REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, June 2, 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, June 2, 2015.
Council Member Cooper 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 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
There were no public comments.
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 64153 to 64251 in the amount of $235,710.55, Checks 64252 to 64253 in the amount of $38,977.03 and Checks 64254 to 64255 in the amount of $716.48
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, May 19, 2015
C. Approve Minutes: Special meeting, May 20, 2015
D. Appointment of Arthur Mahar to the Belding Housing Board
E. Consumers Energy Streetlighting Contract – authorization for change
F. Public Park Use Agreement
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.
D. Appointment of Arthur Mahar to the Belding Housing Board
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
APPOINTING ARTHUR MAHAR TO THE BELDING HOUSING COMMISSION.
WHEREAS, the term of office of Arthur Mahar on the Belding Housing Commission will expire on June 30, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mahar has indicated his willingness to serve another term on the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Arthur Mahar be appointed to the Belding Housing Commission with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2020.
E. Consumers Energy Streetlighting Contract – authorization for change
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING A CHANGE IN THE STANDARD STREETLIGHTING CONTRACT WITH CONSUMERS ENERGY.
RESOLVED, that it is hereby deemed advisable to authorize Consumers Energy Company to make changes in the lighting service as provided in the Standard Lighting Contract between the Company and the City of Belding, dated 10/1/2013, in accordance with the Authorization for Change in Standard Lighting Contract dated 6/2/2015, heretofore submitted to and considered by this council; and
RESOLVED, further, that the City Clerk be and is authorized to execute such authorization for change on the behalf of the City.
F. Public Park Use Agreement
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING THE USE OF A PUBLIC PARK USE AGREEMENT FOR ALL CITY OPERATED PARKS.
WHEREAS, a Public Park Use Agreement will be issued to all City, Independent, and Civic groups whom use the parks in a scheduled capacity; and
WHEREAS, the use agreements will be first reviewed by the City of Belding Recreation Advisory Board and approved by the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the City of Belding authorizes the use of a Public Park Use Agreement for all city operated parks.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Lallo stated the Museum Board meeting was cancelled due to lack of attendance by members. Things are coming along for Labor Day. They had a successful steak fry at the Legion. On June 26, there will be a chicken dinner at the VFW. He is looking forward to the celebration this year.
Council Member Jones stated the Planning Commission met last Thursday. They approved a recommendation for a consulting service, which will come to council. There will be a public hearing on a Passive Recreation zoning district for the Electrolux property at the next Planning Commission meeting. Bruce is reorganizing the zoning ordinance and they are narrowing down the strategies for the Master Plan. There will be training for the Planning Commission and ZBA. Wade Trim also offers this training. They will need two more members for the Planning Commission. The term for Max Gibbs expires on July 3, 2015. He has agreed to stay on for at least six months, so that will be a third position to fill. If anyone would like to join, they are looking for them.
Council Member Cooper stated the Rec Board meeting was cancelled. The next meeting is July 13.
Council Member Scheid stated he was out of town for the Housing Commission meeting. He had back to back meetings so could not be there. There are still three openings and they are finishing up one of the units. Another will be finished this week.
Mayor Gunderson stated the Library Board went over the Personnel Handbook. It will be sent on to the attorney. They paid the bills. There is very little maintenance now. The DDA will meet this Thursday at noon. There are a couple applications for board members. He asked that people sign up if they would like. Rails to Trails will not meet in June.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
A. MDOT Small Urban Program Application
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 Cooper.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN SUPPORTING THE CITY OF BELDING’S SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SOUTH BRIDGE STREET FOR FY 2016 AND FY 2017 UTILIZING FUNDS THROUGH THE SMALL URBAN PROGRAM ADMINISTRERED BY THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WHEREAS, the Small Urban Area Selection Committee for the City of Belding, consisting of representation made up of the City of Belding; the transit provider, Belding Dial-A-Ride; and the county road agency, the Ionia County Road Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Small Urban Area Selection Committee has prioritized the street improvements and approved the South Bridge Street Reconstruction as a first priority project; and
WHEREAS, the MDOT Small Urban Program approved the South Bridge Street Reconstruction Project through two grant awards in their planning process on October 28, 2014, and now requires an application form; and
WHEREAS, the City of Belding desires to secure financial assistance from the MDOT Small Urban Program funds to defray the cost of construction; and
WHEREAS, the total cost of this project is estimated at $1,083,800, with the local match from the City of Belding estimated at $216,760, and utilizing the maximum program funds available of $375,000 for 2016 and $375,000 for 2017 for a total of $750,000 awarded grant funds.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan supports the City of Belding’ submission of a grant application form to the MDOT Small Urban Program.
Julianne Burns stated in June, 2010, through the local Small Urban Program the South Bridge Street project was approved, and it went on to MDOT. In October, 2014, MDOT approved the project. It was placed on the construction list with an approval for $750,000. There will be two projects at $375,000 each. The city would like to submit the supporting documents to MDOT.
Council Member Lallo stated people should be made aware of any road closures.
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.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Council Comments
Council Member Jones stated the city or chamber are not hosting the yard sale this year. It will be held on June 5 & 6, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If a person submits their name and address to everythingbelding@gmail.com it will be posted on the website. The baseball fields have been very busy. Shuffleboard is going. There were some comments that they want to get a pickle ball court set up on one of the tennis courts. Some people have an interest in it. He referred them to Keven or Bruce. The training for FOIA and OMA will be held on June 23, 2015. He would like pizza before they start, as some will not have time after work to get dinner. He appreciates all the staff and committees that are working on Labor Day and everything else going on in town. There was a good crowd at the steak fry. They had nice things to bid on. It was a good time. He appreciates the VFW for holding the chicken barbeques.
Council Member Cooper stated the pickle ball court was mentioned a few meetings ago. People are willing to donate money to make that happen. In the next few days, he wants to send an email on the scope of how they are doing road repairs. The roads are highly travelled and need some attention. What is the plan to get to them?
Council Member Scheid stated he doesn’t have anything. He thanked everyone for coming.
Council Member Lallo thanked Denny Craycraft, the American Legion and the VFW for the Memorial Day service. He also thanked the middle school band. It was a nice ceremony and well attended. Music in the Park starts this Thursday. The sponsor is Bruce and Lynne Brown. Please check the city website for the schedule.
Council Member Jones stated when they do new streets, the resurfacing, he hopes they can do something with sidewalk or a bike path when they work on it. They have had the Memorial Day service at the cemetery. He would like a bike path or sidewalk from M-44 to the cemeteries. They need to keep up on that when they do that type of project to get that done.
City Manager Brown stated Ernie is working on that.
Council Member Lallo stated they should send notifications to businesses owners when they start the project, as well as residents, to keep them advised of what is going on.
Mayor Gunderson thanked Ernie for getting the cemeteries in proper condition. It has been hard with the rain. The crew did a good job getting them presentable for the Memorial Day weekend. On June 6 at 10 a.m. there will be a Key Ceremony for Robert Thrailkill at 12411 7 Mile Rd. NE, off of Lincoln Lake south. He lost both legs and use of his right arm when he was checking out a suspicious dirt mound near a secured building. They made this home ready to occupy. Be there early. He has flyers on that. All in all, the city looks good.
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 7:26 p.m.
| | Ronald Gunderson, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
