REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
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, August 20, 2019.
Council Member 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 Mike Scheid, Jorel Davis, Bruce Meyers, Douglas Feehan and Brad Miller
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 Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
Nays: None
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Guest – Mikki Droste, Housing Links/Jacklyn Apts.
Mikke Droste stated Truverse Michigan is the new owner of Jacklyn 1, 2 and 3. It does not include the rest of the project. They are seeking a low income housing tax credit for a $3M investment and $1M for environmental testing. They are hoping it will improve the appearance in and out and help management improve the tenant base and behavior. They want to fix that. She reviewed the paperwork distributed. 10% is the State max for ad valorem taxes.
City Manager Niemela stated the tax structure only goes through if they are approved for tax credits and the project is completed.
The issue will be on the next two council agendas. In order to apply for a PILOT, an ordinance would have to be adopted, similar to Brentwood. The application must be submitted by October 1. The next opportunity is April 1.
Ms. Droste stated they may ask for two different PILOTS, due to the way it is structured. They will let the attorney decide.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Independent Bank Checks 72683 to 72738 in the amount of $188,797.52 and Checks 72739 to 72756 in the amount of $145,885.05
Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, August 6, 2019
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 Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
Nays: None
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Scheid did not have a report.
Council Member Davis did not have a report.
Council Member Meyers stated the Rec Board met on August 12 and reprioritized some of the projects in the Rec Plan. John will give an update on the projects. The Housing Commission met on August 15. The reports were reviewed the vacancy, delinquency and maintenance reports and there was a work session. They were introduced to Mike Baker, who would like to be on the Housing Commission. He joined the Rec Board on August 12. He wants to give back on both boards. They went over the RAD property surveys. They should be coming soon. They touched on the streets and parking areas. They went over the proposed budget.
Council Member Feehan did not have a report.
Mayor Miller stated the library meets on Monday.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
A. Belding Housing Commission appointment – Michael Baker
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 MICHAEL BAKER TO THE BELDING HOUSING COMMISSION.
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Belding Housing Commission; and
WHEREAS, Michael Baker has indicated his willingness to serve on the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Michael Baker be appointed to the Belding Housing Commission with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2024.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
Nays: None
B. Use of city street – Congress Street for water ball event
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 APPROVING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CONGRESS STREET FOR A WATER BALL TOURNAMENT
WHEREAS, the Belding Fire Department will sponsor a water ball tournament on Saturday, August 31, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the event will require the closure of W. Congress Street, between Pleasant and Broas Streets, as well as the south entrance to the west mall lot, from noon to 4 p.m.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that W. Congress Street, between Pleasant and Broas Streets, as well as the south entrance to the west mall lot, will be temporarily closed on Saturday, August 31, 2019 from noon to 4 p.m. for a water ball tournament.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
Nays: None
C. Disposal of surplus equipment – DPW
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 DECLARING CITY-OWNED PROPERTY AS SURPLUS PROPERTY.
WHEREAS, Section 2.392 of Chapter 2 of the Code of the City of Belding states that City Council may declare city-owned property that is no longer needed as surplus; and,
WHEREAS, the surplus property may be sold through an online bid process.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council that the City-owned property listed below be declared as surplus and sold through an online bid process:
1998 Dodge 3500 4X4, 5.9, V-8, Auto, Jasper transmission, 88,305 miles – frame rusted through
VIN: 3B6MF3655WM218112
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
Nays: None
D. Use of city streets – Belding Band Invitational
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 AUTHORIZING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HALL STREET AND SUSPENSION OF THE BELDING CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION 34, ARTICLE IV – NOISE CONTROL, SECTIONS 34-76 AND 34-77 FOR THE BELDING BAND INVITATIONAL.
WHEREAS, the Belding High School is sponsoring the Belding Band Invitational at Rudness Field on Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, a request was received for the police to temporarily close Hall Street to move the bands from the staging areas at the high school campus and middle school campus to Rudness Field; and
WHEREAS, a request was received to temporarily suspend Belding Code of Ordinances Section 34, Article IV – Noise Control, Sections 34-76 and 34-77 for the event.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding,
Michigan that the police are authorized to temporarily close Hall Street to move the bands, and that the Belding Code of Ordinances for noise control be temporarily suspended for the Belding High School Band Competition on Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The question on the resolution was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
Nays: None
Public Comments
Jeff Hunter, 6302 Zahm Rd., stated the note from the mayor was really cool. He did not expect it and appreciates it. He stated hopefully he would bring some change to this board. For the Good Neighbor Award, he would suggest Bonita Steele for everything she has done to keep the public informed about the factory.
Dave Hodges stated next Tuesday would be the county commissioner’s meeting. The commissioners are now appointed. He asked, do they want to keep it that way or put it on the ballot to be decided? All of the five commissioners could come from the same town and he is really concerned about that. The money would go that way. There could be five people from the same family, and people with no qualifications elected. He asked if it could be broken into districts but that cannot be done due to the state law. Financially, he worries about the pension. The county is 90% funded. The road commission is about 40% to 50% funded. They know what the projections are to get caught up. In 3 years, $2.5M of the dollars they have will be needed to catch up pensions. Those elected could be all people in the same area, without the experience to handle those pensions. There is no transparency there. They get a report a couple times a year detailing projects. He asked that they call him or shoot him an email. The board is split on the vote. If the budget gets any worse, the state will step in and hand it to the county commission board. It would take five years for a cycle of elections to put new people on the board. They could be in a lot worse shape financially.
City Manager Comments
City Manager Niemela stated he should have a draft of the sign policy to them by mid next week. The goal is for council to consider it at the September 3 meeting. DPW did a lot of paving today. They are wrapped up with the local street fund projects. They are working in the cemetery. There will be a big project, with paving Main Street from Bridge to Alderman. It could take as many as five passes. The street will be out of circulation for a couple of days. Trucks use that street and there is the angle parking and with the soft pavement there would be a lot of tearing up. He will reach out to the businesses that front on Main Street. The library parking lot for guests will have to be closed. He will reach out to the librarian.
He had several conversations with the attorney regarding KMI. He can’t give much detail without an executive session, as the information is privileged. They are working on a strategy to initiate a lawsuit to prohibit them from the manufacture of chlorine tablets. In addition, an ordinance may be needed. That will be finalized. The bids came in last Tuesday for the kayak project, which was $46,000 over budget. They are looking at alternative kinds of funding, including the Greenville Foundation, with a late application. They were pouring concrete on the basketball courts yesterday. They are waiting for that to cure and then will put on the finish coat. He wants to see if they can start the trail project and get it done before Labor Day. Then they can work on the overlook, too. The DDA provided funding to buy park benches for the downtown. They will pour the cement slab this week and will put those up when it is cured. There will be three benches in the area between the clock and Christmas tree. There will be one on the backside of the bank property facing Bridge. There will be one at Third Wave Coffee and three along Main Street, on the edge of the sidewalk at the Gathering Place property.
Council Member Davis asked if they are on schedule to get all the projects for 2019 done?
City Manager Niemela stated all paving projects will be completed by the end of September.
Council Member Meyers inquired about the pavilion.
City Manager Niemela stated they are leaning on taking out the restrooms, making an open pavilion, and putting the restrooms on the slab behind the trail and restaurant. The utilities are there.
Council Member Meyers inquired about the planner.
City Manager Niemela stated he was referred to one individual and is waiting on another. He reached out to other managers. He needs the contact name and is still working on that.
Council Comments
Council Member Davis thanked the Labor Day Committee. He stated there are a couple new ideas for events from the past that happened before his time here, and people are talking about it and are excited. He thanked Mayor Miller for his efforts to bring the community together. Jeff got a note in the mail for his participation. He thanked everyone for working toward being a community.
Council Member Meyers thanked Mr. Baker for taking the substantial role. The board has a lot of tenure, and he can lean on them to learn a lot. He also thanked him for time spent with the Rec Board. He brings energy and deep passion for the City of Belding.
Council Member Feehan did not have any comments.
Council Member Scheid thanked everyone for showing up tonight. He welcomed Mr. Baker aboard. Labor Day is coming up. They do a good job and have stuck with it. They try to make it fun for everyone that is in town.
Mayor Miller stated there is cheesecake dipped in chocolate and frozen at the Beatnik Bazaar. He stated when they first moved here, the carnival was set up and Leppinks had a brochure. It was magical. They did everything that weekend. It will be cool to see the fire department come back. They voted in the beer tent. There are great things going on. He appreciates what everyone is doing. He asked everyone to enjoy the next couple weekends. He thanked everyone for coming out. He thanked Mike for his participation.
Adjournment
Council Member Scheid moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member Feehan.
Ayes: Council Members Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
Nays: None
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m.
| | Brad Miller, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
