best interests of the taxpayer. In addition, it is not likely that such minuscule contracts would be awarded based on favoritism.
- This policy shall go into effect April 20, 2021 and will be reviewed annually.
The above resolution was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz, and passed by voice vote as follows.
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Trustee Sedon presented the following resolution:
RESOLUTION #7-2021
Authorizing Transfers for Adjustment of Budget Items
WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has determined to authorize transfers for adjustment of budget items by the Treasurer
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
Section 1. That the Board of Trustees authorizes the Treasurer to make adjustments to budget items in the amount of $ 3,000.00 or less without requirement of prior Board approval.
Section 2. That this resolution shall take effect immediately.
The above resolution was seconded by Trustee Eckert and passed by voice vote as follows.
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
All current contracts and agreements were reviewed.
The Board performed an annual review of WPV/Sexual Harassment Complaints. There were no complaints issued in 2020. It was reported by the Clerk that the Committee met with and had no recommendations for changes to the current policy. Trustee Eckert made a motion to accept the annual review of WPV/Sexual Harassment Complaints. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ADJOURNMENT:
All business being completed, motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Eckert and passed by voice vote as follows.
AYE: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy Reu
Village Clerk
