REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, September 19, 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, September 19, 2017.
Council Member Scheid delivered the invocation.
The Mayor led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Acting 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
Mayor Gunderson asked to add Resolution No. 2017-09-70 as Item G. under the Consent Agenda, and remove Item B. under New Business.
Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, 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
None
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 68910 to 68978 in the amount of $140,192.53
Approve Chemical Bank Checks 7114 to 7120 in the amount of $72,998.09
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, September 5, 2017
C. Approve Minutes: Special meeting, September 11, 2017
D. Temporary Street Closure – B Foundation Walk/Run
E. DART – B Foundation shuttle service
F. Authorized representative for the Saw Grant Project – Rebecca Schlienz
G. Approve Resolution No. 2017-09-70
Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the consent agenda, 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.
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
D. Temporary Street Closure – B Foundation Walk/Run
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING THE USE OF CITY STREETS AND GRANTING A NOISE CONTROL SUSPENSION FOR A 5K RUN/WALK TO SUPPORT THE “B” FOUNDATION.
WHEREAS, a request was received to use city streets after a Belding High School football game for a 5K Run/Walk to support the “B” Foundation on October 6, 2017 from 9:45 to 11:45 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, the route will include Hall, E. Washington, Hanover, Congress, Broas, Depot, N. Bridge, W. Ellis to the Candlestone drive; and
WHEREAS, W. Ellis to Storey Rd. (M-91) will be closed during the race; and
WHEREAS, intersections along the route will be blocked by barricades and guarded by volunteers and Police Department full time and reserve officers; and
WHEREAS, the Belding Code of Ordinances Section 34, Article IV Noise Control, Section 34-76 and 34-77 will be suspended for the event.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding,
Michigan that the designated city streets may be used for a 5K Run/Walk on October 6, 2017 to benefit the “B” Foundation from 9:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Belding Code of Ordinances Section 34, Article IV
Noise Control, Section 34-76 and 34-77 is suspended for the event.
E. DART – B Foundation shuttle service
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING THE USE OF BELDING DIAL-A-RIDE BUSES FOR A SHUTTLE SERVICE.
WHEREAS, a request was received to use a City of Belding Dial-A-Ride bus to shuttle participants for the “B Foundation Glow Walk/Run” from Candlestone Golf Resort to Rudness Field.; and
WHEREAS, one City of Belding Dial-A-Ride staff will donate their time and expertise to transport the participants.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding,
Michigan that the City of Belding Dial-A-Ride buses may be used for transporting participants for the “B Foundation Glow Walk/Run” on October 6, 2017.
F. Authorized representative for the Saw Grant Project – Rebecca Schlienz
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING DESIGNATING FINANCE DIRECTOR REBECCA SCHLIENZ AS THE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SAW GRANT PROJECT.
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2015, the Belding City Council designated Interim City Manager
Bruce Brown as the Authorized Representative for the SAW Grant
Project, but he is no longer employed by the City of Belding; and
WHEREAS, Rebecca Schlienz is serving as the Finance Director and currently handles the documents for this project.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Rebecca Schlienz is designated as the Authorized
Representative for purposes of the SAW Grant Agreement.
G. Temporary Street Closure and Noise Control Suspension – Homecoming Parade
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING THE USE OF CENTER STREET FOR THE HOMECOMING PARADE AND SUSPENDING THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE FOR THE EVENT.
WHEREAS, Belding High School has requested the use of Center Street for a Homecoming Parade on September 29, 2017 at 6 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, the parade will assemble at the corner of Pleasant Street and W. Center St. and proceed east on Center St. to Rudness Field, at the intersection of Center and Hall Streets; and
WHEREAS, Belding Code of Ordinances Section 34 Article IV Noise Control, Section 34-76 and 34-77 will be suspended for the event.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Center Street be closed temporarily for the Homecoming Parade on September 29, 2017 at 6 p.m. and the Noise Control ordinance be suspended for the event.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Scheid had nothing to report.
Council Member Feehan had nothing to report.
Council Member Miller had nothing to report
Council Member Meyers reported that the Housing Commission is canceling their meeting for Thursday the 21st, and it is rescheduled for Tuesday, the 26th. Sharon will be out of town.
Mayor Gunderson had nothing to report.
Unfinished Business
None
New Business
- Appointment of Interim City Manager – John Niemela
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 Feehan.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING JOHN NIEMELA AS INTERIM CITY MANAGER.
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists in the city manager position; and;
WHEREAS, Section 7.1 (b) of the City Charter states that the council may appoint an Acting Manager during the period of a vacancy in the office of the city manager.
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to appoint John Niemela as the Interim City Manager for a period of three to six months.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding,
Michigan that John Niemela be appointed as Interim City Manager effective September 19, 2017.
Police Chief Dale Nelson gave a background check. He’s known Mr. Niemela for a long time. He did several checks with all being clear. He checked with the Secretary of State, which was clear. He also contacted several of Mr. Niemela’s listed references on his resume and no one had anything bad to say about him. He was very capable performing his duties while working for the County Association. They all enjoyed working with him for his stability, for his understanding, and for his good temperament. He was able to work through issues and resolve them in a very professional manner. Chief Nelson also talked to others who were not on the reference list and also said very wonderful things about Mr. Niemela. He feels the Council has made a very good choice and hopefully he’ll stay awhile.
Mayor Gunderson also gave a little background. On September 11 they did have an interview of John Niemela, and also of two candidates. They entered into negotiations with Mr. Niemela the following day and reached an agreement. Tonight is the night we will appoint him, and he will be sworn in tomorrow morning.
Council Comments:
Council Member Feehan welcomed Mr. Niemela and said it is nice to have him back.
Council Member Miller said that what Dale found out is absolutely great, so the record speaks for itself. Welcome aboard and congratulations.
Council Member Meyers said welcome also. He added that the expectations are kind of high and sure Mr. Niemela will live up to that. He hopes going forward, that he doesn’t look at it as an interim job. He looks forward to working with Mr. Niemela and feels the Council has made a good choice.
Council Member Scheid said welcome aboard.
Mayor Gunderson thanked Mr. Niemela for applying. He spoke around town himself, and Mr. Niemela was very highly praised on what he’s done since leaving the City. He’s hoping for smooth transition of where we were vs. where we need to go yet. Staff will be on hand to help him out.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Gunderson, Feehan, Meyers, Miller, and Scheid.
Nays: None
Public Comments
None
City Manager Comments
None
Council Comments
Council Member Feehan said he is glad to have John Niemela back with the City.
Council Member Miller said there is lots of work to be done. They have a lot of things started; we just need to come to some conclusions. Welcome.
Council Member Meyers thanked Becky for taking on the job after Bruce left. She did a great job. We appreciate it and the City appreciates it. Congratulations to John, and looking forward to working with him.
Council Member Scheid said welcome aboard to John, and thanks to Becky.
Mayor Gunderson said this is what we’ve been doing as City Council. Hopefully, we will not need to do it again. We need to be prepared as much as possible. He welcomed John aboard again, and gave thanks to Becky and thanks to Dale for his report. He thanked the whole staff for their efforts during the transition. And now we can 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 7:15 p.m.
| | Ronald Gunderson, Mayor |
| Shelley Mosher, Acting City Clerk | |
