REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, July 7, 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, July 7, 2015.
Council Member Lallo delivered the invocation.
The Mayor ProTem 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 and Tom Jones
Members Absent: Council Member Gunderson
Mayor ProTem Jones stated Mayor Gunderson is on medical leave.
Council Member Scheid made a motion to excuse Council Member Gunderson from the meeting, per Section 4.5(f) of the City Charter, 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 and Jones
Nays: None
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 and Jones
Nays: None
Guest – Denny Craycraft
Denny Craycraft gave an update on the Vietnam wall. He has been travelling, working on funding for the project. On July 23, he will put up a table with a model of the monument for the Ionia Free Fair. He is quite sure four businesses will each sponsor a pillar. He wants one more business to do that. There is $15,000 in the bank. When attending a VFW convention in Flint, a man gave him a deal on a very old pool table, valued at $10,000. He may do a raffle or would sell it for $6,000. Scott McNeal stated they would donate the truck to pick it up. A gentleman from Florida made a substantial donation, as well as a donation of three Ducks Unlimited pictures from the 80’s. People want to be of assistance during fundraising. He talked to Ron and the council members about the need to remove a tree, or possibly two, to the west of the wall. The Vietnam wall will face to the east. Ernie showed him where it could be. Ron told him about the stakes in the ground. He can get this monument in, but doesn’t know about the next. Ernie said he could remove the trees. He hopes to put the foundation down this summer. As they go further, he will be in touch with city council on what he is doing, and can show them. His goal is to have it done by Memorial Day next year. Things can be constructed during the winter. Patten Monument has been working on it a year and one-half. There will be 2,654 names on the monument.
Mayor ProTem Jones stated it just needs to fall within the boundaries and he asked that Denny check with Ernie on grade changes.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 64333 to 64336 in the amount of $5,674.22, checks 64337 to 64425 in the amount of $70,100.24, Checks 64426 to 64427 in the amount of $625.48, Checks 64428 to 64429 in the amount of $4,310.59, Check 64430 in the amount of $1,338.10, Checks 64431 to 64505 in the amount of $98,868.97 and Checks 64506 to 64510 in the amount of $43,747.33
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, June 16, 2015
C. Traffic Control Order – Front Street
D. Appointment of Jill Mason to the Museum Advisory Board
Council Member Cooper made a motion to approve the consent agenda, supported by Council Member Scheid.
The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo and Jones
Nays: None
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
C. Traffic Control Order – Front Street
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDER # 0015-01.
WHEREAS, Police Chief Dale Nelson, Traffic Engineer for the City of Belding, has requested the approval of Traffic Control Order # 0015-01; and,
WHEREAS, the traffic order concerns the installation of “No Parking” signs on the east side of Front St., from Center St. to W. Congress St., three per block; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Belding must approve a traffic order to make it a permanent addition to traffic control orders.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that pursuant to Subsection 2.53 as amended, of Section 82.26 of Chapter 82 of the Code of the City of Belding, Traffic Control Order #0015-01 is hereby approved.
D. Appointment of Jill Mason to the Museum Advisory Board
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
APPOINTING JILL MASON TO THE MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Jill Mason on the Museum Advisory Board expired on July 3, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Jill Mason has indicated that she is interested in serving another term on the board; and
WHEREAS, the Museum Advisory Board members have recommended the appointment of Jill Mason to the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Jill Mason be appointed to the Museum Advisory Board with a term to expire on July 7, 2018.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Cooper stated there is a meeting Monday for the Rec Board. Community members want to donate to a pickle board court. They need direction from the city.
Council Member Scheid stated the Housing Commission had to vote on officers for the next year. Nothing changed, and there will be the same board and offices. There was approval on the final budget from the Feds. Three units are not full. Things are going well. The next meeting is next Thursday night.
Council Member Lallo stated the Museum Board is hosting the Tri-River luncheon on July 21. Tickets are available for $10. There will be a color tour on October 13. The Museum Board is working on barn quilts for the community. That will attract a lot of people, and he is looking forward to the quilts coming up around town. There will be no Labor Day tractor pull this year. There is no one to take it over from Dave Scheid. There will be a softball tournament. The car show is being moved to Central Riverside Park. The event paperwork has been turned in.
Mayor ProTem Jones stated the Planning Commission met last week. They recommended a PR district for the Electrolux property. They will be reviewing the Master Plan strategies. There are over 100 different recommendations for the city to pursue. They will narrow that down to 10 strategies to implement, and when those are finished they will add new ones. 10-12 have multiple votes from Planning Commission members and there are another 40 with single votes. They will go over those at the next meeting to narrow it down.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
A. Purchase of street sweeper
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.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A TYMPO STREET SWEEPER FROM FREDRICKSON SUPPLY.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding wishes to purchase a street sweeper; and
WHEREAS, Fredrickson Supply and International participate in the State of Michigan Purchasing Program; and
WHEREAS, funds have been allocated in the FY 2015/16 budget for the purchase.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a Tympo street sweeper be purchased from Fredrickson Supply through the State of Michigan Purchase Program in the amount of $229,000.
Council Member Cooper stated he needed more information to make a decision, such as more bids, and costs for outsourcing the work that would have to be done without a street sweeper that was functioning.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Scheid, Lallo and Jones
Nays: Council Member Cooper
B. PR – Passive Recreation Zoning District – first reading
CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND APPENEIX B (ZONING ORDINANCE) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELDING.
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Creation of a new PR – Passive Recreational District. Creation of a new chapter in the Zoning Ordinance and read in full as follows:
CHAPTER 13D
PR – PASSIVE RECREATIONAL DISTRICT
Section 13D.1 Intent
The Passive Recreation District is intended to accommodate and provide for passive recreation areas within the City of Belding in a district specifically designed for this purpose.
Section 13D.2 Principal land uses permitted
Land uses permitted by right shall include the following:
· Walkways
· Decorative pavers
· Public art
· Trees, shrubbery, grass
· Floral plantings
· Signage
· Flags, banners
· Kiosks
· Picnic facilities
· Lighting
· Benches
· Riverfront boardwalk
· Earthen berms
· Children’s play areas
Section 13D.3 Site Plan required
Areas designated as Passive Recreation districts shall be subject to a master site plan showing the character and extent of development to take place within the district. Said master site plan shall be prepared by a registered Landscape Architect and shall be approved by the Belding Planning Commission.
SECTION 2. Creation of a new definition - Recreation, Passive to read in full as follows:
CHAPTER 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.18. Definitions – R
Recreation, Passive. Non-motorized recreation requiring minimal surface alteration to the area. No alteration of existing topography would be allowed. Such passive recreation shall include, but not be limited to, hiking, walking, biking, picnicking, birdwatching and playing.
SECTION 3. Addition of a Passive Recreational District
CHAPTER 3
ZONING DISTRICTS – GENERAL
Section 3.1. Districts established
PR Passive Recreation District
SECTION 4. Addition of PR District
CHAPTER 15
DISTRICT REGULATIONS
Section 15.3 Schedule of permitted uses by district
PR
SECTION 5. Severability
The various sections and provisions of this Ordinance shall be deemed to be severable, and should any section or provision of this Ordinance be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid the same shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or any section or provisions of this Ordinance other than the section or provision so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.
SECTION 6. Repeal
Any and all Ordinances of the city or any parts or provisions thereof to the extent that they are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby expressly repealed.
SECTION 7. Ramification
All other provisions of the Code, except as herein modified or amended, are hereby expressly ratified and affirmed.
SECTION 8. Publication and effective date
This Ordinance shall be published as provided in the City Charter and shall become effective ten (10) days after publication.
Council did not express any concerns about the proposed ordinance, so it will be considered for adoption on July 21, 2015.
Public Comments
Mariana Arellano stated it would be a good idea to have good equipment to be a productive city. It takes time to fix the machine not in proper working order. In the long run it will pay for itself anyway.
Council Comments
Council Member Cooper stated he was glad they had two department heads at the meeting. He sent two emails. He wants to keep business in house. They should all get together to work it out. He would like to orient to local contractors. In the weekly updates, he saw the city manager was talking to a contractor for the windows at city hall and a landscaper.
City Manager Brown stated they must settle the issue of local preference, and have it done formally. He will prepare wording for a meeting. They need to determine what are the exceptions and what is a local contractor. Some cities have information on their websites about local businesses, probably done by the chamber. This has been an issue since he got here. They need an agreement on how to handle it. They need better reporting from his office on how they are doing it and why.
Council Member Scheid had no comments.
Council Member Lallo stated on June 28 there was OMA/FOIA training and it was very well attended by members of committees and boards and several council members. All department heads were there. There was a lot of great feedback. It was very informative. He thanked Bruce for putting it on.
Mayor ProTem Jones thanked everyone for attending. There are a number of vacancies on boards. Dennis suggested several names. If they know of anyone, talk to them yourself, or bring it up to council or Bruce and see if they can get them involved. He thanked the city staff, police, fire and maintenance, as they have been doing a good job getting things cleaned up in town. He stated hopefully Ron will get back pretty quick to take care of these meetings.
Council Member Lallo stated Tara Rackham took fourth place at the Miss Preteen Competition. She has been invited to go to Anaheim, California for the national pageant.
Adjournment
Council Member Scheid moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member Cooper.
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo and Jones
Nays: None.
The Mayor ProTem adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m.
| | Thomas Jones, Mayor ProTem |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
