REGULAR MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, February 1, 2022
BELROCKTON
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 Belrockton, 108 Hanover Street at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Council Member Gunderson gave the Invocation.
Mayor Meyers led the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk, Janae Cooper took the roll call:
Members present: Bonita Steele, Jorel Davis, Ron Gunderson and Bruce Meyers
Members absent: Mike Scheid
Moved by Steele, seconded by Gunderson to excuse Scheid’s absence per Section 4.5(f) of the City Charter. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Moved by Gunderson seconded by Steele to approve the Agenda as presented. Mayor Meyers noted the following addition to the Agenda under New Business: Add Item F. Revision to Dial-A-Ride 2023 Budget. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Holly Noble, Veteran’s Memorial Park, gave an update on their goals and events planned for this year.
Keven Kreiger came before the City Council to open a line of communication advising them of the Belding Area Schools Bond Proposal that will be coming up later this year.
Moved by Davis 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:
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 77429 to 77503 in the amount of $136,350.97
Approve Independent Bank – File Approval Confirmation
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Transaction Approval Confirmation
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, January 18, 2022
Gunderson attended the Library Board meeting. They appointed new officers and are working on their spring line up. Gunderson noted that there are roughly 64,000 books in the library! He also attended the Museum Board Meeting where they conducted their normal business. The new City Manager attended their meeting as well.
Davis advised that the January Planning Commission meeting was cancelled and the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting is February 22nd.
Mayor Meyers advised that the Housing Commission met on January 20th. Agenda items discussed were financials, bills, fund balance and door replacements at Belhaven.
A. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to approve the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals form. This form is being made available as the City may pursue condemnation of property(s) and this form will make the process easier and more self-explanatory to the owner. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All. A copy of the form is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
B. Moved by Davis seconded Steele to approve the Alternate State Dates for the Board of Review. 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 TO ADOPT ALTERNATE START DATES FOR MARCH 2022; JULY 2022 AND DECEMBER 2022 BOARD OF REVIEW.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 1st day of February, 2022.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Davis and seconded by Council Member Steele.
WHEREAS, the adoption of the alternate Board of Review dates as follows is requested, as required per State Tax Commission guidelines:
For the March Board of Review, second meeting in March, can be held either the Tuesday or the Wednesday following the second Monday in March, 2022
For the July Board of Review, an alternate date during the week of the 3rd Monday in July, 2022
For the December Board of review, an alternate date during the week of the 2nd Monday in December, 2022
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the listed alternate dates for the Board of Review are hereby adopted.
C. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gunderson to approve the Poverty
Exemption Guidelines. 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 APPROVING THE BOARD OF REVIEW POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES.
At a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 1st day of February, 2022.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Steele and seconded by Council Member Gunderson.
WHEREAS, the Board of Review meets in March each year to consider appeals from property owners regarding the tax assessments; and,
WHEREAS, the poverty exemption guidelines are updated annually to meet federal poverty income standards and maximum threshold of residential value; and,
WHEREAS, the poverty guidelines are as follows:
Persons in family/household Poverty guideline
1 $12,880
2 $17,240
3 $21,960
4 $26,500
5 $31,040
6 $35,580
7 $40,120
8 $44,660
For each additional person $ 4,540
WHEREAS, the following Board of Review poverty exemption guidelines will apply:
1. Applicant must own and occupy the property as a homestead.
2. File a form provided by the City of Belding.
a. Submit federal and state income tax returns for all persons residing in the homestead, as well as copies of any property tax credit returns.
3. Meet federal poverty income standards.
4. Provide driver’s license or other form of identification.
5. Provide evidence of property ownership.
WHEREAS, applicant must meet the requirements of the asset test as follows:
1 person under 65 years $28,924
1 person 65 years and over $28,924
2 persons under 65 years $35,742
2 persons with householder over 65 $35,742
3 persons $42,663
4 persons $49,481
5 persons $54,542
6 persons $63,220
7 persons $70,141
8 persons $77,062
9 persons $83,466
WHEREAS, if a person meets all eligibility requirements in statute, the Board of Review must grant a full exemption equal to a 100% reduction in taxable value or a partial exemption equal to a 25% or 50% reduction in taxable value OR any other percentage reduction in taxable value approved by the STC
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the Board of Review poverty exemption guidelines are hereby
approved.
D. Moved by Davis, seconded by Gunderson to initiate the Comprehensive Fee Schedule Discussion. Council Members discussed various fees that the city currently charges noting that many fees have not been increased in several years. Council directed the City Manager, Jon Stoppels, to discuss the current fees with department heads and report back to them.
E. Moved by Davis, seconded by Gunderson, to initiate the discussion regarding increasing water rates in the years ranging from 2022-2027. A list of 44 communities similar to Belding was presented, with Belding having the lowest water/sewer rates on the list. With the proposed 10.9% increase yearly over the next five years, Belding would still remain at the bottom of the list. Council requested Stoppels devise a plan for the next four years so they can try to determine how to move forward with rate increases.
F. Moved by Davis, seconded by Gunderson to approve the Revision to the Dial a Ride 2023 Budget, allowing $20,000 for office equipment. 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
APPROVING THE DIAL-A-RIDE 2023 ANNUAL BUDGET (AS AMENDED)
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 1 day of February, 2022.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Davis and seconded by Council Member Gunderson.
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), to provide a local transportation program for the state fiscal year of 2023 and, therefore, apply for state financial assistance under provisions of Act 51; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for THE APPLICANT, 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 for this agency have been reviewed and approved by THE APPLICANT; and
WHEREAS, THE APPLICANT, has reviewed and approved the proposed balanced (surplus) budget, and funding sources of estimated federal operating funds
State Formula Operating $120,098
Section 5311 Operating $123,581
Section 5339 Office Equipment $20,000
Local Operating Assistance $80,000
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 Valerie Conklin 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 2015.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 1st DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2022.
Madison Klein, 203 Pine Meadow Drive, inquired about police body cams and dash cams.
Tim Mason, 210 Broas, commented on use of revenue and expenditures.
Sam Mason, 516 W. Main, commented on increasing the water bills and the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Stoppels commented on projects, the City Hall building and accessibility. He is keeping up to date with the Wastewater Treatment Plant Engineers. Stoppels noted that it is “budget time” and that he has met several people in the past month.
Steele commented on having a handyman at the City.
Gunderson commented on the heaters at the bus garage and repairs at the Depot and moving forward on matters.
Davis offered thanks to many people and commented on our talent base and resources.
Mayor Meyers offered thanks many people. He commented on the council having to make hard and unpopular decisions, not having funds to do the things needed and raising revenue streams. He commented on educating our citizens on things that are out of our control and mandates. Mayor Meyers cited responsibility and a turning point for Belding.
Moved by Davis seconded by Gunderson to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
__________________________________ __________________________________
Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk