REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.
Council Member Lallo delivered the invocation.
The Mayor led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Clerk took the roll call:
Members Present: Council Members Feuerstein, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.
Members Absent: None.
Approval of Agenda
Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, supported by Council Member Lallo.
The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Feuerstein, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.
Nays: None.
There were no public comments.
A. Approve Independent bank checks 61317 to 61390 in the amount of $84,740.83
Approve Chemical bank checks 6519 to 6564 in the amount of $92,649.92
B. Approve minutes: regular scheduled meeting, January 7, 2014
C. Appointment of Katherine henry to the Planning cCommission
D. City Hall Office Hours
Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the consent agenda, supported by Council Member Lallo.
The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Feuerstein, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.
Nays: None.
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
C. APPOINTMENT OF KATHERINE HENRY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-01-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING KATHERINE HENRY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Planning Commission due to a resignation with a term to expire on May 1, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Katherine Henry has indicated her willingness to serve on the Planning Commission.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Council Member Lallo stated the Labor Day meeting will be held next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. They are asking for volunteers. They would like to expand the stage acts this year. The Museum Board had a planning meeting on Saturday. They would like to paint the community room. The Museum is open the 1st Sunday of each month.
Council Member Jones stated the Rec Board would meet tomorrow night. He will not be able to attend. An online meeting of the clock tower committee will be held tomorrow night.
Council Member Feuerstein stated the Commons were taken care of at the Planning Commission meeting and approved.
Council Member Scheid stated they are still trying to figure out what will fix the sprinkler system at Woodhaven. It has failed again. There have been problems with snow and ice removal.
Mayor Gunderson stated he was unable to attend the DDA meeting.
City Manager Mullendore stated the kickoff was held for the amendment for the DDA Development Plan. The project manager was here and went over the timeline and objectives. They will be holding a walking tour in better weather. They went over the existing plan to determine if the items were complete and if the items were priorities. Some education is needed for the development plan and the role and functions of the DDA.
Mayor Gunderson stated the ZBA would meet this Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Mayor called for New Business A – APPROVE FORMAL CHANGE OF MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS TO MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, 7 A.M. TO 6 P.M.
The City Clerk read the preamble to the resolution.
Council Member Scheid moved the passage of the resolution and the motion was supported by Council Member Lallo
RESOLUTION NO. 2013-01-08
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUTHORIZING A FOUR DAY WORK WEEK FOR CITY HALL AND DPW STAFF, WITH MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY FROM 7 A.M. TO 6 P.M..
WHEREAS, Belding City Council authorized a trial period for a four day work week on July 16, 2013 city hall and DPW staff, with city hall office hours from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and
WHEREAS, citizens have utilized the extended office hours, with business transacted during the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of staff to have to continue with the four-day work week, with city hall office hours between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that city hall staff will utilize a four day work week with municipal office hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and DPW staff will have a four day work week, as seasonally permitted.
Council Member Jones stated a couple people have complained that it is not open on Friday. There have been no negative things, it was more comments.
Council Member Feuerstein stated they were supposed to have an audit on how much would be saved. None has been done. He suggests they do not make it permanent until they get an audit at the end of this budget.
Council Member Scheid stated he would agree with Joe, as they need to know if there is a savings or not. Some people have made comments about it and were surprised it was closed.
Council Member Lallo stated he would agree, and he would like to know how much would be saved. He would like to get an audit and get comment cards. He inquired about other cities.
City Manager Mullendore stated the cities were about the same population.
Council Member Lallo stated some companies have Fridays off and that is when they can conduct business.
Mayor Gunderson stated Police Chief Dale Nelson is included in this and he had one complaint that the police force is 24/7 and would have a police chief on four – ten hour days. He does come in as needed. Two were concerned that there was a department to run there. It is not like DPW, that is using daylight savings time.
City Manager Mullendore stated the DPW on call person can do 5 – 8’s or 4 – 10’s. Whoever is on call works the Fridays.
Council Member Lallo asked if the holiday situation was squared away?
City Manager Mullendore stated if a holiday falls on Friday, they don’t get it. If it is on Sunday, it is recognized on Monday. In some years there would be a savings.
Council Member Lallo asked if the chief was union?
City Manager Mullendore stated he was non-union.
Council Member Lallo stated the water bills say Monday through Friday.
City Manager Mullendore stated they can see if the bills can be changed.
Council Member Scheid made a motion to table, until the first meeting in July, Resolution No. 2013-01-08, authorizing a four day work week for city hall and DPW staff, with municipal office hours Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the stipulation that office hours will change to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at this time, supported by Council Member Jones.
The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Feuerstein, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.
Nays: None.
Robert Brown, 759 Jay, stated there was a nice turnout for the DDA meeting. He was glad to see Mr. Feuerstein and Mr. Lallo. They should work to improve them and get them on task.
City Manager Mullendore stated Rec Board would be held tomorrow night. She will attend the Greater Greenville Transportation meeting. MDOT and West Michigan Planning will attend the meeting at the Eureka Twp. Hall. ZBA will be held Thursday night. The pre-con meeting for the Rails to Trails project was today. The project will start in April, dependent on the weather. It was a preliminary meeting with the project managers of the segments. There will be a meeting with MDOT tomorrow for the Main Street bridge project. Next week Monday is the pre-con for Hall, Crawford and Washington Streets. She will attend the Michigan Local Government Manager’s Conference from Tuesday to Thursday next week.
Council Member Jones stated he hoped everyone was staying warm.
Council Member Feuerstein had no comments.
Council Member Scheid wished to thank everyone for coming tonight.
Council Member Lallo stated a blood drive was held last week at the VFW and they were amazed at the turnout. On March 20, 2014 there will be a blood drive from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Next month it will be held in Greenville. It was an overwhelming success.
Mayor Gunderson had no comments.
The Mayor called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Scheid moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member Lallo.
Ayes: Council Members Feuerstein, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.
Nays: None.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
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Ronald Gunderson, Mayor
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Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk