REGULAR MEETING
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Belrockton
108 Hanover Street
7:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Belding City Council was convened in open and public session at the Belrockton, 108 Hanover Street, Belding, MI 48809, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led with the Invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Deputy City Clerk, Tonda Rich took the roll call:
Members present: Jeannine Leary, Bonita Steele, Jorel Davis, Shelley Gladding and Bruce Meyers
Members absent: None
Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Jenny Bennett commented on the Rec Board appointments.
Moved by Steele, seconded by Leary, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by roll call vote: Yes – all.
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 79311 to 79443 in the amount of $305,763.96
Approve Independent Bank ACH Notifications – (4) in the amount of $879,226.65
Approve Mercantile Bank Checks 1382 – 1397 in the amount of $87,378.16
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Planning Workshop – January 14, 2023
City Council regularly scheduled meeting – January 17, 2023
Belding Fire Chief Tim Lubitz presented the Council with the Fire Department’s Capital Improvement Plan, discussing in length some the Department’s equipment that will need to be replaced, such as ladders, hoses and various other equipment. Lubitz provided the Council with a spreadsheet listing the department’s equipment, the age of the equipment, proposed dates for the equipment to be replaced and estimated costs to replace the equipment. (A copy of the Capital Improvement Plan spreadsheet is on file in the Belding City Clerk’s Office.)
Council Member Davis reported on the recent City Planning Commission meeting stating that drafts of two ordinances will be forthcoming concerning Bed & Breakfast establishments and marijuana dispensaries.
Mayor Bruce Meyers reported on the Housing Commission meeting wherein the audit report was accepted and that the Commission voted to switch insurance carriers which will be a cost savings.
Council Member Leary reported on the Library Board meeting stating that the library is lining up their spring and summer programs, reviewed goals for the upcoming year and that the library is working with the Ionia Community Foundation on getting activity packets for individuals with dementia. Leary stated that the Library Board is recommending Ron Gunderson to fill the vacancy on their Board.
Leary further reported on the Belding Museum Board meeting where the budget was reviewed and upcoming maintenance work that needs to be done at the Museum such as window and furnace replacements.
Council Member Gladding stated that the ZBA has not met.
A. Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to appoint Ron Devereaux to the Rec Board. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
A. Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele, to appoint Ron Gunderson to the Library Board. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
B. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele, to approve an engineering services contract with Fleis & Vandenbrink to develop a Drinking Water Asset Management Plan (on file in the Clerk’s Office). Elaine Venema with Fleis & Vandenbrink discussed the Plan stating that the EGLE grant includes funds for plan updating, lead and copper compliance and future rate studies. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
C. Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary, to approve an engineering services agreement with Fleis & Vandenbrink to develop plans for water system improvements and further to roll the $16,000 fee into the loan (on file in the Clerk’s Office). Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
D. Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele, to approve an engineering services agreement with Fleis & Vandenbrink to develop plans for repairs to the Ashfield Street bridge (On file in the Clerk’s Office). Venema recommended that the Bridge Street bridge and Ashfield Street bridge repairs be done at the same time which will save money on construction fees. Venema further recommended that the engineering services agreement be approved now so that the federal environmental forms can start to be prepared. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
E. Moved by Steele, seconded by Davis, to approve a civic event permit with conditions as determined by staff for the Beatnik Bazaar to be held on certain weekends in the summer of 2023. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
F. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele, to approve a civic event permit with conditions as determined by staff for the Belding Youth Soccer Program to use Central Riverside Park and the Gathering Place in the spring and fall months of 2023, with the exception of June 10th at the Gathering Place due to a conflict with another event. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. City Manager Jon Stoppels will contact the Soccer Club to notify them of the June 10th conflict.
G. Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary, to approve the Belding Dial-A-Ride Vehicle Accessibility Plan as presented (on file in the Clerk’s Office) and submit the Plan to MDOT for acceptance. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
City Manager Jon Stoppels updated the Council on the following:
· Progressive A & E gave a presentation on proposed renovations to City Hall
· The Depot renovations are going well
· DPW is working on their Capital Improvement Plan
· City departments are working on their budgets
· Putting together a plan on how to keep our wells safe
· Steele recommended starting recruitments for the various Boards in the City. In addition, Steele commented on the importance of providing training and laying out expectations and responsibilities for these Board positions. Steele further recommended that everyone should review their emails before sending them.
· Davis congratulated Ron Devereaux and Ron Gunderson on their appointments to the Rec Board and Library Board and that he also concurs with Steele on recruitment and training for the various Boards.
· Gladding stated that education is the key for the success of the various boards.
· Leary commented on how nice it was to see the public here tonight and encouraged the Board that having a warm and inviting working relationship with the public and members of the various boards is encouraged.
· Mayor Meyers commented on the amount of money being invested into the City’s infrastructure and that the money is coming from federal dollars/grants and not from the citizens. Meyers stated he appreciates the partnership with Fleis & Vandenbrink.
Moved by Davis, supported by Leary, to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m. Motion carried by roll call vote: Yes – all.
Bruce Meyers, Mayor Tonda Rich, Deputy City Clerk