CITY COUNCIL
BELROCKTON
BELDING, MI 48809
7:00 PM
A meeting of the
Members present:
Members absent: Ron Gunderson
Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to excuse Gunderson’s absence per section 4.5f of the Belding City Charter. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Mayor Meyers noted the following additions to the agenda: Special Guests, Ryan Wilson, ICEA Director and David Hodges, County Commissioner - District 1. Moved by
Ryan Wilson, Director of the Ionia County Economic Alliance gave a brief presentation (on file in the Clerk’s office) on the services they offer and requested a $5,000 investment from the City.
David Hodges, Ionia County Commissioner – District 1 gave updates on the following topics of interest:
· Pitsch Solid Waste Committee
· The stairs on the old portion of the courthouse are collapsing and will be fixed with APRA funds
· The old Friend of the Court building is being taken down. This will create about 24 additional parking spots.
· The majority of the APRA funds will be spent on infrastructure
· The Justice Wing addition of the courthouse was paid off in 4 years versus ten
· The next County Commissioner meeting is cancelled and rescheduled to August 30th at 3:00 p.m. where they will go through MML’s applications for County Administrator. Interviews will take place on September 24th, with the new administrator beginning in October.
· The Finance Director position will be filled after a new administrator is in place.
Moved by
The Consent Agenda is as follows:
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Notifications (4)
Approve Mercantile Bank checks 2191 to 1296 in the amount of $626,596.00
Closed session meeting, July 19, 2022
Scott Hall from Fleis & Vandenbrink gave a presentation on the lagoon cleaning bids (on file in the Clerk’s office).
Steele reported that her meeting was cancelled.
Davis deferred to the City Manager regarding the Planning Commission. City Manager Jon Stoppels advised that he Planning Commission and the ZBA both met on August 23rd.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Belding Housing Commission donated $2,500 to the Belding Area Community Fund. Routine business was conducted at the Housing Commission meeting.
A. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to approve bid to clean lagoon with a cost not to exceed the $600,000 previously allocated. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
B. Moved by Steele, seconded by Scheid to approve the Notice of Intent – Wastewater Treatment Plant Bonding Resolution as presented by Roger Swet. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. The Resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION TO PURCHASE, ACQUIRE AND CONSTRUCT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM AND TO PUBLISH NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE REVENUE BONDS
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 August, 2022.
WHEREAS, the City Council deems it to be in the best interests of the City of Belding (the "City") to design, purchase, acquire and construct certain improvements to the City's Sewage Disposal System, in addition to improvements required by the Michigan Depai1ment of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, including without limitation, collection system rehabilitation including telemetry and monitoring improvements at each of the City's 7 lift stations, miscellaneous improvements at the lift stations, replacement of existing forcemains from certain lift stations, approximately 6,000 feet of sewer point repair, lining and/or replacement, and miscellaneous manhole structure rehabilitation and replacement and related facilities, as well as all work, equipment, and appurtenances necessary or incidental to these improvements and such other improvements to the Sewage Disposal System as the City may determine to make (the "Improvements"), and to finance the Improvements by the issuance of bonds pursuant to Act 94, Public Acts of Michigan, 1933, as amended ("Act 94"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 33 of Act 94, it is necessary to publish a Notice of Intent to Issue Bonds for the Improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City may proceed with the Improvements prior to the issuance of the bonds;and
WHEREAS, the City may incur substantial capital expenditures for the Improvements prior to the issuance of the bonds, and desires to be reimbursed for such expenditures from the proceeds of the bonds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:
1. The City Council determines to design, purchase, acquire, and construct the Improvements and to pay the cost through the issuance of one or more series of revenue bonds pursuant to Act 94 for the Improvements in an amount not to exceed $9,000,000 (the "Bonds").
2. A Notice of Intent to issue the Bonds be published in accordance with Section 33 of Act 94, and the Clerk of the City is authorized and directed to publish the Notice of Intent to Issue Bonds in a newspaper of general circulation in the City, which Notice shall be substantially in the form on the attached Exhibit A, with such changes as may be approved by the City Manager of the City.
3. The City may proceed to acquire and construct the Improvements using available funds of the City from the Sewer Fund, which is a fund for the Sewage Disposal System of the City, and other funds of the City.
4. At such time as the City issues the Bonds for the long-term financing of the Improvements, the City shall be reimbursed for its expenditures for the Improvements out of the proceeds of the Bonds.
5. This resolution and the expression of intent to seek reimbursement from future proceeds of the Bonds is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 150 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
6. The firm of Dickinson Wright PLLC is hereby employed as bond counsel to the City to prepare the documents for the issuance of the Bonds for financing acquisition of the Improvements.
7. All resolutions and parts of resolutions insofar as they conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2022.
C. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to reappoint Joe Cooper to the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals. Resolution passed by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. The Resolution is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN REAPPOINTING JOE COOPER TO THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE BOARD OF APPEALS
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 August, 2022.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Steele.
WHEREAS, the term of office for Joe Cooper on the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals will expired on July 16, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cooper has indicated that he is interested in serving another term on the board; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that Joe Cooper be reappointed to the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals with a term to expire on August 16, 2026.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2022.
D. Moved by Scheid, supported by Davis to approve the request for use of the city streets and properties, approving events, noise variance, waiver of Ordinance No. 424 and temporary street closure for the Annual Labor Day Celebration. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
E. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Davis to offer Recognition to Marci Cooper for her service as Interim Chief of Police. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All. The Resolution is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN, EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO MARCI COOPER AS INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE
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 August 2022.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan, would like to express our gratitude to Sergeant Marci Cooper for her service as Interim Chief of Police from May 27, 2022 through July 31, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Marci seamlessly managed the Belding Police Department by leading by example; and
WHEREAS, Marci’s commitment to the City of Belding was displayed in the highest professional manner; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan commending Marci Cooper for her dedication given to the City of Belding.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2022.
F. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to approve the request to expand the fire department. No funds are being requested as the fire department can do this from funds in their existing budget. The work will be completed by the fire department personnel who will be volunteering their time. (The proposal is on file in the Clerk’s Office). Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Jeff Hunter, Zahm Road, commented on retaining and attracting businesses.
Tim Lubitz, 114 Hanover, commented on Russell’s and the DPW working together replacing water service.
Jenny Bennett, 1125 Kenwood, commented on behalf of the Belding Community Garden regarding the portable pantry and its role in filling the needs of the community.
Ryan Wilson, ICEA, commented on the 2nd Annual My Pitch event that will be held at the Candlestone on September 15th at 4:00 p.m. The event focuses on people who want to start or expand their own business.
City Manager Jon Stoppels gave an informational update on the following topics of interest:
· Gus Macker was held two weeks ago. The City and Macker had a productive meeting afterwards.
· The City is collaborating with the county for a work program for community services.
· Planning continues for Labor Day.
· Staff reorganization and streamlining training.
· The pantry is serving a tremendous need in the community and has been used much greater than anticipated.
· Jon Lovell from DPW was commended for doing a beautiful job on the portable pantry.
Steele commented on continuing with maintenance and repairs.
Davis thanked those who offered public comment, thanked everyone associated with the community garden and commented on all of the positive things that were spoken about tonight.
Davis further commented on a Facebook post that was publicized online from local attorney and business owner David Mierendorf. Davis requested that the post be written verbatim in the minutes. The Facebook post taken from the Belding Informed page reads as follows:
“Keep this in mind when you vote for Council this fall. Jorel Davis,
Mayor pro tem who is in a relationship and same household with
our Current Mayor Bruce Meyers has filed a petition to continue to
be Bruce Meyers female dog in heat and run again on the ballot for
city council. One person one vote. Let’s get someone that has a
mind of their own and supports the best interests of our city elected
instead of their partners personal agenda.”
Mayor Meyers thanked Marci Cooper for filling in as Interim Chief of Police, thanked David Hodges for his update, thanked Fleis & Vandenbrink for their report, and offered appreciation for all who offered public comment. Mayor Meyers commented about continuing to move forward.
Moved by Scheid seconded by Davis to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk