PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
7:00 p.m.
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, February 18, 2020.
Council Member Scheid gave the Invocation and led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Clerk, Janae Cooper took the roll call:
Members present: Mike Scheid, Jorel Davis, Bruce Meyers, Doug Feehan and Brad Miller
Approval of Agenda
Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 73633 to 73735 in the amount of $329,363.30
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, February 4, 2020
Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Meyers reported that the Rec Board met on February 10. Williams and Works was unable to be present at that meeting. The next Rec Board meeting will be held on Monday, March 9. The Housing Commission meets this Thursday.
New Business:
A. Poverty Exemption Guidelines – City Manager John Niemela advised the Council Members that this is an annual resolution for the City to accept the poverty guidelines defined and determined by the State. Niemela stated that the City receives a handful of these types of requests each year. Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to adopt the Resolution Approving the 2020 Board of Review Poverty Exemption Guidelines. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all. The Resolution is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING THE BOARD OF REVIEW POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 18th day of February, 2020.
WHEREAS, the Board of Review meets in March each year to consider appeals from property owners regarding the tax assessments; and,
WHEREAS, the poverty exemption guidelines are updated annually to meet federal poverty income standards and maximum threshold of residential value; and,
WHEREAS, the poverty guidelines are as follows:
Persons in family/household Poverty guideline
1 $12,490
2 $16,910
3 $21,330
4 $25,750
5 $30,170
6 $34,590
7 $39,010
8 $43,430
For each additional person $ 4,420
WHEREAS, the following Board of Review poverty exemption guidelines will apply:
1. Applicant must own and occupy the property as a homestead.
2. File a form provided by the City of Belding.
a. Submit federal and state income tax returns for all persons residing in the homestead, as well as copies of any property tax credit returns.
3. Meet federal poverty income standards.
4. Provide driver’s license or other form of identification.
5. Provide evidence of property ownership.
WHEREAS, applicant must meet the requirements of the asset test as follows:
1 person under 65 years $27,918
1 person 65 years and over $27,918
2 persons under 65 years $34,593
2 persons with householder over 65 $34,593
3 persons $41,273
4 persons $47,855
5 persons $52,799
6 persons $61,180
7 persons $67,856
8 persons $74,534
9 persons $80,724
WHEREAS, under the poverty exemption guidelines the Board of Review may grant up to 100% exemption for one year.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the Board of Review poverty exemption guidelines are hereby
approved.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2020.
B. Niemela advised the Council Members that Dial-A-Ride has finished its 2021 annual budget application for the State of Michigan. This Resolution is adopted annually for Belding Dial-A-Ride to get funding from the State of Michigan for our transit system. Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to approve the Resolution presented by Dial-A-Ride. Motion carried by voice vote: yes-all. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 18th day of February, 2020.
PRESENT: Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
ABSENT: None
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Feehan.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Act 51 of the Public Acts of 1951, as amended (Act 51), it is necessary for the City of Belding Dial-A-Ride, (hereby known as THE APPLICANT), to provide a local transportation program for the state fiscal year of 2021 and, therefore, apply for state financial assistance under provisions of Act 51; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for THE APPLICANT, 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 state fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the performance indicators for this agency have been reviewed and approved by THE APPLICANT; and
WHEREAS, THE APPLICANT, has reviewed and approved the proposed balanced (surplus) budget, and funding sources of estimated federal operating funds of $49,892, estimated state operating funds of $101,979, estimated local operating funds of $80,000, estimated fare box revenue of $33,000, with total estimated expenses of $264,871.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved 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 2021.
Upon vote for the adoption of said resolution, the vote was:
YEAS: Scheid, Davis, Meyers, Feehan and Miller
NAYS: None
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2020.
C. Permission to Burn Brush Pile – Niemela addressed the City Council to allow a one-time burn to the large brush pile on Reed Street as the City has a burn pile brush ordinance. Niemela explained that some on the brush gets put up for sale; this pile is what people don’t want. In the past the City has periodically hired a company to mulch it. This was at a cost of $20-30,000. The expenses continued to increase over the years. The pile is growing; it is about 15’ tall, 400’ long and ranges from 30’ – 100’ wide. The Fire Department could burn all or a portion of it to use as a training exercise. They intend to ask other departments in the area if they would like to attend and if they could gain anything. The Fire Department would like to do the burn as soon as possible to take advantage of the snow cover on the ground to help to contain the fire and protect the area. It has been several years since anything has been done with the pile. When the City does brush pick up from storm damage this is where it goes. Feehan stated that it has been burnt before, in the 1980’s. Niemela stated that if the one time burn is approved that some notification to the people in the area will be needed. Notification could be put on the electronic sign in front of City Hall, post it on Facebook and maybe the media could help out. It will need to be done soon based on the weather. Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to approve a one-time burn used for the purpose of training for the Fire Department. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
D. Approval for UTV Purchase – Niemela advised the Council Members that this has been discussed for quite a while. Otisco Township has agreed to put $13,700 towards the purchase of a unit. Much research has been done and it has been determined that the Fire Department would like to purchase a slightly used 2018 model which had only been used to haul ice at MIS to the track; it was not used on trails. The offer is $1,200 below the cost of a new one with matching specs. The Fire Department has also applied for and received a $5,000 grant to go towards fire fighting equipment that will go onto it. The City already has the money in the budget. There has been a $500 contribution towards this purchase as well. The UTV is anticipated to have approximately a 20-year life expectancy with routine maintenance. The City will need to match the grant and the remainder of the cost, approximately $9,000. The equipment line item on the budget can be used. The townships expectation/intent for the vehicle is to service the Fred Meijer Trail. It may be used on rare occasion for mutual aid. If we don’t do mutual aid we don’t get mutual aid. Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to approve the purchase of the previously discussed UTV. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
City Manager Comments
Niemela stated that it is close to budget season. He would like to set up at least one budget work session but will do as many as possible. Niemela proposed to possibly schedule one prior to a council meeting or go longer or do another day. Davis stated that he just needs to know ahead of time. Meyers said that he will make himself available. Niemela proposed March 3rd at 5 or 5:30. He stated that he can get documentation well in advance to council so there is time to add or change for more detail/explanations/questions. It is obligated to be done by May after a Public Hearing is scheduled.
The contractor for the Ashfield Bridge repair is coming in next week. Initially they were going to this week. We do not want to push off this large company for such a small project for fear of them taking on bigger projects and not getting back with us. Notification of the bridge closure will be on Facebook and the scrolling banner on website. The schools have been notified, Ernie at DPW has notified bussing and Mueller brass notified directly as well. Meyers stated that he would rather see this happen after school is out. Meyers inquired if there will be police patrol for backroads. Niemela stated that he will reach out to the Chief to confirm. Niemela said that he will discuss with the engineers and contractors if one side of the sidewalk can be open if they are able to properly barricade it. That may be an option to minimize the time the bridge is out of service. The longest portion of the job is the curing time of the concrete for 25-30 days. The contractor is saying four weeks, however the City is allowing for six for the weather. Mayor Miller asked the media who were present to let the people know.
The Rec Board met last week to discuss applying for DNR Grants funds for the following three parks: East Riverside, Central Riverside and West Riverside. The Rec Board had made priorities for each park in the past. Williams and Works are going to help with this. They are familiar with the application and administration process. Unfortunately, Williams and Works couldn’t make it to the February 10th Rec Board Meeting and the Board wasn’t able to get a quorum together on Tuesday, February 11th. The City always has to match the grant funds if awarded. They have paired in down to 4-5 projects in each park. There will be a public meeting in March for specific programs. This discussion will likely continue into the second meeting in March.
Meyers asked Niemela for a progress update on Belding being a development ready community. Niemela stated that a survey was done and that there are some issues with that program. There was a lot of community push back, especially in small communities.
Meyers inquired on the water rates. Niemela stated that he is working on proposal for council to consider a rate increase of maybe 10% in sewer rates and maybe even water rates. EGLE has ordered for lead and galvanized service lines to be replaced at our cost and upgrading service lines from 4 inches to 6-8 inches. This is gearing up to start next year.
The Bridge Audit with a capital plan is to be done in 2020 as a preservation initiative to extend longer life to bridges. 90-95% of costs would be funded by Federal or State dollars. Applications are due by May 1st. The wait for funds is three years out. If Ashfield were approved right now it would take three years to get the funds, therefore this shows the purpose for a capital plan. Miller mentioned that service lines have potential increases in 2021 with a twenty-year turn around. A raise in rates would be needed to accomplish this. We will have to look into bonding for water and sewer. We could go through Rural Development and get 40-year bonds. Belding would be eligible for grants as well due to the population, economy and demographics of the community. Fleis and VandenBrink can help with this task.
Council Comments
Scheid thanked everyone for coming and stated that the weekend forecast looks warm.
Davis wished everyone a Happy Belated Valentine’s Day and thanked everyone for coming.
Mayor Miller thanked everyone for coming.
Adjourn
Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
| | Brad Miller, Mayor |
| _________________________________________ Janae Cooper, City Clerk | |
