REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.
Council Member Scheid delivered the invocation.
The Mayor led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Clerk took the roll call:
Members Present: Council Members Brad Miller, Bruce Meyers, Mike Scheid, Douglas Feehan and Ronald Gunderson
Members Absent: None
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, Meyers, Scheid, Feehan and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Consent Agenda
Council Member Feehan made a motion to approve the consent agenda, supported by Council Member Scheid.
- Approve Independent Bank checks 67900 to 67990 in the amount of $163,873.80 and Checks 67991 to 67993 in the amount of $22,866.23
Approve Chemical Bank Checks 7068 to 7075 in the amount of $43,481.33
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, March 7, 2017
- Approve Minutes: Special meeting, March 13, 2017
- DDA – Reappointment of Bruce Feuerstein
- Zoning Board of Appeals – Reappointment of Bonita Steele
- Park Use Agreement – BASC Soccer
- Park Use Agreement – Wounded Soldier Foundation
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.
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
D. DDA – Reappointment of Bruce Feuerstein
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING BRUCE FEUERSTEIN TO THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA).
WHEREAS, the term of office for Bruce Feuerstein on the Downtown Development Authority will expire in April; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Feuerstein has indicated his willingness to serve another term on the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Bruce Feuerstein be appointed to the DDA Board with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2021.
E. Zoning Board of Appeals – Reappointment of Bonita Steele
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING BONITA STEELE TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.
WHEREAS, the term of office on the Zoning Board of Appeals for Bonita Steele has expired; and
WHEREAS, Bonita Steele has indicated her willingness to continue to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Bonita Steele be reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term to expire on March 21, 2020.
F. Park Use Agreement – BASC Soccer
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING A PARK USE AGREEMENT WITH BASC SOCCER.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding wishes to enter into a Park Use Agreement with BASC Soccer for the use of Central Riverside Park facilities; and
WHEREAS, the term of the Agreement shall begin on April 1, 2017 and end on June 17, 2017.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a Park Use Agreement with BASC Soccer is hereby approved for April 1, through June 17, 2017.
G. Park Use Agreement – Wounded Soldier Foundation
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING A PARK USE AGREEMENT WITH WOUNDED SOLDIER FOUNDATION.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding wishes to enter into a Park Use Agreement with the Wounded Soldier Foundation for the use of Demorest Field facilities; and
WHEREAS, the term of the Agreement shall begin on May 1, 2017 and end on August 29, 2017.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a Park Use Agreement with Wounded Soldier Foundation is hereby approved for May 1, 2017 through August 29, 2017.
The question on the motion was called and the result of the vote is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Meyers, Scheid, Gunderson, Feehan, and Miller.
Nays: None
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Meyers reported on the most recent Rec Board meeting. He said that he missed some of the meeting due to the budget meeting that same night. He reported that Rec Board Member McNeal gave a presentation of the Community Events booklet. They talked about the theatre group and are hosting auditions this week. They also talked about adult softball and the Wounded Soldier Foundation.
Council Member Scheid said the housing meeting was cancelled due to lack of attendance.
Unfinished Business
None
New Business
- Michigan Ambassadors of Music Program resolution
The Acting Clerk read the preamble to the resolution.
Council Member Scheid moved the passage of the resolution, supported by Council Member Miller.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN CONGRATULATING THE BELDING HIGH SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM STUDENTS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE MICHIGAN AMBASSADORS OF MUSIC PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, students from the Belding High School Band Program have been selected to participate in the Michigan Ambassadors of Music Program, including David Tuttle, Ryan Walcott, Sydney Gladding, Dana Smith, Makenna Rousseau, Tori Wittenbach, Madyson Scheid, Pilar Kent, August Medema, Kristen Balis and Zeke Richmond; and
WHEREAS, the musicians are very talented and have worked diligently in the music program to develop their skills; and
WHEREAS, together with students from other schools, they will be travelling to Europe from July 12th through 27th; and
WHEREAS, they will be performing concerts in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein and Germany.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan hereby extends their congratulations to each of the students for their hard work and effort, making it possible for them to be selected for, and participate in, the Michigan Ambassadors of Music Program, and extends their best wishes on their travels abroad.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Scheid, Gunderson, Feehan, Miller, and Meyers
Nays: None
- Set a public hearing on a joint application for the Cities of Belding and Greenville for a MDNRTF grant for a kayak launch system
The Acting Clerk read the preamble to the resolution.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON A JOINT BELDING/GREENVILLE APPLICATION TO THE MDRTF FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A KAYAK LAUNCH FACILITY AT CENTRAL RIVERSIDE PARK IN BELDING AND AT JACKSON’ LANDING PARK IN GREENVILLE.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding and City of Greenville wish to file a joint application with the MNRTF for a Kayak Launch Project; and
WHEREAS, the project would provide for the development of a kayak launch facility at Central Riverside Park in Belding and at Jackson’ Landing Park in Greenville; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing to receive public comment prior to submission of the MNRTF grant application.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding that a Public hearing shall be held at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street, Belding, Michigan, at 7:00 p.m. on March 21, 2017 to receive comments on the proposed grant submission.
Manager Brown explained how this came forth. They are ready to go and want us to partner with them. The idea is to create a river trail between Belding and Greenville for Kayak participants. Bruce explained the advantage to downtown areas. The cost/request submitted is for $140,000 dollars. Match is 25% but Greenville already submitted for the match and received it. So we will have no out of pocket expenses. He then talked about the park planning updates. It is due April 1st. Greenville will be making the application, and we won’t be on board until after our public hearing, but it’s not a problem. We have to set a public hearing on April 4th.
Council Comments
Council Members Meyers, Miller, Scheid, and Gunderson all feel it’s a good idea. Mayor Gunderson talked about how he heard about it. It’ll be an ADA compliant launch. Lowell already has one in place.
Council Member Scheid made a motion to set a public hearing for joint application for the MDRTF grant on April 4, 2017, supported by Council Member Feehan.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Meyers, Miller, Scheid, Gunderson and Feehan
Nays: None
Public Comments
Sam Mason, 516 W. Main St., is curious if Otisco Twp. and other townships are helping with the cost of the Community Event booklet. He’s wondering why City resident tax dollars are paying for it when people outside the City are being promoted when their tax dollars are not paying for the book.
City Manager Comments
Manager Brown said he’ll miss everyone.
Council Comments
Council Member Meyers offered congratulations to the high school students.
Council Members Scheid, Feehan, and Miller had no comments.
Mayor Gunderson asked for Mr. Mason and Bruce Brown to talk about the booklet. Manager Brown then explained how the booklet came about. They talked about how to get it done. The Macker Organization, who has students from Central MI University, was asked to help. We received money to produce two magazines. We had people outside the City as well as in the City to post activities. Apparently there are people upset over this magazine, but it is a nice service. The current one will take us through the summer months. In the budget there is no money to continue it so they will either drop it or be creative and try to put together what is needed.
Mayor Gunderson also said that it’s a shame that something so good that brings the community together has to go away because of funding. He mentioned as a reminder to the residents that the City Manager is the person who runs the City business; the Council does not run the City. So items like this that just came up need to go to him before it comes to us. If it hasn’t been addressed with him, we cannot address it until it’s gone through proper channels. He hates to see it abolished because it’s a very valuable resource for information. We no longer have the calendar with events on as we once did. Maybe some of the businesses could step forward to help pay to have this process in the future. He also said they passed the park resolution/soccer and Demorest Field. He would just ask the Rec Board to look at possible fees for those, to help offset the cost to the City to help maintain them. He thanked the band members for what they’ve done.
Council Member Meyers talked about the softball league agreement that we looked at here tonight, and that the organizers are funding it and giving money they earn to Wounded Soldier Fund and the Belding B Foundation. He also talked about use of softball fields and not charging local kids to pay. We’re always looking for things for kids to do.
Mayor Gunderson said that as a trail member, we have a system set up that if it’s a non-profit, they can go directly to a benefit for which there is no charge; there might be a few hours community service for trail cleanup.
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 7:25 p.m.
| | Ronald Gunderson, Mayor |
| Shelley Mosher, Acting City Clerk | |
