REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
A meeting of the City Council of the City of
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 was no public comment.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Independent Bank Check 72196 in the amount of $120.00 and Checks 72196 to 72278 in the amount of $44,320.37.
Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, May 7, 2019
- DDA Reappointment – Patty Donovan
- DDA Reappointment – Josh King
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. DDA Reappointment – Patty Donovan
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING PATTY DONOVAN TO THE DDA BOARD.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Patty Donovan on the Downtown Development Authority as expired; and
WHEREAS, Patty Donovan has indicated her willingness to continue to serve on the board; and
WHEREAS, the members of the DDA have recommended the reappointment of Patty Donovan to the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Patty Donovan be reappointed to the DDA with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2023.
D. DDA Reappointment – Josh King
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING JOSH KING TO THE DDA BOARD.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Josh King on the Downtown Development Authority will expire on June 30, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Josh King has indicated his willingness to continue to serve on the board; and
WHEREAS, the members of the DDA have recommended the reappointment of Josh King to the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Josh King be reappointed to the DDA with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2023.
Public Hearing
- Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate Application – Granco Clark, Inc.
Mayor Miller opened the public hearing at 7:02 p.m.
There were no comments.
Mayor Miller closed the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
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 May 13. They accepted the resignation of John LaClear. There are now two members within the city and two outside the city. A representative from the shuffleboard group was given the park use agreement. The pickleball rep was not able to attend. Updates were given on the projects. The Housing Commission met on May 16. They reviewed the vacancy, delinquency and maintenance reports and paid the bills. They continue to discuss resource sharing between Greenville and Belding. The second meeting of that committee was held. There is a lot to it and a lot of time is being spent on it. He wished to commend them on starting to look down that path. They will reap the benefits when it is completed.
Council Member Feehan did not have a report.
Mayor Miller did not have a report.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
A. Approval for Application for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate – Granco Clark, Inc.
Council Member Scheid moved the passage of the resolution and the motion was supported by Council Member Feehan.
RESOLUTION APPROVING APPLICATION
FOR AN INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE
FOR GRANCO CLARK, INC.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Act 198 of the Public Acts of 1974, as amended ("Act 198"), the City of Belding (the "City") has established an industrial development district in connection with property owned by Granco Clark, Inc. (the "Company") located at 7198 N. Storey Road in the City of Belding, Ionia County, Michigan; and
WHEREAS, the Company has submitted an application for an industrial facilities exemption certificate for a new facility and the purchase of new machinery and equipment; and
WHEREAS, the City has notified the assessor of the assessing unit in which the facility is located and the legislative body of each taxing unit that levies ad valorem property taxes in the local governmental unit in which the facility is located; and
WHEREAS, notice of a hearing on said application was published on May 10, 2019, in the Daily News setting the date of May 21, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street, Belding, Michigan, as the time and place at which a hearing would be held with respect to the application of Granco Clark, Inc. for an industrial facilities exemption certificate; and
WHEREAS, said hearing was held on May 21, 2019 during the meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding; and
WHEREAS, Act 198 authorizes a local governmental unit to approve an application for an industrial facilities exemption certificate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding:
1. The City Council finds as follows:
a. Subject to requisite State of Michigan approval, the City shall approve a Certificate for tax abatement for a term of twelve (12) years for the real property improvements and personal property (machinery and equipment) associated with the Project.
b. The new facility and purchase of the new machinery and equipment is calculated to, and will at the time of issuance of the certificates, have the reasonable likelihood to retain employment, increase employment or produce energy in the City.
c. That the granting of the industrial facilities exemption certificate, considered together with the aggregate amount of industrial facilities exemption certificate previously granted and currently in force, will not have the effect of substantially impeding the operation of the City or impairing the financial soundness of the taxing units that levy ad valorem property tax in the local governmental unit in which the facility is located or to be located.
d. That the state equalized valuation of property proposed to be exempt pursuant to the application under consideration, considered together with the aggregate state equalized valuation of property exempt under certificates previously granted and currently in force, does not exceed 5% of the state equalized valuation of the City.
2. The application of Granco Clark, Inc. for an industrial facilities exemption certificate for a new facility and the purchase of new machinery and equipment located within the previously established industrial development district described on the attached Exhibit A be and is hereby approved in the form on file with the City Clerk.
3. The estimated date of completion of the real property improvements at the Granco Clark, Inc. facilities, located in the City which is subject to the industrial facilities exemption certificate, shall be March 29, 2019.
4. The estimated date of completion of the installation of the new machinery and equipment at the Granco Clark, Inc. facilities, located in the City which is subject to the industrial facilities exemption certificate, shall be March 29, 2019.
5. The applications for the industrial facilities exemption certificate shall be approved for a period of twelve (12) years after completion.
6. The Mayor, City Clerk and City Manager, or any of them, are authorized to take such further action and to execute an Act 198 Agreement in substantially the form on file with the City Clerk and such other documents and agreements on behalf of the City as are necessary or desirable to accomplish the intent of this Resolution and the approval of the industrial facilities exemptions certificate for Granco Clark, Inc.
7. All resolutions and parts of resolutions insofar as they conflict with the provisions of this resolution be, and the same hereby are, rescinded.
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. FY 2019/20 Budget Adoption
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 ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2019/20 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 2019/20 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 7, 2019, 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, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020.
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:
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. Use of city streets – Memorial Day
Council Member Scheid 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 THE USE OF CITY STREETS, EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES AND A WAIVER OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE FOR A 5K RUN/WALK, ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND CEREMONY AND DEDICATION AT THE BELDING VETERANS PARK ON MAY 27, 2019.
WHEREAS, a request has been made by Holly Noble for the use of city streets, facilities and equipment for events on Memorial Day; and
WHEREAS, a 5k walk/run, annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony, and dedication at the Belding Veterans Park will take place on Monday, May 27, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the 5K Run/Walk will be held on the Fredrick Meijer Flat River Rail Trail, involving intersections along the trail, as well as the use of Kiddville, Root and Reed Streets; and
WHEREAS, a parade will begin at 121 Broas Street, and proceed on Front Street to Depot Street; and
WHEREAS, Depot Street will be closed from Bridge Street to the west mall entrance; and
WHEREAS, the Belding Code of Ordinances Section 34, Article IV – Noise Control, Section 34076 and 34-77 will be suspended for the use of a sound system for music for the event.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that use of city streets, facilities and equipment for the 5K walk/run, annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony, dedication at the Belding Veterans Park, and suspension of the Noise Control Ordinance is hereby granted for May 27, 2019.
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. DART – Resolution of Intent
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
APPROVING FY 2020 RESOLUTION OF INTENT
WHEREAS, pursuant to Act 51 of the Public Acts of 1951, as amended (Act 51), it is necessary for the Belding Dial-A-Ride (hereby known as THE APPLICANT) established under Act 279 to provide a local transportation program for the state fiscal year of 2019 and, therefore, apply for state financial assistance under provisions of Act 51; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the governing body, to name an official representative for all public transportation matters, who is authorized to provide such information as deemed necessary by the State Transportation Commission or department for its administration of Act 51; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to certify that no changes in eligibility documentation have occurred during the past fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the performance indicators have been reviewed and approved by the governing body.
WHEREAS, THE APPLICANT, has reviewed and approved the proposed balance (surplus) budget, and funding sources of estimated federal funds $51,278, estimated state funds $105,513, estimated local funds $80,000, with total estimated expenses of $236,791.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that THE APPLICANT hereby makes its intentions known to provide public transportation services and to apply for state financial assistance with this annual plan, in accordance with Act 51; and
HEREBY, appoints Amanda Hall as the Transportation Coordinator, for all public transportation matters, who is authorized to provide such information as deemed necessary by the State Transportation Commission or department for its administration of Act 51 for 2019.
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
There were no public comments.
City Manager Comments
City Manager Niemela stated the paperwork is in progress with the contractor for the basketball court. The bid for the trail project for the Gathering Place will be opened on May 27. He received an email from the engineers today and they are trying to get the word out to contractor publications. It will come to council in June for contract approval. He was told informally that the developer is no longer interested in the Breimayer property. If he doesn’t hear, he will reach out to the developer. They closed on Ranney Village about a week and a half ago. Staff shared the plans for the original project and they will work off those plans for construction on the site. They will continue on what was started on Noble.
Council Comments
Council Member Davis thanked everyone for coming.
Council Member Meyers stated Doug brought up previously that people going on the boards should come to the council meeting. Some council members have not seen the members who are being reappointed. He asked if street patching was going on? Mary Street is awful. He stated the Rec Board has a master plan with a lot of ideas. One of the biggest resources is the river, but there are not a lot of areas to access it. Council should look at other resources to use, or create, to start to implement the Rec Board plan. Council needs a vision on where to go, and tap resources, or create more resources. They should start now, even if it is in small increments. The city has to scratch to do minor repairs to the parks. That should be discussed.
Mayor Miller asked if they should bring the Rec Board in?
Council Member Meyers stated the master plan is a well thought out document. It changes as they go along the way. He would like a discussion. It is frustrating when you sit on a board many years and not see a lot of progress. Surveys were sent out and a lot of information came from the citizens.
Council Member Feehan had no comments.
Council Member Scheid stated he would like to see the people on city council turn out for Memorial Day. Denny deserves it for the work he has done. The bigger the crowd, the more the people he left behind will appreciate it. Denny’s two kids and lots of volunteers have gotten an amazing amount done. He would like a good turnout.
Mayor Miller stated, as a reminder, Memorial Day is Monday, and they would encourage everyone to attend the events. June 3 is Music in the Park with the Belding Music Program, sponsored by Leppinks. The Community Yard Sale will be held from June 20-23. On June 3 at the Library, Uneven Ground, a Celtic band, will be performing. The Gardeneers will be holding their plant sale at the depot on the first Saturday in June. They have about 25 members. If anyone has extra plants, please bring them down.
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 7:32 p.m.
| | Brad Miller, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
