REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, November 19, 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, November 19, 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 – Dave Hodges, Ionia County Commissioner
Dave Hodges stated the Ionia County Board of Commissioners has taken the Road Commission in as a department. The employees are still there. They will have new leadership. The pension plan started in 1991. There was no vote of the people. The pension was underfunded. Dorothy was a new director, a CPA. They had issues with the budgets. She raised the pension benefits that were funded at 28%. The pension was now funded at 38%. When it falls below 60%, it comes up with the State. The pension plan was underfunded by $14M and the medical portion was underfunded by $12M. They had to come up with a corrective action plan. For 15 years, they would have to put from $1.2M to $1.3M a year in for the pension. When he asked them, the employees said there would be zero road projects. Taxpayers may not renew the millage. It was a six year millage, with two years of road projects. There would not be funding for road improvements. Overall, $50M would be taken out of road funding to fund the pension. Dorothy’s plan would not work and she would be retiring in a couple of years. She doesn’t take any responsibility. The county commission board can bring the road commission in as a department. The county has four MERS plans funded at 84%. All accounts track separately, but one number is reported to the state. Now it is all funded at 56%. He hand selected an advisory board. There will be three subcommittees including infrastructure, budget/pension and personnel. Land could be sold to add to the pension. There is a lot of expense in top personnel. The city managers impressed him at the meeting. In the first year, they think they can raise the pension to 60%. They could do it over 30 years and take care of the roads. Within a year, the committee would be back down to five members. They may combine a couple of staffing positions.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Independent Bank checks 73175 to 73260 in the amount of $123,570.24
- Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, November 5, 2019
- Approve Closed Session Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, November 5, 2019
- Recreation Advisory Board – reappointment of Ron Devereaux
- Recreation Advisory Board – reappointment of Scott McNeal
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.
D. Recreation Advisory Board – reappointment of Ron Devereaux
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING RON DEVEREAUX TO THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Ron Devereaux on the Recreation Advisory Board will expire on December 5, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Devereaux has indicated that he is interested in serving another term on the board; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Recreation Advisory Board have recommended the reappointment of Mr. Lamoreaux to the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan
that Ron Devereaux be reappointed to the Recreation Advisory Board with a term to expire on November 19, 2022.
E. Recreation Advisory Board – reappointment of Scott McNeal
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING SCOTT MCNEAL TO THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Scott McNeal on the Recreation Advisory Board will expire on December 5, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McNeal has indicated that he is interested in serving another term on the board; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Recreation Advisory Board have recommended the reappointment of Mr. McNeal to the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan
that Scott McNeal be reappointed to the Recreation Advisory Board with a term to expire on November 19, 2022.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Council Member Scheid did not have a report.
Council Member Davis did not have a report.
Council Member Meyers stated he missed the Rec Board and the Housing Commission meets this Thursday.
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. Rezone of 224 W. State – Adoption
Council Member Scheid moved the adoption of the ordinance and the motion was supported by Council Member Feehan.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF BELDING MICHIGAN, INCORPORATED IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELDING (BELDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 452) BY SECTION 3.2, OF THE BELDING CITY CODE.
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS
SECTION 1 The Zoning Map incorporated in the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Belding by Section 3.2, of the Belding City Code is amended as follows:
The property rezoned from B-2 (General Business District) to RM-1 (Multiple-Family Residential District) is legally described as:
CITY OF BELDING BROAS 5TH ADDN PT LOT B COM NE COR LOT B TH W 202 FT, TH S 329.66 FT, TH E 112 FT, TH N 100 FT, TH E 90 FT, TH N 229 FT TO POB
Location: 224 W. State, Belding, Michigan.
Parcel: 34-402-100-000-135-00
SECTION 2 The property rezone will be conditional, and if the property is not purchased and transferred to a new owner within six months of the effective date of the ordinance, the property will revert back to B-2 - General Business District.
SECTION 3 All other parts of the zoning map and zoning ordinance are affirmed and shall remain unchanged.
SECTION 4 A copy of this Ordinance shall be filed with the Ionia County Register of Deeds.
SECTION 5 This Ordinance shall be published as provided in the City Charter and shall become effective ten (10) days after publication.
The question on the ordinance was called and the result of the voting is as follows:
Ayes: Council Members Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
Nays: None
B. Special Event Application – Home for the Holidays
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 USE OF CITY STREETS AND GRANTING A NOISE CONTROL SUSPENSION FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY.
WHEREAS, a request was received to close city streets and the south section of the east mall parking lot for the fifth annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 7, 2019: and
WHEREAS, Bridge Street, from High to Congress Streets will be closed from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and after the parade the closure will be shortened to the area between Depot and Congress Streets from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the south section of the east mall parking lot will be closed from 12 noon until 8 p.m. to allow for the set-up of a stage and live reindeer viewing area; and
WHEREAS, the Belding Code of Ordinances Section 34, Article IV Noise Control, Section 34-76 and 34-77 will be suspended for the event.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding,
Michigan that the designated city streets and south section of the east mall parking lot may be closed on December 7, 2019 for the fifth annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Belding Code of Ordinances Section 34, Article IV
Noise Control, Section 34-76 and 34-77 is suspended for the event.
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
Holly Noble submitted a special event application, as they have an opportunity to sell donated Christmas trees. The event would be at the park, with an enclosed fire pit and hot chocolate served. Another group may also donate trees. The first sale would be November 29, 30 and December 1. The second sale would be from December 8–15.
Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the park for Christmas tree sales from November 29 through December 15, 2019, 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
Jim Mason, 210 S. Broas, stated he represented the Friends of the Library. The 17th Annual Candlelight Reception will be held on December 2, 2019. He stated he would like to see them there. There may be introductions of city council members.
City Manager Comments
City Manager Niemela stated they are on the last version of documentation for the quit claim deeds and declarations of easements and conditions at the Housing Commission. It was sent over to Sharon for their attorney to look at. The Housing Commission attorney will draft the quit claim deeds for Taft Court and Hilltop. The documents for Belhaven I, Belhaven II and Woodhaven are ready for signing and recording. In relationship to the Kenwood well, the requirement was to have control of a 200 foot radius around the wellhead. All the property was resurveyed to create individual parcels.
The city was offered a parcel on Front Street between the DART garage and police garage. It is the former site of a fuel oil company. A Phase I was done. It could be a potential trailhead site for the Fred Meijer Trail. It could provide meeting space and restrooms. They had looked at Brownfield Redevelopment on the property. There was funding available. He described the project, but they were only doing underground tanks. These tanks were above ground. Another option may be Brownfield Redevelopment Site funding through EGLE. A Phase II would cost $15,000.
Council Member Feehan inquired about funding for the memorial.
City Manager Niemela stated he talked to the DDA. The committee needs $24,000 collectively to match the pledge of the GACF.
Council Comments
Council Member Feehan thanked everyone for coming out tonight.
Council Member Scheid had no comments.
Council Member Davis thanked everyone for coming out tonight. He thanked Dave Hodges, and thanked Holly for making sure the park is as great as Denny wanted it to be.
Council Member Meyers had no comments.
Mayor Miller had no comments.
Closed Session
- City Manager Evaluation
Council Member Scheid made a motion to enter closed session at 7:40 p.m., supported by Council Member Feehan.
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
Mayor Miller stated the meeting would return to open session at 8:09 p.m.
Council Member Meyers made a motion to extend the contract of John Niemela by two years, beginning December 6, 2019 with a salary of $93,990 annually, and vacation leave will be scheduled by the mayor with notification to council, 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
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 8:10 p.m.
| | Brad Miller, Mayor |
| Kareen J. Thomas, City Clerk | |
