REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, March 20, 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 Tuesday, March 20, 2018.
Mayor Protem 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
- Approve Independent Bank Checks 69825 to 69902 in the amount of $151,839.93
Approve Chemical Bank Checks 7215 to 7223 in the amount of $16,564.01
Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, March 6, 2018
- Approval of Public Park Use Agreement – Church League Softball
- Approval of GVMC Amendment No. 40 – Addition of Village of Caledonia
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.
C. Approval of Public Park Use Agreement – Church League Softball
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING A PUBLIC PARK USE AGREEMENT WITH CHURCH LEAGUE SOFTBALL.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding wishes to enter into a Public Park Use Agreement with Church League Softball for the use of Demorest Field facilities; and
WHEREAS, the term of the Agreement shall begin on May 1, 2018 and end on August 30, 2018.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a Public Park Use Agreement with Church League Softball is hereby
approved for May 1, 2018 through August 30, 2018.
D. Approval of GVMC Amendment No. 40 – Addition of Village of Caledonia
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
TO APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 40 IN THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF GRAND VALLEY METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.
WHEREAS, the members of Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (“Metro Council”) have by majority vote approved Amendment No. 40 (Addition of Village of Caledonia) in the Articles of Incorporation of Grand Valley Metropolitan Council; and
WHEREAS, the amendment has now been submitted for approval by the legislative bodies of the local governmental units that belong to Metro Council; and
WHEREAS, the city council of the City of Belding has considered Amendment No. 40 in the Articles of Incorporation of Metro Council.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Amendment No. 40 in the Articles of Incorporation of Grand Valley Metropolitan Council is hereby approved.
Reports from Council Liaisons
Council Member Feehan had no report.
Council Member Miller had no report.
Council Member Meyers stated the Rec Board met on March 12. Mr. Niemela gave an update and talked about the mural wall dedication. A pathway will hopefully be added before the dedication, and maybe lighting. The Church Softball League has been recommended for Demorest Field. The Rec Board has tried several times to have the participants of Demorest Field come in, with no luck. Maybe the Park Use Agreement could be updated to have the requestor come in before league play and follow up after league play. The Housing Commission met on March 15 and held a work session to discuss the RAD Conversion. Consultant Jerry Anderson answered questions. They are getting closer to the conversion. It was a good discussion. When Mr. Anderson talked about the Housing Commission in Belding, he commented on how well it has been run through the directors and boards that have been there. He extended a lot of thanks to that board and Sharon for what they have done.
Council Member Scheid had no comments.
Mayor Gunderson had no comments.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
A. Use of city property request for Beatnik Bazaar/Farmer’s Market – Jenny Bennett – revised location
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 Feehan.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN GRANTING PERMISSION TO JENNY BENNETT FOR THE USE OF THE GATHERING PLACE FOR THE BELDING BEATNIK BAZAAR/FARMERS MARKET.
WHEREAS, Jenny Bennett submitted a Special Event Application representing the Belding Beatnik Bazaar/Farmers Market; and
WHEREAS, the events will be held at the Gathering Place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8 and October 13, 2018.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that permission is hereby granted to Jenny Bennett representing the Belding Beatnik Bazaar/Farmers Market to use the Gathering Place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8 and October 13, 2018.
Jenny Bennett stated in 2015 there were 10 vendors, in 2016 there were 36 vendors, in 2017 there were 48 vendors and at the winter indoor market on February 28 there were 54 vendors. She turned away another 30. The vendors for this year number 85. She has requested the use of the Gathering Place and thought it would be a good fit. It is a community event once a month in the summer. It includes food, music and handmade goods. It is a very unique market. They appreciate the cooperation of the city so far. They try to be good citizens of the community.
City Manager Niemela stated there would be a slight modification to the entrance of the Gathering Place, as there is a concrete abutment. As part of the trail, they would take out a piece. Now they will take most of it out, and they can have a direct route onto the property, instead of going over the sidewalk. There will be parking for vendors only. If there is a rain event, it may just be vendors on the lot, not their vehicles.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Miller, Meyers, Scheid, Feehan and Gunderson
Nays: None
B. Use of city property request for 5k trail run at Lightning Bend Park – Miss Belding Scholarship
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 Feehan.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN GRANTING PERMISSION TO JENNIFER NICODEMUS, REPRESENTING THE MISS BELDING SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT AND THE YMCA FOR THE USE OF LIGHTNING BEND PARK FOR A RUN/WALK EVENT.
WHEREAS, Jennifer Nicodemus submitted a Special Event Application representing the Miss Belding Scholarship Pageant and the YMCA; and
WHEREAS, the run/walk event will be held at Lightning Bend Park on May 19, 2018 from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that permission is hereby granted to Jennifer Nicodemus representing the Miss Belding Scholarship Pageant and the YMCA to use Lightning Bend Park from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on May 19, 2018.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Miller, Meyers, Scheid, Feehan and Gunderson
Nays: None
Public Comments
Jim, Mason, 210 S. Broas, stated May 19 will be 100th Anniversary of the Belding Library. There are three events scheduled from 1-6 p.m. 1. The dedication of the mural the city will be doing. 2. The opening of the cornerstone, a capsule with mementos of 100 years ago. 3. The celebration of the library inside the library. He asked if they needed a use resolution for use of the Gathering Place? He would like a resolution for the day.
Mayor Gunderson stated they could have a resolution for the next meeting.
Mr. Mason stated invitations will be sent out. It will be a big event. There is a capsule. There is another library, the Belding Library in Ashfield, Massachusetts, which opened in 1914. They celebrated their anniversary. The library was built by Milo Belding, the brother of Alvah. Stone was shipped in from Italy, the marble. That library is open only two days a week. Marge McQueen has visited Ashfield. They are in correspondence with the Belding library staff, sending them items. They will replace what they find in the capsule and add things. The cornerstone was laid in 1917.
Mike Callton, State Senate candidate, stated he was from Nashville, Michigan. Mike Nofs is term limiting out. He was a State Rep for the lower part of Ionia County and Barry County. He was a chiropractor for 27 years. 25 years ago he was on the Nashville village council. He has served on the School Board, County Commission and as a State Rep. He learned about a lot of things. The skills are portable. He stated he could do a tremendous job representing them. He is a veteran from Detroit. He attended Michigan State and received a chiropractic degree in Chicago.
City Manager Comments
City Manager Niemela stated there would be a change of staff. Keven is leaving on March 29 to go to the Flat River Group. Shawn Gerkin, front counter and IT, has stepped into that role with accounts payable and payroll. He will still do the IT work. They promoted a dispatcher, Amanda Hall, to DART Director. They will be hiring Heather Thomas by the end of the month to work the front counter and move into other responsibilities. He stated he met with Denny Craycraft, and he distributed an invitation to a Memorial Day program at the Vietnam Veterans Wall that Denny had given him. They will be dedicating the backside of the wall. Denny will come to the first meeting in April. He may get a permit to close the road. He has invited 300 people for the program. He asked for a couple of bleachers.
Council Comments
Council Member Meyers had no comments.
Council Member Scheid thanked everyone for coming and putting up with him at the last meeting.
Council Member Feehan had no comments.
Council Member Miller had no comments.
Mayor Gunderson thanked everyone for coming. He told Jim he was looking forward to the library celebration, as it will be exciting.
Adjournment
Council Member Miller moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member Feehan.
Ayes: Council Members Miller, Meyers, Scheid, Feehan and Gunderson
Nays: None
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
| | Ronald Gunderson, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
