REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
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 Wednesday, January 3, 2018.
Mayor Gunderson 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 and Ronald Gunderson
Members Absent: Council Member Feehan
Council Member Scheid made a motion to excuse Council Member Feehan from the meeting, per Section 4.5(f) of the City Charter, 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 and Gunderson
Nays: None
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 and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Independent Bank Checks 69454 to 69513 in the amount of $87,746.61
Approve Chemical Bank Checks 7163 to 7170 in the amount of $45,508.26
Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, December 19, 2017
Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the consent agenda, 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 and Gunderson
Nays: None
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Miller had no report.
Council Member Meyers stated the Housing Commission met on December 21. The focus was the next steps for the RAD conversion, which will include hiring a consultant. Invitations to submit a proposal were sent to seven firms. The board will interview two firms. They have received approval from HUD for the RAD conversion, and are waiting for final board approval to move forward. Roofing replacements are being considered at Taft Court, but there is no immediate need. That will be on hold until the RAD conversion, to see if funds will be from the Housing Capital Fund or from the RAD conversion. If the board approves the RAD conversion, Ms. Carlson will bring it to council to discuss the city relationship with the board. The January meeting has been cancelled. The Rec Board will hold a meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.
Council Member Scheid had no report.
Mayor Gunderson had no report.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
- DART – IMKids 3rd Meal Transportation authorization
The City 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.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING THE TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BELDING, DIAL-A-RIDE, AND BELDING AREA SCHOOLS.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding, Dial-A-Ride desires to assist Belding Area Schools for the transportation services to receive and deliver IMKids 3rd Meal meals; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Belding will recover expenses at a Cost Allocation Plan rate developed by Belding Dial-A-Ride and approved by MDOT.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the transportation agreement between Belding Area Schools, IMKids 3rd Meal, and the City of Belding, Dial-A-Ride is hereby approved.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Miller, Meyers, Scheid and Gunderson
Nays: None
- Authorization to apply for 2017 Assistance to Firefighters Grant – SCBA
The City 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.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING THE BELDING FIRE DEPARTMENT’S REQUEST TO SUBMIT A DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS FOR THE BELDING FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS, the Belding Fire Department is currently in need of new self-contained breathing apparatus to enhance services and provide for safer operations; and
WHEREAS, Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is providing funds for the purchase of new equipment by certain fire agencies; and
WHEREAS, the level and the quality of services by the Belding Fire Department would be improved with the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatus; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the new equipment for the Fire Department is a local match contribution of 5%.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan approves the Belding Fire Department’s request to submit a Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $240,000 for the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatus for the Belding Fire Department
Council Member Meyers stated they talked about this in the last budget round. This information is needed for capital planning if the city is not awarded the grant. A huge amount of money will be needed.
City Manager Niemela stated, assuming the city gets the grant, they need to look at the cycle for replacement, and put money aside for that. It is easier to spread the cost over a number of years financially for this equipment, as well as setting money aside for a lot of other things. In the long run, it will make a lot of sense.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Miller, Meyers, Scheid and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
Sam Mason, 516 W. May, made a request to the city council or city manager to put pressure on Chief Nelson to make sure the paperwork is filed with the Ionia County Prosecuting Attorney for the robbery that happened at 304 N. Bridge Street. That office has not received anything.
Robert Brown, 759 Jay St., stated he would like to give a quick update as President of the Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trail. They received $2.4M in grant funding. The project will start this spring and will complete 25 miles. This fall people will be able to ride from Alma to Owosso. Council should work with the Rec Board and others to be able to receive people on the trail. Tourism should increase, as well as foot traffic. There should be connections to get people on and off the trail. Richardson Mills would be an access point to Leppinks and the mall. They will develop a trail head on Long Lake Road. They are looking at another one beneath the M-44 bridge. It is a worthy project to invest in.
Sharon Carlson wished everyone a Happy New Year and welcomed Mr. Niemela back. She will bring information to the city manager and city council on the Rental Assistance Demonstration program. She will lay the groundwork for the commission and council. Council appoints the board of directors for the Housing Commission. That is a statutory requirement. She has been at the Housing Commission for 23 years and has an outstanding board of directors. They are very diligent in oversight of the program, evidenced by the recent score from HUD, as they were a high performer again this year. The focus of the program is to preserve and maintain the properties for the future. She will do an education piece for the council. She has complete confidence in this board to make a good decision to pursue the program. They will interview the consultants next Monday. She will bring more information as she gets it.
City Manager Comments
City Manager Niemela stated he would bring one bid for repair of the Front Street garage to the January 16, 2018 meeting. The bid came in under the estimate. Work will be needed beyond construction of the roof for electrical and heating.
The city received notification that the application for the Silk City Trail Extension was not approved. Staff felt they would be short on points for the funding round. They are working on another application through the ICCF for a portion of the original application, including the trail and lighting. They will have to make a decision, other than chasing grants, to make improvements on that property.
Council Comments
Council Member Meyers stated the Housing Commission board is very professional and they ask a lot of questions. Sharon lays out the proposals. It has been a great experience for him to work with them. He thanked everyone for coming and stated he hopes they had happy holidays.
Council Member Scheid said get ready for the deep freeze. He thanked everyone for coming. The people at the Housing Commission are very dedicated and understand what they are doing. Sharon has done a good job teaching them.
Council Member Miller asked everyone to stay warm and thanked them for coming out.
Mayor Gunderson thanked DPW for dealing with the snow and cold weather. He looks forward to the coming year.
Adjournment
Council Member Scheid moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member
Miller.
Ayes: Council Members Miller, Meyers, Scheid and Gunderson
Nays: None
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
| | Ronald Gunderson, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
