REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 19, 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 (arrived at 7:02 p.m.), Jorel Davis and Mike Scheid
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.
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 75516 to 75577 in the amount of $165,362.13
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, January 5, 2021, Amended minutes, December 1, 2020
Moved by Feehan, seconded by Steele to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Steele reported that the Library Board has not met yet; they may meet next week. The ZBA will be meeting virtually next week. Steele reminded everyone that membership to the ZBA is still needed.
Meyers reported that the Housing Commission is scheduled to meet this Thursday via Zoom. The Rec Board met on Monday, January 11th and started going over detailed plans and projects for Lightening Bend.
New Business
A. In a proposal submitted to City Council, Fire Chief Tim Lubitz requested permission to burn the brush pile again this year to reduce its size. Permission is needed as it would violate a City Ordinance. Lubitz did not propose a specific date, as he would like to do it on a weekend in February or March, when there is snow cover on the ground to help contain the fire and when he has enough Fire Fighter coverage. Davis inquired as to what the plan for the brush pile is if it is in the same condition next year. City Manager John Niemela informed the Council Members that they would discontinue the attempt to burn it and try a new plan. Niemela further advised that when a date is chosen residents would be notified. Moved by Feehan, seconded by Davis to approve burning the brush pile on a weekend in February or March with the date yet to be determined by the Fire Department and DPW. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Feehan, Davis, Meyers and Mayor Scheid
NAYS: Steele
B. Moved by Feehan, seconded by Steele to bring the second read of the request for a rezone of Bridge Street properties was brought before City Council. The request was to approve the recommendation of the Planning Commission to rezone six properties from B2 to RM1. The request was granted by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
The 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.
AYES: Council Members Feehan, Meyers, Davis, Steele and Scheid
NAYS: None
ORDINANCE DECLARED ADOPTED.
City Manager Comments
Niemela briefly updated City Council on the Rec Board Board’s proposed improvements for Lightening Bend through a grant application. He will discuss the matter further at the next City Council meeting. A public hearing will be required and a Resolution of Intent will be presented.
Niemela met virtually with MDOT on the Depot improvements. The chimney is a concern. The Department of Historical Preservation determined that the chimney is the largest source of the problem to the building and granted permission to remove the chimney and repair the roof. He is currently in the RFP process and is focusing on contractors with experience working on historical buildings. The target start date is April or May, weather permitting, with the work anticipated to be completed by September.
Niemela has been working with the DEQ in regards to the wastewater plant. He is looking at applying for a 100% grant. The funds could be used for improving the aeration system. The estimate to remove the sludge that has been building up since the 1960’s is approximately $14 million dollars. Sludge removal is critical with ponds 1 and 4. He will submit a Letter of Intent shortly.
Council Comments
Meyers inquired about the additional rate increase for water and waste. Niemela advised that to have a better handle on things, the issues at the plant need to be identified first. All lead and galvanized steel service lines need to be identified. He plans to apply for a 100% grant. Once these factors are determined, a rate increase, if necessary, can be addressed.
Meyers inquired on the status of Rite Aid. Niemela advised that the last contact was 3-4 weeks ago.
Feehan asked that Code Enforcement be added as a topic of discussion under New Business.
Davis inquired about the water rate increase. Niemela advised that it has not been increased at this time as the increase may be higher than 10%. He would rather discuss the increase after all of the issues at the waste water plant are addressed, rather than revisit the topic after a couple of months pass. He did not want to implement a rate increase last year due to Covid-19 with all of the layoffs, job losses, etc. Davis commented on meetings not being posted on Facebook. He would like to see the capital improvement plan before the budget, not at the same time.
Steele commented on having the capital improvement plan ahead of time. Steele commented on working towards using Facebook and questioned as to how we could do better.
Adjourn
Moved by Feehan, supported by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 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 | |
