Approval of Agenda

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

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

Bonita Steele, 528 Ionia, asked that council not close Bridge St. for the entire event, as it would disrupt traffic.  She wants an easier trip through town.  Last year they overturned the request.  She can understand closing for the parades.   

Shelley Gladding, 1021 S. Pleasant, Co-Chairman of the Labor Day event stated there was a concern last year because the bridge was out.  There was too much of a flow issue, so they revised their plans.  If they can use the Electrolux lot for a few items, there will be a safety issue. There is a car show down Main St., there will be arts on Main Street.  It is a huge safety concern as they do not want anyone hit by a car.  The information stage was on the corner of Bridge and Congress last year.  So many cars missed the stop sign.  Someone could be hit.  She thanked the event committee for seeing the safety of that.  They are making the area more of a venue, and project graduation is doing the cake walk there.  Old fashioned games may be held there, or in the park.  The concern for safety is why is has been brought back.

Good Neighbor Award

Logan Ostrander and Family – “Litter Pick Up in Belding” on August 4, 2015

Council Member Lallo made the presentation to Logan Ostrander and her family. 

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Jones stated the Planning Commission meeting is August 25, 2015.  There will be a special meeting coming up for a zoning variance, but they are waiting on the paperwork to schedule the meeting.  They need three more members for the Planning Commission.  They would appreciate anyone interested to pick up the paperwork and get their name in. 

Council Member Cooper stated the Rec Board has been moved to city hall.  There was a pickle ball court discussion.  Dr. and Mr. Satterlee made a presentation.  They looked at the cement pad and tennis courts.  They can put lines on top of a tennis court and use an adjustable net.  Lots of adults play, and it is a widely popular sport.   

Council Member Scheid stated the Housing Commission meeting is this Thursday, but he will be working. 

Council Member Lallo stated there is a Labor Day meeting tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the Legion.  He would encourage the public to attend and support the committee.  The Museum is sponsoring a fall bus tour on October 13, 2015, which leaves from Lowell, Michigan.  There are brochures. 

Mayor Gunderson stated the DDA met and the main discussion was on the different flower bed areas downtown.  They are going to start an Adopt-a-Bed program.  Bruce is working on a grant for wayfinding signs.  Katherine took over the cleanup of the weeds for the Labor Day weekend.  There will be a work session on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 7 p.m.  Bring gloves.  They will weed the areas that have not been taken care of for the Labor Day festivities.  Different businesses can adopt a bed.  It will also be open to the public.  There has been no money in the budget for several city managers to keep up the flowerbeds.  It has been on the back of DPW and volunteers. 

Council Member Scheid stated they should bring some tools to work on the flower beds. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

A.    Labor Day Celebration

The City Clerk read the preamble to the resolution.

Police Chief Nelson stated he spoke with the Labor Day committee on the closure of Bridge Street, as all of the activities are on the east side of the mall, Main Street and the Electrolux property, forming a pedestrian mall.  It will be a good fit for the city. 

Council Member Jones moved the passage of the resolution and the motion was supported by Council Member Cooper.

B.     City Manager Performance Evaluation

Council Member Scheid made a motion to bring the City Manager Performance Evaluation to the floor for discussion, supported by Council Member Cooper.

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

Nays:               None

Council Member Scheid stated Bruce has done a wonderful job.  He answers almost immediately.  He brought a lot of experience to the position.  Things are moving along nicely.  He has seen everyone in town.  He is doing a wonderful job.  He would like to keep him on if he wants to stay.

Council Member Lallo stated there was a lot of tension in the city.  He did a good job in calming things down.  He met with community leaders and citizens.  He did a good job.  There is still a lot to do and he is the person to do that.  He has extensive background.  He takes ownership and has a stake in the community.  He did everything they asked and then some.  He has a vision for the future.  He looks forward to seeing the vision progress, and it will take some time.  It may take the two years.  He looks forward to having him stay on. 

Council Member Jones stated he has done an excellent job and works well with staff.  They respect each other.  There were some in the community that were quite vocal, and he met with them and worked with them.  He has done a really good job.  There was a lot of division in the community that is gone.  There are still opponents to certain issues, but he is willing to be an arbitrator between the groups.  He finds good middle ground.  He made headway with the Electrolux property and got that wrapped up.  They got the right man in the right job.  He has no problem with a two-year standard contract for that position.

Council Member Cooper stated he would echo the same, as he has done some great things and wonderful deals.  There are some efficiency issues in departments that need to be addressed.  He has an issue with a two year contract.  He wants a one-year contract to revise on an annual basis.

Mayor Gunderson stated he worked on the release of the Electrolux Property to the City of Belding for a park, developed a program to update assessment records, developed on-site training on FOIA and OMA for city officials, created a special event policy, assisted the DDA in the development of their revisions to the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing program, began a program to update the Belding Zoning Ordinance, began a program to implement the Belding Master Plan, prepared a balanced budget, retained Julianne Burns to assist in grant procurement and to follow up on a number of Belding projects, introduced a Local Preference Purchasing policy and an Ethics ordinance.  He proposed a two year term, two months severance, no change in salary, a car allowance of $600 per month, a four day work week, 4 weeks of vacation annually (28 days), five days sick leave, routine IRS qualified expenses and the same holidays as staff.  Regarding the benefits from past city managers, he is asking for far less.  He enjoys working with Bruce.  There is an open door policy.  There is always a good response and weekly reports that tells what he did all week long.  There were even updates when he was on vacation.  He has no issue with a two year contract.  It shows as a city they are committed.  Bruce does have long term visions and they will come to fruition within two years.

City Manager Brown stated he came here in February and yesterday was the last day of his contract.  He has enjoyed the city and there are issues here that need to be dealt with.  They are solvable.  In speaking with people, there are a ton of people with the general feeling that the city has a great future and they want to be a part of that.  They are ready to roll up their sleeves and help.  They have a series of things he recommended.  There are things that will move the city forward.  He is ready to go to work.  Should they want to go in a different direction, he can go back to mama in Grand Rapids.  He is here if they think it is a good idea, and he is fine if not.

Council Member Jones stated it is 24/7 in this position.  He is in the office or at meetings Monday through Thursday.  It is not really a four day work week.  Dale and Gregg have certain office hours, but are 24/7.

Council Member Scheid stated Ernie and Kareen have the same problem.

Council Member Scheid made a motion to extend the city manager’s contract for two years to include:  two month’s severance if terminated without cause, unchanged salary, car allowance of $600 per month, a four day work week from Monday through Thursday, vacation of four weeks annually (28 days), 5 days annual sick leave, routine IRS qualified expenses, and paid holidays, supported by Council Member Lallo.

Ayes:               Council Member Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson

Nays:               Council Member Cooper

Public Comments

John LaClear, 415 E. State, stated he would also say Bruce is doing a heck of a good job.  There are a lot of good comments.  It is good to see him here.  Keven Krieger was not been getting kudos for all the stuff he has done for the skate park, and he should get more.  He would say good job to DPW for the stuff they have done for the skatepark.  The sign looks good.

Joe Feuerstein, 901 W. State, stated as a taxpayer of the town, he is very conservative.  When they give $7,200 to drive back and forth to work, it is ridiculous.  If the manager is doing a good job, why is he not enforcing the ordinances.  Businesses will leave eventually, but the people will stay here.  Regarding the local preference purchasing policy, do they get 5% back in taxes?  Bruce and council are showing favoritism.  There is a downward trend in the town.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brown had no comments. 

Council Comments

Council Member Lallo stated he is looking forward to Labor Day coming up.  Things are getting done downtown.  The landscaping will look terrific.  He welcomed Bruce for another two years and looks forward to his vision. 

City Manager Brown stated Craig Crebessa did work for the city.  He agreed to do more work within the same scope.  Many of the beds that have been refurbished in the parking area were done as a service to the city.  It looks really good.  The goal is to have the place look good for Labor Day.  He did a good job.

Council Member Jones thanked Bruce for the effort he put into Belding and his faith in Belding to move things forward.  He thanked all the committees and the Labor Day Committee for all the work they have done to make this year one of the best ones.  He thanked DPW, Police and Fire for all the extra time of all the staff.  It takes a lot to put everything together, and all the volunteers.  He is looking forward to the Labor Day weekend.

Council Member Cooper stated congrats on the extension.  Regarding local preference, it was 80% purchased outside the city, and 20% inside the city.  In the 80%, how much could have been spent in the city?  He thanked the Labor Day Committee for all their work.  It is a family event.

Council Member Scheid stated Labor Day has been a Belding tradition for many generations.  He thanked everyone who does it.  It is just a lot of nerve wracking.  He hopes they have a good weekend.

Mayor Gunderson stated he would echo what was said about police, fire and DPW, and what has happened with the event policy.  He talked to city staff and they like the policy as it is so much easier.  They are all about the health, safety and welfare of the community.  He thanked everyone for coming and asked that they enjoy the holiday and be safe.   

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 8:10 p.m.