REGULAR MEETING
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024
Pere Marquette Depot 100 Depot Street
7:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Belding City Council was convened in open and public session at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street, Belding, MI 48809, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Deputy City Clerk, Kay Swanson, took the roll call:
Members Present: Jeanine Leary, Bonita Steele, Jorel Davis and Bruce Meyers
Members Absent: Shelley Gladding
Moved by Steele, seconded by Davis to approve the absence of Council Member Gladding, per section 4.5(f) of the City Charter. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - All.
Mayor Meyers added the first reading of an Ordinance to Authorize Alternate Members to the Review Board under New Business, Item B. Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - All.
Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - all. The Consent Agenda is as follows:
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 81058 to 81091 in the amount of $36,865.03
Approve Mercantile Bank Checks 1511 to 1520 in the amount of $38,610.23
B. Approve Minutes: City Council regularly scheduled meeting minutes - December 19, 2023.
Mayor Meyers reported the Housing Commission had a full agenda. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2024.
A. Peter Haefner, CPA of Vredeveld Haefner LLC presented the Financial Audit Report for the City of Belding Year Ending June 30, 2023. The Audit addressed the following topics:
1. Revenues and Expenditure for the various city funds
2. Current Fund Balances for Each Fund
3. Status of Water and Sewer Funds, Road Funds and Dial-A-Ride
4. Investments
5. Current Debt Levels
6. Appropriateness of the City's financial record keeping.
A copy of the full audit is on file in the Clerk's Office.
B. Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele, to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 563 allowing the Board of Review to Authorize Alternate Members on the Board of Review. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - All. The proposed Ordinance is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
COUNTY OF IONIA, MICHIGAN
ORDINANCE NO. 563
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE ALTERNATE MEMBERS ON THE BOARD OF REVIEW
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS:
Section 1: Authorization of alternate members to the City Board of Review. The City Council is authorized to appoint up to two alternate members to the City Board of Review. The alternate members shall serve pursuant to, and consistent with, the terms and conditions set forth in Belding City Charter Section 12.6(b) and state statute MCL 211.28.
Section 2: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective ten (10) days after its publication.
City Manager, Jon Stoppels gave an update on the Waste Water Treatment Plant, reporting that due to the pleasant weather the progress is has been moving along well.
Stoppels advised that the City will continue to replace lead lines into 2024.
Steele wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Leary wished everyone a Happy 2024 and commented on the citis positive audit.
Davis thanked Becky (Schlienz) and her team for a good audit. Davis wished everyone a Happy New Year. He further commented that the changes in the city are for the better.
Mayor Meyers commented on continuing collaborative efforts in 2024. He thanked Becky (Schlienz) for her work on the audit.
Meyers also reminded everyone that he will be at the Depot on the 2nd Saturday in January from 9-11 a.m. to discuss matters of interest with citizens of Belding. Coffee and discussion will be provided. Meyers hoped everyone had a relaxing Christmas and Happy New Year. Meyers also commented on the football game on New Year’s Day!
Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - All.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Kay Swanson, Deputy Clerk