Approval of Agenda

Mayor Gunderson requested to move Item B on New Business to Consent Agenda D.  Items C and D of New Business will be postponed until the next meeting.

Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the agenda, as amended, supported by Council Member Miller.

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.

Guest – Jani Millard – LIFE EMS report

Ms. Millard stated she was Operations Director of LIFE EMS for Ionia County.  She shared the summary report from March through June, 2017 and described the information included on the report.  The give an annual report, but are open to change.  Each entity can determine how often they receive the report, but at this time, the reports are all due annually.  More detailed reports can be provided as requested.  The data is always there and they can go over detailed reports as requested.  They must follow the Hipaa laws in disclosures. 

Council Member Feehan wondered why medical first responders call in on Priority 3?

Ms. Millard stated it would depend on the circumstances.  It is up to the responding crew.  Sometimes dispatch information is not too solid.  Sometimes when they arrive, it is much worse than expected.  If the ambulance is out on call, they like the first responders to take care of the person, to see what the real situation is.  There are multiple reasons on why they would be requested.  They respond on motor vehicle accidents.

Council Member Feehan asked if they had a backup unit?

Ms. Millard stated they have a deployment plan, which gives dispatchers instructions when each ambulance is put in service, to relocate the ambulances to give the best coverages.  They have an efficient use of resources, which helps keep costs down to the communities with contracts. 

Council Member Scheid stated most times the fire truck beats the ambulance to M-44.

Ms. Millard stated dispatch tones out the first responder first, then the ambulance. 

Council Member Scheid stated an ambulance sits at M-66 and M-44 a lot.

Ms. Millard stated it is seven miles into town.  When resources get moved, Ionia has the most density and Belding is next highest.  Belding gets 800 calls a year.  Dispatch determines what area is most likely to have the next call.  She stated council should feel free to tour the office in Grand Rapids and see how it all works.    

Council Member Meyers stated most calls are 4 minutes, but some are 16-18 minutes.

Ms. Millard stated she could tell them where the trucks are at that time and the situations going on.  They have mutual aid agreements within the county and surrounding counties, and do what is best for the patient.  They relocate units as they are dispatched and grab the closest resource, whichever company that is.  Ionia Central is excellent in what they do.  They have access to LIFE’s tracker.  They started the Active 911 software.  That gives the fire department a heads up. 

Council Member Feehan asked how often do they hold the first responder class?

Ms. Millard stated at least one every three years as per the contract.  They can also attend at another location for the same fees to cover books, $175 instead of $550.  Belding is blessed with an incredibly awesome first responder group that is dedicated to the community with training and practice.  They and LIFE work well together as a well oiled machine.  MFR goes back more than 20 years.  The fire department needs ongoing and never ending training.  This department thrives on it.  The community and council feel it is good for community and residents, as it is priceless.  She stated the community does not charge the residents for service.  Three medical responder units charge their residents and it does not go over well.  That cannot be recovered from insurance. She said kudos to them for recognizing how valuable it is without charging the residents.  She said they are an awesome group of people.         

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Scheid had no report.

Council Member Feehan stated the Museum Board is considering a “Here Lies Belding” cemetery walk sometime in October.  The Labor Day Committee should announce the grand marshal in the next few weeks.  A sneak peek brochure will be out this month.  They are on schedule.

Council Member Miller stated the Planning Commission met June 27 and worked on the zoning ordinance revisions.  They hope to have that done before August.  They worked on a modification of the Sidewalk Exemption Policy and Major Street Plan.  A public hearing was set up on the sidewalk requests.  Bruce was a big part of the zoning ordinance revisions. 

Council Member Meyers had no report. 

Mayor Gunderson stated the Library Board paid bills, is working on policies and will change the Facebook page.  The summer reading program is in progress and they approved the “Touch A Truck” program for July 26.  There are events all summer long. 

New Business

A.    Ordinance amendment prohibiting the consumption of alcohol and smoking in public parks – consideration for adoption

The City Clerk read the preamble to the ordinance.

Council Member Scheid moved the adoption of the ordinance and the motion was supported by Council Member Miller.

Public Comments

Joe Feuerstein,  901 W. State, stated it has been one year that they had a meeting on blight, abandoned cars, roof issues, dumpsters and painting.  It was supposed to be done by July 30.  He asked how many got done in the year?

Mayor Gunderson stated he should talk to Mr. Brown.  In some cases they have given some leniency.

Mr. Feuerstein stated there were a lot of exceptions.  Weeds are not grass, so they continue to grow.  Nothing has been done with dumpsters in a whole year.  There is a brand new one across the street from him.  Regarding license plates on vehicles, when did the blue ones expire, as they have them setting around town.  He asked how many complaints she has made?  It doesn’t seem to have amounted to much, as nobody took care of anything.  There is a see through roof on  Washington Street. 

City Manager Comments

The city manager had no comments.

Council Comments

Council Member Feehan and Miller had no comments. 

Council Member Meyers stated the wall is going along very well and looks very nice.  They walk by it about two times a week.  It is a really a good investment in the city, both of the walls.  He thanked the mayor for helping locate volunteer opportunities.  He found some at the library and made one child extremely happy. 

Council Member Scheid stated they have been working on some houses for a lot of weeks, and a lot of houses have not done anything.  It has been an on-going fight for a number of years. Marci is writing the tickets.  It is a double edged sword, but there have been some improvements.

Mayor Gunderson stated they have been given numbers.  There has been a major improvement in the community.  Mr. Feuerstein should go to the city manager as he has the numbers.  He thanked everyone for coming tonight and stated they will move forward. 

Adjournment

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

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

            Nays:               None

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.