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

Katherine Henry stated, regarding the election agenda, she wished to congratulate Dennis and looked forward to a fresh start for the community and positive changes.  She appreciates what Joe put into the community.  He read every single document for council and Planning Commission.  She is grateful for a fresh start and thanked Joe for doing his best.  The checks are approved on the consent agenda.  She assumed the checks were approved before they are sent out.   She asked if they were approved before being sent out?  She thanked them for being here and working for the community. 

Election Agenda

A.        Acceptance of Report of Ionia County Board of Canvassers

Dennis Cooper received a sufficient number of votes and was elected to the office of Belding

City Council Member.

Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the report of Ionia County Board of Canvassers for the November 4, 2014 election, supported by Council Member Lallo.

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

Nays:   None.

B.        Oath of Office

The city clerk administered the oath of office to Dennis Cooper and he was seated with the council.

C.        Election of Mayor

Council Member Jones made a motion to nominate Ron Gunderson for Mayor, supported by Council Member Lallo.

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

Nays:   None.

D.        Election of Mayor Protem

Council Member Scheid  made a motion to nominate Tom Jones for Mayor Protem, supported by Council Member Lallo.

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

Nays:   None.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Jones stated the Rec Board met last week on Monday.  There was a discussion regarding the Little League fields and disc golf.  The next meeting is December 8, 2014.  They are formulating some requests for grants for the Greenville Foundation for at least two programs.  Anyone is welcome to come to the meetings.

Council Member Scheid stated he did not have any meetings.  The next meeting of the Housing Commission is in December. 

Council Member Lallo stated he had no meetings.  He encouraged everyone to visit the museum during the holidays. 

Mayor Gunderson stated the DDA met and had continuing discussion on the surveys.   They are restructuring the DDA to capture money.  They hired an attorney to give advice on this.  The 12^th annual Candlelight Reception will be held on December 1, 2014.  Those attending can bid on things for the Friends group.  On December 4, 2014, Millie’s Restaurant will have WION doing an on-site broadcast.  It is called Boxes of Love and there is a list of things that will be collected. This will be done at several locations in the county.  The Blue Star Mothers provide the Treasures for Troops.  Regarding Rails to Trails, they lost one trash receptacle from fire.  When he was cleaning up last Friday, there was a receptacle that had been ignited, but not destroyed.  He asked that everyone call the police if they see something suspicious.  The replacement trash receptacle will cost $390, and will be taken from the Friend’s money that would go to the trail.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

Public Comments

Kevin Hall, 930 W. State, welcomed Dennis, and said with Meg and council they have a good foundation going.  He doesn’t buy that Dennis has a personal agenda, and he is young and energetic.  It worked for the governor to reinvent Michigan and Detroit.  They can reinvent Belding.  The city doesn’t owe small businesses nothing, but they owe business the opportunity to grow, bring in other businesses and network.  There is a lot of negative.  Change on council is a good thing.  It will drive it forward, and council should embrace Meg and Meg should embrace the council.  Tension is evident.  He wants change in the city.  His son has the best information with being in an honors college.  His son would be willing to meet with them.  He will be home over Thanksgiving and Christmas.  There are a lot more resources to drive forward with new, young knowledge.  Snyder has taken over Detroit, and there is a lot going on.  The town should not sit in continuous controversy.  They should embrace each other.  Take the knowledge and drive of Dennis.  Embrace change.  The majority spoke.  He doesn’t like the Daily News telling them they don’t know what they are doing with the recall.  The five of them can get together with Meg and drive Belding forward.  Everyone benefits.  There are politics and negativity.  He truly hopes he is embraced and they move forward in a positive direction.

Henry Kuhfeldt, 410 S. Bridge, stated he would echo his statements, as it is time to move forward and he challenged the council to change the town.  He likes to walk places and the city seems to run pretty well, but people are making insinuations on the internet that aren’t accurate and that has to change. He wants to start a business, but he can’t attract interest in the community with this going on.  He doesn’t think there is anyone that wants to see Belding fail.  The negativity in the community has to change.  It cannot attract people to the community.  Lighten the language.  It is not fair to anyone.  If they like each other or not, be nice and civil.  Please consider that a challenge.

Katherine Henry stated she had a concern and her understanding was that there was a 4-1 vote for equipment, a gator, a backhoe, one dumptruck and a one water truck - the second one listed.  She understands they made that 4-1 vote thinking it was under $300,000 that they were spending.  She just ran the numbers five times and got $327,231.08.     

City Manager Mullendore stated she said $330,000, $328,000.

Katherine Henry stated there were a variety of circumstances with herself, other people in the community, who write letters and emails to council, come to meetings, Coffee with Council, just raising some concerns.  It triggered her thoughts to do a quick five minute search on MML to see what kind of trainings might be available, not only to a new council member but to those that may have been on a while to try to figure out a way to not have the problems they have had with FOIA, OMA, various things.  There is a $90 event that is offered throughout December at various locations for newly elected officials.  That would be a good one for Dennis if he didn’t already know about that.  There are three, in her opinion, really important webinars and she knows a few of them are not quite that excited about using the internet, but she is hoping this is something they could do.  In January, all three of these webinars only cost $10 for the whole community, for all the council members and city manager to join in.  They are Local Government 101, OMA and FOIA.  Especially the last two would be very important to make sure they are getting a fresh new look at that.  She would strongly encourage them to look at that as well as other resources.  Also because of some discussion they had in August, relating to zoning and ACS, and they might be coming back, she noticed in January and February they have some training for zoning administrators certificate program, so if they are going to have someone like Don Eady to take care of some things and have that burden on his back, it is only fair to give him the tools that he needs.  This course is $800.  It could save thousands in his time to better know how to handle things. She would ask that they look at those.  There could very well be things that were sent out that she was not aware of.  There was a question if anyone had contacted the city manager or a council member about the order in which they approve the payment of bills.  She doesn’t know why individuals contact her and not them.  One of things that was sent to her this week was regarding the FOIA they dealt with last week.  Her understanding was that they voted 5-0 to uphold the decision that Meg made on the FOIA request and as such Section 15.240 of the Michigan State laws require a written notification be sent to Kevin, the requesting party, informing him of the decision which was made to uphold the determination.  It appears, at least by this afternoon that this had not been sent.  The law says his only other option is to file an action in Circuit Court.  She would ask them, first of all, it may have been an oversight or been lost in the mail.  But if it wasn’t sent to him, she was assuming it was merely an oversight on her part.  She doesn’t know if it would be the mayor, manager or Kareen who would have sent it. But she would ask them to thoughtfully consider this, because whether it might seem little or insignificant, it is just one of many of the issues they are having with FOIA and our laws need to be followed.  She thinks it is very important.  That is why she brought forth the idea for the training.  She would really like some sort of remedy, if her facts are correct here, to set up some sort of remedy, even issuing a late notice to the individual, or whatever, because she would hate for a Belding city resident to again have to file a lawsuit in order for our laws to be properly enforced.  With that, she wished to thank them all and ask that they think about those trainings and other things.  She knows that Meg has a lot on her plate to manage the city and she would be more than happy, on a volunteer basis, to sit down with her to Google things, research, make some phone calls and look at other resources.  She knows that MML offers onsite trainings as well.  She knows they are a little more expensive, and she didn’t call to ask, but if she ever needs assistance with any of that, please, any one of them, feel free to call.  Thank you.   

Sam Mason, 516 W. May, stated the city is purchasing vehicles and the John Deere is the most expensive, and he doesn’t see them as commercial vehicles.  Construction wants the most versatile products for the work, liability, warranty, and parts availability.  As a business owner, he pays taxes and wants what is best for the city and citizens.  He wants something to maintain easily.  The population is not growing that fast.  Greenville has a billboard on M-57 and M-91, in which Greenville is trying to promote Greenville.  There is a little sign here at the city limits.  What would they have to do to put up a sign for local businesses? 

Cynthia Burns, 805 Thompson Ct., stated she has lived in Belding for eight years and came from Toronto.  Regarding the comment from the gentleman, they can agree to disagree.  People in Belding have trouble respecting people’s differences.  As they move forward with a newly elected council member, next week is Thanksgiving.  Think of what they can be thankful for.  Please start to think what they can be thankful for.  There are volunteers for God’s Kitchen and the food pantry.  They do it quietly and don’t boast, they just help the needy.  The person that started this is Julie Rodts, and she does it quietly and patiently with volunteers, pastors and priests.  Let them stop negative talk on the computer and social media.  Use it in a most positive manner.  With a population of 5,700, it is hard to agree on things.  Think before you speak. Voice differences with respect for the people that run the city.  If they want to take care of the children of the community, they should be role models.  She asked what could everyone contribute as a whole to move forward?  She wants to be proud to be a part Belding.  She has embraced the community.  They are too close that they cannot see the solutions in front of them.  Be thankful.  Contribute to God’s Kitchen if they wish. The need in the community has grown.  They help 79 people week in and week out.  She wished to thank Julie Rodts.  There would be hungry children if it weren’t for these programs.   

City Manager’s Comments

City Manager Mullendore wished everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  She congratulated Dennis and stated she would look forward to working with him.

Council Comments

Council Member Cooper stated he was humbled and honored to be put in this seat.  He can’t promise them change and positive direction.  He will hear them and fight for them.  He will do what he can in this community.  It is his time to give back.  The ZBA was disbanded last May.  There are people in the community willing to serve.  It should never have been disbanded. 

Council Member Cooper made a motion to reinstate the ZBA, supported by Council Member Scheid.

City Manager Mullendore stated council has two applications to approve.  There would be another regular seat to fill and two alternates. 

Mayor Gunderson stated to clarify, they are down to four members and no alternates.  Two businesses wanted to improve, WESCO and independent Bank.  One member had to recuse herself.  The board must have a quorum.  If one was absent, it would hold up business.  Council took the action it did.  If people are interested in this, put the application in.  There are classes for this and a certain amount of qualifications.  Two applications have been received from Mike Henry and Dan Blunt Sr. 

Council Member Cooper stated Bonita Steele and his sister Shelly would be interested. 

It was within the legislation to disband.

Council Member Jones asked if it would be better to do this as soon as the positions are filled, when qualified people could be appointed to the ZBA?

Council Member Cooper amended his original motion, to reinstall the ZBA as soon as the positions are filled with qualified individuals, to be brought forward in the next few meetings, supported by Council Member Scheid.

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

            Nays:   None.

Council Member Cooper stated he wants to be a friendly community, with a friendly administrator and department heads.  A resident who submitted a FOIA request was charged $80 to $100 for a letter head.  He would like an administrator to say, you can get this information on the check register.  He would like that revisited and those things put to rest.  He asked if there were specific work hours for department heads, like Ernie and Dale?

City Manager Mullendore stated if an employee is salaried, they are exempt from the Federal labor law relative to established work hours.  The federal government stipulates through the Fair Labor Standards Act that they work until the job is done.  Most legal attorneys would say that could be 10 hours, or that could be 50 hours.  There is a provision if they work over 44 hours, they can have compensatory time, hour for hour. 

Council Member Cooper stated they are not getting return phone calls and cannot get ahold of department heads or her.  He doesn’t feel the citizens are being served adequately and they are not getting the answers they should be getting.  He drives by city hall in the afternoon, and she was gone three days last week in the afternoon, and how is he to answer to these people on where she is at?  Is there a log of hours? 

Mayor Gunderson stated as far as Meg’s time, she is here to run the city.  If they are going to end up micromanaging everything, he doesn’t quite understand why, if he has issues on what he would like to see done or the direction he would like to see the city go, by all means talk to Meg or bring a council member with him, and bring your ideas forward.

Council Member Cooper stated he drives by city hall and sometimes they don’t have the police chief or city manager there. Sometimes people at the podium ask questions and we have the information and they do not get answers. 

Council Member Scheid thanked everyone who came and spoke tonight.  They listened.

Council Member Lallo thanked everyone, as well.  He honestly believes they can work together.  He is from Grand Rapids, and what is going on now is sad and not the reason he moved here.  That is the concern of every council member.  The community has to let them do their jobs.  He has not had one phone call.  He gets an email once in a while.  He asked people to come to council members, not to other citizens.  He would be happy to go to any business.  He went to an

MML training last year.  It covered FOIA, OMA and he learned a lot.  He is sure Dennis will go to that.  He and Tom went to the Veteran’s dinner at the Legion.  He wished to thank the ladies, Junior Brownies and Honor Society for the event.  There is not enough they can do for the veterans.  He likes to see them enjoy themselves and have a free dinner.  When they unveiled the Korean War Memorial, he saw some of the veterans and the tears that rolled down their eyes.  There are little things they can do for veterans, like tell them you appreciate what they do.  If you know elderly that need help, help anyway you can, or call him if he can help shovel.  Take care of pets in the winter.  He spoke with the Police Department and Fire Department.  Residents should try to clear snow from fire hydrants for them.  Clear the sidewalks and remember there is no overnight street parking.  Don’t shovel snow into the street.  The new bridge is done and has new stop signs.  He asked if there would be any warnings?

City Manager Mullendore stated there will be a little leniency at first, and they will be putting flags on the stop signs to make it more noticeable.  People will get re-acclimated to it.

Council Member Lallo thanked Joe Feuerstein for his service.  He researched a lot.  He welcomed Dennis.

Council Member Jones welcomed Dennis and said it would be good having young blood.  He is looking forward to hearing his ideas.  He is glad Joe is here tonight.  He really appreciated the energy he put into city council.  He had good ideas.  He respects his decisions on what he felt he had to do. He thanked him for all his work and effort on the budget.  He stated Joe should keep an eye on them and let them know how they are doing.  He would welcome his input.  There was a motion to have Ron stay on as mayor, and they go back a long time.  He does an excellent job as mayor and serving the city.  He makes good decisions for council.  There are five council persons up here.  Sometimes there is a 3-2 vote.  After the vote is done, they work together and proceed.  He respects the decision on Meg’s contract and supports it.  He enjoys Jerry having fresh input and perspective.  The snow shoveling with Ron on the Memorial is excellent.  When Jerry ran for office, people asked who he was.  He helped people as he was campaigning.  The five of them can work to get things done in this community and try to heal the wounds.  They need friendlier community service out of city hall and staff.  They should work with small and large businesses to promote Belding.  Customers don’t understand the social media.  He doesn’t follow social media, but talks to people at the store.  He gets a good cross section.  Everyone needs to watch the language and the way words are put together.  Try to benefit and promote Belding.  When that kind of information is seen on social media, they need to promote the community in a positive way, even if they are upset with what happened along the way.  There is a good council to go a long way.  There is a good city manager.  They have had some issues, but they need to work it out.  He has attended open meetings when he was a member of the school board for over 12 years.  He believes in open meetings and doesn’t want three council members to get together to put something through.  Discussion must take place at open council meetings.

Mayor Gunderson welcomed Dennis.  Thanksgiving is coming up.  Be careful and safe.  There will be a few things to finish for the bridge in the spring.  He thanked Tom for accepting Mayor ProTem.  He attended MML training after he was appointed mayor and he learned a lot.  MML uses Belding as an example for one of their classes, and it is sad.  He thanked Joe and said he learned a lot from him.  He also thanked him for the three years at Coffee with Council.  He asked everyone to remember that it does not cost anything to be nice. 

Work Session

Item A – Board & Commission Appointments and Liaisons

Adjournment

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

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

            Nays:               None.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.