Approval of Agenda

Mayor Meyers noted the following two additions for presentations to the agenda:  A.) Add Informational Update from Sharon Carlson and B.) Add Ionia County Conservation District Recycling Proposal immediately following the first Public Comment.  Moved by Gladding, seconded by Leary to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:  Yes – all.

Presentations

A.   Sharon Carlson, Belding Housing Commission Director apprised the council that the Housing Commission did not have a regular meeting in April due to conflicts, however a special meeting was held as they were able to schedule an  informational meeting with a consultant who discussed assisting housing commissions and communities with options for affordable housing, including development, redevelopment and market demands.  Ryan Wilson of the ICEA was also in attendance and discussed options available through the State for such as loans, grants and tax credits.

Carlson also advised the council that out of an eight-state region, Housing Commission member Sandra Boutell received the Elvira B. Long Award.  She has served on the Housing Commission since 2009. 

B.     Melissa Elridge and Jay Heise, of the Ionia County Conservation District presented a countywide recycling proposal to the council and request4ed a letter of support.  (Proposal on file in the Clerk’s Office).  Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele, to supply Ionia County with a letter of support for the recycling project.  Motion carried by the following roll call vote:  Yes – all.  

Public Hearing

Consent Agenda

Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.   Motion carried by the following roll call vote:  Yes – all.  The Consent Agenda is as follows:

Reports by Council Liaisons

Gladding reported that a ZBA meeting is proposed for May 28^th.

Davis reported that the Planning Commission met. Discussion took place to remove some of the building codes from the ordinances in an effort to minimize variance requests.  Williams & Works offered suggestions.

Leary reported that the Library Board met on April 22^nd.  They reviewed their bylaws and are working on a policy manual update.  The Museum Board met on April 23rd.  They received a generous donation for repairs to porch roofs, their windows were cleaned and they are looking for a Bel Coordinator.

Public Comments

Sharon Carlson commented on the Recreation Advisory Board and a Recreation Director.

City Manager Comments

City Manager Jon Stoppels commented on the following topics of interest:

·         Spring mowing in the cemeteries and parks

·         Weed spraying

·         Lead line changeouts

·         Sanitary sewer lines

·         Zoning and enforcement

·         Fire Department annual fitness testing

·         Music by the River

Council Comments

Steele commented on her visit to the Fire Department

Gladding commented on the following:

·         Thanked everyone for coming

·         Thanked Carlson for her update on the special meeting

·         Rec Board history

·         BYBL

Davis commented on the following:

·         Congratulated Sandra Boutell on her award

·         Thanked Carlson for her update

·         Thanked those who submitted special event applications

·         Moving Forward

·         Rec Director

·         Thanked everyone for coming

Leary voiced her appreciation for everyone coming out tonight.

Mayor Meyers commented on the following:

·         Cemetery rules

·         WWTP – Belding has requests for funding under review at the federal level

·         More grant funding

·         Stoppels and Mayor Meyers have met with two of the three architects being considered for the renovations/improvements to the new City Hall building

·         Thanked Ortego for her work on Music by the River

·         Thanked City Finance Director Becky Schlienz for her work on the budget

Stoppels offered an additional update on the WWTP: 

·         Discovery of some sub-standard soil caused an increased expenditure to the city of possibly $50-80,000, however there is a $2 million contingency built into the original estimate

·         The construction is ahead of schedule

·         Future slow-down may be a result of lead times on equipment and/or materials

Adjourn

Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 p.m.  Motion carried by the following roll call vote:  Yes – all.

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Bruce Meyers, Mayor                                            Janae Ortego, City Clerk