REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
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, April 21, 2015.
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 Dennis Cooper, Mike Scheid, Jerome Lallo, Tom Jones and Ronald Gunderson
Members Absent: None
Approval of Agenda
Mayor Gunderson asked to add Item E - Set public hearing on the FY 2015/16 budget for May 5, 2015 to the consent agenda, remove the Closed Session, and add Guest after the Proclamation.
Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the agenda, as amended, supported by Council Member Jones.
The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Proclamation
WHEREAS, in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees; and
WHEREAS, this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world; and
WHEREAS, trees reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife, and
WHEREAS, trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products; and
WHEREAS, trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community, and
WHEREAS, trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal; and
WHEREAS, the City of Belding has been recognized as a Tree City USA by The National Arbor Day Foundation for the twelfth year and desires to continue its tree-planting practices.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ronald Gunderson, Mayor of the City of Belding, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2015 as Arbor Day in the City of Belding, and urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and
FURTHER, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations.
Guest – Bruce Feuerstein
Bruce Feuerstein stated he was speaking on behalf of the DDA Chairperson, Sharon Carlson. He gave an overview of the proposed amendment to the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan of the Downtown Development Authority.
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 63887 to 63975 in the amount of $64,776.17
Approve Chemical Bank Check 1078 in the amount of $32,000.00
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, April 7, 2015
C. Set public hearing for Amendment to the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan of the Downtown Development Authority
D. Use of city street and noise variance request by Mark Hoople
E. Set public hearing on the FY 2015/16 budget for May 5, 2015
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 Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
C. Set public hearing for Amendment to the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan of the Downtown Development Authority
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDED DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN FOR THE CITY OF BELDING DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
WHEREAS, on April 2, 2015, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) adopted the amended and restated Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan for the City of Belding; and
WHEREAS, the DDA would like to request that the Belding City Council establish a public hearing date for May 19, 2015, to provide for review, discussion and comment on the plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a public hearing be set for Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 7 p.m. at 100 Depot Street, Belding, MI 48809 to consider the adoption of an ordinance approving an amended Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan for the City of Belding Downtown Development Authority pursuant to Act 197 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1975, as amended.
D. Use of city street and noise variance request by Mark Hoople
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN GRANTING PERMISSION TO MARK HOOPLE FOR THE USE OF DEPOT STREET AND A NOISE VARIANCE FOR A MOTORCYCLE SHOW AND SWAP MEET TO BENEFIT THE WOUNDED SOLDIER FOUNDATION.
WHEREAS, Mark Hoople has requested permission for the use of Depot Street, from Bridge Street to Broas Street, for a motorcycle show and swap meet to benefit the Wounded Soldier Foundation from July 17-19, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Mark Hoople also requests a noise variance until 8 p.m. on July 17 and 18, 2015.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding,
Michigan that permission is hereby granted to Mark Hoople for the use of Depot Street, from Bridge Street to Broas Street, and for a noise variance for the motorcycle show and swap meet from July 17-19, 2015.
E. Setting a public hearing on the FY 2015/16 budget
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FY 2015/16 BUDGET.
WHEREAS, the City Council will review the FY 2015/16 Tentative Budget on April 28, 2015; and,
WHEREAS, a public hearing on the proposed budget will be held on May 5, 2015.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a public hearing will be held on May 5, 2015 at 7 p.m. to receive public comment on the budget, and the property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be the subject of the public hearing.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Cooper stated there was no Rec meeting.
Council Member Scheid stated the Housing Commission met last week. They have five vacancies. The 5-year plan is done and will be sent to HUD. They may get a little more money this year, as they have had cuts the last five years. They may be able to get some things done. Some paving needs to be done. They can’t take it out of the regular budget. HUD has cut $100,000 over the last five years. The new director does not want small authorities to get hit as hard as the large ones.
Council Member Lallo stated there have been no meetings. Labor Day is having the chicken dinner fundraiser at the VFW on Friday. People can order or just show up.
Council Member Jones stated the Planning Commission will meet on April 30, 2015.
Mayor Gunderson stated the Library Board would meet next Monday at 5 p.m.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
A. Appointment of city manager
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 Cooper.
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING BRUCE BROWN AS CITY MANAGER.
WHEREAS, a vacancy was created in the office of the City Manager on January 20, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Brown was appointed Interim City Manager effective February 23, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Belding City Charter, Section 7.1(b) states the council shall appoint a city manager within ninety days after any vacancy exists in such position; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Belding City Council that Bruce Brown be appointed as City Manager.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding,
Michigan that Bruce Brown be appointed as the City Manager, to continue under the terms of his existing contract with the City. This appointment will be subject to a performance evaluation to be performed at or near the end of his first six months of service to the City, which will be in mid-August of 2015. At that time, the City and Mr. Brown will determine if they wish to continue the employment relationship.
Council Member Jones stated Bruce is doing excellent job. He has heard good comments at the store, with people complimenting him.
Council Member Cooper stated he sees a lot of people and they are impressed and happy with what he has done. Some business owners are thrilled that he has reached out to them.
Council Member Scheid stated he is very accessible, and that goes a long way in town.
Council Member Lallo stated he knew what he offered before as a city manager and expected the same things. In a short time he has taken a stake in the community. He goes out to talk to people and he appreciates that.
Mayor Gunderson stated within the resolution it states that Bruce wants an evaluation in mid-August, 2015, as was his wish. He thanked him for being on board. He has heard good things. It has been great.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
Keven Krieger, 1417 Oakwood St., thanked city council, the City of Belding, and donors like Johnson Feuerstein Funeral Home and other donors. A disc tournament was held to benefit the Welcome Back Veteran’s Foundation. The community was very supportive. There was a color guard. The McCormick Foundation matched donations by 50%. They raised over $4,000 to give back to the foundation. He hopes to have pictures. He is very appreciative that he can go out and play. The community has been great.
City Manager’s Comments
City Manager Brown stated he likes to take a very quiet part in the city council meeting, as it is their meeting, not his. It has been a pleasure for him to work here. There is a good city council, terrific staff, the citizens have been positive and they want to move forward. He has had a very easy job. It has been a good experience, and he is looking forward to moving forward with all of them to do something special in this city.
Council Comments
Council Member Scheid had no comments.
Council Member Lallo stated Tara Rackham is participating in the Miss Preteen Pageant and is looking for sponsorships. He had the opportunity to meet with DPW Director Ernie Thomas, Chief Dale Nelson, Chief Gregg Moore and Keven. He stated they are lucky to have them. They are very passionate about the city and what they do. They do a lot of work themselves, saving the city thousands. They are very lucky to have those department heads in the city.
Council Member Jones wished to thank all the city staff for their hard work. They do above and beyond in those positions. He participated in Showcase and it was very successful. Most of council was there visiting. Bruce was there. People commented that they liked to talk to him. Bruce has started a healing process in the community. More people are saying hi to people than they were before. He extended thanks to the staff and Bruce as they do a good job. They have a good town and they need to keep working on shaping it. They have to consider the whole community, not just the DDA, to look at and keep viable. It is not just downtown or not just M-44. It is all one community and they have to keep that in the back of their minds with the development and promotion to be done.
Council Member Cooper thanked everyone for being here tonight. He has heard several comments on SMASH Park and people love it. He thanked the people who take care of it and made it a reality. They should be very proud of it.
Mayor Gunderson stated there would be a special meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 7 p.m. to hold a closed session to discuss the lawsuit between Mullendore and Belding. The attorney could not be here tonight. On April 28, 2015, there will be a budget workshop at 5 p.m. He thanked everyone for coming tonight. He thanked Bruce Feuerstein for the presentation, which was a brief summary. There are more copies available. There was a good turnout for Community Showcase.
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 7:30 p.m.
| | Ronald Gunderson, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
