Approval of Agenda

Council Member Feehan 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, Feehan and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Miller stated he had nothing to report on the Planning Commission or Historic District, as they have not met. 

Council Member Meyers stated the Rec Board did not meet.  The Housing Commission met on the 17^th.  They discussed the RAD conversion.  They are working with an outside consultant to figure out what is best for the current residents.  They asked for bids for a roof replacement on Taft Ct.  They received three proposals, all being higher than expected.  The bids were rejected and they will check on it in the spring or according to the RAD conversion. 

Council Member Feehan stated he had nothing.

Mayor Gunderson stated the Library Board paid the bills.  The retirement party for Linda Chickering was held on Friday and was well attended. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

There was no new business.

Public Comments

Jeff Hunter, 6302  Zahm Rd., stated he was curious on why the city doesn’t invest in a container for the clock tower pieces and get it in the hands of the city.  He asked where the clock faces were?

Sam Mason, 516 W. May, stated he was curious if there were any reports on what happened on Macker weekend?  They haven’t seen any reports on the city website.  He asked if it was available through the state yet?

Worksession

1. Interim City Manager Candidates

Council Member Feehan made a motion to bring the Interim City Manager Candidates item to the floor for discussion, supported by Council Member Miller. 

Council Member Scheid arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Council members were asked to indicate their interest in their top three choices.

Sean Adams                Council Members Meyers and Miller

Robert Anderson

David Baker                Council Member Scheid

Ryan Cotton               Council Members Meyers, Miller, Scheid and Gunderson

Rich Haberman           Council Members Miller and Scheid

Phillip Moore              Council Members Meyers, Feehan, Miller, Scheid and Gunderson

John Niemela              Council Members Meyers, Feehan and Gunderson

The meeting to interview the candidates will be held on Monday, September 11, 2017 at 7 p.m.

Council Member Feehan made a motion to interview Ryan Cotton, John Niemela and Phillip Moore for the Interim City Manager position, supported by Council Member Miller.

The question on the motion was called and the results are as follows:

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

            Nays:   None

City Manager Comments

There were no city manager comments.

DPW Director Thomas stated the water report was received today.  He thanked the residents that were sharing the information.  There were no deficiencies and no recommendations for the Source - Wells. There were recommendations from the July visit for the Well House.  The bong was out of the barrel, which was corrected.  All recommendations have been completed.  There was a Treatment recommendation that a screen be secured around the opening to keep the insects out of the phosphate barrel.  The Storage facilities had no deficiencies or recommendations.  The Distribution System had no deficiencies or recommendations.  The Operations and Maintenance had no deficiencies or recommendations.  In 1993, he took charge of the system.  Two of the water wells are like artesian wells and those will overflow.  There is a pipe coming out of the bottom of the casing going to a drain.  The pipe was in compliance distance wise, but the inspector wanted more distance.  The pipe has been cut off per his requirement.  It will overflow during rain events.  That meets his requirement.  They have never been in that situation before.  The first call he made after the results of the tests were received was to DEQ.  Everything was done the way DEQ wanted it done.  Certain places were notified immediately.  Everyone worked late and they did their best.  The TV stations were notified, which was a protocol.    

Mayor Gunderson asked if they came up with the source for the contamination?

DPW Director Thomas stated they did not. 

Mayor Gunderson asked if it could have been bad sampling, testing or bottles?

DPW Director Thomas stated they have eliminated everything else.  The labs test the bottles coming in.

Council Member Scheid asked after the batch with the problem, were there problems with the subsequent batches after that?

DPW Director Thomas stated there were two water wells with E-Coli – High Street and Water Street.  There were no problems with subsequent batches.

Council Member Scheid asked how long it was for the samples taken after the first sample?

DPW Director Thomas stated it was twenty hours later and everything was OK.  They had to have two consecutive good samples at these sites.  They also got up and down stream locations for testing.

Council Member Scheid asked how many samples have been taken since that time?

DPW Director Thomas stated samples are taken twice a month, or nine samples a month.  One of the test sites is the south water tower.  When all the sites were coming back bad, the water tower site tested OK, and when a well comes on, it pumps water to that tower.  There was no infiltration from the river. 

Police Chief Nelson read the report he submitted on the flag issues mentioned at the last meeting.   

Council Comments

Council Member Scheid had no comments and said he was sorry he was late.

Council Member Feehan thanked Ernie, the Police Department and the Labor Day Committee for a wonderful job this weekend.  There was a nice turnout for the memorial.

Council Member Miller stated the Labor Day Committee did a great job.  He had a great place to watch the fireworks.  He thanked Becky, Dale, Kareen and Ernie for pulling it all together.   

Council Member Meyers stated it was a great job on Labor Dy.  He thanked everyone involved with that.  He spent a lot of time going through the information on the candidates for the interim manager position.  It is one of the most important things they will do over the years.  He hopes people get involved with ideas and thoughts on where Belding should be going and bring forth a positive vibe as they go through this.  It is an important process.

Mayor Gunderson thanked the Labor Day Committee for the great job and stated they did a lot of cleanup.  DPW and the Police Department did a great job.  He thanked Becky for the great job.  With the water situation it was a learning curve for them and they are working on measures on how to improve if it happens again.  People were actively working to get people informed.  It is so easy to run down the city, staff and council for their jobs.  There will be an election next November.  The negative power should switch to positive to move forward.  There is a small minority, some she said/he said going on, and it is too bad it is happening.  There are procedures to follow. If they have any issues, go to the city manager, then the city council.  There is no strong mayor form of government.  He thanked everyone for coming and for the reports. 

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 7:53 p.m.