REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, August 19, 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, August 19, 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 add three items under New Business. Item C. Parking Permits; Item D. Special Event Applications; and Item E. Employment Update. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Jesse Preston, 511 Ellis presented a water sample from his home and commented on the water in Belding.
A. Corey Turner from Fleis & Vandenbrink gave an update on the WWTP. The project remains on track. ( A copy of the report is on file in the Clerk’s Office).
B. Mayor Leary presented Mari Jo Boni with a Good Neighbor Award. (A copy of the certificate is on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
Moved by Zerkle, 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 83908 to 83984 in the amount of $1,296,910.53
Approve ACH Payments
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Regularly scheduled meeting – August 5, 2025
Zerkle reported that the ZBA met last night and approved a request for a variance on a driveway.
Gladding reported that the Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on next Tuesday.
Steele reported that the Friends of the Library have been extremely active.
She deferred the Rec Board update to the City Manager who reported that they discussed the MDNR Grant, the Dog Park, and electrical box murals that were painted by a local artist.
Curtis reported that the Housing Commission meets on Thursday.
Mayor Leary reported that the Museum Board meets next Tuesday.
A. Kim Huey came before the City Council to request a $10,000 sponsorship from the city for an event that she is planning for next fall marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Huey is unable to reveal any details about the event until she secures a 25% downpayment, which is $10,000. After much discussion, the council members concluded that they were not comfortable to set a precedent to give money for events and further advised that it would be irresponsible to give money with no details.
B. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to approve to use the excise tax dollars from the marihuana facility, coupled with general fund dollars in the amount of $74,700 for Shook’s Asphalt to overlay asphalt on Pineview Street. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
C. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to issue parking permits for the residents on the corner of Congress and Alderman Streets to park in the new city hall parking lot. There will be six parking spaces marked and designated for residential use only. The fee will be $25 for 12 months. Permits will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
D. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to approve the Special Event Application for a Vendor’s Market at the Horses’ Mouth on Saturday, August 30th. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. Krieger advised the council that two other Special Event Applications were also filed however the events are already accomplished or in progress.
E. Krieger announced his resignation as City Manager. Krieger advised that he is choosing to do this for his family. He has nothing negative to say and he appreciates the support that council has given him in this position. He commended the staff and encouraged council to consider department head input in their decision making for the next city manager. His last day will be Monday, September 15, 2025. Moved by Steele, seconded by Zerkle to accept Krieger’s resignation. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
Yeas: Gladding, Steele, Curtis and Leary
Nays: Zerkle
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to schedule a work session for Tuesday, August 26th at 5 p.m. to discuss filling the city manager position. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
Carolyn Wieczorek commented on Pineview Drive. She also commented on the trash after the Labor Day Parade.
Jeff Harrington commented on wood stacking and fences. He congratulated Krieger.
City Manager Keven Krieger commented on the following topics of interest:
· Apex Sealcoating is coming on August 21st to seal the path at Central Riverside Park.
· He received a surprise visit from Mueller Brass. They plan to open a finishing facility and showroom by the end of the year, which will create 20-50 jobs. There will be no emissions.
· Concrete and curb on M-44 to be poured soon.
· The New Community Development Director, Hanna Samuels, held her first event, which was a successful Community Clean Up event that was held at Central Riverside Park. Some key city staff as well as members of the community attended the event which was well-received. More events like this are planned.
Steele made closing comments.
Curtis made closing comments.
Zerkle made closing comments.
Gladding made closing comments.
Mayor Leary made closing comments.
Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk