CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Belding Museum, 108 Hanover Street
7:00 p.m.
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session at the Belding Museum on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.
Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:22 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Clerk, Janae Cooper, took the roll call:
Members Present: Bruce Meyers, Doug Feehan, Jorel Davis and Bonita Steele.
Members Absent: Mike Scheid
Moved by Feehan, supported by Steele to excuse Mayor Mike Scheid per section 4.5 of the City Charter. Motion approved by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Moved by Feehan, seconded by Steele, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 75947 to 76068 in the amount of $173,665.92
Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation (2)
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meetings March 16, 2021 and April 6, 2021
C. Approve Public Park use Agreement for Smash Park and Disc Golf
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING A PUBLIC PARK USE AGREEMENT WITH
MICHIGAN DISC GOLF EMPIRE
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 20th day of April 2021.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding wishes to enter into a Public Park Use Agreement with Michigan Disc Golf Empire for the use of Lightning Bend Park facilities; and
WHEREAS, the term of the Agreement shall begin on April 20, 2021 and end on October 31, 2021.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a Public Park Use Agreement with Michigan Disc Golf Empire is hereby approved.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 20TH DAY OF APRIL, 2021.
Moved by Feehan, supported by Steele, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Meyers reported on the Housing Commission. They met on April 15th. The normal business was conducted. Meyers reported on the status of the rehab project. Contractors are completed with Woodhaven, they are currently working at Hill Top Court and will begin working at Taft Court the following week. The Housing Commission has begun their 2021/22 FY process.
No other council members had reports to give as their Boards/Commissions have not met.
City Social Media discussion – City Manager John Niemela gave a recap of the previous social media discussions. Niemela distributed a communications draft and social media policy for the council members to review prior to the next meeting where council members will plan to decide upon a social media policy.
A. Arbor Day Proclamation – Mayor Pro Tem Meyers declared April 30th as Arbor Day. The City Clerk read the Proclamation aloud. The Proclamation is as follows:
Arbor Day Proclamation
WHEREAS, in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees; and
WHEREAS, trees reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife, and
WHEREAS, trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products; and
WHEREAS, trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community, and
WHEREAS, trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal; and
WHEREAS, the City of Belding has been recognized as a Tree City USA by The National Arbor Day Foundation for the eighteenth year and desires to continue its tree-planting practices.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bruce Meyers, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Belding, do hereby proclaim April 30, 2021 as Arbor Day in the City of Belding, and urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and
FURTHER, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations.
B. Tentative 2021-22 Budget Resolution and Adoption – Niemela noted that part of the budget process, by Charter, is to adopt a tentative budget by the second meeting in April. Subsequently, a Public Hearing is then scheduled. Holding an additional Budget Workshop to finish discussing the proposed budget was scheduled for Wednesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. Moved by Feehans, seconded by Steele, to adopt the tentative budget. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Yeas: Feehan, Steele and Meyers
Nays: Davis
The Resolution is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
ADOPTING THE FY 2021/22 TENTATIVE BUDGET.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 20th day of April, 2021.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Feehan and seconded by Council Member Steele.
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the FY 2021/22 Tentative Budget; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Belding's budget ordinance requires that the tentative budget be adopted; and,
WHEREAS, a public hearing on the proposed budget will be set for May 4, 2021.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the FY 2021/22 Tentative Budget is hereby adopted.
RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 20TH DAY OF APRIL, 2021.
Linda Rousseau, 890 Water Street, commented on the City putting up Watch For Deer signs or Deer Crossing signs.
City Manager Niemela updated the Council on the Lightning Bend Grant Application and the disc golf course. Niemela advised that the existing medical marijuana grow facility is in the final stages of transferring ownership. The new owners will be coming before the Planning Commission to lay out their plan. Niemela apprised the council members that the citizens who volunteered to clean up Central Riverside Park are setting up a “Go Fund Me” account to install cameras, which they will be donating to the City for the park. Vandalism of the parks and how to combat the vandalism was discussed at length.
Davis commented on the park vandalism and finding a solution as to how to stop the vandalism. He thanked the staff for putting the budget together.
Mayor Pro Tem Meyers commented on the work put into the budget and the CIP. He thanked the staff for putting the budget and CIP together. Mayor Pro Tem Meyers additionally commented on the Park Street boardwalk needing improvements.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Pro Tem Janae Cooper, City Clerk