REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
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, April 1, 2025.
Mayor Jeannine Leary called the meeting to order and led with the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk, Janae Ortego took the roll call:
Members present: Shelley Gladding, Bonita Steele, Nikolai Zerkle, Linda Curtis and Jeannine Leary
Members absent: None
City Manager Keven Krieger requested the following changes to the Agenda under New Business: Remove Item C. and add Item F. Liaison Positions. Moved By Zerkle, seconded by Steele to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Karen Howe, 511 Vincent, commented on Item B. under New Business.
Moved by Gladding, 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:
A. Approve Independent Bank checks 83208 to 83271 in the amount of $436,926.94
Approve ACH Payments
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Regularly scheduled meeting – March 18, 2025
Gladding reported that the Planning Commission met last week, however she was absent.
Mayor Leary reported that the Museum Board met on March 25. The received a generous donation, so they were able to purchase updated appliances and are having some maintenance work done on the downspouts.
A. Veteran’s Park Proposal – Krieger advised that Holly Noble and the Veteran’s group want to place a decommissioned tank and helicopter in the Veteran’s Park. There are several concerns regarding space and the city’s liability.
Noble advised that she has come before city council for permission about this in the past, because they needed ample time for fundraising. The equipment would be a life-lease from the government. Noble offered comments about the equipment:
· prestigious to receive
· enhance the park
· a tool for education
· honor
· focal point for travelers
Noble said that the last City Manager said that they would go on the concrete pad by the rest of the Veteran’s Park. Noble advised that they are here to move forward. The application process is intense. Noble was unable to provide information on the exact equipment they would potentially be getting nor could measurements be provided. She inquired as to why there is a controversy now.
Krieger advised that he contacted MML, who came back with some general liability concerns and concerns about the increase in premiums, however they wouldn’t state a dollar figure. MML has never encountered this on a municipal level, advising that the city attorney be contacted. Normally this type of equipment is placed at an American Legion or VFW. The city attorney has been contacted and advised that we are potentially at risk. Additionally, the DNR has several stipulations regarding the Fred Meijer Rail Trail. Krieger has not contacted the DNR yet. Krieger further advised that there was an agreement drawn up in 2022 (on file in the Clerk’s Office) after the Veteran’s group had their pavilion built. Noble disputed the contract, claiming that this is the first she has seen it. She said that she never received one. She advised that Chuck Robinson, who is President of the Veteran’s Group worked with Jon (Stoppels, former City Manager) and is the one who signed the agreement. Robinson claims that this is not the agreement that he signed.
Zerkle first made a disclaimer, voicing that his statements are personal and not in his capacity as an active member of the military. Zerkle voiced that this is a huge liability factor. Why is a tank and a helicopter needed? Why not just monuments?
Noble said it is to honor veterans for their courage and service. They are tangible connections to conflicts and educational tools. They would be surrounded by a barricade that is still pleasing, but you will never keep danger away. Noble offered assistance from the Veteran’s group to help pay the insurance.
Gladding inquired as to who pays for it to come in and what is the cost to maintain? Who pays for it if the Veteran’s group disbands and it has to go back?
Noble said it either be no one or the Veteran’s group would pay for it to come in—this opportunity could be used as a training. Noble maintained that it is free.
Steele said to Robinson, “Didn’t you read the document or present it to your board before you signed it?” Robinson said that he never left with the document and that (Holly) Noble was out of town. Noble said that Stoppels read the agreement to her over the phone.
Robinson again claimed that’s not what he signed, he wouldn’t have ever signed something that stupid.
Mayor Leary asked it the helicopter would require a mount or a pole. Noble stated that it would be on a pole, looking like it is dive bombing the park. Leary inquired that if we were to agree to this could it be sent back? Gorgeous as the Veteran’s Park is, we just don’t have a lot of room.
Krieger commented that there is no opposition from the city. They have done a great job with the Veteran’s Park and it is appreciated. The Veteran’s group take care of it and do a great job. But Varnum says it’s a lot of liability; it is in close proximity to kids playing in the park and it would be in the road right of way, which causes concern with things like icy weather. It’s not the right time for something this big, meaning the implications. It is nothing to do with who the group is or what they do, but his job is to protect the citizens and their dollars that go towards insurance. A skate park is an assumed risk—this is unintended use.
Zerkle asked Chief of Police Dion Sower his opinion as far as public safety goes. Sower stated that his main concern is vandalism. The park itself is phenomenal.
Fire Chief Tim Lubitz stated the fact that the current structure, being the Veteran’s Pavilion is in the right-of-way.
Curtis asked if the soil that would be holding the structure up is going to be an issue. There are already stability issues because it used to be a dump.
Krieger advised that the city may have to relocate water and sewer lines.
Steele commented that these types of relics are on site at an American Legion or a VFW.
Krieger advised that MML would likely do a risk assessment after the fact.
Gladding stated that we need to fix the contract first.
Steele wants more information. All of them that she can think of are located on private property such as American Legions or VFWs.
Krieger wants to consult with Varnum and work with Noble’s group. There are just too many “ifs” and “maybes” right now.
Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele to table the Veteran’s Park Proposal to the next meeting. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
B. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding, to appoint the Zoning Administrator to the ZBA as a non-voting member. The purpose is for the Zoning Administrator to represent the city. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Steele, Curtis, Gladding and Mayor Leary
NAYS: Zerkle
C. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to approve the Special Event Application that was presented by the city for the 2025 Season of Music by the River. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
D. Review of the 2025/26 Budget commenced. Budget review started with the General Fund Revenues (101).
Mayor Leary called for a brief recess at 8:32 p.m.
Back on the record at 8:39 p.m.
Budget review continued through Planning and Community Development (801). Moved by Gladding, seconded by Zerkle to table the remainder of the budget review to the next meeting, where they will start off with Contingency (941). Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
E. Zerkle requested to change his appointment from the Liaison to the Housing Commission to the ZBA due to a conflict with his work schedule. Curtis was amenable with the switch. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele to approve the change as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Tim Doran, 511 Vincent Street commented on the following topics:
· Change of address
· Non-compliant lot
· The procedure to change addresses
· No longer pursuing the address change
· Building a fence
Mike Tefft commented on the following topics:
· Veteran’s Park
· Liability
· Monuments
· Running out of space at the Veteran’s Park
Krieger commented on the following topics of interest:
· Had a site visit meeting at the new city hall with department heads, City resident Jim Mason and local builder Tim Flynn
· The county has been contacted re: demo permits
· City has a licensed builder on staff
· Fire Chief Tim Lubitz is writing a grant for the siren
· City Clerk Janae Ortego and Deputy Clerk Tonda Rich have been working with MML regarding trainings
Gladding commented on the following topics of interest:
· Thanked everyone for coming
· A lot discussed tonight
· Tabled items and taking a step back for legal advice
· Saturday’s workshop was from 9 – 2
· A lot is coming down the pipeline
· Change takes time
Steele commented on the following topics of interest:
· Nice to see a lot of people here
· Saturday was very informative
· Asking questions
· Stopping the “us against them” mentality
Zerkle commented on the following topics of interest:
· Saturday was productive
· Military
· Zoning Administrator Marci Cooper’s appointment to the ZBA, and explained his “No” vote being situational
· Thanked Ortego for her work on Music by the River
· Thanked the ZBA and Curtis for allowing the liaison position switch
· The city moving in a great direction
· Dump vouchers
· Thanked everyone for coming
Curtis commented on the following topics of interest:
· Saturday’s workshop was positive, creating a roadmap for the city
· Thanked everyone for their work on the budget
· Thanked Noble for her presentation
· Looking forward to working with Keven
Gladding offered an additional comment commending staff for working without complaint in poor working conditions.
Mayor Leary commented on the following topics of interest:
· DPW Director Alex Bannister attending Saturday’s workshop and explaining what their working conditions are like.
· Thanked Finance Director Becky Schlienz for her work on the budget.
· Appreciation to everyone as differing opinions are needed to make things balance.
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to adjourn the meeting at 9:44 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
___________________________ __________________________
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk