REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, October 5, 2021
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
100 DEPOT 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 Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Councilmember Mike Scheid gave the Invocation.
Mayor Meyers led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Clerk, Janae Cooper took the roll call:
Members present: Jorel Davis, Bonita Steele, Mike Scheid, and Bruce Meyers
Members absent: None
Approval of Agenda:
Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - All.
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 76872 to 76926 in the amount of $159,745.72
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, September 21, 2021
Approve Minutes: Closed Session meeting, September 21, 2021
Approve Minutes: Special Meeting: September 23, 2021
Approve Minutes: Special Meeting: September 29, 2021
Moved by Scheid, seconded by Davis to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Presentation
Doug Vredeveld of Vredeveld Haefner, LLC presented the Audit Report for the City of Belding Year Ended June 30, 2021. (A hard copy of the PowerPoint presentation and the audit report are on file in the Clerk’s Office).
Reports by Council Liaisons
Steele attended the Library Board meeting and reported on the actions taken at the meeting.
Davis reported that the Planning Commission has not met.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Housing Commission did not meet. Their next regularly scheduled meeting is October 21st.
New Business
A. Moved by Steele, seconded by Scheid to approve the Fire Dept. Annual Halloween Party Temporary Street Closure. 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 SUPPORTING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT’S REQUEST TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE A PORTION OF WEST CONGRESS STREET FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY AND OPEN HOUSE.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan was held in said City on the 5th day of October, 2021.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Steele and seconded by Council Member Scheid.
WHEREAS, the Belding Fire Department would like to temporarily close West Congress Street between Bridge Street and Pleasant Street on Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 4:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M. for the purpose of hosting their annual Halloween Party and Open House.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan supports the temporary closure of West Congress Street.
RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 5th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2021.
B. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to approve the Dial-A-Ride Title VI Policy. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All. (A copy of the signed policy is on file in the Clerk’s Office). The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING THE TITLE VI NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY FOR THE CITY OF BELDING, DIAL-A-RIDE.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan was held in said City on the 5th day of October, 2021.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council
Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Steele.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding, Dial-A-Ride is presenting a Title VI non discrimination policy for approval by the City Council; and,
WHEREAS, Federal Aid is contingent upon the Title VI Non Discrimination Plan being in place; and,
WHEREAS, the policy is necessary to meet our Federal requirements for public transportation services; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Belding, Dial-A-Ride is required to adhere to the conditions in the Title VI non-discrimination policy; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Belding has been the recipient of federal aid in the past; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Belding anticipates continuation of federal aid
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Belding, Michigan, adopts the aforementioned Title VI Non Discrimination Plan in its entirety, as well as annual updates that need to be made for compliance and that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign the Title VI Non-Discrimination Policy for the City of Belding, Dial-A-Ride.
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 5th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2021.
C. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Davis to approve the ZBA Final Decision Form and to incorporate the form and its use into the ZBA Bylaws. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All. (A copy of the form is on file in the Clerk’s Office).
D. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to appoint one of the six previously interviewed applicants to the vacant City Council Member seat. Mayor Meyers reviewed the instructions for the selection process (on file in the Clerk’s Office). Council Members were instructed to sign their ballot (for transparency) and place a checkmark beside the candidate of their choice. Unsigned ballots would be deemed as VOID. Clerk Cooper distributed ballots containing the six applicant’s names in the order that they were interviewed. Ballots were returned to the Clerk and the results were as follows: Three ballots were signed with Davis voting for Shelley Gladding, Steele voting for Shelley Gladding and Mayor Meyers voting for Ronald Gunderson. The unsigned ballot, thus being VOID belonged to Scheid, casting a vote for Ronald Gunderson. Council members decided to revote on the matter. Clerk Cooper distributed a new set of ballots. Ballots were then returned to Cooper. All four ballots were signed with results as follows: Davis cast a vote for Shelley Gladding, Steele cast a vote for Shelley Gladding, Mike Scheid cast a vote for Ronald Gunderson and Mayor Meyers cast a vote for Ronald Gunderson. With a tie vote of 2-2, Mayor Meyers asked if any council member would like to reconsider their vote. Hearing none, the Clerk placed the names of Shelley Gladding and Ronald Gunderson into an opaque container. One of the members of the public in attendance at the meeting, John LaClear, drew one name from the container and handed it to Cooper. Cooper announced the winner as Ronald Gunderson who would be the applicant receiving the appointment.
City Manager Comments
City Manager John Niemela commented on this year’s paving program coming to an end, with the exception of work to be completed October 7 and October 14 at Woodhaven. He distributed a handout to Council Members advising them of the streets completed to date. (Handout on file in the Clerk’s Office). Niemela advised Council Members of a proposed 20% grant match to resurface Ellis Street in 2023. Additionally, he will be attending a meeting with the Small Urban Group.
Council Comments
Steele commented on the Library Board Meeting, the return of Halloween after COVID and the number of people in attendance at tonight’s meeting.
Scheid commented on the number of people in attendance at the meeting.
Davis thanked everyone for coming and commented on participation in the City of Belding.
Mayor Meyers thanked City Manager John Niemela and City Treasurer Becky Schlienz for their work on the audit process. Mayor Meyers advised the citizens that they may contact him to inquire as to how he came to his decision regarding his vote for the City Council member appointment.
Workshop
Jerry Richards, Executive Recruiter for Michigan Municipal League (MML) held a working session with the City Council Members in an effort to develop a profile to assist in the search for a new City Manager. After a lengthy work session Richards advised that his plans are to put a profile together and submit a draft of the advertisement to them by October 12th and would then plan to post it by October 20th. The advertisement will be posted in Michigan as well as nationally, running for four weeks (through November 19th). Richards will interview the applicants as they come in through an online application process. The candidates will then be discussed in a Closed Session meeting on December 2nd, with interviews being conducted on Saturday December 11th or 18th. If an offer is made, a new City Manager should be in place by the end of January, 2022.
Adjourn
Moved by Scheid seconded by Davis to adjourn the meeting at 9:09 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk