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

Dave Hodges, Ionia County Commissioner, stated the Committee of the Whole met today.  There were two department head reports.  Ionia County Building Codes reported that in 2014, 372 building permits were issued, and in 2018, 817 building permits were issued.  The increase is expected to continue. The organizational meeting was held and they made him chair.  He has changed some things.  He started a Strategic Planning Committee.  By mid-March the members will come up with a list of projects for the county.  The jail is over 30 years old and they spend from $200,000 to $300,000 for maintenance each year.  It was designed to hold a maximum of 150 prisoners, but they are having 170 prisoners in the jail.  They will get rid of the fluorescent lighting in the county.  That will be a huge savings and it will be nicer lighting.  There are grants available for our veterans.  He would like to open up a half-time veteran’s office.  He met with Thomas Albert and Denny Craycraft and they are excited.  He will have the committees report to the board. 

Good Neighbor Awards

1. Sandra Boutell, Belding Housing Commission
2. Arthur Mahar, Belding Housing Commission
3. James Mason, Belding Housing Commission
4. Dorothy Williamson, Belding Housing Commission

Mayor Miller stated collectively among the five board members, they have 93 years of service. 

Council Member Meyers stated he has worked with the Housing Commission a little over a year. There are lots of words to describe the board, including dedicated and willing to learn.  They continually do it for such a long time and that gives great stability to the Housing Commission.  It is a testament to Belding, and they can be proud of it.  All their decisions come back to the people they serve.  They truly care and think about how the decisions will affect the people they serve.  He is proud to be a part of the board.  He thanked them very much.   

Housing Commission Director Sharon Carlson stated the Housing Commission members are appointed by the city, in accordance with State law, serving five year terms.  It is a federally regulated program, and the funding comes only from the Federal government.  The board must make sure the program is administered under the guidelines set by statute.  They must maintain compliance with the regulations.  It is a very dedicated board.  She answers to the board and manages the daily administration of the agency.  Jeff Swanson has also been on the board since 2004.  She could not be more pleased and honored to serve under this board.  She is very much appreciative.  

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Council Member Scheid had no report.

Council Member Davis had no report.

Council Member Meyers stated the Rec Board met last night.  They talked about the grant for the Gathering Place.  The kayak launch is going out to bids.  The board is working on projects to apply for grants.  The next meeting is February 11.  The Housing Commission is meeting this Thursday.  Due to the Federal government shutdown, there will be an informational meeting to discuss the Belding program and the food stamp program. 

Council Member Feehan stated the Museum Board will meet on Tuesday.

Mayor Miller stated the Planning Commission and Library Board have not met. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

New Business

There was no new business.

Public Comments

Sharon Carlson stated the board meeting will be held on Thursday evening. On Friday, the residents will be notified by memo of a special meeting to be held with them on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m.  HUD is shut down.  Her colleagues do not anticipate much budging before mid-February.  From a stability standpoint, they are in good standings.  They are solid and can manage for many more months during the shutdown.  The Department of Agriculture manages the food stamp program that many rely on.  The State will release food stamps early this month, before the first of February.  Those stamps can be utilized with caution.  They need to be conservative.  Some folks may really struggle in the future. 

Daniel Jakeway stated that back property taxes are due for the mall.  They should either repair the mall or have it gone.  That is what the people want.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Niemela stated the Belding Bible Church was up for auction and there was a successful bidder.  The intent is to convert the building to a child care center.  The Planning Commission held a preliminary site plan review in December.  They talked about the two houses. It was combined as a single purchase, the church and two houses.  He met with the owner.  A partner would have taken on the renovation of the homes and rented them out.  In the past, there were recommendations to remove one or both of the buildings. The potential buyer is working with the bank on the issue.  He may agree to taking one building down.  They cannot do a special use.  The next option would be to convert to Office Service to allow for a day care center, or the day care center could be run in an industrial zoned district.  They could also do it in an RM-1 district.  The two would be compatible by right, not special use.  When it is in front of the Planning Commission, it will likely be rezoned to RM-1.  They are thinking about removing one of the homes.  There are issues on the lot lines.  The church was built on the adjacent lots.  There would be a lot line adjustment.  The bank went to the ZBA, with a proposal to have parking against the blue house, but that was not granted.  When it is resolved with what they want, he will bring it to the ZBA in early February.  It will go to the Planning Commission for the rezone. 

At the old auto parts store at 1331 W. State, they want to locate a medical marijuana grow facility.  They have acquired the property with a partner.  A preliminary site plan review was done at the Planning Commission for a rezone to temporarily use the existing building for the process until the new building is built.  It would be a conditional rezone.   

The Planning Commission will meet on January 22.  They will do the rezone in February and set up the ZBA meeting. 

The mall gets unpaid property tax notices every year.  If not paid, the property would be put up for auction.  The owners of the properties pay their taxes every year.

Council Member Meyers asked what the conditional rezone was?

City Manager Niemela stated it would be zoned for industrial for two or three years and then would automatically go back to the original zoning.

Council Member Meyers stated the mall is privately owned. 

City Manager Niemela stated he talked to the owner and another person to look at redevelopment of the mall.  They would like to utilize the vacant portion as housing. 

Council Member Feehan stated on W. State, the gentleman wanted to open a business in the front of the building to pay rent.  He asked if a business in front would turn into something else they would be sorry for?

City Manager Niemela stated for discussion, as he has no knowledge of it, and as a broad example, they can’t get into recreational marijuana.  The State has not issued rules for getting a license.  The council has a prohibition on recreational marijuana in the city.  They would have to rezone and get a license. 

Council Member Feehan stated the owner would know it would take a year or two.  He understands the rezoning and the $4,000 rent a month.  He thought they would own the building and was confused. 

City Manager Niemela stated their partner acquired the building and they will lease and purchase it from him.  The business they want to generate in that building is to use the back portion to start the marijuana grow operation and then move it out to the new building.  Then it will go back to B-2 and they will decide what to do there.  They thought about a canoe, kayak and water sport activity retail outlet, but it is for them to decide.  Someone may want to lease the space from them for another purpose.  It will take quite a while to get a license.  They will have to pay for the building before they are up and running the grow facility in the back.  Anything that goes on there will go to the Planning Commission and City Council.  They need an ordinance to allow for the grow facility. 

Council Comments

Council Member Davis thanked the Housing Commission board.  It is quite impressive to see a board stick together as long as they have, and the stability that comes from that.  He thanked them for their service and what they do for Belding.  He is excited that the Ratliffs are proceeding.  He is excited about their future in Belding and the new business coming to Belding. 

Council Member Meyers thanked the Housing Commission board for what they do.  He agrees with what was said about moving a lot in their plans, and the Ratliffs must have the understanding that they are moving a lot and it causes concerns along the way.  They will continue with the communication on what is expected.  He thanked Dave for his report and for serving. 

Council Member Feehan thanked the Housing Commission for all their hard work. 

Council Member Scheid stated the Housing Commission is a very good, dedicated group of people.  They are able to look at things from the outside and inside.  They do a wonderful job of keeping the buildings and jobs up.  Everyone should look at what they have.  They take excellent care of it.  He would applaud them for what they have done.  He thanked Dave, and everyone for coming to the meeting. 

Mayor Miller stated the Housing Commission board having over 90 years is commendable.  He greatly appreciates their service.  It is not easy.  Everything they do is somewhat fluid.  Where they start out is not always where they end.  They should protect city interests and move forward. He thanked everyone for coming out.  He asked that they drive safely and have a great evening.

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 7:47 p.m.