REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 5, 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, January 5, 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, Bonita Steele, Jorel Davis and Mike Scheid
Approval of Agenda
Moved by Feehan, seconded by Steele to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes - all.
Consent Agenda
B. Approve Independent Bank Checks 75442 to 75467 in the amount of $118,192.56
Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation (2)
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation (2)
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, December 15, 2020
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
Steele advised the Council Members that the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) met on December 22nd. The ZBA granted a size variance for a pole barn.
New Business
A. Moved by Feehan, seconded by Mayor Scheid to bring the Patrol Vehicle Purchase to the floor for discussion. City Police Chief Dale Nelson apprised the council members of the need for a new patrol vehicle (a Ford Explorer) due to the ages, high mileage and mechanical issues with the other vehicles in the fleet. Additionally, SUV’s are the trend for police vehicles due to the equipment necessary to perform the job. Funding for a patrol vehicle was included in the 2020/21 Budget. Davis inquired if Nelson had researched suppliers other than Ford. Nelson noted that Chevy Tahoe’s run $2,500-$3,000 higher than Ford Explorers. Chevy Impalas and Caprices have been discontinued as police vehicles and Dodge Chargers have had reported issues. Ford Explorers have good reviews and that the current Ford Explorer in the fleet has had no issues. Meyers commented on police department expenditures and getting park patrol back up and running now that the police department is fully staffed. Steele commended the Police Department on their involvement with community programs at Christmastime. A Resolution to proceed with the order/purchase agreement for a 2021 Ford Explorer in the amount of $43,467.80 for the purchase of a new patrol car to replace the high mileage 2012 Chevrolet Impala in the fleet was brought before City Council. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
COUNTY OF IONIA
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A 2021 FORD EXPLORER THROUGH ED KOEHN FORD.
WHEREAS, car #14, being a Chevy Impala is needing replacement due to high mileage and mechanical issues; and
WHEREAS, with yearly replacement we would be able to better maintain our fleet mileage and keeps costs of repairs down; and
WHEREAS, the current trend in law enforcement is to use an SUV Platform to accommodate the amount of equipment that must be carried by an officer while on patrol; and
WHEREAS, the purchase of a 2021 Ford Explorer would be through Ed Koehn Ford, through Ford state and local government purchase plan. The plan offers Government Price Concession (GPC) or a fleet incentive on any vehicles purchased and has submitted the state purchase price of $35,754.30; and
WHEREAS, equipment transfer and installation will be provided for an additional $6,963.50 by Crouch Communications; and
WHEREAS, graphics will be included for $750.00; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a 2021 Ford Explorer be purchased using the motor pool account with amounts included in the 2020-21 budget and will also be taking advantage of the GPC offered through Ed Koehn Ford, for a total of $43,467.80
AYES: Feehan, Steele and Scheid
NAYS: Meyers and Davis
THIS RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 5TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2021.
A. Moved by Feehan, seconded by Meyers to bring the second read of the PILOT for Jacklyn Apartments to the floor. The Ordinance was adopted by the following roll call vote: yes – all. The Ordinance is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
COUNTY OF IONIA
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 551, AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF AN ANNUAL SERVICE CHARGE IN LIEU OF TAXES FOR RESIDENTIAL UNITS SERVING LOW OR MODERATE INCOME PERSONS AND FAMILIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, ACT 346 OF THE PUBLIC ACTS OF MICHIGAN OF 1966, AS AMENDED, AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS:
Section 1. Amendment of Section 3, Preamble. Section 3, Preamble shall read as follows:
It is acknowledged that it is a proper public purpose of the State of Michigan and its political subdivisions to provide housing for low income citizens and to encourage the development of such housing by providing for a service charge in lieu of property taxes in accordance with Act 346. The City is authorized by Act 346 and this Ordinance to establish or change the annual service charge to be paid in lieu of taxes by any and all classes of housing exempt from taxation under Act 346 at any amount it chooses not to exceed the taxes that would be paid but for Act 346. It is further acknowledged that housing for low income persons and families is a public necessity, and as the City will be benefitted and improved by such housing, the encouragement of the same by providing certain real-estate tax exemptions for such housing is a valid public purpose; further, that the continuance of the provisions of this Ordinance for tax exemption and the service charge in lieu of taxes during the period contemplated in this Ordinance are essential to the determination of economic feasibility of housing developments which are constructed and financed in reliance on such tax exemption.
The City acknowledges that Truverse Belding II Limited Dividend Housing Association Limited Partnership (the “Sponsor” as defined in Section 4 of this Ordinance) has committed to rehabilitate, own and operate a housing development identified as “Jacklyn Apartments” on certain property located at 1250 Kenwood, Belding, Michigan, which is legally described in Section 4.E. of this Ordinance, to serve Low or Moderate Income Persons and Families, and that the Sponsor has offered to pay and will pay to the City, on account of the Housing Development, an annual service charge for public services in lieu of all taxes.
Section 2. Amendment of Section 4.E, Definitions. Section 4.E Definitions shall be amended to include the following:
West Belding
Parcel: 34-401-040-000-250-00
City of Belding PT NW1/4 Section 10 T8N R8W, Com NW Corner Lot 121 Demorest’s Addition, thence north 89degrees 30' west 726 feet to northeast corner of Lot 138 SD addition, then north 0 degrees 30' west 219.5 feet then north 89 degrees 30' east 726 feet then south 0 degrees 30' east 219.5 feet to the place of beginning; also an easement as recorded Liber 462 Page 999 Ionia Co; also an easement as recorded Liber 462 Page 999 and Liber 464 Page 312 Ionia Co
Section 3. Amendment of Section 4.G,. Section 4.G. shall be amended to read as follows:
G. “Sponsor” means person(s) or entities which have applied to the Authority for the Tax Credits to finance a Housing Development. For the purposes of this Ordinance, the Sponsor is Truverse Belding II Limited Dividend Housing Association Limited Partnership.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective on January 19, 2021 which is 10 days after publication in a paper of general circulation in the City of Belding, as provided in the City Charter.
AYES: Meyers, Davis, Feehan, Steele and Scheid
NAYS: None
ORDINANCE DECLARED ADOPTED.
B. Moved by Feehan seconded by Davis, to bring the Rezone of Bridge Street Properties, first read, to the floor. The request was initiated by Sam Mason as he plans to convert his former store into an apartment. It was the recommendation of the of the City Manager to rezone the entire block. There were no comments at the Public Hearing. The Planning Commission approved the recommendation at their regularly scheduled meeting on December 22, 2020. The proposed Ordinance is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
COUNTY OF IONIA
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF BELDING MICHIGAN, INCORPORATED IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELDING (BELDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 452) BY SECTION 3.2, OF THE BELDING CITY CODE.
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS
SECTION 1 The Zoning Map incorporated in the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Belding by Section 3.2, of the Belding City Code is amended as follows:
The properties rezoned from B-2 (General Business) to RM-1 (Multiple-Family Residential District) are legally described as:
CITY OF BELDING, BELDING & ELLIS ADD LOTS 50 & 51
Location: 204 N. Bridge Street, Belding, Michigan.
Parcel: 34-401-090-000-190-00
And:
CITY OF BELDING, BELDING & ELLIS ADD LOT 52
Location: 206 N. Bridge Street, Belding, Michigan.
Parcel: 34-401-090-000-195-00
And:
CITY OF BELDING, BELDING & ELLIS ADD LOT 53
Location: 214 N. Bridge Street, Belding, Michigan
Parcel: 34-401-090-000-200-00
And:
CITY OF BELDING, BELDING & ELLIS ADD SOUTH ½ LOT 54
Location 216 N. Bridge Street, Belding, Michigan
Parcel: 34-401-090-000-200-00
And:
CITY OF BELDING, BELDING & ELLIS ADD NORTH ½ LOT 54
Location 220 N. Bridge Street, Belding, Michigan
Parcel: 34-401-090-000-210-00
And:
CITY OF BELDING, BELDING & ELLIS ADD LOTS 55 & 56
Location 304 N. Bridge Street, Belding, Michigan
Parcel: 34-401-090-000-215-00
SECTION 2 All other parts of the zoning map and zoning ordinance are affirmed and shall remain unchanged.
SECTION 3 A copy of this Ordinance shall be filed with the Ionia County Register of Deeds.
SECTION 4 This Ordinance shall be published as provided in the City Charter and shall become effective ten (10) days after publication.
City Manager Comments
John Niemela, City Manager, updated City Council that he has been working on the organization structure and protocol on the City’s Facebook presence. He plans to bring the item before the Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
The Police and Fire Department staff, that were interested, have received their first round of the COVID vaccine. DPW and Dial-a-Ride employees are considered essential workers so they will be among the next group to receive their vaccinations, then older individuals and young people with health issues.
Council Comments
Steele commented on the City Facebook page.
Meyers inquired about Fleis and Vandenbrink’s contact regarding the lagoons and suggested Niemela do a cost comparison between Fleis and Vandenbrink and the City having their own wastewater treatment person. Meyers also requested an update on the progress of the fire truck and if any trips had been taken to view the progress of the truck. Niemela stated that he was not aware of any trips being taken yet.
Davis asked Niemela if any training is planned for the Planning Commission. Niemela advised Davis that training is planned for both the Planning Commission and the ZBA. Davis inquired if there is a plan in place for the City to establish its own ZOOM account. Niemela advised that he would see after January 16th to see if the City needs a permanent account, not necessarily for the City Council to use but for the public. There would be some cost involved for equipment. Davis thanked the City Police Department for their community involvement at Christmastime helping those families in need.
Adjourn
Moved by Feehan, supported by Meyers to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 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 | |
