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 Cooper, Scheid, Jones, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Consent Agenda

Public Hearing

1. FY 2016/17 Budget

Mayor Gunderson opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.

There were no public comments.

Mayor Gunderson closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m.

Council Members Feehan, Scheid, Jones and Gunderson had no comments. 

Council Member Cooper commented there were benefits for the police department, the part time salary of the park person and benefits for that position, as well as fleet maintenance. 

City Manager Brown stated there would be tests, shorts, t-shirts and vest for the park officer. 

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Cooper stated he didn’t make the meeting last night with JJ&R.  They presented four proposals for the parks and discussed the feedback from the surveys submitted.  There will be another meeting in about a month with a final rendering of the park. 

City Manager Brown stated they would merge it into a preferred plan or two. 

Council Member Scheid stated the Housing Commission meeting would be held on Thursday night.

Council Member Jones stated Planning Commission would be held next Tuesday, on May 24.   Gary Knowlton will resign at the end of the meeting.  They will have another spot open.  There was discussion about dropping from seven to five Planning Commission members.    

Council Member Feehan stated the Labor Day meeting was cancelled last week. 

Mayor Gunderson stated he had no reports.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

Public Comments

Janae Cooper, 7028 N. O’Brien Rd., Hubbardston, stated Tonda Rich has decided not to seek reelection.  She threw her hat in the ring.  She has worked with the clerk’s office for 10 years.  She is cross trained on all jobs.  In 2008, she took classes to program the ballots for the county.  She has programmed all of the elections in the county, including the testing.  She did it as a cost savings for the taxpayers, and received no pay increase.  It saves thousands of dollars for each election.  The county used a programmer in Nebraska in the beginning, which was $600 plus per day and it went on for weeks.  She implemented a pilot program in the county for death registration in 2012.  95% of the death certificates were filed electronically in 2015.  In 2012, they enacted a machine to swipe a credit card for services in the clerk’s office.  She is a member of the Michigan Association of County Clerks.  She is an accredited election official.  She is an election inspector and trainer.  She trains all 300 election inspectors in the county.  She is a member of the Commission on Aging in the county and they are a volunteer work site with Michigan Works.  She has been married to her husband Dave for 26 years.  They have two children and one grandchild.  She encouraged everyone to vote, because the race will be determined in the Primary Election.  She would be happy to answer questions after the meeting. 

Dave Hodges, Ionia County Commissioner, stated a committee of whole meeting was held and department heads gave their reports. There is the possibility of opening a veteran’s office to give help with benefits and issues.  The county does not have an office now.  They may open an office at Mental Health in Ionia.  There are 4,600 veterans in Ionia County.  It would be nice for the local guys to get help.  The Ionia County Road Commission has an $11.9M budget.  He has a list of this year’s projects and what the townships are helping to pay.  Building and Grounds will be re-carpeting the judge’s office, painting, and replacing the drinking fountains in the courtroom.  The Friend of the Court has furnace issues, and there are ten furnaces in that building.  There is a tax for cell phones and that is generating $50,000 a quarter to fund 911 at Central Dispatch. They have hired Landmark Architects to prepare preliminary drawings to put all the courts in one building.  It would save one security point for $70,000.  They would move the Friend of the Court, because the building is in ill repair and they have no security.  The facilities committee will go through the construction manager proposals.  The maintenance building is done.  The concrete portion of the parking lot is done, and asphalt will be done next week.  They will take the old jail down, as it is full of asbestos and lead paint.  The Friend of the Court building will also be taken down.  The project will be $4-5M, with 23,000 square feet and a basement.  Administration, finance and the county commission will move into the old district court building. The basement will have court for the prisoners.  There will be an elevator.  He has an up to date drawing of the proposed building.  The goal is to break ground in September.  They have $3M set aside. 

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brown stated the mall landscaping maintenance program is in the second year.  Over 30 families, companies and organizations are taking care of each bed in the Covered Village Mall parking lot.  It is fantastic to see the volunteerism in the community.  Some terrific people are stepping up for the second year. 

Council Comments

Council Member Cooper thanked everyone for coming, as well as Ms. Cooper and Mr. Hodges.  Enjoy the weather.

Council Member Scheid thanked everyone for coming. 

Council Member Jones thanked the city staff and Ernie’s crew for cleaning things up.  He thanked the community for helping to beautify the downtown and parks. 

Council Member Feehan stated his comments were the same as Tom’s, to thank Ernie and the crew. 

Mayor Gunderson stated the vote to adopt the budget will take place on June 7.  He thanked Bruce, Becky and the department heads.  He thanked everyone for coming.

Adjournment

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

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

            Nays:               None

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m.