CITY COUNCIL
BELROCKTON
BELDING, MI 48809
7:00 PM
A meeting of the
Members present:
Members absent: Mike Scheid
Moved by Gunderson, seconded by Davis to excuse Scheid’s absence per section 4.5f of the Belding City Charter. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Moved by
Frank LaFata, candidate for the 91st District State Representative, introduced himself and commented on what the basis of his campaign represents.
Moved by
The Consent Agenda is as follows:
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Notifications (2)
Elaine Vennema and Larry Hummel of Fleis & Vandenbrink gave a presentation on the 2022 Road Program. Handouts were presented and are on file in the Clerk’s Office.
Steele reported that the Rec Board discussed handicap parking issues at the Pony League field at Demorest Park. She additionally reported that two DPW workers are obtaining licenses to be able to spray for weeds.
Mayor Meyers reported that housing commission will meet on July 21st at 6:15 p.m.
A. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to hear the presentation of Girl Scout Troop 4304. The presentation is for a project to install a bicycle repair station along the trail, near Central Riverside Park. They have 4 suggested spots. They will determine the logistics with the trail and come back with a decision on the placement. The Girl Scouts attended with their Troop Leader Rachel Bobenick.
B. Due to increased responsibilities, moved by Gunderson seconded by Steele to increase election worker hourly pay as follows: Precinct Chairperson, $15; Precinct Inspector, $13; Receiving Board, $15. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
C. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele for the Planning Commission to review marijuana dispensaries and to reconsider the city to allow grow operations. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
D. Moved by Davis, seconded by Gunderson to officially appoint Dion Sower as Belding Chief of Police. Sower will start on Monday, August 1, 2022. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
City Manager Jon Stoppels gave an informational update on the following topics of interest:
· Last night was the first concert in the park. Two other performances are planned. Turn out was good.
· Looking for instructors to do “Fitness in the Park” at the Gathering Place, to begin in August. Fitness instructors teaching programs such as yoga, Zumba, cardio drumming, jazzercise, etc.
· Stoppels is looking into pursuing a Park Improvement Grant
· Civic events staff has met with Gus Macker and Labor Day committees
· Stopples met with Fleis & Vandenbrink regarding WWTP Funding. The City is hoping to qualify for principal forgiveness.
Davis thanked the Girl Scouts, Dion Sower and all of the Belding Police Department for their support of Dion (Sower).
Gunderson thanked the Girl Scouts. He thanked everyone for coming and thanked everyone for supporting Dion.
Steele thanked the Girl Scouts and thanked Dion. Steele is glad to see a focus on accessibility in elections, city hall and Demorest field as we have a population that is not easily mobile.
Mayor Meyers thanked Dion and the police department staff. He thanked Marci Cooper for her work as Interim Chief of Police. He thanked Val (Conklin) for her work at the Depot, thanked Becky (Schleinz) for continuing to work from home, thanked the Girl Scouts for their presentation and thanked Ron (Gunderson) for his work on the trails. Additionally the Mayor thanked everyone for coming.
Mayor Meyers called for a brief recess at 8:28 p.m. to move into closed session per MCL 15.268h.
Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to enter into closed session at 8:37 p.m.
Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to move out of closed session and go back into open session at 9:18 p.m.
Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to amend the City Manager’s current contract as follows:
1. Each July 1, commencing July 1, 2022, the City Manager shall receive an adjustment (“Adjustment”) to his salary.
2. The amount of the Adjustment shall be the same percentage increase as is granted to other Belding city staff; provided that the percentage increase shall not exceed 2%.
3. Each Adjustment shall not alter the salary amounts set forth in the City Manager’s current contract which salary amounts are payable commencing in January of each year.
Motion carried 3-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Council members Steele, Davis and Meyers
NAYS: Council member Gunderson
ABSENT: Council member Scheid
Moved by Davis seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk