REGULAR MEETING
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Pere Marquette Depot
100 Depot Street
7:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Belding City Council was convened in open and public session at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street, Belding, MI 48809, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk, Janae Ortego, took the roll call:
Members present: Shelley Gladding, Bonita Steele, Jeannine Leary, Jorel Davis and Bruce Meyers
Members absent: None
Mayor Meyers noted the following changes to the agenda: add Reports by Council Liaisons after the Consent Agenda and add Item C. Veterans Group Request to Add Military Equipment in the Park for Labor Day under New Business. Moved by Leary, seconded by Gladding to approve the Amended Agenda.
Moved by Steele, seconded by Leary 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 80263 to 80341 in the amount of $238,799.90
Approve Independent Bank ACH Notifications
B. Approve Minutes:
City Council regularly scheduled meeting minutes – August 1, 2023
Davis reported that the Planning Commission will be meeting on August 22nd.
Gladding reported that the ZBA will be meeting on August 23rd at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Housing Commission will not be meeting in August. Their next meeting is scheduled for the third Thursday in September at 6:15 p.m.
A. Moved by Leary, seconded by Gladding to approve the Park Reservation Form submitted by the Belding Area Schools Cross Country. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
B. City Manager, Jon Stoppels gave an gave an extensive update on DPW equipment. Stoppel’s Equipment Status Report is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
C. Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele to approve the Veteran’s Group to place two pieces of military equipment at the Veteran’s Park from Labor Day through Veteran’s Day. Motin carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Clinton Hewartson, 5305 Palmer Road, commented on the Beatnik Bazaar.
Stoppels advised council on the following topics of interest:
· There was a significant water main break at Water Street and M-44. The galvanized pipe was replaced with a plastic line and the water line is back in service. A vactor was hired and caught fire. The fire department responded.
· Gus Macker took place the first weekend in August. Scott McNeal commended the DPW in their efforts. The Downtown was weed-free. It was determined that some barriers had been moved. Parking and traffic need better enforcement next year. Mr. McNeal is open to discussion.
· Zippy Days was small but successful. Mike Brady’s efforts were recognized as second to none. We will try the event again next year.
· Road paving has been completed on 4 ½ miles in the city and Ellis Road. Chip seal and fog has been completed. Lines have been painted. There are a few grading issues on Ellis Street that need to be fixed. Stopples will meet next week with Larry Hummel from Fleis & Vandenbrink to get next year’s bid specs together and to check for any grant opportunities.
· There are no announcements yet on Round 2 of the park grant submission.
Steele commented on seeing everyone at the meeting.
Leary commented on people parking in campers on the sides of streets during Gus Macker. Leary further commented on Jenny Bennett’s retirement.
Davis thanked Brady for his work on Zippy Days, Bennett for the Beatnik Bazaar, DPW, Police and staff for their work with Gus Macker, the Fire Department for putting out the vactor fire and the Rec Board for beginning to review their Master Plan.
Gladding commented on the need for the Master Plan to be updated and thanked DPW for Macker weekend. She additionally thanked Bennett for the Beatnik Bazaar.
Mayor Meyers commented on the following:
· Thanked Stoppels for his update.
· The Ionia County Road Millage passed--about $98,000 will come to the city.
· The program to alleviate the weeds downtown and around the city
· Thanked Brady for Zippy Days
· A great Macker weekend other than the rain on Sunday
· Appreciate the efforts for Music in the Park
· Board and Commission members to sign up for training
· Installing cameras in the parks; DDA donating $15,000 towards this project. Belding Area Community Fund pledged up to another $15,000 for the electrical portion of the project.
· Belding Area Community Fund has raised over $100,000 so far
Mayor Meyers called for a five-minute recess at 7:55 p.m.
Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele go back on the record at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to move into Closed Session per MCL 15.268(d). Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele to move out of Closed Session and return to Open Session at 8:21 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae Ortego, City Clerk