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.

Guest

Jenny Bennet, founder of the Beatnik Bazaar gave a recap on what she called a "most unusual season", referencing the pandemic.  There were four markets held this year in instead of the usual 5 as we were in lock-down mode in June. Despite the pandemic, Bennet reported that this was the most successful season yet.   She worked in collaboration with the Health Department and the City to ensure safety measures were in place.  There were 96 vendors this year from around the state.  Pet adoption was available and resulted in forever homes to 16 pets!  The Beatnik Bazaar donated $1,100 to Belding Areas Schools. Bennet thanked City Council for the use of the Gathering Place lot. Scheid commented on how busy the Bazaar was.  Mayor Miller commented on the unique items and little treasures the Bazaar has to offer.

Good Neighbor Award

Mayor Miller presented Holly Noble with a Good Neighbor Award  for all of her hard  work and  dedication on the Denny Craycraft Veterans Memorial  Park.

Consent Agenda

Reports by Council Liaisons

Meyers updated the council members on the Housing Commission meeting that

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took place on October 15^th .  The 2020 FY year-end audit was discussed.  There were twenty-two applications received for the new maintenance position.  Six people were interviewed.  The position was offered and the new employee is scheduled to start on November 9th. The Housing Commission has put out a request for bids for the RAD rehab. Bids are due on November 4th at 11 a.m.

Mayor Miller commented that the lacking of Council Liaison updates are due to several committees not meeting  due to the ongoing pandemic.

New Business

Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to discuss the contract with the on-call firefighters.   City Manager John Niemela advised the council members that the main topic of discussion was a wage adjustment.  Paid training was added to their contract due to new training requirements.  Compensation will be received upon showing proof that a course has been taken and and that certification has been achieved.  Changes to longevity compensation were voted to be ratified. The current agreement is for 4 years affecting 18 people.   Motion carried 5-0 by the fallowing roll call vote: yes - all.

Public Comment

Jenny Bennett, 1125 Kenwood, Belding commented on communication disconnect.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Niemela advised the council that virtual meetings are now suspended due to the Supreme Court ruling that the emergency and executive orders that the Governor issued since April are deemed invalid.  In light of that decision the Legislature quickly passed legislation that affirmed that actions taken in the virtual meetings that were conducted in that time frame are deemed to be valid.  Participation allowances for military, an ill member of a board or in the case of a declaration of an emergency by a federal, state or local agency virtual attendance is allowed to conduct virtual meetings by governmental agencies through the end of December, 2021.  In January, 2022 this will apply only to those serving in the military.

The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for November 3rd, which is Election Day.  As the Belrockton serves as a polling location Niemela inquired with council members about an alternate meeting location or date.  The Depot does not allow for social distance restrictions. Sharon Carlson offered the use of the community room at the Housing Commission.  As this will be Mayor Miller's final meeting as he is not seeking re-election, the meeting must occur by 8:00 p.m. the following Monday before a new officer takes his place on the council.  Moved by Davis, supported by Scheid to move the meeting to Wednesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Belrockton.  Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote: yes - Davis, Scheid, Feehan and Miller; no - Meyers.

Niemela advised the council that he is still working on the tree removal and planting of new trees at the Gathering Place.  He still does not have a contractor or a time frame to trim and remove trees.  Additionally, the ground will not support new tree growth so planting shrubs is being evaluated.

As requested, Niemela compiled and distributed materials regarding the schedules pertaining to the city's road paving plans.   Paving is completed until spring, at which time it can resume due to the fiscal year ending June 30th.  The schedule got off kilter this year due to the pandemic.

The lagoons and wastewater treatment was discussed at length.  Niemela has been working with Fleis and Vandenbrink on the matter.  The lagoons are filling up with sludge which affects their performance.  There are five ponds and some are feet deep of sludge. Sludge can only be moved to a licensed facility.  It would cost several millions of dollars to address all five ponds at once. Currently the focus is on ponds 3 and 4.  The idea of building a wastewater plant versus having lagoons was mentioned however this option would cost $12-15 million.  Niemela discussed the most cost-effective method referenced as 'polishing." A Pollution Prevention Plan is needed to be developed and a plan executed.

Council Comments

Scheid commented on the lagoons  and wastewater treatment.

Meyers commented on the lagoons.  He thanked Jenny for her work on the Beatnik Bazaar and Holly Noble for her work on the Denny Craft Veterans Memorial Park.

Davis commented on the posting of meetings and agendas on Facebook.  He thanked Jenny for her work on the Beatnik Bazaar. Davis also commented on the wastewater treatment options and inquired about the availability of grant funding for the project.  Niemela advised that maintenance is not allowed to be grant funded, however if, for example the aeration is changed that that option may allow for grant funding  or financing.  Davis additionally thanked Holly

Noble and her volunteers for their work on the Denny Craycraft Veterans Memorial Park.

Feehan thanked  Holly Noble and her volunteers for their work on the Denny Craycraft Veterans Memorial Park.

Mayor Miller commented on Pitsch's inability to accept the sludge from the lagoons due to the chemicals that were put into it in the past.  He suggested Niemela explore with other communities who haves incurred the same issue to see how they handled it.  Mayor Miller commented that the issue of communication comes up often and encouraged to look at ways as to how the public would like to receive communications.  A few suggestions came from the public who were in attendance.  Jenny Bennet was commended by Mayor Miller for her work on the Beatnik Bazaar as well as Holly Noble for her work on the Denny Craycraft Veterans Memorial Park.  Lastly he commended city staff for their hard  work and recognized the fact that the election process  is changing drastically  for the City Clerk.

Adjourn

Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to adjourn the meeting  at 8:08 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes - all.