CITY COUNCIL
PERE MARQUETTE DEPOT
BELDING, MI 48809
7:00 PM
A meeting of the
Members present:
Members absent: None
Moved by Davis, seconded by Leary to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
A representative from Williams & Works gave a brief update on the status of the Master Plan. The next steps will consist of a collaboration session with Belding Middle School and Highschool students, another stakeholder meeting focusing on government and leadership and also a public open house. Once those items are completed, they will move on to the goals and objectives portion of the Master Plan.
Jim Mason, 210 S. Broas, commented on the Master Plan.
Moved by Leary seconded by Gladding to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
The Consent Agenda is as follows:
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, September 17, 2024
Leary reported on topics of interest discussed at the Library Board meeting:
· Policy for the Director’s upcoming evaluation
· One vacancy on the Library Board – applicants sought
· A clothing policy for patrons is being developed
Leary reported on topics of interest discussed at the Museum Board meeting:
· Labor Day brought in 450 visitors
· Porch and roof repairs
Davis reported on topics of interest discussed at the Planning Commission meeting:
· The ZBA directed the Planning Commission to review the current ordinances for pole barns and accessory buildings
· To create a golf cart ordinance
· Updated fines for some violations of ordinances
· Completed one Site Plan Review
· Received stakeholder meeting updates from Williams & Works
Gladding reported that there will be a Home for the Holidays meeting tomorrow evening.
Steele reported that she attended the meeting of the Belding Election Commission where members conducted the Public Accuracy Test for the November 5, 2024 General Election.
Mayor Meyers reported on topics of interest discussed at the Housing Commission meeting:
· Routine approvals, including review of vacancies and delinquencies
· Repairs at Taft Court
· Annual inspection on all properties
· Street paving at Belhaven II will be happening soon
· Discussed annual PILOT to the city
· DPW
· Security camera installation process
A. Discuss Schedule of Civil Fines – After a lengthy discussion regarding civil fines and due to the very limited time Chief Sower had to put a proposal together, it was moved by Davis and seconded by Gladding to table the matter until Chief Sower can put together a thorough proposal. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
B. Discuss Golf Cart Ordinance – Mayor Meyers sought clarification from the council members regarding the directive they had given to the Planning Commission about creating a golf cart ordinance. During the last Planning Commission meeting, discussion ensued regarding creating the ordinance. After a lengthy discussion, a motion passed against pursuing creating a golf cart ordinance at this time. Mayor Meyers clarified with the council members that the directive was for the Planning Commission draft a Golf Cart Ordinance and then present it to City Council for consideration whether they recommended it or not. Council members agreed with Mayor Meyers as to the intended directive.
Moved by Leary, seconded by Steele to direct staff to work with the Planning Commission to develop a golf cart ordinance that suits the City of Belding. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Jenny Bennett, 303 Leonard Street, commented on the downtown economic strategy and the Covered Village Mall.
City Manager Jon Stoppels gave an informational update on the following items topics of interest:
· The last brush pick-up and bag pick up has been completed for the year
· DPW prepping for fall leaf pick-up
· Repairs to Merrick Street are 90% complete with the exception of the shoulders which need completion by the contractor
· Road repairs to Belhaven II is to begin next week
· Work on the Museum is tentatively scheduled to begin next week
· Bagged leaves in biodegradable bags will be picked up; plants in the bags are acceptable; if a bag is contaminated with sticks, brush or other prohibited items the city will not pick it up
Gladding commented on the following:
· The parks – some have improvement, others have problems
· Setting money aside to work on park maintenance
· The condition of the pavilion
· Announced that any resident is welcome to call her
Davis commented on the following:
· Thanked Williams & Works for the update on the Master Plan
· Chief Sower for his work on the Golf Cart Ordinance and civil fines
· Thanked Mason and Bennett
Leary commented on the following:
· Thanked everyone for coming out tonight
· Encouraged people to apply for boards
Mayor Meyers commented on the following:
· Thanked Bennett
· The mall
· Master Plan
· Priorities
· City should keep current on its citizen’s desires
· Merrick Street
· Continued needs around the city and lack of funds
· Commended Stoppels for his leadership
· Thanked Bannister and the DPW
· Prioritizing
Steele commented on the following:
· Master Plan
· Chain of Command
· The condition of the parks
· Toured the parks with Larry Hummel from Fleis & Vandenbrink to try to raise our scores for grants. Scores are typically higher if disabled individuals tour the community parks and provide feedback.
· The condition of the Pavilion
· Inquired on the status of the repairs to the cement wall on M-44 and Broas Street
· Too many Sumac trees around town
· The order of business on Agendas
Mayor Meyers further commented on the following:
· Williams & Works was hired to advise the City
· Some boards, such as the Planning Commission need consistent training
· Respecting people’s time
With Mayor Meyers approval, Clerk Ortego briefly took a moment to remind council members and citizens that there will be three City Council meetings in October, the last one being on Tuesday, October 29th, which takes the place of the November 5th meeting as that is the date of the General Election. The Council meeting was rescheduled earlier this year to accommodate the unavailability of the clerk and her staff so they can perform their statutory election duties.
Moved by Steele seconded by Leary to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
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Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae Ortego, City Clerk