CITY COUNCIL
BELROCKTON
BELDING, MI 48809
7:00 PM
A meeting of the
Members present: Jeannine Leary, Bonita Steele, Jorel Davis, Shelley Gladding and
Members absent: None
Moved by
Moved by
The Consent Agenda is as follows:
Approve Independent Bank – ACH Notifications (4)
Davis reported that the Planning Commission will meet on January 24th.
Gladding reported that the ZBA has not had any meetings but they have a quorum now.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Housing Commission will meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6:15 p.m.
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN, EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 3rd day of January, 2023.
Whereas, the Public Works services provided in our community are an integral part of our citizens’ everyday lives, along with the impact that many aspects of public works have on the safety, health, welfare and quality of life for our residents; and
Whereas, Public Works employees provide many unsung services, the following are just a few. They provide clean water for drinking, sanitation and firefighting, they collect, treat and dispose of wastewater, they dispose of solid waste, repair and maintain bridges and roadways, maintain open spaces and trees, remove snow and ice from roads and walkways, maintain important equipment and buildings, all in addition to the devising of emergency management strategies to address natural and manmade disasters; and
Whereas, Public Works employees are often the first responders to arrive at emergency scenes to assist police and fire personnel with emergencies by providing utilities, traffic control and the removal of debris after the emergency situation is resolved; and
Whereas, the quality and effectiveness of these infrastructure, facilities, and services as well as their planning and design and construction, could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals; and
Now, Therefore, Mayor Bruce Meyers on behalf of the Belding City Council wish to publicly recognize the members of the Belding Public Works Department for their knowledge, experience, dedication, and teamwork to protect the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of all Belding residents.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 3RD DAY OF JANUARY, 2023.
B. Moved by Steele, seconded by Davis to consider a joint agreement with the City of Ionia for Dial-A-Ride management. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all. (The Transit Director Employment Proposal is on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
C. Moved by Leary, seconded by Gladding to set the hours for the Goal Setting Session to be held on Saturday, January 14th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
D. Moved by Leary, seconded by Gladding to approve the Design/Build Agreement with Fleis & Vandenbrink for the Wastewater System Improvements, CWSRF 5830-01 (‘Project”). Varnum has reviewed and approved the agreement. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
City Manager Jon Stoppels gave an informational update on the following topics of interest:
· The city audit has been completed. Vredeveld Haefner, LLC will be doing a presentation on the audit at the January 17th City Council meeting.
· The winter storm “weathered” very well! Zero complaints were received!
· There were two recent water main breaks. It was determined that the breaks were on 4 ½ inch lines that were from the 1930’s/40’s.
· The 2023/24 Budget process has started.
· Currently preparing for the City Council Work Session
Leary commented on the DPW.
Steele commented on the January 14th work session.
Davis commented on the amount of work done by the DPW during the winter storm with so few people. He also advised department heads to state both their wants and needs to the City Council for the work session: “What do you want to see in your city/department to take it to the next level?”
Gladding thanked the DPW and the Police Department and advised that she did not receive any complaints. Gladding added that she is looking forward to the work session and to work as a team, and not against one another.
Mayor Meyers thanked the DPW for their work year-round and also thanked Stoppels and his staff. He advised for department heads to look outside the box as to how to provide services at less cost and more efficiency.
Moved by Leary seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk