REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, December 15, 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, December 15, 2015.
Mayor Gunderson 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
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 Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Independent Bank Checks 65246 to 65316 in the amount of $296,381.90
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, December 1, 2015
- Appointment to Board of Review – Douglas Lamborne
- Appointment to Board of Review – David Mierendorf
Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the consent agenda, 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.
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
C. Appointment to Board of Review – Douglas Lamborne
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING DOUGLAS LAMBORNE TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW.
WHEREAS, the current term of office of Douglas Lamborne on the Board of Review will expire on 01/01/16; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lamborne has indicated his willingness to serve another term on the Board of Review.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan
that Douglas Lamborne be appointed to the Board of Review with a term of office to expire on 01/01/17.
D. Appointment to Board of Review – David Mierendorf
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING DAVID MIERENDORF TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW.
WHEREAS, the present term of office of David Mierendorf on the Board of Review will expire on 01/01/16; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mierendorf has indicated his willingness to serve another term on the Board of Review.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan
that David Mierendorf be appointed to the Board of Review with a term of office to expire on 01/01/17.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Lallo stated there have been no meetings. He took his daughter to the museum, which is great this time of year. She loved it.
Council Member Jones stated there will be no meeting until next month for the Planning Commission.
Council Member Cooper stated there was no meeting.
Council Member Scheid stated the Housing Commission meeting is on Thursday.
Mayor Gunderson stated the Library meeting was last night. There was an application to the board, which will come to city council at the next meeting. The term of Bob Ware has expired and he has decided not to serve another term. There was no Historic District Commission meeting in December.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
A. State Construction Code Ordinance Repeal – Adoption
The City Clerk read the preamble to the ordinance.
Council Member Scheid moved the adoption of the ordinance and the motion was supported by Council Member Lallo.
AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL CITY CODE SECTIONS 14-26, 14-27 AND 14-28 OF CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE II TO RESCIND THE ELECTION TO ADMINISTER AND ENFORCE THE STATE CONSTRUCTION CODE
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Sections 14-26, 14-27, and 14-28 of Chapter 14, Article II of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belding are hereby repealed to rescind the prior election of the City of Belding to administer and enforce the State Construction Code and allow the County of Ionia, Michigan to do the same within the City of Belding, Michigan.
SECTION 2. Severability:
The various parts, section and clauses of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. If any part, sentence, paragraph, section or clause is adjudged unconstitutional or involved by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected thereby.
SECTION 3. Effective Date:
This Ordinance will become effective ten (10) days after its adoption and upon publication of a newspaper in general circulation within the City of Belding.
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
B. 5 Year Fee Administration Program Plan
Council Member Scheid made a motion to bring the 5 Year Fee Administration Program Plan to the floor for discussion, supported by Council Member Jones.
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
Keven Krieger stated he took the fee schedule back to the Recreation Board. It is a 5 year plan, first charging a fee for use of the pavilions. He listed every other local municipality and the fees they charge. They will review it every other year and see if the fees are a benefit or detriment to what they wish to accomplish.
Sharon Carlson stated the Rec Board has deliberated many times on this over the years. They were looking at operational cost, maintenance cost and usage cost. The surrounding communities charge fees. They want a common sense approach. They must look at the cost of operation, including water and electric. They would like to recoup some of the cost of operation for the city. The parks can be used at no charge.
Mike Hamp stated the Rec Board has wanted to improve recreation, and this is a great opportunity. To do that, they can’t ask city staff to do that without an additional person. The goal is to get to the point of having a Rec Director, which could be half time for recreation and then an assistant city manager. They would like to start to fund this position.
Council Member Cooper stated this gets the ball rolling to developing a Rec Department. The question is sustainability for the things they do have. He is all behind it.
Council Member Lallo stated he hopes to create fund balance. It looks great and will improve the quality of life. The city has amazing parks and he hopes to put it back into the parks.
Council Member Jones stated he reviewed the fee schedule. It is a good five year plan, and they will review the fees over the next couple of years. The fees are well below the other cities. It is still a bargain for the community.
Mayor Gunderson stated they should define what the all-day rental is. There are restrictions in the parks for times and noise.
Council Member Scheid made a motion to accept the 5-Year Fee Administration Program Plan, presented by the Rec Board for the City of Belding, supported by Council Member Jones.
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
City Manager Comments
City Manager Brown wished all a Merry Christmas. The tree lighting went well. They have a group planning for next year, and there will be different things than this year. It will focus on the kids, with a reindeer and Santa Claus. He extended thanks to everyone who came, sang and enjoyed the tree.
Council Comments
Council Member Cooper thanked everyone for being here, and wished them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Council Member Scheid asked everyone to make sure their houses are locked up. There have been some break-ins. He asked that they tell their neighbors. The Christmas tree celebration was fabulous. He was amazed at the number of people. Jeanne Hughes has returned from Hawaii. The visitation will be on December 21 at Verdun, with Mass on December 22 at the church. He wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and said they should enjoy the holidays.
Council Member Lallo stated he attended the Right Place Economic Outlook for West Michigan. He presented an update on the meeting. He thanked everyone involved with the tree lighting. It was a great event. He thanked Mike Verdun for the Chamber of Commerce After Hours event at the Horses Mouth. George Rousseau did a great job with his guitar at the tree lighting. He thanked the committees, boards, DPW, police, fire and city staff and wished them happy holidays. The fence is shorter and looks great, much better. He thanked DPW for doing that. Jeff Hunter donated time to install lightbulbs at the mall and he appreciates that.
Council Member Jones thanked Bruce and everyone for the tree lighting. He attended the Christmas party for a dear friend at Green Acres, so was unable to attend. They are making headway on the Vietnam Wall. He thanked Bruce and Ernie for their assistance on that. DPW has been able to do other projects with the lack of snow. They have been patching the bad spots in the roads. Ron Hughes, the husband of Jeanne Hughes, was the middle school principal and on city council for a number of years. They are a good family. One of the boys has a business in town. He thanked the Rec Board and Keven for getting the fee structure done and the plan for city parks. They can build on that over the years. He wished everyone Season’s Greetings and a Merry Christmas to one and all, and a Happy New Year.
Mayor Gunderson stated Home for the Holidays was huge this year. There were more people than he has seen in the last two years. He thanked the Rec Board for the time they put into this. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and safe travels. He stated they should hug those around them.
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 7:28 p.m.
| | Ronald Gunderson, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
