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

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Cooper stated there was a Rec Board meeting last week and they talked about the park fee schedule and how to move forward with the Five Year Plan. 

Council Member Scheid stated there will be a Housing Commission meeting on Thursday night. 

Council Member Lallo stated there had been no meetings.

Council Member Jones stated the Planning Commission will meet next Tuesday at the depot.

Mayor Gunderson stated the Library would host the 13^th Annual Candlelight Reception on November 30 at 7 p.m.  There will be an auction, entertainment and refreshments.  The Library Board meeting will be next Monday at 5 p.m. at the library.

City Manager Brown stated DDA talked about having wi-fi to the downtown area, as well as a directory of downtown businesses, with the possibility of a special website for the DDA.  The DDA is now buried in the city website.  Bonita is chairing the committee and there will be a meeting on Thursday. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

A.    Consideration of a revised Building Services program

City Manager Brown stated he is recommending a change in the building services which would include building permits, as well as electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspections.  Since 2010, it has been in the hands of a fireman with no background or experience.  He is only in city hall three days a week.  He has studied several approaches.  He would recommend a contract with the county, and they subcontract with Associated Governmental Services.  They have a certified building official on staff and a staff capable of performing various inspections.  They can cover in cases of vacation or illness.  All the governmental units in Ionia County are part of the program, except Portland and Belding.  He has talked to the governmental units using it and it is a good program.  He would recommend entering a contract with Ionia County for services to the city. 

Council Member Jones made a motion to bring the Building Services program to the floor for discussion, supported by Council Member Scheid.

Council Member Scheid stated he had nothing additional. 

Council Member Lallo asked if there would be an increase of fees?

City Manager Brown stated the building permits would increase from $45 to $50.  Inspections would increase from $40 to $50.  There are a number of local people capable of doing inspections.  Associated Governmental Services may make use of those people that could fold into that program.

Council Member Jones stated his concern was on a local basis.  It will have to be done through the county at this point.  Maybe in the future they could do a direct contract and have permits issued in Belding. For the short term, this is the way to go.

Council Member Cooper stated his concern was in driving to the Ionia office, but he talked to his sister and confirmed it could be submitted online.  He said they could look at it again, as it is a yearly renewal. 

City Manager Brown stated the counter person for permits in Ionia is highly trained as it relates to this function and can recognize if they need additional information.  A lot of people that come to the counter have questions and they are trained to answer in Ionia, and we are not here. 

Mayor Gunderson asked how soon it would begin?

Mayor Gunderson stated as soon as possible, he will meet with them tomorrow. 

Council Member Jones made a motion for Bruce to enter into a contract with AGS, through Ionia County, 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 and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

Public Comments

Dennis Craycraft, 11692 Youngman Rd., Belding, thanked Tom, Mike and Denny for their support on the Vietnam wall.  He thanked Bruce for cutting corners as much as possible.  He met the obligations to move forward.  Then he was knocked in the back row.  At the last meeting, he had the green light to proceed with the wall.  He had to have a diagram with the re-rod in it.  He gave it to Bruce within three days.  He got an email from Bruce for a meeting.  The next day he went to the office and Bruce gave him the diagram.  He was dumbfounded.  Somehow from the diagram he gave city council and the Planning Commission, which was a cost of $1,200 to the committee, the wall needs to be changed.  Bruce said he would fill the hole on Monday.  He is trying to weed through this process.  He asked who made that decision and why?

City Manager Brown stated the hole he dug was not close to the location of the wall in the plan he submitted to the Planning Commission. 

Mr. Craycraft stated he went to the middle of the road to the wall, and the other point to the middle of the walkway. 

City Manager Brown stated this is an accurate representation to where the hole was.  He showed the hole in relationship to the plan.  He stated he must start over and do it right.  Do the excavation where it was supposed to be.  They field checked to see if the excavation could be used.  It was not even close.  He must start over and get it right.

Mr. Craycraft stated he would go back to the drawings on that.  It was not that far off.  He wanted to come off the walkway of the WWI monument.  It is almost in line with the WWII monument.  He will check on that and they can deal with that later.  He asked where they were at now?

City Manager Brown stated at the last meeting, the city council said it could move forward, and build where the plan said and with engineering drawings.  It would require a building permit and the fee would be waived.  For the WWII monument Denny said there was no detail, but he handed in engineering drawings.  That is the level of detail required.  The city doesn’t have it as it was never submitted.  He talked to Larry Bloomberg after the last meeting, and he said they hadn’t started.    

Mr. Craycraft stated there were three stipulations to continue.  He had to give him a copy of the Vietnam Wall, with structures with rerod. 

City Manager Brown stated that was not an engineering drawing.  This has to do with construction details, how to tie the wall in and wind resistance.  If he did that, they would not be here tonight.  That was required in September.  They need an engineering drawing.  The city will maintain and insure it.  They have the right to a say in how it is built. 

Mr. Craycraft stated he was told in September to give him drawings.  He would like the minutes of the meetings in September. 

City Manager Brown stated the Planning Commission also required engineering drawings.   

Mr. Craycraft asked where they were now?

City Manager Brown stated he must submit a set of engineering drawings, and they will issue the building permit. 

Mr. Craycraft stated he would get with Larry and go from there.  It is dead in the water til spring. He wants to verify with city council tonight if he gets a drawing from Larry, where does the city council stand?

Council Member Scheid stated when he meets the stuff discussed with the meeting, of course they will.

City Manager Brown stated he would do anything to get this wall built.  He really wants to get this done.

Mr. Craycraft stated Tom said they have to work on refining their skills in communication.  When he left the meeting with Bruce, he talked Tom and Denny and they knew nothing about it.  If council makes a decision, they should be involved.  That left him in limbo on where they stood.  He has a lot of things to do with the wall, fundraising.  He will be on the phone with Larry tomorrow.  He thought the drawing he gave was sufficient.  He was not told and that is lack of communication. 

Gene Noble, 11692 Youngman Rd., Belding, stated he would make a suggestion when Bruce says he wants the wall built, but a couple don’t want the wall.  The city manager said they have to have engineering drawings.  He said they have a city engineer and he has to go over them and make them correct.  Why not have the city engineering draw it, instead of fighting the man, for the community and names on the wall for the people that are not here.  Work with him instead of against him.  Does he have to get engineer drawings?  Was the reason it changed because of the Rails to Trails property?

City Manager Brown stated they had contact with the DNR and they said no problem.

Mr. Noble stated it has to be in writing.

Mayor Gunderson stated there has been an email, but they have not gotten the easement back to the city. 

Mr. Noble stated they should work with the guy, he is not a developer, he is just trying to do something for the city.

City Manager Brown stated he could have the city engineer work with his engineer.

Mr. Noble asked if the city would redig the hole?

City Manager Brown said no, they asked for a plan. 

Mr. Noble stated they seen the plan when they cut the trees down.  Last meeting he said they were understaffed so they could not take care of it, but he found staff to fill the hole.

City Manager Brown stated he didn’t pay overtime.

Mr. Noble stated he knows they are understaffed.  Just work with the guy.  Make it easier.

Scott Ferman, 8519 Wildlife Trail, stated he was deeply involved with the WWII wall.  He drew the plans and Larry stamped them.  This is a load of crap.  He has been a builder for 25 years.  Now he has to get all permits in Ionia.  He cannot do it online.  Now his costs are increased tremendously since he did Subway.  They are trying to kill the community, not make it grow.  They want to make this community thrive.  Why do they make it so difficult?  Did they consult with any contractors?

City Manager Brown stated he did.

Mr. Ferman said he was not contacted.  He could submit a FOIA to find out.

City Manager Brown stated they are the bad guys because they want plans submitted.

Mr. Ferman stated plans are a given.  The building code requires it.  Every job will cost $300 to $400 more.  He will have to commute to Ionia.  That added 3-4 hours each time to pick up a permit.  He cannot take care of customers while doing that.  He would have been happy to assist Tim with plan reviews and permits.  He found out from Tim when his contract was not renewed.

They are not helping the city.  He asked how many local contractors work for the City of Belding?  The number is zero.  How about support each other?

Council Member Cooper stated he talked to his sister and it looked like it could be done online. 

Mr. Ferman stated a building permit requires documents.  There should have been a meeting to hear the concerns of the public, instead of just shoving it through.

Jeff Hunter, Zahm Rd., stated he was curious if there was a demolition permit to take the Covered Mall sign down.  Don’t they need a permit?  He is sure the people did none of that when they took down and put up the sign for private businesses.

Diana Wingeier, 4200 Miriam Rd., stated she found out on Monday on Facebook.  She asked what the hell is going on and why don’t they talk to people before a judgment is made?  Be adults.  Council can be replaced.  Really think for the safety and building issues in Belding, the mall has issues.  How about the owners of the mall, have they given up on the small business owners?  What if there was a fire?  Some can’t relate with technology.  Maybe it is time to vote for new people.  They don’t have much to say.  Let’s say we are sorry for what we did on the wall. 

Holly Noble stated there was a question of location of the hole in the plans.  She asked if the issue was when part of the hole was dug on DNR property?  The DNR was called.

Mayor Gunderson stated the DNR talked to him on phone.

Cory Smith called the DNR.

Mr. Craycraft stated he gave permission over the phone and said he would be in contact with the city manager and mayor.  He was fine with it being on the easement.  He called at 3 p.m. in the afternoon when the hole was dug.  He is in charge with the walkway.  They had no problem with the easement for the Vietnam wall.

Ms. Noble stated when they approved the plans and hole, she can’t believe the hole was dug wrong.  Why was he told the plans were good and they just needed plans for the re-rod?  Bruce said they were set. 

City Manager Brown stated he said he was sending it to the building inspector to issue a permit.

Ms. Noble asked regarding the plans for $1,250, how long did he have the plans?

City Manager Brown stated he picked it up from the engineer, because no one was submitting anything.  That was October 14.

Ms. Noble asked what date they had to have the re-rod drawing?  No one told them those were not the correct plans.  They just said the re-rod drawings were due. 

City Manager Brown stated they have said since October that engineering drawings were needed.

Ms. Noble stated they assumed he had the engineering drawings.  They are trying to build this community up.  Council members do not own the property.  The city owns the property.  The Planning Commission has the final vote, she believes. 

Mayor Gunderson stated the difference is that this is city owned property.  The Planning Commission sent a recommendation.  Three conditions were put on it and city council accepted the conditions to move the wall forward.  Tom brought up to clarify the three caveats mentioned. The engineering drawing has not been received.  That is the stall.  The location is the other issue because of the set-back.  The DNR is not an issue as they gave an email to Bruce.  They are not opposed to it being on the easement.  Bruce contacted Denny and said the hole would be filled in due to safety hazards and the fact of the location. 

Ms. Noble stated there were pictures of the measurements.  They said the hole was not correct.   They spent hundreds of hours when volunteers dug the hole.  She was very discouraged to have a city manager that says a month ago that the city is responsible to take the trees down for the project.  Two weeks ago he did not know it was city property. 

Mayor Gunderson stated a monument on city property would end up their responsibility.

Linda Rousseau, 890 Water St., stated she would commend them for what they are trying to do and get it accomplished. If they read the Daily News, there was a wonderful article about the pride of the community.  The Belding Band got a 5^th rating in the State competition.  They should read the paper to see what happened.  Her granddaughter is a drum major.  She wants the city council to recognize what a wonderful band program they have in the community and recognize how dedicated the kids are.

Jamison German, 11529 County Line, stated he would ask the City of Belding to invest in the City of Belding.  He was born and raised in Belding and he has pride.  For any help that could be made outside the meetings to move forward, he couldn’t ask enough for anyone to do that.  He’s got pride in the town, and would ask those inside of the city limits to help do the same.  On the city property, maintenance and insurance, it is an investment to make things grow.  Let’s invest and make the city what it was once again. 

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brown stated the city received word from MDOT that they will benefit from the road program that was approved through the legislature.  Act 51 revenue will increase $109,000 in 2016 to $360,000 in 2021.  That is the increase over what they are getting.  It will be $770,000 in the next five years that they have not had.  Home for the Holidays, a Chamber event will be held on December 5^th.  The night before they will have the first Community Christmas Tree Lighting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  These are good events for the quality of life.

Council Comments

Council Member Lallo expressed thanks for getting the tree lighting.  He has been looking forward to it for a few years.

Council Member Jones stated he wished to invite everyone for the tree lighting.  He takes exception to the references about Bruce tonight.  They went through one city manager since he has been on board.  The one before that was capable but not friendly.  Bruce is an easy man to talk to, his office door is always open, and he is willing to talk about projects.  On December 4 and 5 there will be the tree lighting and Christmas Home for the Holidays.  That is a good thing.  Treasures for Troops is on this week at Berger Motor Sales.  Donations will be accepted tomorrow for select items, the collection point is Leppinks.  Thursday it is Greenville WalMart and Friday at Bergers.  It is a good cause for the troops overseas.  He takes exception to the reference made to a couple of people that didn’t want the memorial.  Jerry and Ron shoveled snow to help maintain it.  They want to see it as all the rest of them do.  They have participated in the maintenance of the WWII memorial.  All on council and the city manager need to see things done correctly with a building permit and engineering drawings.  Bruce will talk to our engineer and Denny’s engineer to try to get them done.  All of them want to have it done but need engineering drawings.  It is on city property.  Bruce sent out an email that there would be $147 in insurance cost for the Vietnam Memorial.  They need to look at all those things.  The city insurance is responsible for it and they need engineering drawings.  In response to Scott and the building permit, to continue where they were at was illegal because Don was not qualified by the state to issue permits.  Bruce talked to Tim Flynn.  He needed 80 hours of training for his permit. In the future, he hopes they can issue permits in Belding.  They have a one year contract with the County to be legal with the State.  If the State knew three years ago we would have been shut down, told to go to Ionia, or get someone trained.  In the next year, they will look at what it would cost extra.  A counter person would have to be trained or have AGS here 1-2 days a week. Basically we were running illegal.  They have to do something soon.  One of comments was about council responding to questions presented by the public.  It is not a question and answer for council, it is a public comment.  Council is responsible to the general population.  They all were elected, except him who was appointed because of a vacancy.  They can be voted out or in.  They all are trying to do the best they can for all city residents.  He doesn’t want to drift into the issue with the previous city manager.  They should keep talking between everyone and Bruce and try to work through issues.  He is sorry about the issue with the emails that may not have been clear.

Council Member Cooper asked if an engineer could stamp the drawing Denny had? 

City Manager Brown stated all this tells them is what the trench would look like and where the re-rod is.  It is not anywhere near engineer drawings.  He doesn’t think an engineer would stamp it.  They could give it to the engineer. 

Mr. Craycraft thanked the VFW and American Legion for the dinner.  It was a great experience.  He thanked Denny for his work.  He told Mrs. Rousseau that Mr. Rousseau is a great individual, and has helped thousands of kids. 

Council Member Scheid stated as far as the sign for the mall, they have tried to get DDA and the mall to take care of it for years.  It was unsafe and rotted.  Bruce did the right thing before it hurt someone.  He had permission of who they thought was in charge of the mall.  Bruce agreed to put another sign up, and he got the funding for it.  He told Denny everyone wants the wall up.  Engineering drawings have to be taken care of for liability.  That is the only real hold up.  That plan is probably enough to do the foundation.  They want to make sure the memorial is there for a long time.  They don’t want anything to happen to the property.  It is for Belding and the surrounding area and must be done properly.  They can be voted off at any time, or they can do a recall.  He has three years left on his term.  They have to be careful on what they do, they can’t jump at stuff.  Council didn’t think about driving back and forth for permits.  Bruce has figures to have them come up here, but it was more expensive than going through the county.  They are trying to do things right.  Sometimes they fail as they are human. 

Mayor Gunderson wished everyone a safe Thanksgiving.  Coming events include Home for the Holidays, tree lighting and the Candlelight Reception at the library.  The band news was very exciting.  Kudos to the kids for sticking it out.  He thanked Cory for the article he did.  He thanked everyone for coming. 

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 8:12 p.m.