REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
VIRTUAL MEETING
7:00 P.M.
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session via a virtual meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
Mayor Mike Scheid called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The City Clerk, Janae Cooper took the roll call:
Members present: Bruce Meyers, Doug Feehan, Jorel Davis and Mike Scheid
Members absent: Bonita Steele
Mayor Scheid apprised the Council Members of Steele’s reason for absence. Moved by Feehan, supported by Davis to excuse Steele from the meeting. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Approval of Agenda
Moved by Feehan seconded by Davis to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes - all.
Public Hearing – Lightning Bend Grant Application
Moved by Feehan, seconded by Davis to enter into Public Hearing at 7:05 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes - all. Rec Board Chair Sharon Carlson reported that the Rec Board spent a fair amount of time from 2017-21 developing public participation, prioritizing tasks, improving and maintaining each park and considering and accommodating the groups that use them, as well as planning for and completing legacy maintenance. At this time Lightning Bend park is the Rec Boards highest priority. Maleah Rakestraw of Williams and Works has identified Lightning Bend as the city park in most need of attention. With a Michigan National Resource Trust Fund Grant the City would be responsible for a 25% minimum match. She shared a flyer (on file in the City Clerk’s Office) citing the proposed long-term park improvements and what improvements are needed while creating minimal disturbance. One priority cited is to include 24-hole ADA accessible disc golf, which would qualify Lightning Bend for Disc Golf tournaments. Feehan commented that the Rec Board has put in a lot of work on improving the community and that he appreciates it. Rakestraw noted that they are hearing favorable input from the community. The Rec Board will decide next week what will be included in the grant. Moved by Feehan, seconded by Davis to close Public Hearing closed at 7:29 p.m.
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 75578 to 75672 in the amount of $148,598.30.
Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, January 19, 2021
Moved by Feehan, seconded by Meyers to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Feehan reported that the Museum Board has not met.
Meyers reported that the Housing Commission is scheduled to meet on January 21st. The rehab has been started in Belhaven I, and upon completion, will move onto rehabbing Belhaven II. Feedback has been positive from both the residents and the contractors. Parking lot repairs are being assessed. The Housing Commission also went over reports and paid bills.
Davis reported that the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for January 26th was cancelled.
New Business
A. Moved by Feehan, seconded by Davis to discuss the Alternate Start Dates for Board of Review. City Manager John Niemela advised the Council Members this is a yearly resolution. Motion to approve the Resolution was 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 TO ADOPT ALTERNATE START DATES FOR MARCH 2021; JULY 2021 AND DECEMBER 2021 BOARD OF REVIEW.
WHEREAS, the adoption of the alternate Board of Review dates as follows is requested, as required per State Tax Commission guidelines:
For the March Board of Review, second meeting in March, can be held either the Tuesday or the Wednesday following the second Monday in March, 2021
For the July Board of Review, an alternate date during the week of the 3rd Monday in July, 2021
For the December Board of review, an alternate date during the week of the 2nd Monday in December, 2021
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the listed alternate dates for the Board of Review are hereby adopted.
B. Moved by Feehan, seconded by Davis to discuss the Poverty Exemption Guidelines. Niemela advised the Council Members this is a yearly resolution. Motion to approve the Resolution was 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.
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 $12,760 2 $17,240
3 $21,720
4 $26,200
5 $30,680
6 $35,160
7 $39,640
8 $44,120
For each additional person $ 4,480
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 $28,000
1 person 65 years and over $28,000
2 persons under 65 years $34,600
2 persons with householder over 65 $34,600
3 persons $41,300
4 persons $47,900
5 persons $52,800
6 persons $61,200
7 persons $67,900
8 persons $74,600
9 persons $80,800
WHEREAS, if a person meets all eligibility requirements in statute, the Board of Review must grant a full exemption equal to a 100% reduction in taxable value or a partial exemption equal to a 25% or 50% reduction in taxable value OR any other percentage reduction in taxable value approved by the STC
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.
C. Code Enforcement Discussion
Feehan inquired about the Code Enforcement Officer position. Feehan commented on the position being separate from the Police and Fire Departments and that a part-time position would be cheaper. Niemela advised the Council that the Code Enforcement Officer’s duties are not solely code. The position also handles administrative work for the police department. No patrol work is involved. Niemela can put together a job description and the position could be discussed at budget-time. Davis commented on having another officer on patrol and a part-time code enforcement officer cheaper. Meyers sought a better understanding of the position; a breakdown of the hours spent between code and police department work and what those duties entail as well as learning how other cities handle the duties.
Public Comment
Jenny Bennett, 1125 Kenwood, Belding, commented on communication and the increased use of the electronic sign and Facebook.
City Manager Comments
John Niemela, City Manager, spoke briefly on the Lightning Bend project that the Rec Board has been working on. He plans to bring a Resolution to the next City Council Meeting to authorize an application to MDNR. Niemela is working on a formalized social media format. He watched an MEDC presentation yesterday, which is of value to the City as it is in regards to community redevelopment processes. Niemela has a virtual meeting scheduled with EGLE regarding a process for wastewater treatment plants and what we are proposing to do. They will meet again on February 19th to see what the next steps are. He will also be meeting with MDOT about the improvements to the Depot. An RFP has been submitted and he is waiting for final review.
Council Comments
Meyers commented on seeing more details on fund reports. He commented on the Telnet penalty and the contract length, the PILOT ordinance, and a blight bill.
Davis commented on legacy costs to parks, the condition of the boardwalk and its needed improvements and he also inquired about an update on training for the Planning Commission.
Adjourn
Moved by Feehan, supported by Davis to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
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Mike Scheid, Mayor |
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_________________________________________ Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk | |
