REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, April 15, 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 15, 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 change to the Agenda under New Business: Add Item C. Appoint Carlie Willingham to the Recreation Advisory Board as the Student Representative. Moved By Zerkle, seconded by Steele to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
A. Mayor Leary presented Josh King with a Good Neighbor Award.
B. Corey Turner from Fleis & Vandenbrink gave a status update on the progress of the WWTP. (handout on file in the Clerk’s Office)
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 83272 to 83337 in the amount of $2,069,356.08
Approve ACH Payments
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Work Session – March 29, 2025
City Council Regularly scheduled meeting – April 1, 2025
Gladding reported that the Planning Commission meets next week.
Steele reported that she missed last night’s Rec Board meeting.
A. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to approve the Bridge Street Extension Engineering Proposal with Fleis &.Vandenbrink. (Proposal on file in the Clerk’s Office) Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
B. Moved by Steele, seconded by Zerkle to tentatively adopt the 2025/26 FY Budget at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting with the proposed changes as discussed during the budget review process. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
C. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to appoint Carlie Willingham as the Student Representative to the Recreation Advisory Board. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Jeff Harrington commended Lieutenant Cooper and Chief Sower.
Jim Mason, 210 S. Broas, on behalf of the Friends of the Library , announced that a they will be holding a book sale. The Friends of the Library were able to donate over $5,000 to the library for a drinking water fountain and new flooring.
Sam Mason, 516 W. May Street, commented on the water line replacement program.
City Manager Keven Krieger commented on the following topics of interest:
· City Council has 10 appointments to consider for candidates interested in various local boards.
· Fleis & Vandenbrink advised Krieger that the East Riverside Grant has moved on to its second review.
· The Belding Police Department received an award from the Greenville Community Fund for new radios.
· A site plan for Taco Bell has been reviewed with no issues. Ground breaking is anticipated for 2026/2027.
· Blight work on disabled vehicles.
· DPW is evaluating trees.
· The reconstruction project for Kiddville Road will require a detour. It will cause significant disruption. There is no alternative. The city will inform the community ASAP.
· The siren in the Fire Department continues to have issues. The siren on M-44 still works.
· Krieger commended all staff for allowing him to have a relaxing vacation.
Gladding thanked everyone for coming, commented on Taco Bell coming to Belding and positive things happening in Belding.
Steele commented that it was nice to see everyone and commented on the excitement of where the parks are headed.
Kreiger noted that he met with the Veteran’s Group where they had a great discussion. They will tentatively attend the next meeting.
Zerkle thanked everyone for coming out and thanked those who came to his office hours. He will post the dates of his future office hours once they are set.
Curtis commented that she is really proud of their progress and of the positive things they are doing. She thanked everyone for coming.
Mayor Leary commented that she appreciates what Curtis said, commented that Music by the River is coming up and she looks forward to the progress of the WWTP.
Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
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Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk