Approval of Agenda

Council Member Meyers 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, Meyers, Scheid, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

Guest – Bruce Feuerstein – Belding Museum Board Annual Report

Bruce Feuerstein gave the annual report for the Belding Museum Board.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Feehan stated Bruce Feuerstein gave the report.  The Labor Day Committee will be meeting on Thursday. 

Council Member Miller stated at the Historic District meeting they were updated with a report from the study committee on city hall.  They gave consideration for a new library sign, which will be a non-contributing piece.  They reviewed proposals for way-finding signs.  At the Planning Commission meeting, Shelley Gladding was elected chairperson.  There were public hearings regarding two variances for the installation of sidewalk. 

Council Member Meyers stated the Rec Board meets next Monday.

Council Member Scheid stated the Housing Commission meets two weeks from Thursday. 

Mayor Gunderson stated there will be a DDA meeting on March 1 at 4 p.m. to work on the budget for the city.  The Library Board approved bills and passed policies.  The newsletter is out and there are several events coming up.  The library has Kindles to check out.  They elected officers, and there is one opening for the vacancy of the resident.  He said if anyone was interested, please submit a letter of intent. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

A.    Resolution of Retirement Appreciation – William Burns

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.

CITY OF BELDING

RESOLUTION NO. 2017-02-04

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO WILLIAM BURNS ON HIS RETIREMENT

WHEREAS,               William Burns joined the Belding Police Department on July 23, 1995 and was a very dedicated member of the department; and

WHEREAS,               during his tenure on the police department, Bill held the positions of Neighborhood Watch Liaison, Range Officer and Sergeant; and

WHEREAS,               residents enjoyed speaking with Bill and would often request him because of his down to earth and common sense approach; and

WHEREAS,               as part of the command staff, Bill could always be relied upon to assist with projects and make sure things got done; and         

WHEREAS,               staff members enjoyed working with Bill as he was never afraid to roll up his sleeves and do what needed to be done, they appreciated his sense of humor and his ability to say what was on his mind; and

WHEREAS,               Bill is an avid sportsman and enjoys hunting and fishing in his time off, and would often share his jerky, fish, vegetables from his garden and homemade jelly with department members and city hall staff.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that sincere appreciation is extended to William Burns for his many years of service to the City of Belding, and best wishes are extended to him on his retirement. 

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

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

            Nays:               None

B.     Resolution of Retirement Appreciation – Donald Eady

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.

RESOLUTION NO. 2017-02- 05

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO DONALD EADY ON HIS RETIREMENT

WHEREAS,               Donald Eady has held many positions with the City of Belding for the past 37 years, including ambulance EMT, Police Reserve officer, sergeant and Reserve Academy instructor, paid/on-call firefighter, DNR keyman and  fulltime firefighter; and

WHEREAS,               in his role as a fulltime firefighter, he served as fire captain, president of the fulltime firefighters’s union and chairperson of the City of Belding Safety Committee; and

WHEREAS,               Don was a CPR-AED instructor and EMS instructor; and

WHEREAS,               Don had training in trench rescue, confined space, ice rescue and attained the level of EMT-Specialist and Fire Officer III; and   

WHEREAS,               Don was able to assist many community members as a SafeKids certified car seat installer/inspector; and

WHEREAS,               Don served is such a variety of roles during his tenure with the city and did so with a desire to serve his community.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that sincere appreciation is extended to Donald Eady for his many years of service to the City of Belding, and best wishes are extended to him on his retirement. 

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

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

            Nays:               None

C.    Set public hearing for Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Application for B&O Saws, Inc.

The City Clerk read the preamble to the resolution.

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

CITY OF BELDING

IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Brown stated he met with Jason and Jon and toured the company.  They needed more space.  They wish to add 30,000 to 40,000 sq. feet.  It is believed that 90% of new employment comes from expansion of existing companies.  It is a fantastic thing that they have confidence in the city to double their space.  They are a great addition to the community.  This is good for the city. 

Council Comments

Council Member Meyers wished to congratulate the two retirees and thank them for their service to Belding.  It is much appreciated. 

Council Member Scheid stated he would echo that, as the guys put in a lot of time, they are always available, and there was nothing too big to ask of them.  He would commend them on their years of experience and passing it on to the younger officers.  He hopes they have many years to do the things they want to do.  He thanked the Kohns for their investment in the town.  They are a good family and company.

Council Member Feehan had no comments.

Council Member Miller stated he was envious, in thinking of himself retiring some day.  He said they should enjoy it, as it is a whole new way of life.  He congratulated them.  He thanked Jason for investing in Belding. 

Mayor Gunderson thanked Bruce Feuerstein for the report.  He thanked the Kohns for staying in town and expanding.  He thanked Don and Bill for their years of service and congratulated them on their retirement.  He stated he was looking forward to seeing them in the community.

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 7:22 p.m.