REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
7:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Belding City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Meyers gave the Invocation then led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Deputy City Clerk, Tonda Rich took the roll call:
Members present: Jorel Davis, Shelley Gladding, Jeannine Leary, Bonita Steele and Bruce Meyers
Moved by Davis, supported by Leary, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by roll call vote: yes – all.
Moved by Davis, supported by Gladding to open up nominations for Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem. Motion carried by roll call vote: yes – all.
Davis placed the name of Bruce Meyers into nomination for Mayor. No support was given.
Gladding placed the name of Jeannine Leary into nomination for Mayor. Steele supported the nomination.
Moved by Gladding, supported by Steele, to elect Jeannine Leary as Mayor. Motion carried by roll call vote, with Davis voting no (4 – 1).
Newly elected Mayor Leary called for nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.
Gladding placed the name of Bonita Steele into nomination for Mayor Pro Tem. Steele supported the nomination.
Meyers placed the name of Jorel Davis into nomination for Mayor Pro Tem. Davis supported the nomination.
On the nomination for Steele as Mayor Pro Tem, moved by Gladding, supported by Steele, to elect Steele as Mayor Pro Tem. Motion carried by roll call vote, with Davis and Meyers voting no (3 – 2).
Cory Turner with Fleis & Vandenbrink gave an update on the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Turner shared pictures of the site and stated that the project is on schedule.
A. Approve Independent Bank checks 82575 to 82685 in the amount of $2,615,298.68
Approve Independent Bank ACH transactions
B. Approve minutes: City Council Special Meeting - October 28, 2024
City Council Regular Minutes – October 29, 2024
Moved by Gladding, supported by Steele, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by roll call vote: yes – all.
The Council Liaisons to the various city boards gave verbal updates.
A. Moved by Davis, supported by Gladding, to approve the Belding Holiday Committee Special Event Application. The event will be on December 6th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in downtown Belding. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
B. Discussion took place regarding the various city boards and how appointments should be made to these boards. Belding City Attorney, David Caldron stated that there are issues that need to be addressed such as the various bylaws are not consistent with the City Charter and/or state law. Steele requested that a subcommittee be formed to review the bylaws and come back to the Council with a recommendation for the appointment process and to review the Bylaws for each board so that they are consistent with the City Charter, City Ordinance and State Law. Moved by Steele, supported by Gladding, to table the discussion for another two weeks. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes-all.
Jim Mason invited the Council to the Belding Library Candlelight Reception that will be held on December 2, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Rebecca Reinick commented on the bylaws that govern the city boards.
Sam Mason thanked the Council for the holiday event that will be held on December 6th.
Jon Stoppels, City Manager, updated the Council on the following:
•Leaf pickup in the city and cemeteries
•Lead lines being replaced in the city
•Davis congratulated the new mayor and mayor pro tem and thanked the public for coming
•Gladding thanked the department heads for the work they are doing and thanked the public for their attendance at tonight’s meeting
•Steele commented on the Candlelight Reception
•Leary stated that she appreciates the support given and looks forward to her tenure as Mayor
The following Councilmembers agreed to take the following liaison positions on the following boards:
•Downtown Development Authority – Leary
•Housing Commission – Meyers
•Library Board – Steele
•Museum Board – Leary
•Planning Commission – Davis
•Recreational Board – Steele
•Zoning Appeals Board - Gladding
Moved by Gladding, supported by Steele, to take a brief recess at 7:57 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Moved by Steele, supported by Davis, to enter into Closed Session to discuss the written legal opinion from the city attorney at 8:05 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Moved by Davis, supported by Steele, to adjourn Closed Session and return to regular session at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Moved by Davis, supported by Steele, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
______________________ ________________________
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Tonda Rich, Deputy City Clerk