Approval of Agenda

Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, supported by Council Member Feehan.

Mayor Gunderson stated that Sharon Carlson would be added as a guest.

The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:

            Ayes:               Council Members Miller, Scheid, Meyers, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

Sharon Carlson, DDA Chair, stated council will consider a revised version of the DDA By-laws, and she was present to answer any questions they had.  Ms. Carlson reviewed the changes on the amendments.  The articles were condensed and made more concise.  They didn’t remove information, just moved it around.  She reviewed the Summary of Revisions, which was approved by the DDA on November 2, 2016.  

Public Comments

There were no public comments. 

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Meyers stated the ZBA met on November 29 and considered two cases.  One was a variance for a ground sign on the corner of Bridge and Congress.  There was no opposition. The size allowed was 42 sq. ft. and the size granted was 49 sq. ft.  The other case was to permit the development of a homeless shelter at 301 S. Pleasant.  There was a lot of discussion, and the neighborhood did not think it was a good spot.  There were different opinions on a homeless shelter in Belding.  They thought there was a need, but the spot was wrong.  There was no variance approved for that location.  There was no indication from Jessica on the direction she would be taking.

Council Member Scheid stated he missed the last Housing Commission meeting as he was out of town. 

Ms. Carlson stated the Housing Commission is in exploration of redevelopment and a new basis for funding.   

Council Member Feehan stated the Museum Board had 200 visitors to see the Family Christmas Trees.  The trees will be up through Christmas.  He hopes everyone can come next Tuesday. 

Council Member Miller stated the Historic District Commission met on November 17, 2016.  Bruce handed out the Historic Preservation Office Guidelines.  John Schmiedicke has interest in the purchase of the basket factory, for manufacturing of furniture.  They would support bringing the basket factory into the historic district.  There will be a new sign for the library, which will be non-contributing to the historic district.  The library can display events.  That will be postponed to the next meeting for clarification of the drawings.  The Planning Commission met on November 11.  He was not a voting member yet.  An application from Charles Wright was considered and granted for a variance on sidewalk installation.  The proposed garage sale ordinance was tabled.  There will be a public hearing on December 27, 2016 regarding the rezoning of the basket factory to I-1.  They want to work with wood.  If accomplished on December 27, they will start on the furniture in January.  They are in a position to get new business in Belding. 

Mayor Gunderson stated the Candlelight Reception was held and they made $1,600 from the silent auction items.  There was more in attendance than last year.  There will be a meeting next Monday at the library. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

There was no new business.

Public Comments

Housing Commission Director Sharon Carlson stated she will be holding a campaign to communicate more information about the commission.  It has come to her attention with the exploration of the homeless shelter that a lot of people do not know what the housing commission is or what they do.  Anyone can contact her directly for information.  Mike has been the council liaison for a couple of years and has found it difficult to understand everything.  The regulations have changed frequently over the decades.  She must keep up and advise the board to draft policy.  She oversees the program.  She sent information to the mayor and manager to advise them on things that are happening at the federal level where the funding streams come from.  The Housing Commission receives no financial support from the City of Belding.  She will launch an informational type campaign session to advise interested citizens on who the Housing Commission is and what they do.  She may do a presentation for the Friends of the Library.  She would be happy to give information at any group meeting.  Their meetings are open to the public.  Any and all questions will be answered.  During the ZBA meeting for the homeless shelter, a board member heard perhaps misinformation regarding the Housing Commission and what they do.  They were quite startled to hear that.  She thinks it is better to go to the source. 

City Manager Comments

The city manager had no comments. 

Council Comments

Council Member Scheid had no comments. 

Council Member Feehan thanked Bruce and staff and Ernie and the Macker office for everything they did for the tree lighting, and stated he appreciated it. 

Council Member Miller thanked city staff for picking up the leaves.  It is looking good.  Everyone did a great job at the tree lighting.  He thanked everyone for coming out tonight.

Council Member Meyers stated this was his first Candlelight at the library, and he felt it was a nice event and a great time.  They received a lot of support.  Regarding the leaf pickup they do a tremendous job, but also on the rest of the work they perform. 

Mayor Gunderson thanked the DPW staff, Home for the Holidays, and what they all did to make it come together.

Work Session

1. Discussion of speed limits on South Bridge Street

Council Member Scheid made a motion to bring the issue to the floor for discussion, supported by Council Member Feehan. 

            Ayes:   Council Members Miller, Scheid, Meyers, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:   None

City Manager Brown stated this issue has been a point of discussion before and after construction.  They need to decide and be done with it.  He reviewed the map and existing speed limits.  The speed limits in place were recommended by F&V who did the engineering on the project.  Ernie and Dale believe it should be left alone and feel the current speed limits are correct. He thinks northbound works okay.  Southbound wants to speed up before the cemetery.  There is a school bus stop in the residential area south of Thurman. 35 mph in that area may not be a safe situation for the houses and school bus. The recommendation from his staff is to leave it alone and accept the recommendations of the traffic engineers, to have a speed limit based on their knowledge.

Joe Feuerstein, 901 W. State, stated on S. Bridge Street, only one cross street is a problem.  The busses stop on M-44.  It is 45 mph out there, but there are no hills. He doesn’t like to have the brakes on going down hills.  There are no cross streets to worry about cars in that area.  It should be 35 mph from Bridge Street out.  M-44 has no cross streets and it is 45 mph.  25 mph is ridiculous going up and down hills. 

Council Member Feehan stated he is going along with the city stand to leave as is.  It makes no sense to change it.  The organization told us that knows, and there was a recommendation by the police chief.  It should stay.

Council Member Miller stated if they error, he would do it in favor of safety.  Ernie and Dale recommend it, as well as the contractor.  He understands 35 mph and 25 mph is not much of a difference.  They have the cemetery, hill, hidden drives and topography.  He supports the city recommendation. 

Council Member Meyers stated he didn’t have any issues with southbound.  Coming from Saranac going northbound, to drop so quick to 35 mph seemed like a drastic drop.  There is not much out there.  It seems a little low.    

Council Member Scheid stated going south, once you get past Stocking Street there is the house by the bridge and Brian Dolphin.  Without using the accelerator, by the time he got to the bridge, his car was going 35 mph.  It should be 35 mph from Stocking Street out to the city limits.  There is substantial traffic, but not heavy traffic.  They have to hit the brakes to slow down. 

Mayor Gunderson stated he drives the street quite often, and it is a pain to slow down.  There was a vehicle pulling out of Brian Dolphin’s driveway today, and that is a blind driveway.  The driveway from the house near the bridge comes out.  He has no issue with this.  People want to go faster, but he feels it has been mentioned that there are hidden driveways and other factors in place.  They could revisit this again.  It is kind of nice not to hit bumps.  The speed limit slows people down.  He went through when there was a school bus, and northbound should not be any faster.  He looks at it as a city street.    

City Manager Brown stated most cities have a master transportation plan with proposed speed limits, but this city does not.  The city decides them individually as they come up.              

Mayor Gunderson stated he would rather error on caution. 

Council Member Feehan made a motion to accept the speed limits as posted on S. Bridge Street, supported by Council Member Miller.

Ayes:  Council Members Miller, Feehan and Gunderson

Nays:  Council Members Scheid and Meyers

Adjournment

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

Ayes:               Council Members Miller, Scheid, Meyers, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m.