REGULAR MEETING
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 19, 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, December 19, 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, Jeanine Leary, Jorel Davis and Bruce Meyers
Members absent:
None
Mayor Meyers added a presentation by Fleis & Vandenbrink after the Consent Agenda and added check #81057 in the amount of $300 to the Consent Agenda. Moved by Leary, seconded by Gladding to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - all.
Moved by Leary, seconded by Gladding to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following rol,l call vote: Yes - all. The Consent Agenda is as follows:
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 80940 to 81057 in the amount of $1,376,076.63
Approved Independent Bank ACH Notifications
B. Approve Minutes: City Council regularly scheduled meeting minutes - December 5, 2023.
Fleis and Vandenbrink reported that the construction is ahead of schedule due to the unseasonably warm winter we have had so far. A possible cost savings may have been found in possibly reusing some of the sand. It has been analyzed and meets Class 2 standards. A small 3-D model of the treatment facility was presented to the Council.
Davis reported that the Planning Commission worked on bylaws and possible changes to the Animal Ordinance. A dog park was discussed.
Steele did not attend the Rec Board meeting however City Manager Jon Stoppels advised that they discussed 2024 goals.
Mayor Meyers advised that the Housing Commission will be meeting this Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
A. Fire Chief Tim Lubitz gave a lengthy and detailed year-end report, including an updated CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) and list of grants that the fire department has received since he became Chief in 2020. A full report is on file in the Clerk's Office.
B. A Purchasing Policy was presented. The council reviewed the policy and gave input. No action was taken. Revisions will take place and the policy will be reviewed by department heads and then presented to council at a later date for approval.
Jeff Hunter, 6202 Zahm Road called for the resignation of Council Member Gladding and commented on social media.
Jenny Bennett, 1125 Kenwood, commented on the fire department and on the tree lighting event.
Stoppels advised council on the following topics of interest:
• Stoppels was advised that there are federal funds available through EGLE; the deadline to apply is tomorrow
• HVAC at the new city hall
• Loose leaf collection was completed in 237 days. There were a lot of wet, frozen leaves.
• Fleis & Vandenbrink will be putting together a plan for the needed renovations, including a few code issues, for the new city hall building. A construction management company is recommended to oversee the project.
Ortego had a packet of information for the Council members to review from Text My Gov. She asked that they review it as a possible method of communication for residents, mainly for election purposes with all of the new laws, but for other city communication as well.
Davis thanked Fleis & Vandenbrink for the WWTP update and looking out for cost savings; commented on the tree lighting ceremony; thanked Chief Lubitz for his report; thanked everyone for attending; wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Leary commented on the tree lighting ceremony; recognized Lubitz and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Steele advised that she included a list of people to be thanked for the tree lighting ceremony to the council packet. (list in on file in the Clerk's Office).
Gladding thanked Chief Lubitz and addressed Jeff Hunters public comment regarding her, advising that she is not responsible for the comments of other adults. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Gladding will be on vacation the first meeting of 2024.
Mayor Meyers commented on the tree lighting ceremony; thanked Chief Lubitz for his report; thanked F&V for their report on the WWTP; advised that Senator Stabenow contacted us the City last week and will be asking for $9 million for funding the WWTP; thanked Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Mayor Meyers called for a brief recess to enter into a Closed Session at 8:18p.m. per MCL 15.268(a).
Moved by Steele, seconded by Davis to enter into Closed Session at 8:27 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - All.
Moved by Leary, seconded by Davis to return to Open Session at 8:36 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - All.
Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - all.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae Ortego, City Clerk