Approval of Agenda

Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, 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

None

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Miller said the next Planning Commission meeting is next week, Tuesday, July 25.

Council Member Meyers said the Rec Board met last week. He said there was a full agenda. They discussed various options for which to apply for a grant. A gentleman came and presented his Historical Tour program that he would like to present to the City of Belding.  It will offer a unique tour of the City of Belding and will look at both the past and the present. People can use their smart phones or tablets and participants will receive a map to locate the exact places included in the tour.  The Board also discussed the pickle ball courts, which should be finished in about 5-6 weeks.  We also discussed the new park ordinance regarding no smoking or alcohol use in all City parks.

Council Member Scheid said the next Housing Commission meeting will be this coming Thursday, July 20.

Council Member Feehan said the next Museum Board isn’t until next Tuesday, July 25, and no Labor Day Committee meeting until then, either, but that committee is very busy.

Mayor Gunderson said at the Library Board meeting we paid bills, discussed policies, and talked about the retirement of Linda Chickering, who is retiring in October. So if you get the chance to stop in and wish her well, that would be nice.

Unfinished Business

None

New Business

A.    Approval of City Council Rules and Procedures

The Acting Clerk read the preamble to the resolution.

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

B.     Approval of Model By-Laws for boards and commissions

The Acting 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

Public Comments

Sam Mason, 516 W. Main Street.  He’d like to entertain the Boards, Commissions and City Council to work together. He talked about the new ordinance against alcohol at public parks. He named several towns where it is legal at certain times. He requests that we do it on a probation period; see what we can do to work with the different organizations. If we have issues, then stop. He feels we’re stopping something that we don’t even know if we need it. They don’t drink while there are kids are. It needs to be acceptable at all levels as it’s an entertainment. He said to do it at night and not when little kids are around. He’d like a probation time until there is a problem. Also, he doesn’t like the removal of signs in the right away, and doesn’t know why or who decided to do this. He feels it should have been communicated before it happened. He doesn’t know how many people moved in or moved out in the past five years because of the signs. He doesn’t feel the City is living to the same standards as expected from the residents.

George Rousseau, 8686 Bricker Rd., Greenville. At a Deacon’s meeting at the First Congregational Church, wondering where their sign went to.  Following an investigation they found out that it was pulled up and then saw it on Facebook. Then it exploded. He said Manager Brown gave a wonderful apology and that was good. He feels communication needs to happen prior to events. If it had been communicated prior, they could have put a more aesthetically pleasing sign and the Congregational could support that. They would help out in way or shape they can when we know. He mentioned the good things about Belding and they’d like to get people in. They’d like their sign back and told of something better with which to replace it. He feels it might be a good time for the churches to get together.  They are thinking to get the churches together twice a year and talk about how the Churches can help the City and how the City can help the Churches. One thing that keeps coming up is the citations for long grass and maybe that something the different churches could partner up on, on a rotational basis. So when a citation needs to be handed out, as churches we need to step up and maybe we can start a project along that line where we can take care of snow removal or mowing. Churches could to hand out little cards along with the citations. So if they are having a hard time, the church member could help out. They want to be a part of the solution. He talked about the good things in the city.  They do have a permit for the signs to be there since 1975 and the documentation.

Jeff Hunter. He feels the City is so worried about removing the signs that have been in the ground for thirty plus years under a beautification excuse? He asked if they were going to doing something about the giant turd in the middle of downtown. He said they worry about telling people to fix their houses up. You’re worried about them cutting their grass. You’re worried about signs. Where are the citations telling these people to put a new roof on the building, fix the fire suppression system, that he’s pretty sure is still not up to par. He feels the City doesn’t do anything about what’s wrong. He talked about the pavilion in the park and asked if they’ve seen it lately. He said it’s all rotted to pieces and will fall down. He said it’s absolutely disgusting. The City is worried about someone’s dog pooping in the park, and asked if they’ve seen the goose droppings in it.  He pointed to the auction or bid for the woodpile, he asked if there is any documentation that Bud Anderson signed anything for City property for taking all the leaves and wondered if there had been a bid process for that. He was told that to do anything on City property he was going to have to sign some kind of form for liability and he’s just curious if Buddy signed anything or did he pay anything for all the leaves. If the City is going to sell anything, then sell everything. Or if they are going to give something away, give it all away. He feels people in town are not being treated equally by the Council and City.

Chad Csernyik, 810 Morton St.  He talked about being a single father of two children and can barely being able to handle things, and if something goes wrong with his house, then his property  taxes go up. How is he supposed to stay in this town when my property taxes go up when he’s pretty much living paycheck to paycheck? He asked if there are grants available for people who need major work. The Mayor told him to contact City Manager Brown, and set up an appointment. If you want any of the Council Members with you, feel free to contact us. He said he heard of an eighty year old woman was told to paint the trim on her garage. He said he’d buy a can of paint. He doesn’t know if it’s true; it’s what he’s hearing around the grapevine.  As a community we need to help one another, whether it’s mowing lawns, or paint some trim. He said he’s willing to put in the effort.  He’s done work in flower beds.  He works from six in the morning until five. If the City Manager is willing to meet with him after hours, he’s okay with that.

City Manager Comments

Manager Brown had two things. They finished the mural today and ready to be seen publicly. They have to put a film over the outside and that will probably be done tomorrow. It will protect the painting.  He’s been working with two private developers who have agreed to fix the pavilion over the next couple of weeks at their own cost. It’s a building that’s been a big concern for a lot of people and it’s time to get it fixed. Fortunately these two came in and agreed to work together. It’s a great thing for our City.

Council Comments

Council Member Feehan thanked everyone who came tonight. It is nice to see someone in the seats and talking to us. He appreciates them showing up.

Council Member Miller echoed that as well. He agrees with some of the comments regarding communication, especially in a small community.  It’s important to understand we’re all one; it’s not “US” and “YOU”. We all need to work as a community to make it better. He feels there is a lot of great things going on in this town related to not only what we’re doing with the pavilion and the painting of the wall, but he sees progress being made and he feels it’s good. We all need to go in the same direction.   He likes using churches to help one another. He added that he appreciates everyone’s comments.

Council Member Meyers said that from some of the comments being said, he likes the “to eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive” message. He believes the City is doing their best to do what is best for the City. He is a true believer in if you’re going to write something down that you’re going to do, then that’s what you do.  He talked to Pastor Paul for an hour on the phone and was able to talk through an issue and was able to be respectful and decent and we were able to talk to each other and come to common ground of things that needed to be done. He said they are always looking to improve things. It’s always going to be that way. He feels communication is difficult, but they try. There is a wide gap of people within this City. How do they get their information, because they don’t all get it the same way? Being able to come, when things are not right, to sit down and communicate that and to work toward making things better, he feels is the best approach. There are people who always see everything as bad. Decisions are made every time we sit at a council meeting, and it’s not easy. Because what one person thinks is right, another person thinks is wrong. He appreciates everyone’s comments, and we should look at things differently and go back to look at it. To sit down and talk and it’s what’s best for the City of Belding. And that’s what we’re trying to do.

Council Member Scheid thanked the people for coming. He said we know there is a problem and we do need to get some things done. It’s not like we can do it ourselves, and it does need fixing. There are comments, on-going out there. There are problems in time. There are groups out there helping the elderly to fix things up; his wife is helping. They don’t let it be known who they are. It’s a small group so they can only do one project at a time. But things are being done.

Mayor Gunderson said he, as Mayor, and the City Manager work very closely. When the decision was made to remove the signs, it was after the fact that we found out about it. But, he was doing his job. It was in the Charter and in his contract that he will do the ordinances. Mayor Gunderson said it could have been handled differently and it’s been a long two weeks since the last meeting. Everyone up here, except Shelley, has been contacted numerous times. He feels that in all actuality, this is the one thing that has affected him more is what happened after the signs came up. Good is going to come out of this. He said he saw tonight in the meeting. Communication is something that needs to be done. Citizens need to go to the City Manager with their concerns. Council can’t make decisions without going through the proper channels/boards/committee, and commissions. He said Manager Brown is working on this at the Planning Commission level to move forward on the signage, he’s working on the zoning and ordinances which he has been for five or six months.  He feels this too will be resolved. He thanked everyone for coming tonight. He feels we are going to 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 7:35 p.m.