Approval of Agenda:

Moved by Feehan, seconded by Meyers, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.

Guests

A.   Nathan Carpenter of LC Holding Company appeared before the Council   seeking a Class C Marijuana permit and license. Their plan after starting the growing process is to get a future license to use all of the plant.  The perspective grow site is seven to eight thousand feet, it is not in a visible location, the odors are removable, it is not within 500 feet of any schools, it is State compliant and they will clean up around the building.   They would be seeking licensing for roughly 6,000 plants. Carpenter said that it would open several jobs; ten to twelve fulltime to start.  If approved, Carpenter would like to begin as soon as possible because the building needs fixing.  City Manager Niemela noted that the City Council would need to have the Planning Commission come up with an amended zoning ordinance for a grow facility. Then a second ordinance amended for the location of the grow facility. He said that it will move as quickly as possible, but it would probably be a couple of months to make everything happen. 

Moved by Davis, supported by Meyers, to move forward with the zoning ordinance to allow for the location: Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - Davis, Steele, and Meyers. No – Feehan, and Scheid.

B.    Holly Noble spoke on behalf of the Dennis Craycraft Veterans Memorial Park. They are in a position to pursue insurance on the monuments, but they are having trouble because they do not own the property.  Their current insurance is only for liability for events.  She requested the City’s help to find out how to have the monuments covered.  City Manager John Niemela will verify coverage with the insurance company and advise Council at the next meeting.  Noble inquired if insurance would cover   the fallen monument as well. Noble advised of the Council of two upcoming events; an 11:00 a.m. presentation on Memorial Day, and June 13^th is the American Legion Legacy Ride which will involve approximately 100 motorcycles.   

Public Comments:

Ashley McCreery, 6463 Bartonville Rd., commented on the Council considering the grow site and the jobs it would create.  McCreery also commented on the weekly Covid tests done by the schools.  Steele advised McCreery that the City has no authority over the schools.

Sam Mason, 560 W. Main St., commented on the grow site and it’s potential to bring in revenue. Mason commented on the water/sewer pipes in the city.

Deb McCreery, 6011Whites Bridge Rd., commented on shots and marijuana by-products.  

Consent Agenda:

Reports by Council Liaisons:

Steele was not able to attend the Library meeting. City Manager Niemela advised that he attended the meeting.  The Library Board discussed and voiced concerns over a third-party agreement and some of the obligations for which they are responsible.

Meyers reported on the Housing Commission. They met on March 13^th and discussed debts and work on units. They talked to residents at Woodhaven, and things are going well.

Council Member Feehan had no report as the Museum Board has not met.

Council Member Davis attended the March 23^rd Planning Commission meeting in which they held a Public Hearing regarding plans for a motocross training facility. The applicant, Shane Larsen, was present and discussed his plan for the motocross.  His intentions are to be open three days a week.  Only members will be allowed on the track with separate locations for spectators. There is no other facility that does what he does and he wants to bring it to Belding.  Davis noted that there was also a very informative training session with Andy Moore of Williams and Works regarding the Planning Commissions.  Their next meeting is scheduled for April 27.

Mayor Scheid commented on the excessive noise that a motocross may bring to the city.  City Manager Niemela noted that it was a very preliminary site plan review.  The motocross does not fit into the current zoning, so the Planning Commission is exploring that. Davis advised that the City of Belding does not have a zoning ordinance to allow for a motocross.

Unfinished Business:

City Social Media discussion - Steele voiced that Social Media can be used in a variety of ways and that the use of Social Media could help get more information to residents.  Steele suggested that it be discussed again at the next meeting to have a clear direction of who is responsible for things/content and how it is to be used and who is responsible for what.

New Business:

A.   Special Events Application – Memorial Day

Moved by Mayor Scheid, supported by Steele, to approve the application as submitted.  Motion passed by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.  The Resolution is as follows:

CITY OF BELDING

Public Comments:

Sam Mason, 560 W. Main, offered comments on the City using Social Media, another business moving out of the mall, utilities for the mall, if the mall utilities are current and the accountability of businesses.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Niemela recognized Ashley McCreery and Deb McCreery for approaching City Hall to organize a weekend clean-up at Central Riverside Park. The McCreery’s along with other volunteers, spent two weekends cleaning, as well as doing some painting.  A great job was done by all who participated! Some local businesses offered in-kind contributions and expressed interest in being involved in the future.  Feehan suggested putting a “Thank You” on the City’s electronic sign.

City Manager Niemela advised the Council that the City is working on necessary improvements at the waste water treatment plant.  Rather than asking residents to pay for improvements the City is trying to get outside funding.  It is a long process, but the City does qualify for some grants (waste water/etc.).  The last round of stimulus money will make direct payments to local city/townships. Through an application process we are looking at approximately $570,000. The dollars would focus on waste water treatment plants; cleaning out the ponds.

The State of Michigan is trying to approve additional grant money as well, which will be applied for if it is offered.

Federal legislature has been looking into infrastructure with one component being for replacement of lead pipes to galvanized pipes. It would not be a direct cost to a resident(s) unless the funding is not approved. 

The application for the DNR Grant for Lightning Bend has been submitted.  Grant Funding for the Ashfield Bridge and the Bridge Street Bridge have been submitted as well.

Council Comments:

Meyers commented that the City website is just that – the City’s. Each facility has its own site and that the City website should be used for City issues.  Meyers inquired about the mall utilities that Mason mentioned during Public Comment.  Niemela advised that the utilities are not current.  Last year the billing date was pushed back to May due to Covid.  Now there are a number of folks who have not paid and the City could not issue a shut-off notice until now. Meyers thanked Deb and Ashley McCreery for their work at the park. town. He voiced his concerns about both Central Park and Veteran’s Park as there are constantly problems.  Meyers additionally voiced concerns over waiting and looking for grants on the lagoons and lead pipes; it should have been looked into ten years ago and that we need to move forward and complete those things.

Feehan commented on the Museum, as they have a lot of knowledge and information.  He noted the graffiti on trails and other locations. He thanked City Manager Niemela for staying on top of grants.

Davis commented on delinquent water bills.  Niemela advised the Council that the CARES Act provided was sent a list of those needed help for their water bills and the CARES Act only provided assistance to three of them. That cycle is done.  Davis commented on the information relayed by EGLE. Niemela advised that EGLE wants testing completed on the City’s well and lagoons for PFAS. The testing has been done and the City is awaiting response. Davis thanked LC Holding for considering Belding as a new grow site.  He also thanked the McCreery’s for partnering with local businesses.  Lastly, Davis thanked everyone for coming out.

Mayor Scheid also thanked everyone for coming out.

Adjournment:

Moved by Feehan, supported by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Motion passed by the following roll call vote: Yes – All

_____________________________                             ____________________________

Mike Scheid, Mayor                                     Shelley Mosher, Acting Clerk