CITY COUNCIL
BELROCKTON
BELDING, MI 48809
7:00 PM
A meeting of the
Members present:
Members absent: Bruce Meyers
Moved by Scheid, supported by Steele to excuse Meyers absence per section 4.5f of the City Charter. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Davis presented the Belding Gardeneer’s Club with a Good Neighbor Award and read the following statement to the many members in attendance:
· This evening we are recognizing the Belding Gardeneers Club with the city’s Good Neighbor Award.
· Good neighbor awards are given out periodically by the city council to local individuals or groups that have given of themselves to the community.
· The Belding Gardeneers Club donate countless hours to the city using their knowledge and skills to maintain garden areas throughout town.
· This past Summer, the members have tirelessly pulled weeds, turned mulch and provided new plantings in a number of areas around town including in and around the central business district.
· This evening we are recognizing the Belding Gardeneers Club with the city’s Good Neighbor Award.
· Good neighbor awards are given out periodically by the city council to local individuals or groups that have given of themselves to the community.
· The Belding Gardeneers Club donate countless hours to the city using their knowledge and skills to maintain garden areas throughout town.
· This past Summer, the members have tirelessly pulled weeds, turned mulch and provided new plantings in a number of areas around town including in and around the central business district.
· Their efforts have been widely recognized and have helped to improve the city’s public image.
· Personally, we cannot think of a more deserving group.
Jill Mason and Sue Brownell accepted the award on behalf of the Gardeneers Club. The members were invited to have their photo taken for the Greenville Daily News after the meeting.
Moved by
The Consent Agenda is as follows:
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Notifications (6)
Approve Mercantile Bank checks 1311 to 1320 in the amount of $282,649.83
Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, September 6, 2022
Steele reported that the ZBA approved a zoning variance for a pole barn.
A. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Gunderson to approve the B Foundation 5KGlow Run/Walk being held on October 21st. (The Special Events Application is on file in the Clerk’s Office) Motin carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - All.
B. Moved by Scheid, seconded by Steele to select the Progressive Design Build project delivery method to complete the upcoming CWSRF (Clean Water State Revolving Fund) Wastewater System Improvements project and to designate Jon Stoppels (City Manager) as the Authorized Representative to administer the Qualifications Based Selection Process. (a report is on file in the Clerk’s Office). Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Jim Mason, 210 S. Broas, advised that the semi-annual book sale at the library starts tomorrow.
Sam Mason, 516 W. Main Street, inquired about updates on the drone footage of the roofs for the DPW, the Belrockton and City Hall.
City Manager Jon Stoppels gave an informational update on the following topics of interest:
· Offered congratulations to the Gardeneers
· Staff have taken some time in the past couple of weeks to research the history from the past 50 years of the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). During his short tenure, Stoppels has been advised/heard rumors that the WWTP has had a lack of maintenance and/or improper maintenance and that the sludge has never been removed.
Stoppels advised that thus far, the historic city council minutes reveal sludge removal on two different occasions, equating to the removal of over 3 million gallons of sludge and the monitoring of PFAS, including residentially. As of today, the review of city council minutes through 1995 have been completed. When the review is completed to date, he will put together a time line of the events. The city council minutes prove that past staff and past councils have done their jobs.
Scheid thanked everyone for coming.
Steele commented on the research that is being conducted on the WWTP and that it is nice to prove that the city “did not drop the ball.” The WWTP was not meant to last forever and it has lasted 60 years and that half of the new WWTP will be paid for by the federal government.
Gunderson thanked the Gardeneers for making the town look beautiful. He advised that he has sat though many meetings regarding the WWTP and that no decisions are made lightly by the council. He commented that it was good to see staff attending the meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis thanked the Gardeneers and everyone else for attending. He commented that he is looking forward to the B Foundation’s event. He thanked Stoppels and staff for being transparent and informative and for looking into the history of the WWTP.
Moved by Scheid seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
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Jorel Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk