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
Mayor Meyers noted one change to the Agenda: Move Item I. under New Business to the February 7, 2023 meeting. Moved by Davis, seconded by Gladding to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
Yeas: Gladding, Leary, Steele and Mayor Meyers
Nays: Davis
Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele to approve the consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 79264 to 79310 in the amount of $64,797.43
Approve Independent Bank ACH Notifications – (8) in the amount of $203,573.21
Approve Mercantile Bank Checks 1367 to 1381 in the amount of $143,294.98
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, January 3, 2023
Peter Haefner of Vredeveld Haefner LLC presented the City Audit for the year ended June 30, 2022. (Audit on file in the Clerk’s Office)
Leary reported that the Museum Board meets tomorrow.
Steele reported that the Rec Board met last night and has made a recommendation for appointment.
Davis reported that the Planning Commission will be meeting on January 24th.
Gladding reported that the ZBA has not met. The Labor Day Committee will be meeting on January 19th.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Housing Commission will be meeting on January 19th.
A. Moved by Steele, seconded by Leary to approve the Belding Dial-A-Ride MDOT Budget as recommended by the director. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - all. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 UNDER PUBLIC ACT 51 OF 1951, AS AMENDED
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 17th day of January, 2023.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Act 51 of 1951, as amended (Act 51), it is necessary for the City of Belding, a Home Rule City established pursuant to Public Act 279 of 1909, as amended, to provide a local transportation program for the state fiscal year of 2024 and, therefore, apply for state financial assistance under provisions of Act 51; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the City of Belding to name an official representative for all public transportation matters, who is authorized to provide such information as deemed necessary by· the State Transportation Commission or department for its administration of Act 51; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to certify that no changes in eligibility documentation have occurred during the past state fiscal year; and,
WHEREAS, the performance indicators for this agency have been reviewed and approved by the City of Belding; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Belding has reviewed and approved the proposed budget with sources of estimated federal funds of $62,947; estimated state funds of $110,378; estimated local funds of $80,000; estimated fare box revenues of $41,400; estimated other funds of $104,540 (revenues totaling $399,265) and with total eligible expenses of $319,151 for Fiscal Year 2024; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Belding has also reviewed and approved the additional funding requests of $125,000 from Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Funds for the purchase of scheduling & dispatch software, AVL equipment for the vehicles, and replacement of two-way radios, an administrative vehicle and office equipment & furniture.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Belding does hereby make its intentions known to provide public transportation services and to apply for state financial assistance with this annual plan, in accordance with Act 51.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is hereby appointed as the Transportation Coordinator for all public transportation matters, and is authorized to provide such information as deemed necessary by the State Transportation Commission or department for its administration of Act 51 for 2024.
Upon vote for adoption of said resolution, the vote was:
THIS RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 17TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2023.
B. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to pursue the purchase of BS&A Software with a first-year cost of approximately $35,000 with a budget amendment for the current year and the balance to be included in the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
C. Moved by Leary, seconded by Davis to direct staff to work with Fleis & Vandenbrink to make application for a grant through EGLE under PA 53. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPROVING THE BOARD OF REVIEW POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES
At a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 17th day of January, 2023.
WHEREAS, the Board of Review meets in March, July and August each year to consider poverty exemption applications; and,
WHEREAS, the poverty exemption guidelines are updated annually to meet federal poverty income standards and maximum threshold of residential value; and,
WHEREAS, the poverty guidelines are as follows:
2023 INCOME GUIDELINES
| SIZE OF FAMILY | INCOME GUIDELINES | INCOME GUIDELINES | INCOME GUIDELINES |
| UNIT | 100% Exemption | 50% Exemption | 25% Exemption |
| 1 | $13,590 | $13,591thru $14,269 | $14,270 thru $14,949 |
| 2 | $18,310 | $18,311thru $19,225 | $19,226 thru $20,141 |
| 3 | $23,030 | $23,031thru $24,181 | $24,182 thru $25,333 |
| 4 | $27,750 | $27,751 thru $29,137 | $29,138 thru $30,525 |
| 5 | $32,470 | $32,471thru $34,093 | $34,094 thru $35,717 |
| 6 | $37,190 | $37,191thru $39,049 | $39,050 thru $40,909 |
| 7 | $41,910 | $41,911thru $44,005 | $44,006 thru $46,101 |
| 8 | $46,630 | $46,631 thru $48,961 | $48,962 thru $51,293 |
| Each Additional Person | $4,540 | $4,672 | $4,895 |
WHEREAS, if a person meets all eligibility requirements in the statute, the Board of Review must grant a full exemption equal to a 100% reduction in taxable value or a partial exemption equal to a 25% or 50% reduction in taxable value OR any other percentage reduction in taxable value approved by the STC
WHEREAS, the following Board of Review poverty exemption guidelines will apply:
1. Applicant must own and occupy the property as a homestead.
2. File a form provided by the City of Belding.
a. Submit federal and state income tax returns for all persons residing in the homestead, as well as copies of any property tax credit returns.
b. File Treasury Form 4988 (Poverty Exemption Affidavit) for all persons residing in the residence who were not required to file federal or state income tax returns in the current or in the immediately preceding year.
3. Meet federal poverty income standards.
4. Provide driver’s license or other form of identification.
5. Provide evidence of property ownership.
WHEREAS, applicant must meet the requirements of the asset test as follows:
Persons in family/household Poverty guideline
1 person $28,924
2 persons $35,742
3 persons $42,663
4 persons $49,481
5 persons $54,542
6 persons $63,220
7 persons $70,141
8 persons $77,062
9 persons $83,466
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the Board of Review poverty exemption guidelines are hereby approved.
G. Moved by Davis, seconded by Steele to reappoint Sherry Hughes to the Library Board for the term ending December 31, 2025. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
H. Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to Appoint City Manager Jon Stoppels to the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC). Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Jenny Bennett, 1125 Kenwood, commented on the Rec Board reappointment process.
City Manager Jon Stoppels gave an update on the Public Works Department.
Leary commented on making progress between Saturday’s work session and tonight’s meeting.
Steele commented on progress.
Davis thanked the Treasurer, Becky Schlienz and Dial-A-Ride Director, Heidi Wenzel.
Gladding thanked Schlienz, Fire Chief Tim Lubitz regarding his CIP and further commented on the need for training on Boards and Ethics.
Mayor Meyers thanked the council for their work on Saturday at the work session. He further offered comment on:
· (Public) Comments not being 100% true.
· His eligibility to attend meetings in his capacity as Mayor or as a citizen.
· The Rec Boards motion to change their agenda (unanimous vote of 3-0).
· Things are not happening “behind the scenes.”
· The Open Meeting Act not being violated.
· He is here to serve the citizens of Belding.
Moved by Davis seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
__________________________________ __________________________________
Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk