Approval of Agenda

Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, supported by Council Member Lallo.

Council Member Jones stated the closed session should have a reason.

Mayor Gunderson stated this is what the attorney said to use as a template.

Robert Callahan stated he was hired to represent Ms.Mullendore in the lawsuit.  She is named in an individual capacity and in an official capacity.  By federal law, when someone is named in their official capacity, with the attorney client privilege, which is exempt from FOIA, it can be reviewed.  The discussion will be only on the memorandum itself.

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

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

            Nays:               Council Member Jones.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Feuerstein stated the Planning Commission went over the Tool Kit to understand the rules and regulations, had discussion on things that were brought up and committees were assigned.  Committee meetings will be held on land use wordage.  On October 15, he is a part of the meeting.  They will address banner sock signs. 

Council Member Scheid stated he talked to Sharon after the Housing Commission meeting, and they discussed general business and approved the bills.   

Council Member Lallo stated the Labor Day Committee would present the financial statement in an upcoming meeting.  300 plus visited the Museum over the Labor Day weekend.  The Children’s Museum had the first place float.  The quilt show will be held on November 2.

Council Member Jones stated there has not been a Rec Board meeting since the last council meeting. 

Mayor Gunderson stated the DDA was given some of the data from the questionnaire from Music in the Park and the online version for the downtown development area.  There will be more information at the next meeting.  Regarding the Rails to Trails project, they will be planting trees tomorrow by River Street, plus ornamental grass and day lilies, which were all a part of the project. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

Public Comments

Linda Rousseau, 890 Water St., stated she would like to comment on the ordinances, as some the city enforces and some it doesn’t.  She is embarrassed over the way the community garage sale was handled.  The signs on M-44 and Water Street were not taken down previously, but all signs were taken down during the garage sale. What did they get for their $5.00?  It was supposed to be advertised in the Daily News, Sentinel and Grand Rapids Press, and it wasn’t.  The only publicity was maps that you could pick up on 7:30 a.m.  She would like to know why the signs were taken down that day?

Mayor Gunderson stated he would get back with her on that.

Ms. Rousseau stated then the Garden Walk, Music in the Park and Museum signs can’t be out again.

Mayor Gunderson stated not in the right of way.

Ms. Rousseau stated a girl wrote a book on our community and she said she was told it could not be displayed at city hall.  That is not promoting things in our community. 

City Manager Mullendore stated she wanted to sell the book at city hall.  The city cannot handle monies for a number of entities.  That responsibility is handled by groups wanting to fundraise.  The clock tower committee had to have a 501(c)3 so they could fundraise.  She can display the book at city hall and have information on where it can be purchased.

Allison Harrison, 10126 Emma Dr., Greenville, Michigan, stated she was a member of Girl Scout Troop #02859.  Four months ago she wanted to put wood duck boxes along the river, a project to achieve her gold award.  Next week is the final meeting and she completed the gold award.  She stated she wanted to say thank you for approving her project. 

Jeff Hunter stated they didn’t have a problem with bullies taking down the yard sale signs during the community yard sale. Joe had a sign up all day Saturday.  The city manager went into businesses and introduced herself as the evil one.  If so, how are they not embarrassed to let this continue?

Katherine Henry stated everyone gets the Belding Bugle.  It talks about the board vacancies that are open.  They are making a better effort to get that out.  They need the boards filled with good people.  The notice talked about the duties of the boards.  She liked how the information was put together.  She looks forward to seeing the Belding book being displayed at city hall.  She saw the book at Millie’s today.  She and Mr. Brown were discussing if perhaps in a week or two they could get the three candidates for city council to meet the public, and have a question and answer session.  She looks forward to hearing them answer questions about the different topics going on. She doesn’t know if they could use the depot or use a private venue. 

City Manager Mullendore stated it can be scheduled with Kareen.

Ms. Henry stated they would have a moderator to funnel the questions.  She would like the candidates to consider that. 

City Manager’s Comments

City Manager Mullendore reminded everyone that the Glow Run is this Friday after the football game.  Ellis will be closed down for that two hours.  Keven Krieger is donating his time to transport participants.  The B Foundation was to notice those affected that the road would be closed down.  She received DEQ forms today that will be sent back tomorrow.  There is an issue with the leaves not turning so pick-up will be pushed back a week.  They prefer that residents put the leaves in the gutter pan, as they don’t want to damage yards. 

Mayor Gunderson stated he would ask them to keep an eye on the catch basins. 

Council Member Feuerstein inquired about the leaves on M-44.

City Manager Mullendore stated M-44 is a state trunkline.  She would recommend putting the leaves right at the edge of the road.  It is difficult to pull the leaves out over five feet.  They are asking residents on city major and local streets to put the leaves in the gutter pan. 

Council Comments

Council Member Scheid had no comments.

Council Member Lallo thanked everyone for attending the memorial for Devon Morrison on September 15.  Lowell Granite did the monument, Nature’s Needs provided flowers, Bob Brown and Chuck Robinson helped put them in, and Shirley Loree provided flowers.  He asked everyone to pay their respects.  He apologized for the inconvenience of the garage sale.  This was the first one.  There were good and bad things.  Council was not notified until it was all put together.  The chamber backed out at the last minute.  The chamber could have sponsored it the first year and then gotten feedback.  Council was out of the decision on having it, but good things came of it.  He apologized for the bad things.

Council Member Jones stated regarding the garage sale that he manages the Parts Plus on M-44. People wanted to know where the maps were and he said check with the Chamber and downtown.  The maps should have been at the banks and Leppinks.  Regarding the street signs, he asked if the city was going to enforce the road right of way, 33 feet from the centerline?  He still sees signs in that area.  At the apartments near him, there is a sign between the telephone pole and road.  He has seen the city is not enforcing that ordinance totally.  If it is enforced, OK, but don’t pull them one weekend.  It must be consistent. 

City Manager Mullendore stated the city hired a reserve officer for code enforcement, and she will pull them from the right of way.  It will be consistent. 

Council Member Jones stated there was vandalism at the memorial.  They should have the paper ask people to keep an eye on it.  They talked about a camera on the building to monitor it.  He thought there would be enough respect to not vandalize it.  He would like the city to pursue a camera.

Mayor Gunderson stated he talked to Denny Craycraft and asked him about it.  He thought it might not be vandalism.  People come down and move the benches by the bricks or by a loved one or family member.  He found the top part of the lens.  When people shovel it, the plastic could have broken the adaptor.

Council Member Jones asked if a notice had been sent to the people on Ellis regarding the street closure?

City Manager Mullendore stated part of the approval was for the B Foundation to notice all those affected.

Council Member Jones stated, regarding the ball fields, that Meg handed out information.  It is in the state of disrepair.  In talking to Frank Mason, they may have lost a softball league due to the conditions.  He feels they need to address what is happening up there.  He knows about spreading tax dollars thin.  It hasn’t worked out well.  The youth league took care of some of the fields.  They talked about stone dust last year.  They need to address what will happen up there.  Groups have put in a lot of money and heart and soul.

City Manager Mullendore stated she and Keven would bring ideas to the Rec Board at the November 10 meeting.   

Mayor Gunderson stated through the Rec Board maybe a committee could be formed to work through the city. 

Council Member Lallo stated he would like to be involved in the committee.

Council Member Feuerstein stated he would agree to have the talk between the three council candidates, if it is a decent talk and honest.  He is willing.  On the skateboard park, there is a lot of talk about language and garbage.  It should be fenced in and have so many in there at a time.  They need a person to oversee parks and recreation and the ballfields, to make sure this stuff gets done and there is enforcement.  It is not just the kids in town, as they are coming from other towns.  Something has to be done with the language, at least.

Council Member Jones stated he would bring his concerns to the Rec Board. 

Council Member Lallo stated there was broken glass in the parking lot and a picnic table had trash on it.  There was only one trash container.

Mayor Gunderson stated he picked up trash, and there was not much in the container.

Mayor Gunderson thanked Allison for sticking it out for all those years and following through with it.  It is being dedicated to something you believe in.  The trail use pleases him, and it is an asset to the community. He thanked everyone for coming tonight.   

Council Member Feuerstein stated nothing was put out to the public on the birdhouses.  People have seen and appreciated them.   

Closed Session

A.        Pursuant to MCL 15.268(h), “to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute.”

Council Member Scheid made a motion to enter closed session at 7:52 p.m., 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.

Mayor Gunderson recessed the meeting at 7:52 p.m.

Mayor Gunderson reconvened the meeting at 8 p.m.

Council Member Scheid made a motion to return to regular session at 8:40 p.m., supported by Council Member Feuerstein. 

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.

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 8:41 p.m.