CITY COUNCIL
BELROCKTON
BELDING, MI 48809
7:00 PM
A meeting of the
Members present:
Members absent: None
Moved by
Mike Brady, 927 Masonic, commented on Rec Board openings, quorums, candidates and their tasks.
Moved by
The Consent Agenda is as follows:
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Notifications (6)
Approve Mercantile Bank Checks 1359 to 1366 in the amount of $50,958.51
Closed Session minutes, December 6, 2022
Amended Minutes, November 15, 2022
Steele reported on the Rec Board and candidate Mike Tefft. Steele further commented on reviewing and overhauling the city charter, ordinances and procedures and moving forward.
Davis reported that the Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on
January 24, 2023.
Mayor Meyers reported on the Housing Commission meeting that was held on December 15th. Items of interest included routine reports, a letter of support for the Sparks Grant, and submission of their final audit. The next meeting is scheduled for January 19, 2023.
A. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele, to accept the Rec Board’s Recommendation for Reappointment of Scott McNeal. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
B. Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to discuss the Rec Board Appointment between Ron Devereaux and Mike Tefft to the floor. The Rec Board did not come to a consensus between Devereaux and Tefft and asked the City Council to make the appointment. Mayor Meyers advised that at a prior meeting the City Council voted 4-1 for the Rec Board to provide the City Council with a Recommendation for Appointment. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to refer the matter back to the Rec Board to select the 5th candidate for their board and forward a Recommendation for Appointment to City Council. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Gladding, Steele, Leary and Meyers
NAYS: Davis
C. Moved by Steele, seconded by Davis to discuss appointments to the ZBA. Currently, the ZBA is a defunct board as the former ZBA Chair, Shelley Gladding, was elected to City Council. Two applications for appointment to the ZBA have been submitted to the Clerk’s office, however the ZBA does not have enough members to have a quorum, so the matter came before City Council to make the appointment(s). Candidate Mike Brady was present and was briefly interviewed by the City Council. Moved by Steele, seconded by Davis, to appoint Mike Brady to the ZBA. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes- all.
The second candidate, Linda Nieman, was not present. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Leary to send Nieman’s application to the ZBA for recommendation (with the appointment of Brady, the ZBA now has a quorum). Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll vote:
YEAS: Gladding, Leary, Davis and Meyers
NAYS: Steele
D. Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele to recognize Mayor Pro Tem Davis’ Citizen Planner Certification. Mayor Meyers read Davis’ certification aloud and presented him with the framed certification.
Sam Mason, 516 W. Main, commented on the Belding Chamber of Commerce and the Home for the Holidays event.
Jenny Bennett, 1125 Kenwood, commented on the process of the Rec Board appointments.
Mike Tefft, 715 S. Bridge Street, commented on the process of the Rec Board appointments.
Bob Brown, 759 Jay Street, commented on the process of the Rec Board appointments. He suggested having a different board doing the selection process.
Sam Mason, 516 W. Main, commented on the number of Rec Board candidates seeking appointment.
Mayor Meyers commented on his respect for the Rec Board and his recent attendance at the Rec Board meetings. He was a former City Council Liaison to the Rec Board. He inquired as to why the sudden interest of so many people? No candidates presented any new ideas. He further commented on the concept of appointing new members “just for the sake of getting someone new on the Board”. He inquired if candidates that have served multiple terms doing “too much” for the City? He further stated that he is not trying to discourage anyone from applying, but you can still attend meetings and serve the community as a non-voting member of a board.
City Manager Jon Stoppels gave an informational update on the following items topics of interest:
· Sludge removal began two weeks ago. 527,000 gallons have been removed so far. No odor resulted. The weather may cause a conflict with some further sludge removal.
· The deadline for the Sparks Grant was met. Around $700,000 of improvements were submitted.
· The city is over-preparing for the inclement weather anticipated to be received over the weekend. Stoppels has met with DPW employees and their weekend availability has been scheduled. The trucks are currently being serviced. They are looking to mix sand and salt.
· Board trainings will not be done until the boards are fully staffed. Alternate members are also being advertised. A legal opinion is being sought on this matter.
· Fun things: “Where’s Frosty?” And “Letters to Santa” were well received!
Gladding wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Leary wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Steele wished everyone a Merry Christmas. She commented on the January 14th work session. Steele also explained that she voted “no” on the ZBA agenda item as she wanted a full ZBA board.
Davis wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. The thanked everyone who applied for boards. Davis commented on “not wanting change.” However, he is an ultimate example of change in Belding. He thanked everyone for coming and to stay warm.
Mayor Meyers thanked Mike for his interest and appointment to the ZBA. Mayor Meyers extended his appreciation to Stoppels and city staff on the Sparks Grant. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Moved by Davis seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk