REGULAR MEETING
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 19, 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, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk, Janae Ortego, took the roll call:
Members present: Shelley Gladding, Bonita Steele, Jeanine Leary, Jorel Davis and Bruce Meyers
Members absent: None
Mayor Meyers noted the following addition to the agenda: Add Presentation from Fleis & Vandenbrink regarding Lead Line Replacement prior to the first Public Comment. Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Elaine Venema of Fleis & Vandenbrink gave a brief update on the status of the city’s DWAM (Drinking Water Asset Management Program). She advised that blue flags will be placed in some areas around town where the water lines connect to the city mains. Plummers will be performing hydro excavation to inspect of lead. Sod replacement will be done the same day. Venema advised citizens to not remove the flags. Citizens will be sent notices by the City if their property will be affected by the sampling.
Patricia Loser, Belding High School teacher and co-advisor of their BPA (Business Professionals of America) Chapter, along with five of her students attended the meeting to inform City Council about their program, it’s advantages and their accomplishments. The organization works with high school students to develop professionalism and leadership skills to prepare for careers of their interest. There are currently 30 members from Belding Highschool participating this year with 14 qualifying for state finals. Additionally, every year (with the exception of 2020 due to COVID restrictions), a Belding student has qualified for Nationals, where they are competing against 5,000 students. Lat year a Belding student made it into the top ten. (A pamphlet regarding BPA is on file in the Clerk’s Office).
A. Mayor Meyers opened the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m. to hear discussion for Grant Applications for one or more city parks. Larry Hummel of Fleis & Vandenbrink advised that there are two grant applications to consider -the Michigan Recreation Passport Grant and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant. Each are 75% funded grants with a 25% match by the city. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Mayers closed the Public Hearing at 7:27 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mayor Meyers noted that $1.9 million was for the new WWTP. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. The Consent Agenda is as follows:
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 81399 to 81464 in the amount of $2,022,342.16.
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Planning Work Session – March 2, 2024
City Council regularly scheduled meeting – March 5, 2024
Davis reported that the Planning Commission will meet on March 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Leary reported that the Library Board will meet on March 25 and the Museum Board will meet on March 26.
Gladding reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on March 25. The Solid Waste Committee has not met.
Steele reported that the Recreation Advisory Board did not meet due to a conflict.
Mayor Meyers reported that the Housing Commission will meet on March 21.
A. Moved by Leary, seconded by Davis to approve the Michigan Recreation Passport Grant, Resolution 2024-03-06. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
RECREATION PASSPORT GRANT PROGRAM
RESOLUTION OF AUTHORIZATION OF LOCAL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT MATCH WITHOUT DONATED FUNDS
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 19th day of March, 2024.
PRESENT: Council Members Jeannine Leary, Bonita Steele, Shelley Gladding, Jorel Davis and Bruce Meyers
ABSENT: None
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Leary and seconded by Council Member Davis.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding supports the submission of an application titled “East Riverside Park Pavilion Improvements” to the Recreation Passport Grant Program for the renovation of the existing pavilion to provide ADA accessibility, construction of a universally accessible pathway from the parking area to the playground and the pavilion; upgrades to Wood Trail and upgrades to playground equipment at East Riverside Park; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed application is supported by the Community’s 5-Year Approved Parks and Recreation Plan; and, the existing pavilion lacks sufficient accessibility for all community members; and use of the park for events continues to grow amplifying the need for playground improvements upgrading dated equipment and play surface; and pathways and associated fixtures are not fully accessible and need to be upgraded; and the installation of a security camera system integrated to all City Public Park spaces; and
WHEREAS, the City of Belding is hereby making a financial commitment to the project in the amount of $48,750.00 matching funds, in cash and/or force account; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Belding hereby authorizes submission of a Recreation Passport Grant Program Application for $146,250.00, and further resolves to make available its financial obligation amount of $48,750.00 (25%) of a total $195,000.00 project cost, during the 2025 - 2026 fiscal year.
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
Upon vote for the adoption of said resolution, the vote was:
YEAS: Council Members Leary, Steele, Gladding, Davis and Meyers
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 19TH DAY OF MARCH, 2024.
B. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Leary to approve the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant , Resolution 2024-03-07. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND GRANT
RESOLUTION OF AUTHORIZATION OF LOCAL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT MATCH WITHOUT DONATED FUNDS
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 19th day of March, 2024.
PRESENT: Council Members Jeannine Leary, Bonita Steele, Shelley Gladding, Jorel Davis and Bruce Meyers
ABSENT: None
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Gladding and seconded by Council Member Leary.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding supports the submission of an application titled “Central Riverside Park Pavilion Improvements” to the Central Riverside Park for improvements of the existing site facilities; such as; replacement and relocation of the picnic shelter pavilion and restrooms; and, improvements to site lighting and electrical; and upgrading of fixtures such as picnic tables, benches and trash receptacles; and the installation of security system integrated to all City Public Park spaces; at Central Riverside Park; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed application is supported by the Community’s 5-Year Approved Parks and Recreation Plan; and, continued growth of community programs increases the need for improved and accessible facilities for all; and the picnic shelter/pavilion and restrooms were constructed in the 1970’s and have exceeded their functional life cycle; and
WHEREAS, the City of Belding is hereby making a financial commitment to the project in the amount of $132,500.00 matching funds, in cash and/or force account; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Belding hereby authorizes submission of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Application for $397,500.00, and further resolves to make available its financial obligation amount of $132,500.00 (25%) of a total $530,000.00 project cost, during the 2025 - 2026 fiscal year.
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
Upon vote for the adoption of said resolution, the vote was:
YEAS: Council Members Leary, Steele, Gladding, Davis and Meyers
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 19TH DAY OF MARCH, 2024.
C. Moved by Leary, seconded by Gladding to approve the Ellis Road Reconstruction Project, Resolution 2024-03-08. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
RESOLUTION OF AUTHORIZATION BETWEEN THE CITY OF BELDING AND MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION FOR FUNDING FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF ELLIS ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 19th day of March, 2024.
PRESENT: Council Members Jeannine Leary, Bonita Steele, Shelley Gladding, Jorel Davis and Bruce Meyers
ABSENT: None
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Council Member Leary and seconded by Council Member Gladding.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding approves the contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the second phase of the Ellis Road Reconstruction Project, Contract Number 24-5094; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Belding hereby authorizes City Manager, Jon E. Stoppels to sign Contract Number 24-5094; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Belding hereby approves the contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the second phase of the Ellis Road Reconstruction Project, Contract Number 24-5094 and authorizes City Manager, Jon E. Stoppels to sign said contract.
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
Upon vote for the adoption of said resolution, the vote was:
YEAS: Council Members Leary, Steele, Gladding, Davis and Meyers
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 19TH DAY OF MARCH, 2024.
D. Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to approve the adoption of the Revised Purchasing Policy, with verbiage changes to the Purchasing Procedures Chart on page 2, the last bullet points of column 2, rows 2 and 3 to read as follows: City Council notification by City Manager. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. (A copy of the Purchasing Policy with the aforementioned changes is on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
E. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to approve the Weapon Purchase and Trade-In as presented by Chief of Police Dion Sower. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. (A copy of the make, model and serial number of each weapon to be traded-in to Hilltop Sports is on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
Nicolai Zerkle, 1029 Pleasant Street, advised that he is a Legislative Aide from Representative Pat Outman’s Office and commented on appropriations.
Jim Mason, 210 S. Broas, commended the Housing Commission on their audits from DTE and Consumers Power.
Kathy North, 921 Luther Street, commented on an undeveloped street in Belding.
Sharon Carlson, Director of the Belding Housing Commission commented on the following topics of interest:
· She will be giving a presentation on Federal Energy Production Initiatives at her conference in April.
· She has a meeting scheduled with Senator Stabenow, Senator Peters and Representative Moolenaar on April 10 and will remind them about the WWTP
· Carlson thanked her staff as well as others who offered comments
Clinton Hewartson, owner of NTG Games, commented on business growth.
Stoppels commented on the following topics of interest:
· Museum roof repairs
· Flow meter repair at the WWTP
· Josh King from Belding Highschool tuned the P.A. system in the Council Chamber
· Fine tuning of the TKS Video Systems, and to order an additional security camera.
· Renovation/replacement of the pavilion.
Steele commented on this evening’s accomplishments.
Gladding thanked everyone who attended the meeting. She further advised that Rob Roy will be building an enclosure around their new dust collector to cut down on the noise it is generating.
Davis thanked everyone who attended for their comments or reports.
Leary thanked everyone who attended for their comments and congratulated the students involved in the BPA for their accomplishments.
Mayor Meyers thanked everyone who attended for their comments or reports.
Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae Ortego, City Clerk