REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, July 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, July 21, 2015.
Mayor ProTem Jones delivered the invocation.
The Mayor ProTem led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Acting Clerk took the roll call:
Members Present: Council Members Dennis Cooper, Mike Scheid, Jerome Lallo, Tom Jones
Members Absent: Ron Gunderson (excused family medical and bereavement)
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
Nays: None
Guest
A. Tara Rackham
Miss Rackham said it was a great time in Dearborn and then she mentioned the various categories to which the contestants are asked to respond, including a personal introduction. There are optional contests such as modeling, actress, spokes-model, as well as several other categories. She qualified for nationals which takes place in California. She said she made new friends to last a lifetime, and she is hoping for a local sponsor. Commissioner Lallo spoke about his hopes for her in California. He would like to see a videotape of that event. He asked Miss Rackham what is National Miss. Tara said it’s like the “little sister to Miss America.” Commissioner Lallo wished her luck and congratulated her. Commissioner Scheid told her to enjoy herself and make the best out of it. Commissioner Jones thanked her for representing Belding so well.
Public Comments
Joe Feuerstein, 901 W. State, addressed ordinances 538 and 539. The first about ethics and at a glance of the law there is a section that addresses conflict of interest. The charter also mentions conflict of interest and any violation of the charter, one should be removed. He feels a violation of the charter is and has been going on. The second one is about purchase. Department heads have budgets and are very conservative in making the best deals to spend the taxpayers’ money, which is what they should be doing. He feels that to add a preference of 15% is absolutely nuts. He then referred back to the Ethics and the first articles titled, Acts in the Public Interest. He then read the article and then asked why would you distrust the department heads, one of who has been there for 37 years. You should listen to them and not waste money. Belding people go to Greenville because groceries are cheaper. He went on to state that taxes are high and we don’t repair the roads the way they should be repaired. He said that he’d like to see things resolved without spending more money. He said there are no provisions for penalties. There are none for ethics and the other one. He said laws are being broken. He then said, “Either table the two ordinance items or just rip them up and trust the people at City Hall who are working as Department Heads. They’re doing a good job and not wasting money.”
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 64511 to 64556 in the amount of $33,403.12 and Checks 64557 to 64595 in the amount of $53,810.10
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, July 7, 2015
C. Appointment of Bonita Steele to the DDA
D. Appointment of Jason Chrisman to the DDA
E. DART – Third Party Contract for Job Access Program
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, Jones
Nays: None.
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
C. Appointment of Bonita Steele to the DDA
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
APPOINTING BONITA STEELE TO THE DDA BOARD.
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Downtown Development Authority; and
WHEREAS, Bonita Steele has indicated her interest in serving on the board; and
WHEREAS, the DDA has recommended the appointment of Bonita Steele to the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Bonita Steele be appointed to the DDA with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2019.
D. Appointment of Jason Chrisman to the DDA
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
APPOINTING JASON CHRISMAN TO THE DDA BOARD.
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Downtown Development Authority; and
WHEREAS, Jason Chrisman has indicated his interest in serving on the board; and
WHEREAS, the DDA has recommended the appointment of Jason Chrisman to the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Jason Chrisman be appointed to the DDA with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2019.
E. DART – Third Party Contract for Job Access Program
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING THE THIRD PARTY CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BELDING, DIAL-A-RIDE, AND THE CITY OF IONIA, DIAL-A-RIDE.
WHEREAS, the City of Ionia, Dial-A-Ride desires to contract with the City of Belding, Dial-A-Ride for the provision of transportation services offered under the Job Access Program; and,
WHEREAS, the term of the contract will be October 1st, 2015 until September 30th, 2016, for the amount of $55,000.00; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Belding, Dial-A-Ride complies with the conditions stated in the contract with the City of Ionia, Dial-A-Ride.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the third party contract agreement between the City of Belding, Dial-A-Ride, and the City of Ionia, Dial-A-Ride is hereby approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign the third party agreement between the City of Belding, Dial-A-Ride, and the City of Ionia, Dial-A-Ride.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Cooper said the most recent Rec Board meeting on 6/13. He missed getting the packet and forgot the meeting. What he understands there was some good discussion. Some of the plans for the dog park and riverbank and trail were discussed.
Council Member Scheid said the Housing Commission met last Thursday. They bought a new lawnmower with all attachments that will fit the others. The parking lot is still needing repaired. It’s been normal business and 3 units vacant with possible two to be vacant. They have a good waiting list.
Council Member Lallo said he had nothing on the Musuem. The Labor Day Committee will meet tomorrow evening at 5:45. He said the car show will be on Main Street this year.
Council Member Jones said the Planning Commission will be Thursday night at the Depot.
Unfinished Business
None
New Business
A. PR – Passive Recreation Zoning District – Adoption
The Acting Clerk read the preamble to the ordinance.
Council Member Scheid moved the adoption of the ordinance and the motion was supported by Council Member Cooper.
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.
Discussion:
Council Member Scheid said it wasn’t too difficult to understand, and Council Member Jones said that he feels once the City Manager gets done with the resorting the zoning and it will all fall into place at that time. He said there was some question on the Planning Commission about where it fell, and finally decided that since everything was being rewritten it would just fall where it had to when it is all done.
The question on the ordinance was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Scheid, Lallo, Jones, and Cooper
Nays: None
B. Ethics Ordinance – First Reading
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELDING BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 2-33 – ETHICS, TO ARTICLE II - CITY COUNCIL.
SECTION 1. A new Section 2-33 – Ethics, to Article II is added to Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances which shall read as follows:
Preamble
The citizens of Belding are entitled to have fair, ethical and accountable local government that has earned the public’s full confidence for integrity. Furthermore, the effective functioning of democratic government requires that public officials, both elected and appointed, comply with both the letter and spirit of the laws and policies affecting operations of the government; that public officials be independent, impartial and fair in their actions and rulings; that public office be used for the public good and not for personal gain; and, that deliberations and processes be conducted openly in an atmosphere of respect and civility.
The parameters set forth below, although directed at the City Council as the governing authority for the City, also apply to all city employees and members of boards, committees and commissions appointed by the City Council to assist them in their work.
Code of Ethics
1. Acts in the Public Interest. Recognizing that stewardship of the public interest must be their primary concern, the City Council will work for the common good of the people of Belding and not for any private or personal advantage, and that they will assure fair and equal treatment of all persons, claims and transactions coming before the City.
2. Compliance with the Law. The City Council shall comply with the laws of the Nation, State and the City of Belding in the performance of its public duties. These laws include, but are not limited to the constitutions of the United States and Michigan; the City Charter for the City of Belding; and laws pertaining to financial disclosures, employer responsibility, contracts with public entities, election campaigns, conflicts of interests, the process of open government, Freedom of Information issues, and Open Meetings requirements.
3. Respect for the Process. The City Council shall perform their duties in accordance with the processes and rules of order governing the deliberation of public policy issues and meaningful involvement of the public in the process,
4. Conduct of Public Meetings.
a. The City Council shall prepare themselves for the discussion of public issues, listen courteously and attentively to public input on the issue and focus on the business at hand.
b. The City Council shall refrain from accepting or soliciting any gifts, loans or favors when it may be construed that such gift, loan or favor would positively impact a pending City Council decision related to the giver.
5. Full Disclosure. A member of the City Council shall not act upon any matter of issue in which they have a material financial interest or where they have a legal or fiduciary duty to another organization or personal relationship that may give the appearance of a conflict of interest. The City Council may, however, may accept a gift or honorarium, not exceeding a value of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for services rendered in the performance of their public duties or other activity devoted to the improvement of cities, communities and/or the lives of citizens.
6. Confidentiality. The City Council shall respect the confidentiality of information concerning property, personnel or affairs of the City. They shall neither disclose nor divulge to any unauthorized person confidential information acquired in the course of their duties in advance of the time prescribed for its authorized release to the public by the person or entity from which it was provided.
7. Use of Public Resources. Public resources, including staff time, equipment, supplies and facilities, not available to the public at large, shall only be used to benefit the public and not the City Council’s personal or private benefit.
8. Representation of Private Interests. In keeping with the role as stewards of the public interest, the City Council shall not appear on behalf of private interests of third parties or relatives before the City Council or any board, committee, commission or proceeding of the City.
9. Advocacy. The City Council shall faithfully represent the official policies or positions of the City Council to the best of their ability. When presenting the personal opinions, the City Council shall neither state or imply that they represent the opinions or positions of the City Council or the City of Belding.
10. Policy Role of City Council. The City Council shall respect and adhere to the Council-Manager form of government under which the City of Belding is constituted. Under this arrangement, the City Council determines the policies of the City with the advice, information and analysis provided by the public, boards, committees, commissions, staff and fellow City Council members. The City Council shall not interfere with the administrative functions of the City or the professional duties of the City staff, nor shall they impair the ability of the staff to implement City Council policy decisions.
11. Positive Workplace Environment. The City Council shall support the maintenance of a positive and constructive workplace environment for City employees and for citizens and volunteers dealing with the City. The City Council shall recognize their special role in dealing with the staff and refrain from inappropriate direction or specific orders to subordinates of the City Manager. Because the City Council actions and comments contribute to the environment in which all City employees must work, and in order to create and promote a positive work environment, the City Council must not, either in a public or private setting intimidate, humiliate or otherwise abuse a City employee.
12. Compliance and Enforcement. This Ethics Ordinance expresses standards of ethical conduct expected for members of the Belding City Council, its staff and appointed boards, commissions and committees. The City Council itself shall have the primary responsibility to assure that they fully understand the purpose and intent of this Ordinance and strive to meet the standards set forth herein. Only then can the public we serve continue to have full confidence in the integrity of the government that serves them. As such, all members of the City Council shall have the responsibility to intervene when the actions of a fellow member appear to violate the spirit and intent of this Ordinance. The City Council may impose sanctions on fellow members of the City Council whose conduct does not comply with the City’s ethical standards. Sanctions may include reprimand, formal censure, loss of committee assignments, and/or removal from office. A violation of this Ordinance shall not be considered a basis for challenging the validity of a decision by the City Council.
13. Implementation. As an expression of the standards of conduct for the City Council expected by the citizens they serve, this Ordinance is intended to be self-enforcing. It is therefore imperative that the City Council members are thoroughly familiar with its purpose and intent and embrace its provisions. For this reason, the contents of this Ordinance shall be reviewed with newly elected or appointed members of the City Council. At the first regular meeting in December of each year following their election, incoming members of the City Council shall sign a statement that they have read and understand the provisions contained herein.
Attest
As a member of the Belding City Council, I agree to uphold the Ethics Ordinance adopted by the City Commission on ______, ____ and promise to conduct myself according to the following model of excellence:
1. I WILL recognize the worth of fellow members of the Belding City Council and appreciate their individual talents, perspectives and contributions.
2. I WILL help create an atmosphere of respect and civility where individual members of the City Council, City staff and the public are free to express their ideas and work to their full potential.
3. I WILL respect the dignity and privacy of individuals and organizations.
4. I WILL respect and maintain the nature of confidential and privileged information and opinions acquired as a result of my position as a member of the Belding City Council.
5. I WILL conduct my public affairs with honesty, integrity, fairness and respect for others.
6. I WILL avoid and discourage conduct that is divisive and harmful to the best interests of Belding.
7. I WILL keep the common good as my highest purpose and focus while serving on the City Council as a means of achieving constructive solutions for the public benefit.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. Ramification
All other provisions of the Code, except as herein modified or amended, are hereby expressly ratified and affirmed.
SECTION 5. Publication and effective date
This Ordinance shall be published as provided in the City Charter and shall become effective ten (10) days after publication.
Discussion:
Council Member Cooper said a lot of it is covered in the charter and some is in State law and wonders if it isn’t redundancy. He also questioned being able to determine/measure the work being done.
Council Member Scheid asked why it is needed now.
City Manager Brown said there is a lack of civility in public bodies and the Michigan Municipal league suggests the City Council adds this information in one place and that the City Council commit to transparency, civility, and those kinds of things as part of who you are and what you’re trying to represent as far as the community is concerned. He doesn’t feel it’s too disturbing. He thinks it’s important for the citizenry to hear the Council admit to transparency.
Council Member Lallo motioned to table this item until the next meeting, but Tom said it’s no vote tonight. Council Member Lallo feels we need something like this because he feels there are violations of ethics. He feels there does need to be penalties for violations of ethics. City Manager Brown said it’s self-enforced, but Council/individuals can enforce. Council Member Lallo said that addressing department needs to go through Bruce first. He asked if they are to go to the Department head or to the City Manager and Manager Brown feels it should go through him.
Council Member Jones talked about the fine line about what the issue is. If it’s something in the neighborhood it can go through the Police, but if it’s about the policeman it goes through Manager Brown.
Council Member Lallo talked about an incident of checks that were approved and then there were questions or discussion. He feels they should have gone to Manager Brown first. Jerry said they already approved checks during consent agenda. He thinks there are some fine lines and maybe needs more discussion. Council Member Cooper asked why It wasn’t communicated to him. Council Member Lallo is in favor of it, but wants to wait.
Council Member Jones told Mr. Feuerstein he appreciates his comments. Council Member Jones then brought up the issue at the Council. He asked the Council at a public meeting if they had a problem with his abstaining. Council made public comment that they didn’t have a problem with what Tom did. He feels that they did not know it was a violation of charter, but if Mr. Feuerstein knew he should have brought it up that night to get it corrected. Council Member Jones stated he feels they do need the ethics ordinance but isn’t singling anyone out. He feels it does need tweaking.
Council Member Lallo wondered who was singling anyone out as he didn’t think they were singling anyone in particular. Council Member Jones feels there are some things that get forgotten and perhaps procedure hadn’t been followed. Council Member Lallo said those things are already in the charter. Council Member Jones feels and ethics ordinance it makes it more clear. Council member Lallo said there are penalties in the charter so we’ll have to start enforcing the penalties.
C. Local Preference Ordinance – First Reading
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELDING BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 2-396 – LOCAL PREFERENCE, TO ARTICLE VI – FINANCES, DIVISION 5 – PURCHASES, CONTRACTS AND SALES.
SECTION 1. A new Section 2-396 – Local Preference, to Article VI – Finances, Division 5. Purchases, Contracts and Sales, is added to Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances which shall read as follows:
Preamble
A Local Preference program does not necessarily mean that higher costs, but it does require that we shift some of our spending to independently owned local businesses. Statistics show a number of advantages to Local Preference such as:
· For every dollar spent at a local business, 68 cents is reinvested locally whereas 15-43 cents is invested locally by large chain stores; and nothing is invested locally from on-line sales.
· Local shops and businesses traditionally invest more in the community in which they are located.
· Shopping locally saves time and money.
· Shopping locally retains the area’s uniqueness.
· Local shops know and value their customers.
· Shopping locally creates jobs…small locally owned businesses are the largest employers in the United States.
· Local businesses frequently purchase from other local businesses. Purchasing local goods and services helps grown area businesses as well as the community’s tax base.
· Local businesses contribute more money to local charities and projects than non-local owners.
· Local businesses are owned by people who live in and support the community are less likely to leave and are more invested in the community’s future.
· Local businesses often hire people with more specific product or service expertise.
Given these advantages, it is the desire of the City Council that the City of Belding formally define its position on Local Preference programming.
Policy
It shall be the policy of the City of Belding to use Local Preference when purchasing goods and services on behalf of the city.
The only exceptions to this policy are:
Price – where the cost of the good or service from a local business exceeds 15% over the cost offered by a non-local business.
Price – where the item to be purchased is less than $500.
Availability of the item – where an urgency exists that requires purchase of a good or service currently unavailable locally.
Past experience with the vendor – where it has been demonstrated by past experience that the local vendor has consistently failed to meet quality and/or performance standards required by the city.
Time sensitive issues – where an emergency requires the purchase of a good or service from whomever has it readily available.
Quality of the product – where experience and/or history indicates that an inferior product is being offered.
While discretion is given to the department head regarding the legitimacy of these exceptions, the City Manager shall monitor purchases on behalf of the City of Belding to assure that the Local Preference policy is vigorously enforced.
A Local Preference company is defined as:
Local Preference Operation - where the majority of their principal operation takes place within the city limits of the City of Belding.
Local Preference Corporation – where their corporate offices are located within the city limits of the City of Belding.
Local Preference Employment – where the majority of their employees are residents of the City of Belding.
The City of Belding will perform a semi-annual review of purchases to determine that this policy is enforced throughout the organization.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. Ramification
All other provisions of the Code, except as herein modified or amended, are hereby expressly ratified and affirmed.
SECTION 5. Publication and effective date
This Ordinance shall be published as provided in the City Charter and shall become effective ten (10) days after publication.
Discussion:
Council Member Cooper appreciates the headway Manager Brown has made on this. He feels it might be a little too complex but feels they don’t need it as they need to include local businesses. He has problem with the $500 as it might prevent local business from doing business. Manager Brown said his object with both ordinances was to get it on the table for discussion and possible tweaking. He will take their ideas and incorporate them and bring it back to Council. Council Member Cooper talked again about possibly causing local business from doing business.
.
Council Member Lallo wonders if we would spend more money if we go local and Manager Brown said, “Possibly at times.” But he feels the offset is that a business decides to bring business to town. Council Member Lallo said we have trouble balancing the budget every year. Manager Brown again said that if we go locally there may be times when we will have to go local; it allows for 15% consideration. Council Member Lallo said that if we spend that much we have to look at cost of shopping somewhere else and just feels we need to look at it more closely. If this comes down to a vote, if there is a violation of the charter, there’s a direct finance issue there. Manager Brown wants to read the Charter more closely. Council Member Lallo read the portion of the charter regarding that. If this comes down to a vote it could be a conflict of interest. Council Member Jones said he isn’t local business as he works for someone else.
Council Member Cooper said he doesn’t own the business; Michelle Cooper does, and said he feels each member could say, “I abstain”. Council Member Lallo just wants to make sure everyone from City and Council does it right. Council Member Scheid said he doesn’t own the business where he works either. Manager Brown said it’s his job to make sure it’s done correctly. Council Member Cooper talked about being a citizen here. Council Member Lallo talked again about buying locally. Council Member Jones said he doesn’t have a problem with most of it, but he prefers to 5%, but would go 10%. He addressed issues to Manager Brown who said he has to address that with staff, not the Council Members addressing it with staff. He doesn’t want to see us gouged or held up just to give preferential treatment to local. The more businesses we can bring to town the better the tax base. He feels it needs tweaking and wants Mayor Gunderson’s ideas on it before a final vote.
Council Member Lallo read the charter regarding local companies and Manager Brown says that section needs to be reworked, and Council Member Cooper agrees as there are several businesses that don’t reside within the city proper. Council Member Lallo talked about Corporate offices location and the need to fix it that section. Who would monitor “the majority of employees are citizens of City of Belding”? It has to be rewritten.
Public Comments
Joe Feuerstein, 901 State Rd., said that July 2 an email was sent to City Council Member and the City Manager, Council Member Cooper stating he was really upset that he had to communicate to City staff before and after he had been on Council regarding making City purchases. Mr. Feuerstein feels that is strictly a violation of charter. Again he talked about no enforcement except to staff. City Manager Brown said he absolutely follows that enforcement every time he talks with the staff. Manager Brown stated he has read it three times and he has followed the enforcement every time he has had to sit down with employees.
Logan Ostrander said that on August 4th at 6pm there will be litter pickup at park. They are meeting at the high school and will assign various places within the town. They will provide gloves, reflective vests, garbage bags too. They are hoping maybe it could be a reoccurring event.
City Manager Comments
Manager Brown said that Ron Gunderson’s son is at Hearst funeral home in Greenville. Wednesday there will be visitation 2-4 and 6-8, with funeral on Thursday at 11 a.m
Council Comments
Council Member Cooper expressed sympathy to Ron for his loss. He then offered his help in any way Mayor Gunderson might need it.
Council Member Schied said that Ron is going through one of the hardest things to do that none of us ever want to do and that is to bury your child. He said that it’s mind numbing to him to think about it. He hopes the family can move ahead even though it will never be forgotten. He has them in his thoughts and prayers and is willing to help however he’s needed.
Council Member Lallo said he’s the father of three daughters and he can’t imagine what Ron is going through and he sends his heartfelt sympathy to Ron’s family. He wanted to bring up music in the park Thursday night, but it’s difficult to talk about music at this sad time.
Council Member Jones said he wants to bet back on the soapbox about bike trails again. The condition of the road coming up the hill causes some problems. He feels it would be nice to bring the trail up to the north side of bridge. He asked Police Chief Nelson if he saw the letter about the fireworks in town and Chief Nelson said he did not. Manager Brown said he did. Council Member Jones said they’ve been going off at all hours of the night but our hands are tied due to State law. There’s nothing much to do except if it’s a hazard. He also expressed sympathy with Ron’s family along with prayers to him and his family, along with anyone else who is suffering.
Council Member Lallo said maybe there is something to work out for next year with the VFW regarding fireworks.
Police Chief Nelson said there are some caveats within the State law.
Adjournment
Council Member Scheid moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member Dennis.
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.
Nays: None.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
| | Thomas Jones, Mayor ProTem |
| Shelley Mosher, Acting Clerk | |
