CITY COUNCIL
BELROCKTON
BELDING, MI 48809
7:00 PM
A meeting of the
Members present:
Members absent: None
Mayor Meyers noted the following changes to the agenda: Remove Item XV. Closed Session and under New Business add Item I. Lightning Bend Park Resolution. Moved by
Jeff Hunter, Zahm Road, commented on the Electrolux property purchase item on the agenda including the use of the property, well testing results of the property and liability.
Scott Hall of Fleis & Vandenbrink gave a Power Point presentation on the next step in building the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), consisting of two options as to how to proceed (a copy of the presentation is on file in the Clerk’s Office). Hall additionally reported that sixty (60) municipal applications were received by the State requesting principal forgiveness, with Belding placing number 7 on this list based upon need, which results in 50% principal forgiveness (approximately $18.5 million in principal forgiveness). The council members discussed the differences of the options at length.
Moved by
The Consent Agenda is as follows:
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Notifications (5)
Approve Mercantile Bank checks 1305 to 1310 in the amount of $3,439,121.69
Davis reported that Andrew Moore, a consultant from Williams & Works attended the Planning Commission, where he discussed options for marijuana dispensary facilities in the city.
Gunderson reported that he did not attend any meetings. He updated the council members on the bike repair stations that were added to the trails by Girl Scout Troop 4304. Friends of the Trails purchased some of the materials.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Housing Commission met on August 18 where they conducted their normal business. There was no work session. Their next meeting is scheduled for September 15th at 6:15 p.m.
A. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Davis to appoint Peggy Crystler to the Museum Board, per their recommendation. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
B. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Davis to reappoint Robert Gasper to the Construction Board of Appeals. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
C. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Davis to reappoint Shelley Gladding to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
D. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Gunderson to approve the Dial-A-Ride ADA Compliant and Reasonable Modification Policy. Resolution approved 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 AUTHORIZING THE A.D.A. COMPLAINT POLICY FOR BELDING DIAL-A-RIDE
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 6th day of September, 2022.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Scheid and seconded by Council Member Gunderson.
WHEREAS, the American Disability Act (ADA) of 1990 Title II and III provides that “…no entity shall discriminate against an individual with a disability in connection with the provision of transportation services. and
WHEREAS, the ADA, FTA, and MDOT require that all transit agencies implement an ADA Complaint Policy for its passengers.; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Belding would re-appoint Valerie Conklin, Director of Belding Dial-A-Ride, as the ADA Coordinator for Belding Dial-A-Ride.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the City of Belding authorizes the ADA Complaint Policy for the City of Belding Dial-A-Ride.
Upon vote for the adoption of said resolution, the vote was:
RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 6th day of September, 2022.
E. Moved by Gunderson, seconded by Steele to authorize the City Manager and the Mayor to attend the MML Conference and to be designated as voting delegates at the Business Meeting scheduled for October 19th through October 21st if their schedules allow. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
F. Moved by Steele, seconded by Scheid to change the part-time police clerk position into a full-time position. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
G. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to discuss creating an ordinance to allow Bed & Breakfast or other short-term stay facilities in residential districts. City Manager Jon Stoppels advised the council that recently the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals rejected a variance request to allow a bed and breakfast establishment in the City. The rejection was based primarily on the fact that the city’s ordinances have no provisions for short term rentals in residential neighborhoods. Without an enabling ordinance, there are also no rules or regulations to cover how a short-term rental would be conducted. The ZBA suggested that the matter be discussed by the City Council and possibly the Planning Commission to recommend either for or against an enabling ordinance revision. After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Meyers advised Stoppels to bring the matter to the Planning Commission, get citizen input at the Planning Commission meeting, advise how to proceed and then bring the matter back to City Council.
H. Discuss option(s) to purchase Electrolux property (aka Gathering Place). Hearing no motion or support, Stoppels and Mayor Meyers advised that this agenda item is only to discuss options and it would be an error to not discuss options, even for the citizens. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gunderson to bring an open discussion to the floor with no decisions being made today whether to purchase or not to purchase. A lengthy discussion about the history of the property, the current use and the future use and liability took place. Stopples reiterated that it was not his intent to ask the city to approve the purchase of the property today, only to discuss both options and both their positive and negative impacts.
I. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to approve the Lightning Bend Park Resolution. Resolution passed by the following 3-2 vote:
YEAS: Steele, Davis and Meyers
NAYS: Gunderson and Scheid
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING THE MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AGREEMENT
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 6th day of September, 2022.
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Davis and seconded by Council Member Steele.
“RESOLVED, that the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, does hereby accept the terms of the Agreement as received from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and that the City of Belding does hereby specifically agree, but not by way of limitation, as follows:
1. To appropriate all funds necessary to complete the project during the project period and to provide One-hundred thirty thousand ($130,000.00) dollars to match the grant authorized by the DEPARTMENT.
2. To maintain satisfactory financial accounts, documents, and records to make them available to the DEPARTMENT for auditing at reasonable times.
3. To construct the project and provide such funds, services, and materials as may be necessary to satisfy the terms of said Agreement.
4. To regulate the use of the facility constructed and reserved under this Agreement to assure the use thereof by the public on equal and reasonable terms.
5. To comply with any and all terms of said Agreement including all terms not specifically set forth in the foregoing portions of this Resolution."
Upon vote for the said resolution, the vote was:
YEAS: Council members Steele, Davis and Meyers
NAYS: Council members Scheid and Gunderson
This Resolution declared adopted this 6th day of September, 2022.
Sue Howe, 54 Belhaven, commented on overgrowth obstructing the view of the waterfall/dam around the Housing Commission property.
Jenny Bennett, 1125 Kenwood, commented on the Electrolux property.
Jeff Hunter, 6202 Zahm Road, commented on the Electrolux property.
City Manager Jon Stoppels gave an informational update on the following topics of interest:
· The Labor Day event was this past weekend.
· He continues to look for ways to renovate City Hall.
· 2 replacement DPW staff were hired.
· 2 DPW staff are studying to be licensed to do pesticide application.
Steele commented on ADA compliance.
Davis thanked the members who were appointed and reappointed to boards. He thanked everyone who currently serve on boards. He commented on the Hometown Hoedown. He commented on continuing to make the best decisions to move the city forward.
Gunderson echoed Davis’ comments and additionally commented on misconceptions regarding city council, boards and commissions—they are involved in a lot of stuff. He further commented that he voted “no” on the Lightning Bend Resolution as he did not have enough information about it. He thanked everyone for coming.
Mayor Meyers echoed Gunderson’s comments. He commented on city council being tough some days and doing the best for the City of Belding. He commended everyone who works on a board or city council. He appreciated the historical guidance and welcomed new perspectives. Mayor Meyers thanked Fleis & Vandenbrink.
Moved by Scheid seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 9:26 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk