REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
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, February 2, 2016.
Council Member Scheid 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.
Council Member Jones asked to move the traffic control order to New Business Item A.
The question on the motion, as amended, was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
Jeff Hunter, 6302 Zahm Rd., stated he is not sure what they are voting on, changing the speed limit? They can change the speed limit all they want, but they do not obey 35-45 through there. When people come down the hill from 55-60, who would do 25 by Flat River Trail? The posted speed limit doesn’t hurt anyone. There are no traffic reports to show it is a danger. He doesn’t know why they are considering changing it. They talked about having a police offer out there. They can’t even take care of heroin or thieving problems. No one will slow down. The school bus stops in the middle of the road in front of Neil Wood’s house going south. That should be a concern. That should be the one concern. There is no problem with the speed limit.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Independent Bank Checks 65555 to 65639 in the amount of $133,194.18
Approve Chemical Bank Checks 6880 to 6893 in the amount of $74,651.80
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, January 19, 2016
- Appointment to Zoning Board of Appeals – Michelle Cooper
- Deficit Elimination Plan – Internal Services Fund
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.
C. Appointment to Zoning Board of Appeals – Michelle Cooper
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING MICHELLE COOPER TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Michelle Cooper on the Zoning Board of Appeals will expire on February 17, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Michelle Cooper has indicated her willingness to continue to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Michelle Cooper be appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term to expire on February 2, 2019.
D. Deficit Elimination Plan
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REGARDING THE FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY A DEFICIT ELIMINATION PLAN TO REDUCE THE DEFICITS IN THE INTERNAL SERVICE FUND.
WHEREAS, the Internal Service Fund had a deficit at the end of the City of Belding's June 30, 2015 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, Michigan Compiled Law 141.921 requires a local unit to file with the Department of Treasury a deficit elimination plan if a fund has a deficit at the end of the fiscal year;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby approves the deficit elimination plan to eliminate the deficits in the Internal Service Fund.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Scheid stated he missed the last Housing Commission meeting. They were at 100% occupancy but he thinks someone moved out.
Council Member Lallo stated the Museum Board did a little review on holiday events. There were some new ideas, possibly opening the museum in the evening. Have local families decorate trees. For Spring into the Past, they will have an underground railroad theme. The hallway will feature quilt squares. They received a generous donation for the holiday season. The annual review will come to council.
Council Member Jones stated Planning Commission was last week. They held the election of officers. The chair and vice stayed the same with Gary Knowlton and Shelley Gladding. Ken Krueger is scheduled to be secretary. Gary Knowlton gave them the year-end report. There was no report for Board of Appeals. He reviewed the city council meeting. They set a public hearing at the next Planning Commission meeting on February 25, 2016 at the depot for a home occupancy ordinance. Basic Training for the Planning Commission and City Council will be presented by Janis Johnson. The ZBA could also be invited. The “walkable community” committee will include Gary Knowlton, Tom Jones, John LaClear, and Shelley Gladding will serve as an alternate. They would also like someone from the school, Rec Board, city manager and realtor. They want to define what a walkable community is and have a presentation about sidewalks in the city. They want to try to come up with a plan for installation and funding of sidewalks. John Sparks joined the Planning Commission. They still have one more vacancy if someone is interested.
Council Member Cooper stated there was no meeting.
Mayor Gunderson stated the Library Board met. They paid the bills and are looking at applications for trustees. They have an opening from Bob Ware. They are looking at director applications. The regular Library Board meeting will be held on February 8, 2016 at 5 p.m. The Friends wrote a grant for the trail for $3,800. They received $500 from the ICCF for dogway stations and kiosks, one to be located in Central Riverside Park. The 3-sided kiosk will include the art gallery, trail and city events. Two other 1-sided kiosks will be installed by Long Lake Rd. and M-44 with information on the trails. They need permitting from the DNR to place those. There is no city money involved.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
A. Traffic Control Order – S. Bridge Street
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDER # 0016-01.
WHEREAS, Police Chief Dale Nelson, Traffic Engineer for the City of Belding, has requested the approval of Traffic Control Order # 0016-01; and,
WHEREAS, the traffic order concerns the installation of signs on S. Bridge Street; and
WHEREAS, the traffic order would include the installation of 25 mph speed limit signs from M-44 to Flat River Trail, Hidden Drive signs south of the St. Joseph Cemetery for northbound traffic and 350 feet north of the south entrance to River Ridge Cemetery for southbound traffic, a Reduced Speed Ahead sign south of Flat River Trail for northbound traffic, and a new post and 55 mph sign 300 feet north of Flat River Trail for southbound traffic; 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.
Mayor Gunderson stated this came into play after the public meeting on S. Bridge St. There were resident concerns that there was a lot of semi traffic and speed was an issue. It will be narrowed down with a sidewalk, which will cross S. Bridge at Stocking St. The sidewalk on the west side will continue from Stocking to the cemetery. It will be a traffic calming device to slow things down. Semis use a jake brake at night. There were concerns about speed. They did this from the input of residents. They are trying to slow everyone down with the hidden driveways.
This was discussed at the meeting to try to slow people down and make it safer. One had concerns about kids getting off the bus.
Council Member Jones asked, going northbound, where would the 25 mph speed sign be mounted?
Mayor Gunderson stated it would be approximately 300 feet north of Flat River Trail.
Council Member Jones stated coming in, it should be at the top of the hill.
Mayor Gunderson stated they were concerned about the hidden drive. The reduced speed sign will be half way between Mr. Hunter’s house and the cemetery on the east side.
Council Member Scheid stated with curb and gutter it will look more like a city street.
Council Member Jones stated other cities have ordinances for jake brakes. Unless they enforce, they can put up all the speed limit signs they want to. He would like some clarification on where the 25 mph will start for northbound traffic. That needs to be kept slow. Maybe add jake brake language.
Council Member Scheid stated they were told they could not do it by the state.
Mayor Gunderson stated this was really a priority to get on the plans for the RFP. Do they want to postpone or approve with more information?
Council Member Lallo asked if they could have a city map available?
Council Member Scheid made a motion to postpone Resolution No. 2016-02-05, approving Traffic Control Order #0016-01 until the next meeting, 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 and Jones
Nays: Council Member Gunderson
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
City Manager’s Comments
There were no city manager comments.
Council Comments
Council Member Lallo thanked council members for excusing him at the last meeting. He took care of his father in Florida.
Council Member Jones stated when they are working on the TCO, get information on a jake brake ordinance to get some signs put up. He apologized that he should have called Ron for needed clarification. There is another opening on the Planning Commission. The next meeting will be held on February 25, 2016 at the depot. There will be a public hearing for the home occupancy ordinance.
Council Member Cooper stated with the deficit elimination plan for legal counsel costs, it is still not to his liking, but it has improved. He wants to go in a positive direction. He had a question on the check register and will talk to Bruce.
Council Member Scheid thanked everyone for being here.
Mayor Gunderson thanked Gary Knowlton for the annual report from the Planning Commission. He explained everything very well. He thanked the Planning Commission for working on the ordinance. It is very time consuming, and they do a lot of work at home. Pete Petersen retired last year, and Roger Granzo had 45 years when he retired. He wished them congratulations on that. The depositions for the court case will start next week.
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 7:33 p.m.
| | Ronald Gunderson, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
