REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, May 4, 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 on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.
Mayor Mike Scheid called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led with an Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Clerk, Janae Cooper, took the roll call:
Members Present: Bruce Meyers, Doug Feehan, Jorel Davis, Bonita Steele and Mike Scheid.
Members Absent: None
Moved by Feehan, supported by Scheid to approve the Agenda as presented.
Mayor Scheid announced that due to personal reasons he will be resigning as Mayor. Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Meyers will immediately assume the position as Mayor. City Manager John Niemela advised that per the City Charter the role of Mayor Pro Tem would be filled by the most senior member or the City Council which is Mike Scheid. Scheid declined the role of Mayor Pro Tem. Niemela advised that the matter could be resolved by voting today or go through the next couple of meetings and then make a determination. Scheid nominated the next senior member of Council, Doug Feehan, seconded by Steele. Mayor Meyers nominated Davis. No second was offered. Feehan was declared Mayor Pro Tem by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. Mayor Meyers thanked Scheid for his service as Mayor and thanked him for remaining on the City Council as a member.
The motion to approve the agenda as presented carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Mayor Meyers presented Mikayla Linebaugh with the Good Neighbor Award. Linebaugh is the founder of the B Foundation, a non-profit organization which raises funds and distributes the locally to families affected by cancer. Over $500,000 has been raised and has helped over 270 local families! Linebaugh was also named the “2020 Pay it Forward Person of the Year” by Fox 17 and Lake Michigan Credit Union. In conjunction with that she received a $2,500 prize which she donated to the B Foundation.
Moved by Scheid seconded by Feehan to open the Public Hearing regarding the 2021/22 FY Budget at 7:13 p.m. Niemela advised that the budget is being presented as a balanced budget. Hearing no comments, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 76069 to 76140 in the amount of $151,082.92
Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation
B. Approve Minutes: Budget Workshop meeting, April 20, 2021
Regular Scheduled meeting, April 20, 2021
Budget Workshop meeting, April 28, 2021
C. Public Park Use Agreement & Resolution - Belding Area Soccer Club
Mayor Meyers requested to move Item C. Public Park Use Agreement & Resolution – Belding Area Soccer Club to Item C. under New Business. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes - all. The Mayor declared the Consent Calendar approved.
Feehan reported that the Museum Board met. They plan to do some cleaning and discussed reopening, but do not plan to do so until possibly in the fall.
Davis reported that the Planning Commission met and discussed a rezone which is on tonight’s agenda as a first read.
Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to approve the Dial-A-Ride Resolution of Intent. Amanda Hall, DART Director, advised City Council that this is an amendment to a Resolution that was passed earlier this year.
CITY OF BELDING
(Correcting Resolution No. 2021-03-07)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 4th day of May, 2021.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Act 51 of the Public Acts of 1951, as amended (Act 51), it is necessary for the City of Belding Dial-A-Ride, (hereby known as THE APPLICANT) established under Act 279 to provide a local transportation program for the state fiscal year of 2022 and, therefore, apply for state financial assistance under provisions of Act 51; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the governing body, to name an official representative for all public transportation matters, who is authorized to provide such information as deemed necessary by the State Transportation Commission or department for its administration of Act 51; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to certify that no changes in eligibility documentation have occurred during the past state fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the performance indicators have been reviewed and approved by the governing body; and
WHEREAS, THE APPLICANT, has reviewed and approved the proposed balanced (surplus) budget, and funding sources of estimated federal funds of $50,076, estimated state funds of $104,422, estimated local funds of $80,000, with total estimated expenses of $278,200. (Note: Local funds include fare box and any other local revenue)
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that THE APPLICANT hereby makes its intentions known to provide public transportation services and to apply for state financial assistance with this annual plan, in accordance with Act 51; and
HEREBY, appoints Amanda Hall as the Transportation Coordinator, for all public transportation matters, who is authorized to provide such information as deemed necessary by the State Transportation Commission or department for its administration of Act 51 for 2022.
AYES: Council Members Davis, Feehan, Steele, Scheid and Meyers
NAYS: None
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS THE 4th OF MAY 2021.
Police Chief Dale Nelson gave a lengthy report regarding the parks in the City of Belding noting that each park has its own specific concerns.
Central Riverside Park: Vandalism
Skate Park: Assaults, drug use, bathroom vandalism to the extent of making them unusable including plugging toilets and spreading feces.
Surveillance cameras cannot be monitored 24/7. Inaccurate reports including inaccurate dates/time make it very time consuming to investigate. The cameras were vandalized. The Police Department made valid attempts to reposition the cameras and those attempts failed due to vandalism. Part of the failure is deemed as inefficient part design. The pavilions are located too far away, even with bicycle patrol.
East Riverside Park: There are minimal problems at this park as it is easily viewed by the Police Department. There is minor vandalism. The majority of the issues are mainly with the boardwalk which DPW attempts to keep in good repair.
Water Street Park: Due to the boat and kayak ramps as well as a small play structure, the overflow of parked cars causes congestion.
Demorest Field: The baseball complex is used excessively from April through June. The bathrooms are severely vandalized and surveillance cameras, obviously, cannot be placed in the bathrooms, so the vandals are concealed. There are port-a-johns in all of the parks to still allow for bathroom facilities. Covid presents another issue.
Lightning Bend: This is the most remote park. It has minor vandalism. There is littering in the disc golf park.
Chief Nelson suggests that park use will deter nefarious activities--promote activities and encourage use. Nelson reminded everyone to report any criminal activity immediately. Criminal activities that are not reported cannot be investigated and if reported late or inaccurately it makes investigation difficult. Nelson offered the Council to consider shortening the park hours, securing picnic tables, increase lighting and increase park maintenance as personnel in parks deter vandals. He will maintain current patrol of the parks, but no one officer is assigned to park detail. Redesigning the park(s) are a budgetary issue as they carry a multi-million-dollar price tag. Some suggestions from council members included installing alarms in bathrooms, adding lighting/cameras, introducing a millage, seeking other revenue streams, hiring a Recreation Coordinator and partnering with entities such as the NHS (National Honor Society).
Mayor Meyers questioned the term of the agreement being April 20, 2021 to April 1, 2022. Niemela advised that BASC normally do a fall league and occasionally use a pavilion after a game or a season. Niemela did not foresee any issues with the term of the proposed agreement. The resolution carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Feehan, Scheid, Steele and Meyers
Nays: Council Member Davis
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 BASC (BELDING AREA SOCCER CLUB)
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 4th day of May, 2021.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding wishes to enter into a Public Park Use Agreement with BASC for the use of Central Riverside Park facilities; and
WHEREAS, the term of the Agreement shall begin on April 20, 2021 and end on April 1, 2022.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that a Public Park Use Agreement with BASC is hereby approved.
AYES: Council Members Scheid, Feehan, Steele and Meyers
NAYS: Council Member Davis
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 4TH DAY OF MAY, 2021.
Jenny Bennett, 1125 Kenwood. Bennett thanked Linebaugh, commented on social media and the communication policy and commented on the City Calendar.
Alicia Hummel, 809 Bradford Drive. Hummel commented on the park bathroom facilities and council member emails on the city website.
Sam Mason, 516 W. Main Street. Mason commented on city parks and accountability.
Todd Powers, 922 Alderman. Powers commented on the park bathrooms.
Niemela advised the Council that he has been working with the City of Greenville on doing a ribbon cutting ceremony at the kayak launch as it was not able to be done last year due to the Covid restrictions. Niemela advised that the City is considering making an attempt to open the bathrooms at East Riverside and Demorest, at least during BYBL. Niemela discussed using the property that Crystal Flash offered to donate to the City as a trailhead, however it is contaminated and that would have to be addressed. So far there are no issues with parking on Wells Street which is where the trailhead currently is.
Feehan thanked Linebaugh, thanked Scheid for remaining on the council and thanked Chief Nelson for the report.
Davis thanked Linebaugh, thanked Scheid for his dedication to the City, congratulated Feehan on becoming Mayor Pro Tem, and thanked Bennett and the others who gave public comments.
Steele commented on city council member emails being on the City’s website.
Scheid commented on Bennett’s public comment.
Mayor Meyers thanked Linebaugh, thanked Bennett for her comments, thanked Hummel for her email, thanked Powers and thanked Scheid for his service and staying on the City Council as he has a lot of knowledge about the City of Belding.
Moved by Feehan, supported by Scheid to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All
_____________________________ ____________________________
Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae Cooper, City Clerk