REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
VIRTUAL MEETING
7:00 P.M.
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session via a virtual meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
Mayor Mike Scheid called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
The City Clerk, Janae Cooper took the roll call:
Members present: Bruce Meyers, Doug Feehan, Bonita Steele, Jorel Davis and Mike Scheid
Approval of Agenda
The Chair noted one addition to the Agenda; add Item D. Formally reappoint Bonita Steele to the ZBA, under New Business. Moved by Feehan, supported by Davis to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes - all.
Public Comment
Jenny Bennet commented on communication between City Hall and residents of Belding and the use of social media.
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 75354 to 75441 in the amount of $86,170.70
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, December 1, 2020
C. Reappointment Rec Board & Resolution – Michael Baker (exp 1-16-21)
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING MICHAEL BAKER TO THE RECREATION BOARD.
A regular meeting conducted virtually of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 15th day of December, 2020.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Feehan and seconded by Council Member Steele.
WHEREAS, the term of office of Michael Baker on the Recreation Board expires on January 16, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Baker has indicated his willingness to serve another term on
the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Michael Baker be reappointed to the Recreation Board with a term to expire on January December 15, 2023.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2020.
Moved by Feehan, supported by Steele to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Presentation
Peter Haefner, Auditor from Vredeveld Haefner LLC presented the Audit Report for the City of Belding for the year ended June 30, 2020. Haefner advised that the report was presented later than normal this year as COVID funding from the State of Michigan was identified and it was necessary to await directive from the State of Michigan as to how to correctly reflect the COVID funding. General accounting principles are used in preparing the audit. The City received the best rating possible by State of Michigan standards.
New Business
- Moved by Feehan, seconded by Davis to review Dennis Wenzel’s Application for Consideration to the Planning Commission. Wenzel was unable to attend the City Council meeting. The Resolution is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING DENNIS WENZEL TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
A regular meeting conducted virtually of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 15th day of December, 2020.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Feehan and seconded by Council Member Davis.
WHEREAS, due to a resignation there is a vacancy on the Planning Commission
in which the term expires December 4, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wenzel has indicated his willingness to serve on the Planning Commission; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Dennis Wenzel be appointed to the Planning Commission with a term to expire on December 4, 2021.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2020.
- Moved by Feehan, seconded by Steele to bring the Jacklyn Apartments
PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Ordinance Amendment, first read, to the floor. Mayor Scheid offered the floor to Mikki Droste to explain the program to the council members. The PILOT program is a necessity to be competitive to provide affordable housing in the Belding rental market. As a tax credit, the Jacklyn Apartments phases 1-3, will receive interior and exterior renovations beginning in January/February 2021. Renovations include new roofing, siding, patios, windows, as well as new kitchens, baths and flooring, energy efficient upgrades to appliances to reduce utility costs to residents and new parking lots. Renovations will be completed with residents on-site. Phase 4 of Kenwood has not been purchased yet however, it will be included with the acquisition including renovations. The acquisition cost is roughly $900,000 with about $4 million in renovations. The payment is loosely expected to be $26,000 per year with a 7% vacancy factored in. $34,000 is budgeted this year for taxes.
- Moved by Feehan, supported by Meyers to bring the topic of the City Facebook page to the floor. Mayor Scheid offered the floor to Steele to discuss her proposed plan which include a panel of 4 people who would be in charge of managing the page, allowing open dialogue, automatic responses and using Facebook Messenger. Discussion took place amongst the council members regarding the use of filters, adhering to consistency in acceptance or denial of a posting; misinformation, whether intentional or unintentional; how something in writing can be perceived incorrectly and many other concerns as it would be necessary for the City to take precautions that someone managing their own personal page would not have to worry about. Currently, Niemela is researching the policies of seven municipalities and is working on drafting a set of policies to be reviewed for the City of Belding.
- Moved by Feehan, seconded by Davis to formally reappoint Steele to the ZBA. Prior to being elected to City Council, Steele was the Chair to the ZBA, a position she cannot hold as a member of City Council. In a prior City Council meeting Steele relinquished her position as ZBA Chair but remained on the board informally. This request was to formally appoint Steele to the ZBA as a member. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING BONITA STEELE TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.
A regular meeting conducted virtually of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 15th day of December, 2020.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Feehan and seconded by Council Member Davis.
WHEREAS, Ms. Steele was a current member of the Zoning Board of Appeals serving as the Chair and during her term she was elected to serve on City Council; and
WHEREAS, a City Council member is not eligible to serve as the Chair to the Zoning Board of Appeals or as a voting member, only as a liaison; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Steele has indicated her willingness to continue to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Bonita Steele be appointed as the City Council Liaison to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2020.
City Manager Comments
City Manager John Niemela advised City Council that the Rec Board met last night and discussed that trees were cut on the observation deck of the Gathering Place. The Planning Commission intends to submit a grant application to the DNR for Lightening Bend to expand the disc golf course from 18 holes to 24 holes, create additional parking, improve the mountain bike trails and for future expansion, possibly put a bridge across the river. The maximum grant would be $300,000. Niemela also reported that repairs were made to the water leak on Main Street. Additionally, Niemela advised the City Council members that he will be taking vacation between Christmas and New Year’s and may take off a few days next week as well, but he is always accessible by phone.
Council Comments
Steele commented on communication issues.
Meyers inquired about pictures for the public for the proposed grant funding for Lightening Bend. Meyers requested clarification on two checks that were approved earlier in the meeting. He also thanked DPW for the second leaf pickup.
Davis thanked (Jenny) Bennet and Steele for their plans for community improvement. Davis noted that virtual meetings do not require a computer; one can call in with a phone to attend.
Mayor Scheid thanked everyone for attending the meeting and for their support.
Adjourn
Moved by Feehan, supported by Davis to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
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Mike Scheid, Mayor |
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_________________________________________ Janae Cooper, City Clerk | |
