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, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

Good Neighbor Award – Lloyd Loper

Dale Nelson stated they wished to honor Lloyd Loper.  He has participated in the Neighborhood Watch Program and in the Citizen’s Academy.  On October 8, 2016 at approximately 9:30 p.m., an officer was investigating a missing child complaint.  There was a suspicious vehicle at High and Putney, so the officer did a traffic stop.  There was a controlled substance in the vehicle.  The suspect broke away running and was knocked to the ground.  Lloyd offered assistance.  The suspect was subdued and handcuffed.  He tried to escape again and was tased.  He received medical assistance and was jailed.  Lloyd offered assistance, it was a very tense situation.  No one was hurt.  Lloyd is a good neighbor and resident of Belding.  They very much appreciate what he does every day. 

Water Quality Issues Report – Ernest Thomas

Council Member Scheid made a motion to bring the issue to the floor, supported by Council Member Miller. 

City Manager Brown stated when the Flint situation hit, he asked what kind of problems the city had.  The Grand Rapids Press did an article on cities in Michigan. A citizen asked about the water system and challenges.  They inquired about iron and copper levels, the quality of water and plans for the future. 

DPW Director Thomas stated the problem in Flint could have been prevented.  He has attended several meetings on the facts.  Currently the maximum contaminant level for lead is15 ppb.  Governor Snyder and the legislators would like to lower the level to 10.  That would be devastational to some cities.  With a lead service, there is a lead pipe from the main into the water meter or house.  He passed around a lead gooseneck.  The department flushes the watermains in April and September.  The inside of the mains are very clean.  There are not big buildups.  Residents don’t flush their lines out as much as they should. The city is required to sample 20 sites in town for lead and copper.  He has to get permission from DEQ to change the sites as needed.  15 sites have a lead gooseneck and 5 sites are Tier 2, which does contain lead solder.  Two years ago manufacturers had to go no lead.   Residents do the sampling process.  The last sampling was taken three years ago.  It may change to annual testing.  They may also have to test schools, nursing homes and day cares.  The city gives a $25.00 discount on the water bill for sampling sites.  The two highest sites were a 4 and 5.  They are also testing copper in their systems.  The houses with a 4 and 5 had a new faucet installation, making it common to have that score.  The rest of the samples would classify as a 0.  DEQ did that rating.  There was just a minute amount of lead present.  From what he heard at the last meeting in October with DEQ, they do not want input from the DEQ and EPA.  They want decisions made by the legislators.  There are no issues with the quality of the city water.  There was a bad bacti sample a couple of years ago, but that was caused when there was a cold night which froze up the pump and it could not inject chlorine.  They have put in safeguards.  The highest level of copper was 353, and it can be up to 1,300.  The samples are taken to Prein & Newhoff to test for chemicals.  You can still buy brass parts with lead.  The city puts in fluoride, gas chlorine and phosphate to help with corrosion control.  By January, 2018 the city must submit a water asset management plan. The sewer asset management plan must be submitted by January, 2017.  The DEQ will come up with a plan after the asset management plan is submitted.  The city replaces the lead goose necks when projects are done.    

Mayor Gunderson asked if any of the services are to the point where they should be filtered?

DPW Director Thomas said not in his opinion.  With the tests by DEQ, the water is very safe to drink.  There could be 500 to 700 goosenecks in the town, with replacement at approximately $5,000 each.  They do replace the services when new projects are done.      

City Manager Brown stated the city has pretty good water.  He recognizes that Ernie and the crew are on top of this day after day.  He said hats off to them. 

Public Comments

There were no public comments. 

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Miller stated the Planning Commission meeting was held on October 25, 2016 and they missed Tom.  There was a public hearing for a special land use for the B-2 district offices for Scheid Jonas Builders, 1439 W. State, which will include a beauty shop and showroom.  There were positive comments to council as a whole.  They were complementing the direction the city was going and for allowing new business.  They talked about the electronic message board signage.  It will feature current messaging.  They are looking at zoning and the ordinances a chapter at a time.  It is nice to see them working on getting to the future.  They looked at Chapter 3 of the City Charter, reviewed the sidewalk regulations and walkable community verbiage. Belding is a walkable community with sidewalks.  They have an appeal for the next meeting for a sidewalk exemption for 415 Floral.  The area has no sidewalks. They will replace the driveway and would have to put sidewalk in.  He would like to commend the commission, as they embraced him just for showing up.  The HDC met on October 20 and started to look at what they can do to improve the historic value in Belding.  The first project will be city hall.  They will bring that into the historic district.  They have a study committee to put together, and members do not have to be residents.  They provide the Historic District Committee information on the historic value of a building.  It is a lengthy process, a taxing event.  They are reaching out to the high school.  They are open for individuals to help with the project, for at least six months.  The next location is the depot.  The historic district has great value to the city in retaining heritage, and it attracts business and homeowners.  It has a halo effect on the city.

Council Member Scheid stated the Housing Commission met three weeks ago.  There is one vacancy and there are lighting problems. Consumers Power will send someone out to talk with them about installation of street lights.  G&D looked at it.  Through Consumers they hope they can come up with something.  The buildings are getting old and there are Federal guidelines on how old they can be.  They are looking at other property in case they have to build again.  They usually renovate or replace every twenty years.    

Council Member Feehan stated the Museum Board is trying to set up for a Family Christmas open house.  They appreciate the parking lot.

Mayor Gunderson stated the Library Board paid the bills.  The elevator was inspected, as well as the smoke detectors.  There was no ZBA meeting.  The DDA is tomorrow at 4 p.m. here at the depot.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

1. Resolution of Appreciation – Tom Jones

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 Miller.

Public Comments

Tom Jones, 8680 Sunset Dr., Orleans, stated since they made the speed limit on the south side of town, city council had talked about reviewing it since construction was done.  A couple of people asked when the speed limit could be reviewed and raised south of the cemetery.  He would like to increase it to 45-55 mph after the last south cemetery drive to Flat River Trail. Brian Dolphin asked why it was so slow of a speed limit.

DPW Director Thomas stated the road was designed for 25-35 mph traffic. 

Mayor Gunderson stated they may get information and address it at the next meeting. 

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brown acknowledged the grants from the GACC in the amounts of $1,550 and $1,065, against twenty other applicants.  It will be used for recreation purposes in Central Riverside Park.  He thanked the foundation.  He stated he wished to acknowledge a group that quietly served the community.  The Fire Department had 2,000 to 3,000 to their event.  There were games, a house with fire in the windows and a hose to put the fire out.  They serve and do a great job for the community.  He is proud of them and is sure council is, too. 

Council Comments

Council Member Scheid stated it was good they recognized Lloyd for what he did, and there are a lot of others that keep their eyes on stuff.  He thanked Tom for being on council.  He was a good addition. 

Council Member Feehan had no comments. 

Council Member Miller stated Halloween is really special here.  They gave out 650 pieces of candy.  The Fire Department is something special.  They did a really nice job.  Sargent Burns is retiring.  The M-44, State Street construction looks great and they did a great job.  Bridge St. is great.  There is an election next week and proposal for revision of the charter.  It is very important and up for a vote.  Some outside of the city would be able to serve in a secondary position.  Lloyd is doing a great job.  He stated Bruce deserves accolades for the grants and the work to apply for them.  He thanked Ernie for the update.  They are working on making the quality of the water great, even better. 

Mayor Gunderson stated Bill Burns has retired and his open house is on Thursday from 1-3 p.m.  He had twenty-five years of service.  He said hats off to everyone.  He likes the direction they are moving.  He thanked Ernie for the water report.  He said thank you to Tom for his service to city council.    

Adjournment

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

Ayes:               Council Members Miller, Scheid, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.