REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, June 4, 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, June 4, 2019.
Mayor Miller 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
Jeff Hunter, 6302 Zahm Rd., asked with the award for the pathway, does the city have a written letter from Electrolux and DEQ so they can touch the ground?
City Manager Niemela stated he did, and asked Jeff to stop in to the office.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Independent Bank Checks 72279 to 72350 in the amount of $88,970.61
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, May 21, 2019
- Museum Advisory Board reappointment – Barb Fagerlin
- Museum Advisory Board reappointment – Phyllis Jenkins
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
Following are the resolutions contained in the Consent Agenda.
C. Museum Advisory Board reappointment – Barb Fagerlin
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING BARB FAGERLIN TO THE MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Barb Fagerlin on the Museum Advisory Board will expire on June 7, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Barb Fagerlin has indicated that she is interested in serving another term on the board; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Barb Fagerlin be reappointed to the Museum Advisory Board with a term to expire on June 4, 2022.
D. Museum Advisory Board reappointment – Phyllis Jenkins
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING PHYLLIS JENKINS TO THE MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Phyllis Jenkins on the Museum Advisory Board will expire on June 7, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis Jenkins has indicated that she is interested in serving another term on the board; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Phyllis Jenkins be reappointed to the Museum Advisory Board with a term to expire on June 4, 2022.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Scheid did not have a report.
Council Member Davis stated the ZBA has not had a meeting.
Council Member Meyers stated the Rec Board will meet on June 10 and the Housing Commission will meet on June 20.
Mayor Miller stated at the Planning Commission meeting, there was a discussion with Mr. Knowlton regarding the rezoning at 951 Merrick. A motion was made to seek legal counsel and have a planner review the case for the meeting in July.
Council Member Meyers asked if the Planning Commission could take it back if the rezoning has already been approved by council?
City Manager Niemela stated it was for a reclarification of the process, and how they act on that recommendation.
Council Member Meyers asked if it could open up things in the future?
City Manager Niemela stated the planning commissioners want to see if something needs to be corrected, and they would make a recommendation to city council, if necessary.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
A. Award bid to construct Pathway and Observation Deck in the Gathering Place Park
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 AWARDING THE BID TO CONSTRUCT THE PATHWAY AND OBSERVATION DECK IN THE GATHERING PLACE PARK TO STEIN CONSTRUCTION
WHEREAS, the city solicited bids for the construction of the pathway and observation deck in the Gathering Place Park; and
WHEREAS, Stein Construction was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $139,110.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the bid is awarded to Stein Construction for construction of the pathway and observation deck in the Gathering Place Park in the amount of $139,110.
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
Dan Jakeway stated there is a large problem with littering daily. He asked why they were not enforcing the ordinances they already have?
Jeff Hunter stated he always does research. He asked if a committee was going to be formed to research taking fluoride out of the water? He stated it does more damage to the human body than it does good. He asked what would it take to figure it out and put it on the ballot for a vote? He asked if they did their own research, or would they put a committee together? On the city budget, page 23, there was a line about credit and some other debits. There was a balance of $87,130, a credit of $16,300, a debit of $16,300, and a balance with a $2,300 difference. He asked if there was something he was missing? The city still pays for the Housing Commission health care. He thought the federal government would have their own health department.
City Manager Niemela stated the Housing Commission reimburses the city.
Susan Aldridge, 304 W. High, stated there is an ordinance about not driving golf carts within the city limits. She asked why is that? They all see the scooters and side by sides? Why? Could they consider changing that? Could residents pay a small fee for running their carts on the street, as revenue for projects? Her grandkids like to go to the park or the store. She lives off of Pine and High. She asked if the neighbors could block Pine Street, between May and High, during the Labor Day weekend to get together for fireworks. They have tons of kids.
Mayor Miller asked her to get with the city manager and he will get the information, and council will consider the request.
City Manager Comments
City Manager Niemela stated the work on the basketball court will start August 5. The contractor is very busy. It will run past the deadline of August 29. They will be putting a coating on, and it will extend beyond August 29.
DPW completed the paving of Reed Street in the industrial park. They started yesterday and finished today. They did a little work along the intersection at Reed and Merrick, to clean it up.
On N. State, they completed the correction on the corner. They put in curb and gutter on the south section. The road was widened to the north. Next week they will do additional corrective work. The paving will start on June 17 and will take three days. It will be a challenge for residents as they will have to use detours. The letter will go out tomorrow. They will use N. State, to Bricker Road, to M-91 as the detour. They will start on Ellis Ave. and work north on N. State. They will open up Pineview so that can be used. When they hit Homestead, residents will have to go around. It should be open to local traffic by the next day. He hopes they can avoid driving on it until the next day.
Council Member Meyers stated the base by Hammonds was not the best, and asked if that was OK?
City Manager Niemela stated he was not convinced that they couldn’t take some out. They may do some wedging.
Council Member Davis inquired about the company doing the basketball courts and asked were they too busy from last year to do it now, as the project was planned before he was a member of council?
City Manager Niemela stated it went out to bid this spring, early summer.
Mayor Miller stated there was discussion about the Memorial Park, and using Denny’s name for that. Council should figure that out. Would they name the street or park?
Council Member Feehan stated he suggested it be the Denny Craycraft Memorial Park. He doesn’t know if that can be done as it is on city property.
Council Comments
Council Member Meyers stated it was a great memorial celebration. They did a good job and a lot of the work was completed. There were a lot of people there. Denny could be proud of what was finished. They talked about the work session with the Planning Commission on sidewalk exceptions. He asked what came from that? He had several calls on blight ordinance enforcement, wondering if it was done equally across the city? The callers indicated that some were picked out and some could do what they wanted? They felt businesses were treated different than residents. Regarding the Rec Board and coming up with ways to implement projects, should council have a planning session with the Rec Board some night?
City Manager Niemela stated the Planning Commission has not talked specifically about the sidewalk exemptions. Council approved the 2019/20 budget, and there are funds for a Planning & Zoning professional. They will guide through that process.
Council Member Meyers asked if they would look at the exemptions and non-exemptions, or would they just go forward?
City Manager Niemela stated that is up for discussion.
Council Member Feehan had no comments.
Council Member Scheid had no comments.
Council Member Davis stated the memorial was quite moving. The emotion could be felt from everyone at the memorial and from the speakers. The whole presentation was nice. He was very much impressed with the work everyone did. He thanked everyone for coming out and stated the public comment was appreciated.
Mayor Miller stated Memorial Day was enlightening. He said a couple of things and to look out was amazing, it was pretty touching. Phyllis came out tonight and it is appreciated. If it is a reappointment, the person doesn’t need to come. Maybe the role of council is to go there, and once a year they could attend one of their meetings. Council would understand who they are. For a new appointment, council would ask them to attend a council meeting. It may not be necessary after years of service. It would get council out to see what the commissions are doing, as well. Mulch was dropped off and the sign is up at the daycare facility. They are moving toward a grand opening. Saturday the Garden Club was out here with their plant sale. He dropped plants off. It was a well-attended event. There were a lot of plants going out before it opened. He asked who was doing the fiber optic? He thanked everyone for coming out tonight.
City Manager Niemea stated it was CasAir. They need to come back and make corrective action, with the finishing of the sidewalks.
Council Member Scheid stated the crowd was exceptional. He was to the morning and afternoon service. People were overwhelmed with what was going on. Denny’s wife, daughter and son were there. The crowd loved what was going on. They couldn’t believe what Denny had accomplished in the few years. The family was very appreciative of all that turned out. He thinks it was great.
Adjournment
Council Member Scheid 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 7:38 p.m.
| | Brad Miller, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
