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 Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.

            Nays:               None.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Scheid stated he did not attend the Housing Commission meeting.

Council Member Lallo stated he attended the Museum Board meeting.  A bus tour of the Tri-River Museums will be held on October 14, 2014 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  They will have coffee, rolls and pizza.  If interested, please contact him or the museum. 

Council Member Jones stated the Rec Board will meet on Monday, July 7, 2014.  There will be a tentative ribbon cutting for the skatepark on July 8, 2014 at 2 p.m. 

Mayor Gunderson stated the ZBA held five public hearings for Wesco, for the demolition and rebuilding of the properties.  All of the requests were approved and will go to the Planning Commission next.  On June 25, 2014 there was a DDA public input meeting for downtown districting, and sixteen attended.

Closed Session A – Strategy session connected with the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement for the S.E.I.U. contract with on-call firefighters

Council Member Scheid made a motion to enter closed session at 7:06 p.m., supported by Council Member Lallo.                .

Ayes:               Council Members Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.

            Nays:               None.

Council Member Jones made a motion to enter regular session at 7:30 p.m., supported by Council Member Lallo.     

Ayes:               Council Members Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.

            Nays:               None.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

A.    Approval of S.E.I.U. Contract for On-Call Firefighters

Council Member Scheid made a motion to ratify and approve the S.E.I.U. Contract for On-Call Firefighters through June 30, 2018, contingent upon ratification by the union members, supported by Council Member Lallo.       

The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:

            Ayes:               Council Members Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.

            Nays:               None. 

Public Comments

Kim Doran, 709 Harrison, former DART employee, stated on February 28, 2014 her parked vehicle was hit by DPW.  She wanted to speak with Meg, who said she had to have it fixed by Fred at M-44 Body, but never spoke with her.  She would like to have it resolved.  She has a complaint number and quotes. She can be reached at 616-427-7577.  She turned the quotes in to the mayor.

Craig Crebessa, 8079 Storey Rd., stated the meeting discussing the 4-10 hour days had the best open dialogue.  People have public comments.  He wants to have comments under the agenda items. 

Mayor Gunderson stated that was a council decision.

Mr. Crebessa stated he did not know how the cost savings calculation was done.  The chiefs of fire and police would work five days.  The city manager should be there 5 days.  It should be rotated as an employee benefit but provide five day service at the counter.  He congratulated Officer Cooper for being back.  There was no discussion of the cost to taxpayers.  It was a mishandled process.  He asked if council would put discipline in place as it was quite severe. They may have to FOIA.

Dennis Cooper, 116 E. Ann, stated the personnel file of police was released.  It will go to arbitration or mediation.  He asked if there was any idea on what that would cost the taxpayers?  Someone will pay on violating the contract.

City Manager Mullendore stated the arbitration would not be next week, but the following week. 

Mr. Cooper asked what was the process for requesting a change of venue for the meeting?

Mayor Gunderson stated it was a council decision.

Council Member Jones stated he was contacted by the mayor and his opinion was to keep the meeting at the depot.    

Robert Brown, 759 Jay Street, read the following prepared statement:

Our nation's ability to remain a leader on the world stage, and prosper, lives and dies by it's cities. Today I ask my fellow community members in attendance, are we contributing to our nation's success or to it's down fall?

Belding is no stranger to the road of controversy. We have walked the path many times before and history is doomed to repeat itself in the future. However, we do not need to be complicit nor do we have to contribute to the problem.

Chivalry isn't dead in our community, but it is on life support. A very small group of residents and non-residents alike act out of anger and continually attack our city council and city manager both personally and professionally, without regard to accepted societal norms. We all too soon forget that anger doesn't solve anything, it builds nothing, and destroys everything. "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength," so eloquently put by Eric Hoffer. The silent majority will not engage in petty arguments or social media confrontations. Instead, we will raise our voices through our votes at the polls.

A common theme echoed by a vocal minority is the City Council and Manager don't listen to them. This couldn't be further from the truth. They hear you during public comments, during outbursts and spectacles made at inappropriate times, and through social media outlets. The vocal minority isn't mad you're not listening to them, they are mad you are not giving them their way. The vocal minority forgets this Council was elected to protect our community as a whole and not a cause of any individual.

All in attendance tonight should have the same goal in mind. We want a safe and healthy community to live and raise our families in. Much like a parent must not give in to the pleas of a child to ignore the rules of the household, the city government must not give in to the whims of the few at the cost of the many.

 Today, we can be stead fast and resolute in our determination to meet our goal. We can refocus our energy and begin to work together, within the scope of the law, to shape our community into a pillar of hope and success, a positive contributor to our nation, and shed our dark cloud of despair.

I challenge the speakers who come up after me to follow in my footsteps and speak from compassion and understanding. Let’s work from love, kindness, and compassion. For compassion is probably the only antitoxin of the soul. Where there is compassion, even the most poisonous impulses remain relatively harmless (Eric Hoffer).

City Manager’s Comments

City Manager Mullendore stated she had no comments.

Council Comments

Council Member Lallo asked that the city manager look into the figures Mr. Cooper inquired about.  He received an email from Allison Harrison.

City Manager Mullendore stated she sent correspondence on June 4, to let her know she would provide her with additional information, and she is waiting for information on the location of the duck boxes.

Council Member Lallo stated a tree was donated on June 20 for Devon Morrison and planted at Demorest Field.  He contacted Jeff from Lowell Granite and he donated a memorial stone for Devon.  Sam Mason, Belding Party Store, will assist in putting the stone in.  He thanked, Jeff, Sam, Bruce Cook and Shawn Smith. 

Council Member Jones thanked all the people in the community for participating in the council meetings.  They should listen to the criticism and evaluate.  He wished everyone a Happy 4^th of July weekend.  Drive careful.  He asked that everyone remember the reason for the weekend, and the liberties they can enjoy because of the sacrifices of veterans and those still serving.  He asked about what it would cost the city to have Officer Cooper reinstated, the costs and arbitration.

Council Member Scheid thanked everyone for coming tonight.  Enjoy the holiday.  They are trying and will try better. 

Mayor Gunderson thanked everyone for coming and the input.  He asked them to be careful this weekend.

Adjournment

Council Member Scheid moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member Lallo.

Ayes:               Council Members Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.

            Nays:               None.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.