REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, March 16, 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, March 16, 2021.
Mayor Mike Scheid 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, Bonita Steele and Mike Scheid
Members absent: None
Moved by Feehan, supported by Davis to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Sam Mason, 516 W. May Street, commented on the fire truck and air packs.
Fire Chief Tim Lubitz addressed the plan on air packs that were commented on Mason. Money has been set aside in the budget where it is planned to purchase four air packs per year, versus all at once. Additionally, he has applied for a grant and awaiting a response, however it has been denied three times in the past.
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 75806 to 75912 in the amount of $83,636. 94
Approve Mercantile Bank Checks 1113 to 1120 in the amount of 85,107.75
Approve Independent Bank - File Approval Confirmation (2)
2-23-21 and 3-9-21
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation (2) 2-23-21 and 3-9-21
B. Approve Minutes: Regular Scheduled meeting- March 2, 2021
C. Approve Public Park Use Agreement –Belding Little League
Moved by Meyers, supported by Feehan to separate Item C. of the Consent Agenda to Item C. under New Business. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all. Moved by Steele, supported by Feehan to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
Feehan had no report as the Museum Board has not met.
Davis had no report as the Planning Commission has not met.
Steele had no report(s) to give.
Meyers stated that the Housing Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, March 18th at 6:00 p.m.
Scheid had no report(s) to give.
City Manager John Niemela advised that council members that Ryan Storey contacted him prior to the meeting and was unsure if he wanted to proceed with the rezone. Moved by Steele, supported by Feehan to postpone the matter to a future date, approximately 2-4 weeks. If Niemela has not heard back from Mr. Storey by the 2nd meeting in April he will reach out to him. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
Niemela clarified to the council that the bid price for the new fire truck was $586,000 (using whole numbers), however approval of $610,000 was intended, budgeted for and what the amortization schedule was based upon. Additional extrication equipment was included in the bid bringing the price up to $610,000. This was proposed in the original discussion however the resolution reflected the lower amount. Moved by Feehan, supported by Meyers to increase the purchase price of the fire truck to $610,000.00. 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 AMENDING THE AMOUNT AUTHORIZED FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW 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 16th day of March 2021.
WHEREAS, the City Council approved a motion to authorize the purchase of new fire apparatus at the October 6th 2020 council meeting; and
WHEREAS, the amount approved, $586,427 did not included the cost extrication equipment intended to be included; and,
WHEREAS, a revised amount of $610,000 is required to cover the cost to include the extrication equipment on the new fire apparatus.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding,
Michigan that we proceed with the purchase of a new fire apparatus including the extrication equipment for the amount not to exceed $610,000.00.
RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF MARCH, 2021.
Meyers requested clarification on the agreement as it was signed by Rec Board member Mike McCarty. Niemela clarified that McCarty is signing the agreement as a representative of BYBL, not the Rec Board. Additionally, the agreements have been corrected to have Mike Scheid cited at the Mayor on the form. Moved by Scheid, supported by Meyers to approve the 2021 Public Park Use Agreement for BYBL. 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 LITTLE LEAGUE.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 16th day of March, 2021.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding wishes to enter into a Public Park Use Agreement with Belding Little League; and
WHEREAS, the term of the Agreement shall begin on April 12, 2021 and end on July 1, 2021.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a Public Park Use Agreement with Belding Little League is hereby approved.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF MARCH, 2021.
City Manager John Niemela advised the council that that the Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic was moved from today to March 31st and is by appointment only.
Niemela has received a couple of inquiries regarding additional marijuana grow facilities in the city. He asked Council if they were interested in hearing any of the proposals. Steele, Davis and Meyers – yes. Feehan and Scheid – no.
Steele commented on adding the social media topic onto the next agenda.
Meyers commented that he would like to have more understating with the meetings that take place with Flies and Vandenbrink, EGLE, Ernie and John. Meyers inquired about the code enforcement spreadsheet request. He additionally commented on the article in the Daily News regarding the $350,000 proposed distribution.
Feehan commented on meeting in person again.
Davis thanked Lubitz for the additional information on the firetruck. Davis commented on the vaccination clinic, PFAS testing and the code enforcement spreadsheet.
Moved by Feehan, seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
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Mike Scheid, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk