REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, June 1, 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, 108 Hanover Street at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Clerk, Janae Cooper took the roll call:
Members present: Doug Feehan, Jorel Davis, Bruce Meyers, and Mike Scheid
Members absent: Bonita Steele
Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to excuse Steele per section 405f of the City Charter. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes - all.
Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to approve the Agenda as presented.
Motion carried by the fallowing roll call vote: yes - all.
Bruce Feuerstein, 203 Pleasant Street, commented on the status of the Rite Aid purchase agreement.
Moved by Meyers, supported by Feehan to separate Item H. of the Consent Agenda to Item B. under New Business. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 76213 to 76270 the amount of $145,642.41
Approve Independent Bank - File Approval Confirmation
Approve Independent Bank - ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, May 18, 2021
C. Reappointment - Belding Housing Commission - Jeff Swanson (exp 6/30/21) The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
REAPPOINTING JEFF SWANSON TO THE BELDING HOUSING COMMISSION.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 1st day of June, 2021.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Feehan.
WHEREAS, Jeff Swanson's term will be expiring on the Belding Housing Commission; and
WHEREAS, Jeff Swanson has indicated his willingness to serve another term on the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Jeff Swanson be reappointed to the Belding Housing Commission with a term of office to expire on June l, 2026.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS lST DAY OF JUNE, 2021.
D. Reappointment - Building Authority -Douglas Lamborne (exp 6/30/21) The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
APPOINTING DOUGLAS LAMBORNE TO THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 1st day of June, 2021.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Douglas Lamborne on the Building Authority will expire on June 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lamborne has indicated that he is interested in serving another term on the authority.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Douglas Lamborne be appointed to the Building Authority with a term to expire on June 30, 2021.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS lST DAY OF JUNE, 2021.
E. Reappointment - Downtown Development Authority – John Niemela (exp 6/30/21) The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
REAPPOINTING JOHN NIEMELA TO THE DDA BOARD.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 1st day of June, 2021.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Feehan.
WHEREAS, Downtown Development Authority Act 197 of 1975 states the Chief Executive Officer, being the mayor or city manager, will serve on the board;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that City Manager John Niemela be reappointed to the DDA with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2025.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS lST DAY OF JUNE, 2021.
F. Reappointment - Downtown Development Authority - Troy Palmer (exp 6/30/21) The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
APPOINTING TROY PAIMER TO THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA).
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 1st day of June, 2021.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Feehan.
WHEREAS, Troy Palmer's term on the Downtown Development Authority is due to expire on June 30, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Troy Palmer has indicated his interest in serving on the board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Palmer owns a business within the DDA District; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Troy Palmer be appointed to the DDA with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2025.
Upon vote for the adoption of said resolution, the vote was: Upon vote for the adoption of said resolution, the vote was:
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 1ST DAY OF JUNE, 2021.
G. Reappointment - Downtown Development Authority – Bruce Feuerstein (exp 6/30/21) The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
APPOINTING BRUCE FEUERSTEIN TO THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA).
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 1st day of June, 2021.
WHEREAS, Bruce Feuerstein's term on the Downtown Development Authority is due to expire on June 30, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Feuerstein has indicated his interest in serving on the board;
and
WHEREAS, Bruce Feuerstein owns a business within the DDA District; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Bruce Feuerstein be appointed to the DDA with a term of office to expire on June 30, 2025.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS lST DAY OF JUNE, 2021.
H. Public Park Use Agreement - Belding Shuffleboard Club (Moved to Item B. Under New Business)
Davis reported on the Planning Commission that met on May 25th, where after a public hearing, the Planning Commission recommended to Amend Ordinance 452 to add a second site for an adult-use marihuana facility. Additionally, the request to amend the ordinance for outdoor recreational facilities was tabled. The City is working with Williams and Works on the best way to revise the Ordinance.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Housing Commission met on May 20th. They paid bills and conducted normal business. Mayor Meyers reported that the rehab project should be finished this week with a small punch list remaining.
A. The City Council held the first read of the Ordinance to Amend Ordinance 452 as amended, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belding, Michigan, to permit LC Holding Company LLC an adult-use marihuana grower facility on property located at 701 Reed Street. LC Holding Company LLC restated their visions for the facility. Items discussed were the number of licenses they will be seeking, how the plants would be grown and security of the facility. The proposed location currently has a 3-tier barbed wire fence around the property. Scheid, along with any other council members, were offerect to tour the facility after the meeting.
B. Public Park Use Agreement - Belding Shuffleboard Club with Belding Shuffleboard Club with the stipulations that within thirty (30) days signage be placed at the Shuffleboard court(s) that include contact numbers/information to gain entry into the courts and for City Hall to be provided with a key and/or combination to the lock. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes - all. 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 BELDING SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 1st day of June, 2021.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Feehan.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding wishes to enter into a Public Park Use Agreement with Belding Shuffleboard Club; and
WHEREAS, the term of the Agreement shall begin on May 1, 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 Belding Shuffleboard Club is hereby approved.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 1ST DAY OF JUNE, 2021.
Sharon Carlson spoke in her capacity as the Director of the Housing Commission regarding the death of a local resident Louie Lee, a Marine veteran who cared for the Memorial Park daily.
City Manager Comments
City Manager, John Niemela advised the City Council members that the has not heard from Rite Aid and that the property is back on the market. He also mentioned that two library board members have resigned and the positions will be advertised.
Davis inquired about the offer that was submitted on the Briemayer property and when it would be brought before council for consideration. Niemela advised that he can have that ready at the next meeting. Rite Aid had until today (June 1st) to purchase the property therefore it was not on today's agenda. Davis thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.
Scheid apologized for missing a few meetings and offered that it was due to personal issues between his heath and the health of his wife. He thanked everyone for coming.
Feehan noted that all restrictions regarding COVID 19 are to be lifted in Michigan as of July 1st and inquired as to returning to the Depot for meetings since all restrictions will be lifted. Niemela advised that the Depot will be having some remodeling done so we may have to go back and forth between the Depot and the Belrockton while the remodeling takes place. Feehan thanked Chief Lubitz for his report on the fire truck and the pick-up truck replacement. He inquired as to whether an open house will be held when the City takes possession of the new fire truck. He thanked everyone for coming.
Mayor Meyers commented on the pick-up truck purchase price (plus parts) being within budget, the Botanical Biologics LLC expansion deadline and the five (5) different appointments that were on the Consent Agenda. He thanked those who were reappointed (Jeff Swanson, Douglas Lamborne, John Niemela, Troy Palmer and Bruce Feuerstein) for their volunteer service and expressed his appreciation. He additionally acknowledged the Freedom Park celebration that took place on Memorial Day. He thanked the volunteers and donors.
Feehan commented on the insurance claim for one of the plaques at the Freedom Park.
Meyers noted that there will be a motorcycle tour group of around 200 bikes that will be visiting the Freedom Park on June 13th.
Moved by Scheid, seconded by Feehan to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - all.
_____________________________ ____________________________
Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae Cooper, City Clerk