Approval of Agenda

Mayor Meyers advised the council members that 1.) Davis is running late, and  2.) Representative Thomas Albert is unable to attend this evening and will plan to come to a meeting in December.  Moved by Scheid, seconded by Gunderson  to approve the Agenda as presented.  Motion carried by the following roll call vote:  Yes - All.

Consent Agenda

Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.  Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.  The Consent Agenda is as follows:

Reports by Council Liaisons

Steele advised that the Rec Board will meet next week.

Gunderson reported that the Library Board has a full board again.  Games are back out, different events are scheduled including a coupon class, the Friends of the Library Book Sale generated $1,960, bills are paid and the next meeting will be held one week early, on November 18^th due to Thanksgiving.

Davis reported that the Planning Commission meeting was cancelled.

Mayor Meyers reported that the Housing Commission met on October 21^st.  The June 30, 2021 Audit was discussed, the parking lot paving has been completed, and the status of property improvements were discussed along with their normal reports.  The Rec Board was cancelled on November 8^th due to the lack of a quorum.  The meeting is tentatively rescheduled to November 15^th.  The Museum Board met on October 26^th.  The rental agreement, rental policy for Museum Board members, maintenance, upcoming quit show and 2 Santa events were discussed.

New Business

A.   Moved by Scheid, seconded by Gunderson to approve the Wastewater Treatment Plant Engineering Evaluation.  Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.  The Resolution is as follows:

CITY OF BELDING

Public Comments

Jim Mason, 210 S. Broas Street, commented on Housing Commission Director Sharon Carlson’s recent appointment to the National Housing and Development Board of Governors. Mason additionally commented on the Friends of the Library Book Sale, and commented on the city streets.

Liz Ingraham, 6691 Bartonville Road, Girl Scout Troop 4304 Leader commented on the Girl Scouts availability to do small tasks, such as clean-up for the DDA.

City Manager Comments

City Manager John Niemela reported that the final approval for the sludge removal at the WWTP has not been received from EGLE yet.  It is anticipated that pond 4 should be approved for land-application of the sludge, however there may not be enough time to get it done this fall, as it takes 2-4 weeks to apply. 

PFAS was detected in the test wells.  Eight wells have been installed between yesterday and today, both shallow and deep.  Per EGLE they need to sit for two weeks and then take another water sample, with results approximately two weeks later. 

The fire truck will be delivered between December 1^st and the end of December.  The financing paperwork is scheduled to be signed on December 1^st.  The rescue truck is expected to be delivered to the dealership this week and then on to Mt. Pleasant for approximately two weeks for accessory equipment installation. 

Niemela distributed summaries of the streets in which overlay was done this year and a summary of the streets that have been done since 2018.  The streets that will need work on the water or sewer lines have been avoided at this time.  Known areas with lead and galvanized service lines were started this year.  The project must be completed within 20 years.  Niemela applied for a grant from the State of Michigan, but Belding did not meet the qualifications.  

Steele inquired on the status of the roof repair at the Depot.  Niemela advised that two bids were received.  They must be reviewed by the State before coming before city council for approval.  No bids have been received for the interior work.  MDOT is aware that Dial-A-Ride is operating from City Hall. 

The DPW Director replacement will be decided upon next week.  The is currently no replacement for the other DPW position at this time.  Niemela is talking with Infrastructure Alternatives as a back-up plan.  Per the city attorney Matt Zimmerman, a draft of the most current Administrative Order Consent can be made available to the council with the understanding that it is a draft and not a final order—it can be read and must be returned.

Gunderson advised that he received a call from a resident regarding road patching. 

Davis advised that he received a call from a resident regarding the parking lot at Demorest.  Niemela advised that there are two options: 1.) remove the blacktop and have a gravel parking lot or 2.) find the money to repave it.  At this time an estimate on that figure is not available. 

Council Comments

Scheid thanked those in attendance for coming to the meeting.

Davis thanked Sharon Carlson, Girl Scout Troop 4304, Fleis & Vandenbrink, as well as others in attendance for coming to the meeting.  Davis also commented on the Candlelight Reception. 

Mayor Meyers congratulated Sharon Carlson on her appointment.  He thanked Niemela regarding his great work on the street project and the fire and rescue trucks.  He also offered thanks to Girl Scout Troop 4304, Fleis & Vandenbrink and Jim Mason.

Adjourn

Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m.  Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.

_______________________________                     _______________________________

Bruce Meyers, Mayor                                 Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk