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.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Lallo stated the Labor Day Committee held a security meeting.  Doug DeVries, the Ionia County Emergency Manager and Melton McFadden were present.  The committee is just finishing up the details for the event. 

Council Member Jones stated the Rec Board held a meeting on June 9.  The skatepark is in the process of being done.  They want to make updates to the small park if there are available funds, which the Rec Board approved.  The Belhaven dock bids are out and will be opened.  Rails to Trails is proceeding well.  The Main Street bridge will be shut down on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 7 a.m.  They are proceeding with the dog park, with some plans to be approved later.  A group from the schools wanted to do tree memorial at Demorest, contingent on talking to Ernie and Meg. 

City Manager Mullendore stated they came up with a location. 

Council Member Feuerstein stated they have the Planning Commission master plan to talk about on June 24.  He wished to invite everyone there to discuss the plan.  Any ideas would be helpful. He hopes people attend at the Belrockton. 

Council Member Scheid stated there was no Housing Commission meeting. 

Mayor Gunderson stated the DDA is going through the master plan.  They had a walk around with about twenty in attendance.  They may redistrict the boundary lines.  A lot of ideas came up, and it was very positive with a lot of feedback.  He is looking forward to seeing the results on that.

Council Member Jones stated Leppinks is donating DART service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to the Belhaven Housing Commission, with two trips a day.  That will help residents get back and forth when the bridge is closed. 

Unfinished Business

Agenda Item A - Four day work week

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.

New Business Agenda

Item A – Budget amendments for FY 2013/14

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.

Public Comments

Sam Mason, owner of Belding Party Store, stated there would be a tubing event into Belding from July 11 to 13, 2014.  They have a sign issue in Belding.  He asked if they could put temporary signs in the area?  The tubers will be going from Water Street to the Double R.  He wants to promote the business owners.  He asked what he should do to get this going?

City Manager Mullendore stated she would talk to Sam.

Leslie Boyd, 101 N. Front, asked with the river thing happening, who approved that and how did it come about?

City Manager Mullendore stated the organization never contacted the city.  The police chief found out at a chief’s meeting.  She has sent them notification that there is no alcohol in city parks.  It will have to be concealed.  She suggested in the future, they contact the local jurisdiction and work with them.  There is no alcohol in the parks, but the city has no control when they are in the water.  The DNR is the one who approved the boat launch site at Water Street Park.  The city has the same concerns. 

City Manager’s Comments

City Manager Mullendore asked everyone to bear with the city during the construction projects, as it will be cumbersome and difficult.  The Main Street bridge will not open until November 15 or 16.  It will be a complete replacement with emergency funding.  Fire trucks can’t go over the bridge with their weight load.  Washington and Hall are reconstructs.  The city worked with the school on scheduling.  With a positive in fund balance, she will advocate for more road work after July 1.  Demorest Street would have a cost of approximately $29,500.  It is in a horrid state of repair and heavily travelled.  She will ask council for those funds to transfer into streets to do that.  She would also like to resurface Water Street. The estimates are at around $100,000 to $110,000 for both streets.  Bridge Street will be addressed from State Street south to the city limits and will be highly expensive.  Concrete will have to be removed.  That project will cost approximately $1.2 to $1.5M.  It would be done as two projects over two years, tentatively in 2015/16. 

Council Member Jones stated if the city is doing something with Demorest and Water, he would like sidewalk or pathway along those streets.  People walk and some have strollers.  There is sidewalk partway down Kenwood, next to Demorest.  On Water Street, it does not necessarily have to go to M-44, but to the side street, as far as the crick.   

City Manager Mullendore stated she could look into it.  The bike path, from a cost perspective, would be much less than a sidewalk.

Council Member Feuerstein stated they were going to run the path behind Water Street to Fair Street.  They need a sign to caution walkers on the hill.   

Council Member Lallo stated sidewalks would be good in both those areas.

Council Comments

Council Member Jones stated he had no additional comments.

Council Member Feuerstein stated he has a meeting at the commissioner’s office at the courthouse tomorrow at 11 a.m. to see if the recall language is factual.

Council Member Scheid thanked everyone for coming, as it was good to see a crowd.

Council Member Lallo distributed information to council on the Boobs and Tubes event.  They have had a lot of issues.  They said it was like Mardi Gras on the river.  There have been a wide range of problems, including fighting, exposure and vulgarity.  The participants have littered in the yards.  There was a death with occurred as he was trying to break up a fight.  He has concern for the residents along the river banks.  He doesn’t know if DNR will answer questions regarding taking care of the residents along the riverbank so issues don’t occur.  The event is great for businesses.  They can work with the Double R to get flyers out for businesses.  Those along the river may have to change their plans.  He would like to be prepared. 

City Manager Mullendore stated as of today, 22 are registered.  The police chief is scheduling a meeting with the sheriff’s department to have a game plan.

Mayor Gunderson stated he believes this is the first one and he has concerns.  It is a great cause.  He applauded for getting up regarding the local business people.  It needs to run its course on this event for this year.  He hopes for the best and will see what the outcome is.  He is concerned it was approved without a heads up from the DNR.  They will see what happened there.  He would like the city to have input if it is an annual event.

Adjournment

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 7:47 p.m.