REGULAR MINUTES

PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

 

City Manager Memo

 

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, May 15, 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, 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.

 

Mayor Gunderson added Temporary Street Closure as Business Agenda Item D, and David Hodges as a guest to give his Ionia County Commissioner report after approval of the agenda.

 

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

 

Dave Hodges, Ionia County Commissioner, thanked the chief for his service.  This is a week to celebrate the police.  He thanked Bruce for coming to their meeting.  On August 7, 2018 there will be a road funding vote.  He asked the road commission if the city had to pay taxes for county roads.  They said yes, the city would get $60,000 to $70,000 for roads.  The proposal is for a two year plan, and only one tiny project will be fixed in Otisco Township.  In the areas that have paid taxes for roads, there are very few projects in their areas.  Those that have not taken care of their roads have more projects.  The fuel tax has generated a lot of money.  He thought Belding could pass a 1 mill road tax and keep it all, but he was told Belding could only do one-half mill.  There were 40 pastors at the hall yesterday and they had a time of prayer.  It was in the Sentinel and will be in the Daily News tomorrow.  All are invited to the ribbon cutting on May 18 at 3 p.m.  The community can be proud of it.  They were able to do it without raising taxes, paying out of the budget over ten years. 

 

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

 

Consent Agenda

 

  1. Approve Independent Bank Checks 70114 to 70193 in the amount of $96,066.12

Approve Chemical Bank Checks 7225 to 7229 in the amount of $52,360.57

Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation

Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation

  1. Approve Minutes:  Regular scheduled meeting, May 1, 2018
  2. Housing Commission reappointment – Sandra Boutell

 

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 is the resolution contained in the Consent Agenda.

 

C.        Housing Commission reappointment – Sandra Boutell

 

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-05-27

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING SANDRA BOUTELL TO THE BELDING HOUSING COMMISSION.

 

WHEREAS,               Sandra Boutell is serving on the Belding Housing Commission with a term to expire on June 30, 2018; and

 

WHEREAS,               Sandra Boutell has indicated her willingness to continue to serve on the board.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Sandra Boutell be reappointed to the Belding Housing Commission with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2023.

 

Reports by Council Liaisons

 

There were no council liaison reports. 

 

Unfinished Business

 

There was no unfinished business.


New Business

 

A.    Library 100th Anniversary Celebration Proclamation

 

Proclamation

Library 100th Anniversary Celebration

 

WHEREAS,   Alvah, Hiram and Milo Belding began Belding Bros. & Company in 1863, and Michigan’s first silk mill was erected in Belding in 1886; and

 

WHEREAS,   Alvah N. Belding erected the library, with completion in 1918, as a memorial to his parents, Hiram and Mary Wilson Belding; and

 

WHEREAS,   the library was dedicated and presented to the City of Belding on May 14, 1918, and is the only structure built by the Beldings still being used for its original purpose; and

 

WHEREAS,   the library is an example of Classical Revival architecture and the limestone structure features a Spanish-tile roof, with interior trim of marble, oak and pine, with an original cost of $50,000; and

 

WHEREAS,   the library is a source of pride and a valued treasure in the community; and

 

WHEREAS,   the library staff have served its patrons faithfully for one hundred years; and

 

WHEREAS,   a celebration will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2018 celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Library, including the dedication of the murals, opening of the Cornerstone and celebrating the library. 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ronald Gunderson, Mayor of the City of Belding, do hereby

proclaim May 19th, 2018 as a day celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library; and

 

FURTHER,     I urge all citizens to express their appreciation for the library and all it has offered our community, in the past, present and for future generations.

 

Mayor Gunderson presented a framed proclamation to Jim Mason and Betty Jenkins.

 

B.     Adoption of FY 2018/19 Budget

 

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.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-05-28

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2018/19 MUNICIPAL BUDGET.

 

WHEREAS,   the City Manager of the City of Belding, Michigan has submitted to the Mayor and City Council a budget for Fiscal Year 2018/19 as required by the Belding City Charter; and,

 

WHEREAS,   the Mayor and City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan have studied and reviewed said budget; and,

 

WHEREAS,   a public hearing on said budget was held on May 1, 2018, in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.4 of the Belding City Charter; and,

 

WHEREAS,   the City Clerk of the City of Belding has in accordance with Section 11.4 of the City Charter, and P.A. 621 of 1978, published notices of time and place of holding such hearings, and of the availability to the public of such proposed budget.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that they hereby appropriate the following sums of money deemed necessary to defray all the necessary expenses, liabilities and reserves of the City of Belding, Michigan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the objects and purposes for which said appropriations are to be expended and the amount appropriated which authorizes such expenditures, as provided in the City Charter and City Code for each center and purpose are specified as follows:

 

APPROPRIATION CENTERS

 

GENERAL OPERATING FUND

 

City Council

$  11,650

City Manager

112,646

Finance & Administrative Services

230,404

City Clerk                                                                                          121,656

 

Central Municipal Activities

215,052

Cemetery

63,173

Police Department

882,340

Fire Department

584,815

Park Maintenance

106,080

Interfund Transfers

172,504

Belrockton Community Center

30,815

Community Promotions

8,000

Planning & Community Development

8,800

Contingency

34,145

 

 

TOTAL GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS                               $2,582,080        

 

 

 

MAJOR STREET FUND

533,192

 

 

LOCAL STREET FUND

315,238

 

 

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

11,934

 

 

DRUG FORFEITURE FUND

2,500

 

 

LIBRARY

412,600

 

 

MUSEUM FUND

14,300

 

 

SRF BOND PAYMENT FUND

17,000

 

 

BUILDING AUTHORITY DEBT FUND

81,325

 

 

CIP BOND PAYMENT FUND

80,550

 

 

LIBRARY DEBT FUND

95,557

 

 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUND

170,800

 

 

DIAL-A-RIDE

341,092

 

 

SEWER FUND

1,091,000

 

 

WATER FUND

891,652

 

 

INTERNAL SERVICE FUND

251,000

 

 

BUILDING & GROUNDS FUND

105,000

 

 

MOTOR POOL FUND

456,971

 

 

HEALTH INSURANCE FUND

598,700

 

 

TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS                                                     

$8,052,491

                                                                                                                       

 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following amounts appropriated and allocated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019, be and the same hereby are directed to be raised by mill levy as follows:

 

 

AMOUNT

APPROPRIATED

AMOUNT TO BE RAISED

BY MILL LEVY TAXATION

 

 

 

Capital Improvements

$    170,800

$   170,000

General Purpose

$ 2,582,080

$1,530,000

 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for the purpose of raising said amounts by taxation in 2018-19, the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan does hereby levy a tax of 17.9500 mills per dollar on the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the corporate limits of the City of Belding, and further, said mill levy shall include 15.9500 mills for the General Fund Operation, and 2.00 mills for Capital Improvements.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an administrative fee of 1% shall be added and collected for all units of government - said fee to be continued until rescinded.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is hereby authorized to make budgetary transfers within the appropriation centers, also known as funds, established through this budget, except that all transfers between appropriation centers may be made only by further action of the City Council, pursuant to the provisions of the Michigan Uniform Accounting and Budgeting Act; and that the City Manager is hereby authorized to release bidding documents for those capital items requiring bids.  Bidding documents may also be described as Requests for Proposals.

 

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:               Council Member Feehan

 

C.    Fireworks approval for Labor Day Celebration

 

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.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-05-29

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN GRANTING PERMISSION TO MELROSE PYROTECHNICS, INC. TO PROVIDE A FIREWORKS DISPLAY DURING THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

 

WHEREAS,   Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc. provides the annual fireworks display during the Labor Day weekend; and

 

WHEREAS,   permission is requested to use Central Riverside Park for the Fireworks

Spectacular on Sunday, September 2, 2018, with a rain date of Monday, September 3, 2018; and

 

WHEREAS,   permission is requested for approval of a permit for a fireworks display for the Annual Labor Day Celebration, to be held on city owned property at Central Riverside Park; and,

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the preceding requests are hereby granted.

 

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

           

D.    Temporary Street Closures – Belding Middle School Color Run

 

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.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-05-30

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING THE REQUEST TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE PORTIONS OF BRIDGE, CONGRESS AND WILSON STREETS FOR A MIDDLE SCHOOL COLOR RUN.

 

WHEREAS,   a request was received from the Belding Middle School to temporarily close sections of Bridge, Congress and Wilson Streets for a middle school color run on Friday, June 1, 2018 from 1:45 p.m. to 2:05 p.m.; and

 

WHEREAS,   there will be a police escort at the beginning of the group and the school will provide a chase vehicle and corner guards at the intersections; and

 

WHEREAS,   the temporary closures will provide a safe area for the middle school students to participate in the event.  

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that sections of Bridge, Congress and Wilson Streets will be temporarily closed on Friday, June 1, 2018 from 1:45 p.m. to 2:05 p.m. for a middle school color run.      

 

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, reminded everyone of the celebration Saturday.  They couldn’t find the time capsule yesterday.  They took out the limestone sections to get into the cornerstone. They had to pull it up with a lift.  Under that was the copper box and it was intact.  They have not opened it.  He asked everyone to join them Saturday to find out what is in the box.  They will put it back in July.  He is looking for a nice day.  He asked everyone to please come and enjoy the celebration.  The city will be dedicating the mural at 1 p.m.  They will open the time capsule, then cut the ribbon at the library, then move to dedicate the mural downstairs.  There will be tours of the library and refreshments.    

 

City Manager Comments

 

There were no city manager comments.

 

Council Comments

 

Council Member Miller thanked everyone for coming out on a beautiful evening.  Everyone did a great job on the budget.

 

Council Member Meyers thanked Jim and everyone working on the dedications.  Commissioner Hodges asked him to come to a meeting yesterday.  They talked about the opioid crisis.  It was very eye opening to go through the presentation.  A lot of times you think substance abuse is centered in certain populations, but it is not for certain populations of a city village or township across the country.  Michigan ranks 10 for opioid prescriptions and 8% for opioid deaths across the country.  He met the health director for the county.  Another issue is vaping.  There are issues in Belding.  They need to take a look at it.  The city can’t expect the county do to everything for them.  The city should partner with the county and school district on the dangers of substance abuse.  It was an eye opening meeting.  He would like to thank Commissioner Hodges for inviting him. 

 

Council Member Scheid thanked everyone for coming and asked them to enjoy the evening.

 

Council Member Feehan thanked the staff and volunteers at the library for all their hard work.  He thanked Ernie for working in the cemeteries for Memorial Day.

 

Mayor Gunderson thanked the staff for the budget and the city council for the workshop time.  He thanked everyone for coming. 

 

Adjournment

 

Council Member Scheid 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 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        Ronald Gunderson, Mayor

 

 

 ________________________________

Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk

 

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