Approval of Agenda

Mayor Gunderson asked to add the following to the New Business Agenda:

1.      Add - Approval of Interim City Manager Contract for Bruce Brown

2.      Add - Discuss putting the executive city manager search on hold

Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the agenda as amended 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.

Guest

A.    Museum Advisory Board Annual Report – Bruce Feuerstein

Mr. Feuerstein was unable to attend the meeting.

B.     Denny Craycraft – Veteran’s Memorial

Denny Craycraft stated he was unable to attend the last council meeting as they had a passing in his family.  He would like to hold a fundraiser for the Freedom Vietnam Veteran’s Wall.  He met with Randy Slater regarding a 5K Walk and Run.  He described the route, which will start at the wall.  They will start at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day.  The Veteran’s organization will step off at 10:30 a.m.  Hopefully with the run and walk, there will be more people for the ceremony at the wall. 

Mayor Gunderson stated they would like to use the rail corridor which belongs to the DNR.  He will find out what forms have to be filled out, from the Authority and DNR.  He will send out some emails. 

Mr. Craycraft stated they would be holding off with the committee and Randy til approved.  Participants will register on line with the website and Facebook.  This Saturday, the Eagles Club is having a cordon bleu dinner with funds going to the wall.  The VFW Ladies Auxiliary will have a 50/50 at bingo on Wednesdays.  They will have a couple gas grills, and will have hot dogs and drinks for the runners.  He will have something on Labor Day.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Jones stated they would not have a Planning Commission meeting until March 24, 2015.

Council Member Cooper stated the Rec Board will meet on March 2.  He stated Keven should send out an email. 

Council Member Jones stated Frank said he talked to the former administrator about maintenance.  If he is the maintenance person, he will have to get started.  Dennis will get with Keven. 

Council Member Scheid had nothing.    

Council Member Lallo stated there has not been a museum meeting.  The Labor Day Committee will hold a steak fry on March 21.  They need board members and volunteers.  Please contact the Labor Day Committee if interested.

Mayor Gunderson stated the Library Board would meet on February 23, 2015 at 5 p.m.  There is an opening on the board.  The DDA is meeting on Thursday at noon.  There is a planning meeting today for the rail corridors.  They are moving forward trying to get the grants in by March 1, 2015 for the DNR and MDOT.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

A.    Appointment of Interim 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 Lallo.

RESOLUTION NO. 2015-02-21

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN

APPOINTING BRUCE BROWN AS INTERIM CITY MANAGER.

WHEREAS,   a vacancy exists in the city manager position; and;

WHEREAS,   MML will conduct the search to fill the vacancy; and

WHEREAS,   Section 7.1 (b) of the City Charter states that the council may appoint an Acting Manager during the period of a vacancy in the office of the city manager.

WHEREAS,   the City Council wishes to appoint Bruce Brown as the Interim City Manager for a period of three to six months.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Bruce Brown be appointed as Interim City Manager effective February 23, 2015.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Mayor Ronald Gunderson is authorized to sign the contract with Bruce Brown.

Mayor Gunderson stated they sat down with Mr. Brown.  They started with a template and came up with the contract.  It is in agreement with Mr. Brown and the attorney. 

Council Member Jones stated it was a very pleasant, cordial meeting which went well.  The contract is for a 3-6 month period, and if for some reason they ask to extend, it may be mutually agreed upon.  The city charter says replacement within 90 days, so they also discussed dropping the interim off and finishing the contract.  It is a good contract.  The fringes the city is offering are very conservative.

Mayor Gunderson stated Mr. Brown does have a scheduled vacation for March 19 through April 12, but that is not in the contract. 

Council Member Cooper stated he originally thought it was a weekly rate.  According to the charter, it is 90 days to hire a city manager.  With this agreement, they could offer a 6 month contract by mutual agreement?

Mayor Gunderson stated the reason for the 3 month to 6 month is if it was not working for him, he would say that and walk away.    

Council Member Scheid stated it looked good.

Council Member Lallo stated it looked good.

Mayor Gunderson stated Mr. Brown has asked for some type of lodging.  They have a place at the Candlestone, who will help with the rate.  It will be cost shared with the city and Mr. Brown. 

Council Member Lallo stated he has been very accommodating with no fringe benefits.

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.     Discuss putting the executive city manager search on hold

Council Member Jones made a motion to discuss putting the executive city manager search on hold, supported by Council Member Scheid. 

Mayor Gunderson stated when MML sent the original proposal for the executive search, their desire was to wait until mid-March.  After talking to Mr. Brown, if things are going good, he stated he would be OK with moving forward to a short term contract with him to meet the charter provisions.  Mr. Jones brought it up.  Kareen contacted MML and they are OK with doing that, without any problems.  They understand the situation.

Council Member Jones stated with Mr. Brown coming on board, they have a very experienced person at the helm for guidance for the city and the economics that may be available.  They could wait three to four months before they reactivate the search for a new city manager.  Hopefully there would be a better pool.  MML was talking that February and March are not a good time to hire a city manager.  The pool is small.  Maybe May or June to start the search.  Mr. Brown could get the word out to for a better rating for the city manager search. 

Mayor Gunderson stated they need to take a deep breath.  Mr. Brown will fit in very well to get things back on track for the community.  In May, June or July they can revisit this.  He does believe it is a good idea to do this at this point in time.

Council Member Scheid made a motion to put the MML search for the executive city manager on hold, until notified by the city, supported by Council Member Cooper.

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

            Nays:   None.

Public Comments

Mark Hoople, 514 VanDeinse, Greenville.  They would like to hold a photo shoot event on July 17, 18 and 19 for the 2016 calendar.  They want to tie it into a bigger event.  There would be professional vendors, swap meet and a bike show over the weekend.  They would like to use the parking lot north of the bar and the ballfield.  With all the vendor fees and biker fees, photo spots will be raffled off.  All proceeds go to the Wounded Soldier program.  They will have security.  People want to make it into a yearly event.  There was a bike week and they were going to move the photo shoot to Muskegon, but they would like to keep it here.  Lodging would be full and businesses would benefit.  They would get charitable donations.   100% of the proceeds go to their charity.

Mayor Gunderson stated they are implementing an event policy, and would get approval from council, hopefully at the next council meeting.  It is all in black and white to make the process easier. 

Mr. Hoople stated he would pay for any permits. 

Katherine Henry, 806 Wildlife Trail, thanked Mark for the wonderful idea.  The Double R Ranch, Candlestone, Mini Market, Bridge Street Café, Millies and the party store would benefit.  It is a great idea for that time of year.  The community is beautiful.  It will put the city on the map.  The interim city manager was looking to get the community out there. 

City Manager’s Comments

There were no city manager comments.

Council Comments

Council Member Scheid stated he was happy on the vote for Mr. Brown.  Mr. Hoople’s presentation was well received.  It will be nice to have this in town.  It could go off pretty good.  It is just a weekend.  It could really help out to get life in town and give people something to see. He thanked everyone for coming. 

Council Member Lallo welcomed Mr. Brown and his wife to our community.  He looks forward to his ideas.  What he has done is exciting.  He thanked Mark for bringing the event here.  It will be great for the city.    

Council Member Jones welcomed Bruce to the staff, and is looking for good works with him.  In the negotiations, he had good ideas for them.  There are many positive things going on, not just bad press.  Local businesses are enthused about the community.  There are good ideas.  Denny has done a world of good for veterans and the community.  He is a great guy and has worked hard for the community, VFW and Legion.  He thanked the community for all the support given them.  The new chapter in Belding will be positive.

Council Member Cooper thanked Mark.  He appreciates the effort and business he brings.  If he needs help, contact them.  He welcomed Mr. Brown and will be working with him to move the community forward in a positive direction.    

Mayor Gunderson stated he thinks what is interesting in life with the city council is it never stops being an educational turn.  They are here and will move forward.  He welcomed Mr. Brown and thanked him for making the decision very easy because he is not selfish.  He is here to move forward.  He thanked Mark.  He will get with him when they have the event policy in place.  The community events will run smoother. 

Council Member Jones stated on a personal note, he wished to thank everyone who expressed concerns about his wife.  She is pretty much back to normal.    

Adjournment

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

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

            Nays:               None.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.