REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot 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 Pere Marquette Depot at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Councilmember Mike Scheid gave the Invocation.
Mayor Meyers led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Clerk, Janae Cooper, took the roll call:
Members Present: Bruce Meyers, Doug Feehan, Jorel Davis, Mike Scheid, and Bonita Steele.
Members Absent: None
Moved by Scheid, seconded by Feehan, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 76527 to 76577 in the amount of $91,395.50.
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, July 20, 2021
Moved by Scheid, seconded by Feehan, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Steele reported that the Library Board has not met. The ZBA met and did not approve a request for property on Kiddville.
Feehan reported that the Museum Board is doing some cleaning, including power washing and cleaning the eaves. They will be opening soon.
Davis reported that the Planning Commission had a request to rezone 1001 W. State Street. There was a mix up on both of the parcel numbers in the original requests therefore the matters were bought before the Planning Commission again to correct and to rezone. They were approved by City Council 4-0. There was also a brief discussion to look at the current housing ordinances.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Rec Board met on July 12th. The State is looking at additional grant funds. The Rec Board talked about updating the Rec Plan. An answer on the grant request for Lightning Bend should be coming soon. Legacy costs will be discussed at the next Rec Board meeting on August 9th.
A. Moved by Davis, seconded by Feehan to acknowledge the first read of the recommendation to rezone property at 1001 W. State Street (parcel ending in 10).
B. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Feehan to acknowledge the first read of the recommendation to rezone property at 1001 W. State Street (parcel ending in 20).
C. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Feehan to approve the Resolution to Purchase New Medical First Response (MFR) Pickup Truck. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF AND ABILITY TO PROCEED WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF A NEW MFR FIRE APPARATUS.
At a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, held in said City on the 3rd day of August 2021.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Feehan.
WHEREAS, the current apparatus is 27 years old, maintenance is starting to become a financial factor,
WHEREAS, a more sustainable replacement program for our fire apparatus should be sought after,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that we proceed with the purchase of a new MFR vehicle and equipment for the amount of $65,000.00.
RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 3RD DAY OF AUGUST, 2021.
D. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Feehan to approve the Resolution to Accept Proposal to Remove Sludge from the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY NUTRIGRO ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC.TO REMOVE SLUDGE FROM THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
At a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, held in said City on the 3rd day of August 2021.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Feehan.
WHEREAS, the city Waste Water Treatment Plant is in need of maintenance of its lagoons; and,
WHEREAS, the city has determined that sludge in the lagoons needs to be remove to improve operations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that we accept the proposal from Nutrigro Environmental Solutions, Inc. to remove sludge from the Waste Water Treatment Plant in an amount not to exceed $415,000.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the mayor be authorized to execute the document.
RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 3RD DAY OF AUGUST, 2021.
Sam Mason, 516 West May Street, commented on wastewater treatment and the ponds.
Holly Noble, 1225 7 Mile Road, commented on the weeds on the side of the mall that are across from the Veteran’s Memorial Park.
City Manager John Niemela reminded Councilmembers about their invitations to the appreciation dinner at Central Riverside Park and to RSVP if they plan to attend.
Rite Aid completed their paperwork to acquire the Breimayer lot. The proceeds check has been received and deposited. The City will contact Consumers Energy to remove the power panel from the property.
The Dial-A-Ride Director, Amanda Hall quit. Valerie Conklin has been hired as her replacement.
An ad for Ernie Thomas’ replacement has been posted. The goal is to hire a qualified individual ASAP so they can spend some time with him before he retires.
The Gus Macker tournament was successful, with a few minor injuries incurred.
The final planning stages for Labor Day have begun. There will be some items regarding Labor Day on the next City Council Agenda. The water testing along the Flat River trail is not completed yet. Eight people have indicated that they would like their well tested. The actual testing has not started yet. Davis inquired about Code Enforcements violation sites. Niemela advised that a report will be put in the City Council packets along with the Police Department reports. Davis also inquired if any DPW employees have shown interest in Thomas’ position. Niemela advised the Council of the qualifications for the position and that there is not a match. Davis inquired if there is a site that EGLE violations can be viewed. Niemela provided MIWaters as a reference. Mayor Meyers inquired about the street repair schedule. Niemela advised that September is the target as it should be done before the trees start to lose their leaves. The streets that are projected to receive repairs are Orchard Street and Woodhaven.
Steele commented about the first response truck.
Feehan commented on the police officers who have left the City and on the new first response truck.
Davis commented on the fire department working smarter and not harder. He also commented on Fleis and Vandenbrink and thanked everyone for coming.
Scheid thanked everyone for coming.
Mayor Meyers commented on Gus Macker and thanked the Fire and Police Departments and their staffs for their help at the event. He thanked Fleis and Vandenbrink for helping to come to a long-term resolution for the lagoons. He thanked everyone for coming.
The Mayor called for a brief recess at 8:11 p.m. to enter into a Closed Session to do the City Manager review.
City Council resumed Open Session at 10:09 p.m.
Mayor Meyers stated that no further action would be taking place tonight.
Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 10:11 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
_____________________________ ____________________________
Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae Cooper, City Clerk