CITY COUNCIL
BELROCKTON
BELDING, MI 48809
7:00 PM
A meeting of the
Members present:
Members absent: None
Moved by
Jenny Bennett, 1125 Kenwood Street, commented on board appointments and attracting new applicants.
John VanHouten from Progressive A&E gave a brief presentation proposing to study City Hall for renovation options, including barrier-free access. A handout from Progressive A&E is on file in the Clerk’s Office. No action was taken.
Moved by
The Consent Agenda is as follows:
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Notifications (6)
Approve Mercantile Checks 1327 to 1333 in the amount of $59,720.66
Davis noted that the Planning Commission meets next Tuesday.
Gunderson noted that Monday is the Library Board meeting and Tuesday is the Museum Board meeting. He additionally reported that the third bike repair station was installed at Jackson’s Landing by the Girl Scouts. They are now looking for a fourth spot to install another one.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Housing Commission met on September 15th. Routine items of business were discussed. An audit is scheduled for November 7th and 8th. Some of the commissioners attended the State National Conference. The next meeting is scheduled for October 20th.
A. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to bring the Police Chief recommendations on City Hall security to the floor. Chief Dion Sower
advised that since his appointment a few months ago he has noticed some security issues at City Hall that do not provide sufficient protection for staff. Steele would like to see Sower’s recommendations occur. Davis thanked Sower for looking at these items and making suggestions. They are all things that are needed to move forward.
Gunderson stated that these are all things that have been mentioned in the past and were overlooked. Scheid thanked Sower and commented that these items needed attention. Mayor Meyers requested Sower to compile a list, rating the priority and price tag to make some progress and better security.
B. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to bring the Parks and Recreation Grant topic to the floor. Larry Hummel of Fleis & Vandenbrink discussed an upcoming DNR Grant called the SPARKS Grant Program which consists of $65 million in ARPA funds. More information will be disclosed on October 24th via webinar. Moved by Steele seconded by Davis to direct the City Manager, Jon Stoppels to work with Fleis & Vandenbrink to proceed with the application. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
Yeas: Scheid, Steele, Davis and Meyers
Nays: Gunderson
C. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Davis to discuss the reappointments of Ron Devereaux and Scott McNeal to the Rec Board. Discussion transpired regarding the process for reappointments currently and in the past as well as if the appointee is a resident of the city. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to table the reappointments until recommendations are received by the Rec Board. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
Yeas: Scheid, Steele, Davis and Gunderson
Nays: Meyers
Mayor Meyers offered comment regarding positions on boards being from outside of the city.
Sam Mason, 516 W. Main Street commented on security.
Jeff Hunter, 6032 Zahm Road, commented on the following topics:
· Ambulance and first response services.
· City handbook and the Personnel Board
· Sexual Harassment Policy
· Board Appointments
City Manager Jon Stoppels advised the public that the city is not at liberty to discuss personnel issues and that City Council was apprised of any and all actions taken beforehand. He then gave an informational update on the following items topics of interest:
· The Police Department now has a staff member for those seeking city services at ground level
· Parking on Congress Street
· The new and improved Belding Bugle received many compliments
· Surveys were sent with the Belding Bugle regarding Bed & Breakfast facilities, Air BnBs and Marijuana Dispensaries. Currently 170 surveys have been returned. We hope to top 300.
· Sludge removal at WWTP will take place next week
· Rebids on the interior work at the Depot
· Staff review of official city minutes revealed that the rumors of inactivity at the lagoons are not true. Forty-five years of official city records reveal that the lagoons were cleaned two times.
Steele commented that the Community Garden received a grant from the Greenville Area Foundation. It was approved at 100%. The Community Garden will be receiving new beds, a picnic table, and bench. Funds to arrive in January, 2023.
Gunderson thanked everyone for coming. He offered to 3explain his “no” vote. He stated that he voted no because there are three seats up for election on November 8th and the decision should be made by the new board members. He additionally commented on board appointments and some city history.
Mayor Meyers offered a personal comment, thanking City Council and staff for their support with time, thoughts and prayers this past week.
Moved by Scheid seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk