Approval of Agenda

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

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

            Ayes:               Council Members Scheid, Jones, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

Appointment of City Council Member

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 Feehan.

Public Comments

Jeff Hunter, 6302 Zahm Rd., stated Miller just took the oath to uphold the ordinances of the city, which they all did.  Item C – Appointment of Recreation Advisory Board – they need to live in the city limits for one year.  Sharon Carlson has not lived in the city for over 18 years.  Scott McNeal should be removed as he lives in Greenville, Michigan.  They must uphold the laws, which has been hard to do. 

Good Neighbor Award

 – will be postponed until the next meeting.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Feehan stated the Labor Day Committee voted for Byron Davey to be on the board.  In the next few weeks they will select the Grand Marshal.  They are holding sign-ups for the softball tournament.  The Museum Board will be meeting on Friday.

Council Member Miller stated the Historic District Commission will have Tier 1 training on July 14 through MPN.  The instructor will be Sharon Ferraro, Historic Preservation Coordinator for the City of Kalamazoo. It is part of a grant set up through the city.  It will be held next week from 6 to 8 p.m.

Council Member Scheid stated he missed the Housing Commission meeting.  There will be another meeting two weeks from Thursday.

Council Member Jones stated the ZBA met on June 29, and a public hearing was held regarding 1510 W. State, to change the request from a special use to auxiliary use.  That passed 3-0.  There was a request for a variance for a garage on Lewis St.  960 square feet are permitted, but they wanted 1,056 square feet.  That passed 3-0.  There was an extensive discussion on zoning enforcement.  The Planning Commission meeting was held on June 28.  They recommended changing from a seven to five member board.  John Sparks was recommended to replace Gary Knowlton on the ZBA.   Election of officers was held – Shelley Gladding as chair, Tom Jones as vice-chair and John LaClear as secretary.

Mayor Gunderson stated the DDA meets this Thursday at noon at the depot.  The library is working on policy and moving forward with programs.  There were about 40 in attendance for the Movie in the Park. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

A.    Report by Marci Cooper

Council Member Scheid made a motion to bring the item to the floor, supported by Council Member Feehan.

Marci Cooper distributed a report with all the complaints she has taken care of since she started in March.  She made a new pamphlet about the different types of blight.  She has handled 632 complaints since March 1 – blight issues, abandoned vehicles, disabled vehicles, and has moved on to houses needing paint and roof issues.  They have sent out warning letters for dumpster enclosures.  They have until July 15 to complete an application, with completion by July 30.  Regarding grass complaints over 10 inches, there is a written warning, then a citation for $25.  The city is willing to work with people on the task to be completed.  The goal is to have compliance. 

Council Member Miller asked if the report could be sorted by parcel?

Ms. Cooper stated she would check. 

B.     Appointment to Recreation Advisory Board – Sharon Carlson

Scheid, Jones

Council Member Jones asked the city manager about what they heard from the citizens that they must be a resident of the city.

City Manager Brown stated that is in the charter.  There are good people living outside the city.  There are some who own companies.  The charter is very clear.  They must live here one year and be a resident.

Council Member Jones asked if they could ask the lawyer to create an ordinance, as some have a big investment in the city, to allow non-residents, whether a business owner or for some other reason. 

City Manager Brown feels a charter amendment would be needed, a vote of the city.

Mayor Gunderson stated when asked of the attorney before, he indicated until there was a full board or those wanting to be on the board, just leave it.

Council Member Jones made a motion that council request a ruling from the city attorney to determine if there is a way to allow non-residents to serve on the boards and commissions, and to appoint Sharon Carlson at this point as a member of the Recreation Advisory Board, and depending on the ruling of the attorney, she may not last the entire term, supported by Council Member Scheid.   

Public Comments

Jeff Hunter, 6302 Zahm Rd, stated they can’t even follow their own charter and they expect people to follow the rules, with 624 violations.  They can’t even make an excuse. 

Joe Feuerstein, 901 W. State, stated on the question of the charter, that is a state law.  The state changed the charter and that has not been changed.  The state amends that, it is a state law.  On grass complaints, is there anything for all the residential property?  Is commercial property exempt?  If it is all residential property, he asked if they could cut his frontage by the road?   The Candlestone property is residential property and they mow out there.  Businesses have problems with weeds, not grass, that is 3 feet high.

Mayor Gunderson stated the city mows the Candlestone by the road.

Dale Miller, Sheriff of Ionia County, stated he has been sheriff for the last four years.  He has worked for them the last 30 years.  It is an elected office.  He described the qualifications of that position.  It is an administrative position with complex financial responsibility.  He is the chief law enforcement officer.  He gave a description of the duties of the office.  He brings experience in all areas.  He has 30 years of experience with the Ionia County Sheriff Department and has served in several offices.  He got state and federal grants.  He made improves to the jail.  They use an on-line accident report system.  He described his education.  He is on many boards and associations to serve Ionia County.  His desire is to be the sheriff of Ionia County.  He would ask everyone to vote on August 2 for Dale Miller for sheriff.    

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brown stated they have completed the overlay paving program.  He assembled funds to pave a number of Streets – two blocks of Morton, Wells Rd. going down to the sewage lagoons and trailhead, where they paved two parking areas, Park, Woodland, Floral, and Water Street from M-44 to the downtown area.  It came in $5,000 below budget.  Ernie Thomas should be congratulated in getting the work done in three days, way below budget.   He hopes to add to the program to do streets each year.    

The Bridge Street project will start on August 8.  A pre-con meeting will be held on July 27.  They will hold a neighborhood meeting on the project.  The project will run until October, but that does not mean the street will not be available for the entire project.  It will be available in pieces.  They are making significant progress.

Council Comments

Council Member Miller stated it was brought to his attention that there will be a Boobs ‘n Tubes event this weekend benefitting Breast Cancer Awareness.  The event has been moved to private land by Lightning Bend.  It is a neat event coming to our city. 

Mayor Gunderson stated they will apply for the event through the DNR.  The city does not necessarily know about the events.  The DNR owns the launch.

Council Member Scheid stated yes, they are violating the charter on the recreation appointment.  When no one applies from the city, and they have someone already connected to the city who has been on several years, that is the way things happen in small towns.  It is hard to find people to get on the boards.  They have violated the charter, but sometimes don’t have a choice. 

Council Member Jones stated if the lawyer says they cannot have Sharon or a non- resident, they will remove them.  That is the same reason they went from a seven to five member Planning Commission.  It concentrates power into fewer people.  If people would sign up for the boards, it would be nicer.  He would like to thank the staff, DPW, police and fire for the work done to beautify the city.  He would like to thank the DPW, Ernie and staff, for getting the roads done.  Water Street is a lot nicer to drive.  He hears complaints about Marci being zoning enforcement officer, but the position was well placed with her.  She does a fair job.  Some people don’t care how they live.  Marci is doing a good, fair job.  She is not showing favoritism and it gives the city a much nicer look if they stay within the laws. He welcomed Brad to council.  Hopefully, he will decide to run for election in November.  He thanked the community that showed up tonight, as it is all about public input.

Council Member Feehan had no comments. 

Mayor Gunderson thanked Marci for doing the job.  It has made a big difference in the community.  He sees it a lot on his bicycle.  He sees people taking care of other’s property, which is a good thing.  He thanked Ernie, and Bruce for moving the city forward.  He congratulated Brad for being on the board.  He thanked everyone for coming and appreciates the input.

Adjournment

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

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

            Nays:               None

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m.