REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, January 5, 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, January 5, 2016.
Mayor ProTem Jones 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, Jerome Lallo, Tom Jones and Ronald Gunderson
Members Absent: Council Member Mike Scheid
Council Member Jones made a motion to excuse Mike Scheid from the meeting as he is ill, per Section 4.5(f) of the City Charter, 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, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
Approval of Agenda
Mayor Gunderson requested to add the Performance Resolution for Governmental Agencies to the agenda as Consent Agenda Item D.
Council Member Lallo made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, supported by Council Member Jones.
The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
None
Good Neighbor Award – Candlestone Golf and Resort
Henry Bouthiette and Kat Anderson were present from the Candlestone.
Mr. Bouthiette shared that over the Christmas holidays, there was a power outage. The owner, Steve Leach, and the management team opened the door, free of charge, to come in and spend the holidays. It was a big success and a lot of people came over for the opportunity.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Independent Bank Checks 65317 to 65399 in the amount of $119,762.22 and Check 65400 in the amount of $550.00
Approve Chemical Bank Checks 6838 to 6848 in the amount of $44,052.03 and Checks 6849 to 6861 in the amount of $39,144.65
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, December 15, 2015
- Library Board appointment – Gretchen Houtman
- Performance Resolution for Governmental Agencies
Council Member Jones made a motion to approve the consent agenda, 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, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.
Nays: None.
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
C. Library Board appointment – Gretchen Houtman
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING GRETCHEN HOUTMAN TO THE ALVAH N. BELDING MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD.
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library Board; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to appoint Gretchen Houtman as a member of the Library Board; and,
WHEREAS, the Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library Board members have recommended the appointment of Gretchen Houtman to this board; and,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan, that Gretchen Houtman be, and the same hereby is, appointed as a member of the Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library Board with a term to commence on January 1, 2016, and to expire on December 31, 2019.
D. Performance Resolution for Governmental Agencies
PERFORMANCE RESOLUTION FOR GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
RESOLVED WHEREAS, the City of Belding hereinafter referred to as the “GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY,” periodically applies to the Michigan Department of Transportation, hereinafter referred to as the “DEPARTMENT,” for permits, referred to as “PERMIT,” to construct, operate, use and/or maintain utility or other facilities, or to conduct other activities, on, over, and under State Highway right of way at various locations within and adjacent to its corporate limits:
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the DEPARTMENT granting such PERMIT, the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY agrees that:
- Each party to this Agreement shall remain responsible for any claims arising out of their own acts and/or omissions during the performance of this Agreement, as provided by law. This Agreement if not intended to increase either party’s liability for, or immunity from, tort claims, nor shall it be interpreted, as giving either party hereto a right of indemnification, either by Agreement or at law, for claims arising out of the performance of this Agreement.
- Any work performed for the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY by a contractor or subcontractor will be solely as a contractor for the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY and not as a contractor or agent of the DEPARTMENT. The DEPARTMENT shall not be subject to any obligations or liabilities by vendors and contractors of the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, or their subcontractors or any other person not a party to the PERMIT without its specific prior written consent and notwithstanding the issuance of the PERMIT. Any claims by any contractor or subcontractor will be the sole responsibility of the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
- The GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY shall take no unlawful action or conduct, which arises either directly or indirectly out of its obligations, responsibilities, and duties under the PERMIT which results in claims being asserted against or judgment being imposed against the State of Michigan, the Michigan Transportation Commission, the DEPARTMENT, and all officers, agents and employees thereof and those contracting governmental bodies performing permit activities for the DEPARTMENT and all officers, agents, and employees thereof, pursuant to a maintenance contract. In the event that the same occurs, for the purposes of the PERMIT, it will be considered as a breach of the PERMIT thereby giving the State of Michigan, the DEPARTMENT, and/or the Michigan Transportation Commission a right to seek and obtain any necessary relief or remedy, including, but not by way of limitation, a judgment for money damages.
- The GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY it will, by its own volition and/or request by the DEPARTMENT, promptly restore and/or correct physical or operating damages to any State Highway Right of Way resulting from the installation construction, operation and/or maintenance of the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY’S facilities according to a PERMIT issued by the DEPARTMENT.
- With respect to any activities authorized by PERMIT, when the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY requires insurance on its own or its contractor’s behalf it shall also require that such policy include as named insured the State of Michigan, the Transportation Commission, the DEPARTMENT, and all officers, agents, and employees thereof and those governmental bodies performing permit activities for the DEPARTMENT and all officers, agents, and employees thereof, pursuant to a maintenance contract.
- The incorporation by the DEPARTMENT of this resolution as a part of a PERMIT does not prevent the DEPARTMENT from requiring additional performance security or insurance before issuance of a PERMIT.
- This resolution shall continue in force from this date until cancelled by the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY or the DEPARTMENT with no less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other party. It will not be cancelled or otherwise terminated by the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY with regard to any PERMIT which has already been issued or activity which has already been undertaken.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following position(s) are authorized to apply to the DEPARTMENT for the necessary permit to work within State Highway Right of Way on behalf of the GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
Name and/or Title – City Manager
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Cooper stated there has been no Recreational Board meeting.
Council Member Lallo stated he had no meetings.
Council Member Jones stated there is no meeting until the end of the month.
Mayor Gunderson stated he had no meetings.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
There was no new business.
Public Comments
Lynn Mason, 11637 W. Ellis, thanked council for their services, for always being welcoming, and for acknowledging good people that are doing good things. She will run again for State Rep. There will be an upcoming picture and press release.
City Managers Comments
City Manager Brown had no comments.
Council Comments
Council Member Lallo thanked everyone for their generosity over the holidays for the community. A lot stepped forward. He thanked the student from Belding High School who helped to deliver food and presents. The city saved a lot of money on the Consumers bill.
City Manager Brown stated staff was concerned about electric usage and has done some things. There has been substantial savings. There are different light bulbs. In the 1929 city hall, he doesn’t think the electricity has been upgraded. There are also new windows. The costs will likely stay even and improve.
Council Member Lallo wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Council Member Jones wished everyone a Happy New Year. He thanked the staff and citizens for the Christmas decorations. The weather was nicer so it was easier to get out to decorate. He thanked the Candlestone for their service to the community.
Council Member Cooper asked the city manager if he had a systematic approach to monitor departments, and assess them?
City Manager Brown stated they don’t have an evaluation system. He likes to do an annual evaluation of each department head and then they do their staff. It is a good thing to step aside once a year and let them know how they are doing, and set goals and objectives. He has things he would like to accomplish in 2016. It is good for him and each staff member to have an evaluation. He will initiate it this year. It develops a paper trail for employees not performing up to standard.
Council Member Cooper asked if that would include the efficiency of the department, and with the sergeant?
City Manager Brown stated he had council involved in his past position. He has asked for input from council. He likes council involvement. It is good for the city and staff. He likes annual goals for each department and an annual performance review.
Mayor Gunderson thanked the Candlestone and wished everyone a Happy New Year. He would like to see changes in moving the city forward. Bruce has implemented several changes. He wants to move strongly together.
Adjournment
Council Member Lallo moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member Cooper.
Ayes: Council Members Cooper, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson
Nays: None
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
| | Ronald Gunderson, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
