Approval of Agenda

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

Council Member Meyers asked to separate Consent Agenda items D and E, which will be moved to New Business. 

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

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

            Nays:               None

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Meyers stated he did not attend the Rec Board meeting.  He spoke with John and he will be providing the update on that meeting.  The next meeting is January 8.  The next Housing Commission meeting is December 21.

Council Member Scheid had no report.

Council Member Feehan had no report.

Council Member Miller had no report.

Mayor Gunderson had no report. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

D.        Board of Review – reappointment of David Mierendorf

Council Member Scheid moved the passage of the resolution and the motion was supported by Council Member Miller.

Public Comments

Jeff Hunter, 6302 Zahm Rd., stated he owns a $7,000 tool trailer, slide saw and $300 in gun nails and their worthless plow driver filled the back of his trailer with a foot of snow.  He was not smart enough to slow down and go around the trailer. He really appreciated that, as he had $300 in labor for two hours to clean out the trailer.  He would like to see Jeff Puehler lose his job.   

City Manager Niemela stated he should submit a claim.

Mr. Hunter said he wouldn’t get it anyway. 

Steve Bartholomew received a notice on 1409 S. Bridge, that the address would be changing to 105 Stocking.  They had 14 days to comply or get a fine.  The post office stated they wouldn’t change it as the address doesn’t exist.  They called Marci Cooper and she said she would try to talk to the post office.  She said they didn’t think of that.  He said their overall point was the city needs a better way to communicate with people. 

Tara Bartholomew stated they were very put off with the way it was presented.  There could be better customer service.  She was in mortgages, and they never heard of a full change.  Everyone is so busy around Christmas.  They need better communication. 

Mr. Bartholomew stated they may have a few changes.  He would like a one on one to have a meeting to discuss it.  He really wants to start participating as he had lived here and is now back. Negativity swirls around the town.  They must deal as a community better instead of dumping on their porches.  He is not a political person so he doesn’t know how it works.  He would like to start communicating.  He doesn’t know if it was a fire or police request for safety.  They need better communication.  He just needs held to get through it and wants a positive solution.  It was based on a county ordinance put into place in 2000.

Mayor Gunderson stated John Niemela would talk to him and he could set up a time with him. 

City Manager Niemela stated he had to change their address a couple of years ago.  It is not easy. It is for all emergency services to find people properly. 

Mr. Bartholomew stated they have 14 days to comply.  If that is not possible, he knows they would work with him.    

City Manager Comments

City Manager Niemela stated the Rec Board met on December 11 and he is working with the Rec Board in reviewing the Recreation Plan and prioritizing projects within each of the parks.  They identified three items in each park for improvements, so if they are looking for grants they have guidance.  The document is there, but they need guidance from the Rec Board.  The Rec Board is involved in the development process.  They will identify values to the projects, then they can move in the future to build the budget and explore grant programs.

They had discussion on receiving funding from the GACF for replacement of the basketball courts in Central Riverside Park.  He looked at the Rec Plan for location of the basketball courts. The Rec Plan calls to relocate the courts to the western edge of the park, but that whole property was a landfill.  The clean area that has been remediated is where the tennis courts and baseketball courts are now located.  The proposed area has not been remediated.  The courts will be put back in the current spot.  The next meeting is January 8.

Information came late this afternoon on helping the school system which provides lunches for students to take home.  There is no pressure to get it done.  The meals are prepared in Fenwick, at the old ISD school location.  The city takes DART to Ionia every day, and it would be a five mile round trip to pick up the meals.  They have had challenges with volunteers transporting the meals.  The city checked with the State to see if that would be okay.  The approval process happened late this afternoon.  They will develop a cost estimate to present to the school.  The issue will be brought to the January 3 meeting if all things are in place. 

He will be out of town on December 27, 28 and January 3.  He will be back for council.  He will be on vacation.  He would like council approval to do that. 

Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the absence of City Manager John Niemela on December 27, 28 and January 3 for vacation, 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, Meyers, Scheid, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

Council Comments

Council Member Scheid had no comments.

Council Member Feehan stated the Belding Middle School collected over 1,800 toys for Toys for Tots.  Belding Hometown Hardware had a great turnout for the mitten tree.  He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and asked them to be safe. 

Council Member Miller wished everyone a safe and prosperous holiday.

Council Member Meyers wished everyone a Merry Christmas.  He has been on council a year and part of Christmas is to reflect and thank the people that have encouraged you.  He thanked the council members and said it was an honor to serve with them and to serve the people in Belding.  He looks forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.  He wished everyone a great holiday season.

Mayor Gunderson thanked everyone for coming tonight.  He stated there is a lot of negativity this time of year, and was sorry it had to happen tonight.  The city will work on the issues.  He wishes there wasn’t so much negativity in town.  It is hard to set up here and easy to set out there.  He thanked everyone for being up here.  It has been a very different year for all of them.  They had to go through changes in the city.  Next year will be another chapter in life, with the political climate and budget coming up.  It was close last year, and there were amendments.  He thanked everyone for coming and wished them a great Christmas.

Adjournment

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

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

            Nays:               None

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m.