CITY COUNCIL
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
BELDING, MI 48809
7:00 PM
A meeting of the
Members present:
Members absent: None
Mayor Leary noted two changes to the agenda: 1. Remove the Good Neighbor Award and add it to the next agenda and 2. under New Business, add Item I. Schedule Closed Session to Review City Manager Applications and Interviews. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Jeff Hunter commented on the City Manager and the DPW.
A. Nikolai Zerkle, Constituents Director for Representative Pat Outman, presented the City Manager, Jon Stopples, with a Special Tribute upon his retirement. (Copy on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
B. Scott Hall of Fleis & Vandenbrink presented the council members with a status update on the wastewater treatment plant. The project remains on schedule. (Report on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 82782 to 82825 in the amount of $51,415.07
Approve Independent Bank ACH Notifications
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting – November 19, 2024
City Council Closed Session Meeting – November 19, 2024
City Council Special Meeting – December 9, 2024 (December 3, 2024 Regular meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum)
Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion caried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Steele reported that the December Rec Board meeting was cancelled so the City Council could hold a Special Meeting.
Gladding reported that the ZBA did not meet.
Mayor Leary reported that the Library Board nor the Museum Board has met.
A. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele, to accept Bruce Meyers resignation from City Council. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
B. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele, to accept Jorel Davis’ resignation from City Council. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
C. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding, to set the deadline for City Council applications for Monday, January 6, 2025 at 12 noon, with interviews taking place at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 7, at 7:00 p.m. and to hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, January 9 at 6:00 p.m. appoint new city council members. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
E. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding, to table the appointment of a Planning Commission Liaison to the January 21, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
F. Steele advised that she met with Tonda Rich, Deputy Clerk and Janae Ortego, and reviewed proposed changes to the Planning Commission bylaws. The proposed changes to the bylaws will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for their review and recommendation.
G. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding, to adopt the Federal Awards Administration Policy as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. (A copy of the Federal Awards Administration Policy is on file in the Clerk’s Office).
H. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding, to present Stoppels with a Resolution of Appreciation. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. Mayor Leary read the Resolution aloud. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-12-21
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO JON STOPPELS ON HIS RETIREMENT
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 December 2024.
WHEREAS, Jon Stoppels was appointed as the Belding City Manager in January, 2021; and,
WHEREAS, in his time as the Belding City Manager Jon has led the city with some truly milestone projects, including but not limited to the multimillion-dollar Wastewater Treatment Plant, securing a new building which will be used as the future city hall, the purchase of a new fire truck, and being awarded several park and recreation grants that have bettered our community; and,
WHEREAS, Jon’s vast experience in Public Works has allowed him to serve as a mentor to the Department of Public Works; and,
WHEREAS, Jon’s commitment to the City of Belding was displayed in the highest professional manner; and,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan, that our sincere appreciation is extended to Jon Stoppels for his admirable service to the City of Belding and we wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 17TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2024.
I. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele, to hold a Special Closed Session City Council meeting on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to review the applications submitted for the City Manager position, and to conduct interviews in a Special Meeting on Saturday January 25, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Stoppels deferred his comment to Steele to announce.
Steele announced that the city received a grant for $397,500 for Central Riverside Park.
Gladding commented on full agendas.
Steele commented that Stoppels was continually pushing for grants and hopes to see that continue in the future for the city.
Leary commented on receiving the grant for Central Riverside Park, thanked everyone for coming, thanked Jon and looks forward to building upon his successes. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Moved by Gladding seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
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Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk