Approval of Agenda

Steele requested to add Council Comments prior to the second Public Comment.  Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele to approve the amended Agenda.  Motion carried by the following roll call vote:  Yes – All.

Work Session

A.           Roof Repairs – Century A&E conducted a roof study, including thermal scans on the roofs at the Belding Museum, City Hall/Fire Station and the Department of Public Works building.  Repairs are estimated at approximately $800,000.  (The full roof report/study is on file in the Clerk’s office.) The Museum Board advised that they would be interested in cost-sharing or paying for a portion of the roof repairs at the Belding Museum.  Other ideas to fund the repairs included doing a bond, seeking grant opportunities, doing a drive soliciting citizen donations and/or doing some of the work in-house.            

B.            Capital and Infrastructure needs – (Handout on file in the Clerk’s Office)

1.    Fire Department – 5-year CIP was presented citing several needs (on file in the Clerk’s Office). MIOSHA recently mandated some new rules but did not provide any funding.

2.    City Hall – The study of City Hall by Progressive A&E has not been received yet. Renovations may be too costly and it may be more cost-effective to relocate City Hall.  The Belco Building was discussed as it is already fully handicap accessible and there would be options to sub-let space.

3.    Public Works – City Manager Jon Stoppels advised that DPW sold scrap metal last week that the City has an unused nursery.

4.    Water Department – All 12 well house roofs leak.  Four-inch water lines need to be replaced and dead-end lines need to be addressed.  Council suggested exploring radio-read water meters. 

5.    Police Department – Radios, megahertz upgrades and Microsoft Office for use in patrol vehicles was discussed.  Suggestions included utilizing the Greenville Area Foundation Grant, the Belding Area Community Fund Grant and the DDA funding some of the cost as it is for downtown protection.

6.    Museum – Cost-sharing with the museum was discussed along with moving from Schindler to ESI for elevator maintenance and repairs.

7.    Roads – Chip seal & fog was discussed.  It is a fairly good process, it is cheaper to do, and covers more mileage. (Handout on file in the Clerk’s Office).

C.       Road Program – Stoppels will follow up with the Housing Commission with what roads they want to do.  (Handout and map on file in the Clerk’s Office). 

The Chair called for a brief recess at 9:36 a.m.; back on the record at 9:50 a.m.

Mayor Meyers commented on the need for a part-time grant writer.

D.           Gathering Place – This is not a need, however Stoppels will stay apprised of the matter as it will always be an issue in the city.  The ICEA informed Stoppels that someone has expressed interest in the property.  Electrolux’s responsibilities continue even if the property sells.  The city maintains control due to zoning. (Handout on file in the Clerk’s Office).     

E.            Charter Revision – A total rewrite of the City Charter would involve a charter commission and a vote of the people—we may not like what the Charter Commission decides.  Stoppels advised that Charlotte and Eaton Rapids went through this process recently.  Mayor Meyers commented on updating, not rewriting the charter as some things are no longer applicable.  The Governor must sign off on all charter rewrites.  Stoppels will get an opinion on what a total rewrite would be. (Handout and existing City Charter on file in the Clerk’s Office).  

F.            Headlee Override – Public education would be needed.  Headlee never too into account property values decreasing.  2009-10 was devastating and we still may not have recovered.  This needs to be looked into as we do not generate enough income to do what other communities do.  Most communities do not do brush and leaf pickup, which is time consuming and very expensive—over $200,000 per year with the costs going up every year.  Most communities have a leaf drop off or have a private person/business do their pick up.  Stoppels is considering breaking the town into quadrants and will announce pickup.  DPW would only go down a street once and not come back.  Privatizing leaf pickup, trash and recycling was discussed as garbage trucks are detrimental to our roads.  Although not popular, it could reduce the cost of our road maintenance by 80%.  We are hurting ourselves by not implementing this option.  (Handout on file in the Clerk’s Office).          

G.           Succession Planning/Reorganization – Most departments can position someone to move up, but for example, there is no one in succession for Dial A Ride.  Consider sharing resources.  Depot repairs are targeted for March/April 1^st.

H.           Recreation Director – This is a want not a need, however a lot of people want this position.  A Rec Director would need to bring in enough to cover the position.  Parks are under-utilized.  Programs need to be developed to bring in the funds.  The city does not currently charge for park usage.  Programs that are not existing currently need to be created so not to complete with other groups like soccer.  We would need somebody who would invest time for very little pay.  Mayor Meyers commented that the pickleball and shuffleboard courts are not as accessible as they should be, nor do these groups report to the Rec Board.  Stoppels advised that a Rec Director and the groups would be working together.  Possibly name the position as a Recreation Coordinator.  (Handout on file in the Clerk’s Office).        

I.             Wastewater Plant – The kickoff meeting was a couple of weeks ago.  Stoppels will attend weekly progress meetings.  (Handout on file in the Clerk’s Office).  

The Chair called for a brief recess at 11:13 a.m.; back on the record at 11:21 a.m.

Council Comments

Steele commented on the following:

·         City Clerk needing a floater.

·         Using one trash service.

·         Communicating the water bill increase to all residents (Mayor Meyers commented on including educational information with the water bills.) 

·         Parks are still in need of repair

·         BS&A is needed

·         Handicap accessibility

·         Updating the charter, ordinances and policies

·         Adding a calculator regarding water bills to the website/creating a web page “What’s Happening with the Water?”

·         People will be using more water with the larger, better water lines.  Water flow will increase.

Stoppels advised that he will contact Dawn Lund to get us a water calculator.

Gladding commented on the following:

·         Working on our appearance to the community and community relations.

·         Getting educated about the water.

·         Create a marketing plan for the water increase – work with the Chamber.

·         Businesses need to budget for the water increase.

·         Show WWTP plan progress online – pictures

·         Training programs for the Planning Commission, ZBA and City Council to understand the impact of their decisions.

·         Marijuana facilities

·         Ordinances

·         Work with the Chamber and ICEA to bring more businesses to Belding

·         Planning Commission to look at outdated ordinances and what is restricting businesses from coming in

·         Be more user-friendly

Davis commented on the following:

·         Davis received Planning Commission training by Williams & Works

·         Looking at ordinances that are too restrictive or against best practices

·         Train on the OMA, FOIA, and ethics.

·         Liability

·         Record training sessions and use as a resource

·         Master Land Use Plan to be looked at every five years at a minimum (current one is from 2009; on file in the Clerk’s Office).  Do an annual review, not a re-do.

·         More people needed on the Planning Commission

Mayor Meyers commented on the following:

·         Asked Council Members to go through Stoppel’s 2022 City Council Directives/Consultant Responses for his first year. (On file in the Clerk’s Office.)

·         Productive first year with Stoppels – he has proven to be a good choice to bring to Belding

·         Staying focused

·         Implementing some things with little expense

·         City Council to prioritize their own lists and move forward

Public Comment

Bob Brown, 759 Jay Street commented on the following:

·         Commended the City Manager.

·         The city had a Rec Director 10-12 years ago

·         Student Intern position on Rec Board

·         Commented on the disposition of the current Rec Board

·         Invited Council Members to come up and watch games

·         Commended the City Manager a second time

Adjourn

Moved by Steele seconded by Gladding to adjourn the meeting at 11:57 a.m.  Motion carried by the following roll call vote:  Yes – All.

__________________________________                __________________________________

Bruce Meyers, Mayor                                   Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk