REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, July 19, 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, July 19, 2016.
Mayor Protem Jones delivered the invocation.
The Mayor Protem led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Clerk took the roll call:
Members Present: Council Members Brad Miller, Mike Scheid, Tom Jones and Douglas Feehan
Members Absent: None
Council Member Scheid made a motion to excuse Ronald Gunderson from the meeting, per Section 4.5(f) of the City Charter, supported by Council Member Feehan.
The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Miller, Scheid, Jones and Feehan
Nays: None
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 Miller, Scheid, Jones and Feehan
Nays: None
Good Neighbor Award – Maria Robertson
Mayor Protem Jones presented the award to Maria Robertson.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Independent Bank Checks 66507 to 66530 in the amount of $97,702.22 and Checks 66531 to 66588 in the amount of $54,051.40
- Approve Minutes: Special meeting, June 30, 2016
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, July 5, 2016
- Appointment to DDA – Christine Felde
- Appointment to Construction Board of Appeals – Joseph Cooper
- Appointment to Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals – Joseph Cooper
- 2016 Gus Macker Tournament
Council Member Feehan made a motion to approve the consent agenda, supported by Council Member Scheid.
The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Miller, Scheid, Jones and Feehan
Nays: None
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
D. Appointment to DDA – Christine Felde
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING CHRISTINE FELDE TO THE DDA BOARD.
WHEREAS, Christine Felde is a member of the DDA; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Felde has indicated her willingness to continue to serve on the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Christine Felde be appointed to the DDA Board with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2020.
E. Appointment to Construction Board of Appeals – Joseph Cooper
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING JOSEPH COOPER TO THE CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF APPEALS.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Joseph Cooper on the Construction Board of Appeals has expired; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cooper has indicated that he is willing to continue to serve on the board; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Joseph Cooper be appointed to the Construction Board of Appeals with a term to expire on July 19, 2019.
F. Appointment to Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals – Joseph Cooper
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING JOSEPH COOPER TO THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE BOARD OF APPEALS.
WHEREAS, the term of Joseph Cooper on the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals has expired; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Cooper has indicated his willingness to serve another term on the board with a term to expire on 07/19/19.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Joseph Cooper be appointed to the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals.
G. 2016 Gus Macker Tournament
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN GRANTING PERMISSION TO GUS MACKER FOR THE USE OF CITY STREETS, BREIMAYER LOT, EAST MALL PARKING LOT, WEST CITY HALL PARKING LOT, AND A NOISE VARIANCE FOR A 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.
WHEREAS, Gus Macker requests permission from the City of Belding for the use of the following streets, east mall parking lot, south mall parking lot and Breimayer lot to run a 3-on-3 basketball tournament on August 6 and 7, 2016, with closure on Friday, August 5, 2016 at noon:
· Breimayer Lot across from City Hall
· Bridge Street, from Depot Street to Washington Street
· Congress Street, from Pleasant Street to Alderman Street
· Main Street, from Bridge Street to Hanover Street
· East mall parking lot, between Depot Street and City Hall
· Parking lot west of city hall
WHEREAS, Gus Macker requests a noise variance until 11:30 p.m. on August 5, 6 and 7, 2016.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that permission is hereby granted to Gus Macker for the use of city streets, the Breimayer lot, a portion of the east mall parking lot, a portion of the lot west of city hall, and for a noise variance for the 3-on-3 basketball tournament on August 5, 6 and 7, 2016.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Miller stated the Historic District Commission received basic training. A person from the Kalamazoo Historic District did the training. Materials will be available to the public. Kalamazoo took industrial buildings, made them historic and expanded into residential areas. The next meeting will be held on August 18.
Council Member Scheid stated there was not a Housing Commission meeting.
Mayor Protem Jones stated the Planning Commission would meet next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Council Member Feehan stated the Museum Board meeting was cancelled this month. The Labor Day Committee will meet on the 27th.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
There was no new business.
Public Comments
Matthew VanderWerff stated he was a Republican candidate for the 86th District. He has done farming. His family has six generations that have done farming since 1837 in Vergennes Township. They have 250 acres of crops and beef cattle. He has a degree in accounting from Aquinas and has worked fifteen years in that field. He would be a good representative to the district. He described the district area and stated it was a very diverse district. He has the background that meets the people of the district. He has travelled throughout the district and has many contacts. The election is August 2 and he would like to earn their vote.
Jeff Hunter, 6302 Zahm Rd., thanked Keven Krieger for sending him a thank you note. He worked on the council door. He thanked Bruce Brown for the prompt action in taking care of the problem with the sand around the playground. He is thankful for what he did.
Sam Mason, 516 W. May, with a business at 304 N. Bridge, thanked Bruce for the prompt action on that. He wishes they would consider sand instead of wood chips, as they break down. Kids won’t pick up sand, but they may the wood chips. Fabric and sand would be a whole lot better.
City Manager Comments
City Manager Brown stated they had complaints about glass near the swing set. Staff at city hall thought it was vandalism. They asked the park ranger to keep an eye on it. Yesterday Jeff Hunter came in with a hand full of glass. There were a lot of big pieces of glass. He thought it was coming up from the landfill below. At the staff meeting everyone agreed that was an accurate assessment. He asked staff to shut the area down. They emptied the material to three feet. They used fabric that will stop the stuff from coming up. The area will be filled with certified wood chips, which do not splinter. The work should be done today or tomorrow. He thanked Jeff for his willingness to come in and discuss the issue.
There will be a used car lot on M-44 next to BC Pizza. The developer is from Byron Center. He spent a lot of time with him to get through the process. They met today and have all permits in place. He is planning to start construction next week. The new development is a good thing.
Council Comments
Council Member Miller had no comments.
Council Member Scheid stated he was glad the playground area is being cleaned up. He asked if the wood chips were coated with anything?
City Manager Brown stated they are used in playground areas, and don’t splinter.
Council Member Jones thanked everyone for showing up. He appreciates the input from the people that spoke. He wished Mr. VanderWerff good luck in the election. The hardware building was sold and January 1, 2017 is the tentative opening date. There is a person looking at the old basket factory for furniture production. They are moving ahead with businesses in town. He thanked Bruce for all the work and expertise. Bruce helped him on their building, and it shows his vast knowledge of working with people and development skills for the community.
Council Member Feehan stated at Alderman and Main, there is a parking problem. When facing north, they can’t see because of the angle parking of cars. Maybe they could remove a couple of parking spaces.
Adjournment
Council Member Miller moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member Feehan.
Ayes: Council Members Miller, Scheid, Jones and Feehan
Nays: None
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
| | Thomas Jones, Mayor Protem |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
