REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 18, 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, March 18, 2025.
Mayor Jeannine Leary called the meeting to order and led with the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk, Janae Ortego too 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: Change the wording on Item H. under New Business to “Motion to amend City Council Rules and Procedures regarding appointment of Boards/Commissions”. Moved By Steele, seconded by Gladding to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
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 83145 to 83206 in the amount of $1,726,128.32
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Regularly scheduled meeting – March 4, 2025
A. Mayor Leary and Emily Elms, Owner of HOG Cannabis, presented Brandon Nieman with a Good Neighbor Award.
B. Elms reported that that the City of Belding will be receiving $58,228.66 in state excise tax from HOG Cannabis this year.
C. Elaine Venema of Fleis & Vandenbrink gave the monthly status update on the construction of the WWTP. The project remains ahead of schedule. (Handout on file in the Clerk’s Office). Venema also gave a brief update on the lead service line replacement project. To date, 122 of 620 service lines have been changed out. They will hold off on concrete and asphalt work until it is warmer.
A. Mayor Leary opened the Public Hearing at 7:20 p.m. on Proposed Ordinance #564, An Ordinance to Amend Appendix B, “Zoning” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belding by Amending Section 2.2 Related to “Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses”. Hearing no questions or comments, Mayor Leary closed the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m.
B. Mayor Leary opened the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m. on Proposed Ordinance #565, An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 86 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belding by Amending Sections 86-233, 86-234 and 86-246 to define and Add Local Limits for PFAS Pass Through from Industrial Users to the Publicly Owned Treatment Works of the City of Belding. Krieger advised that this amendment is a result of federal regulations. Varnum’s Environmental Department prepared the ordinance amendments, which have also been reviewed by Fleis & Vandenbrink. Hearing no questions or comments, Mayor Leary closed the Public Hearing at 7:22 p.m.
C. Mayor Leary opened the Public Hearing at 7:23 p.m. on Proposed Ordinance #566, An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 82 of the City of Belding Code of Ordinances to Add a New Article VII Related to Golf Carts. Mayor Leary advised that there are several and significant safety concerns around this proposed ordinance.
Mary Renne questioned their use. Mayor Leary advised Renne of some of the restrictions proposed if the ordinance is adopted.
Robert Sieterlet commented on this being an opportunity, better collaboration and understanding.
Hearing no questions or comments, Mayor Leary closed the Public Hearing at 7:23 p.m.
Gladding reported that she will be absent from next week’s Planning Commission meeting.
Steele reported that Krieger discussed his ideas with the Recreation Advisory Board for improvements at Central Riverside Park. She further reported that two members were absent from that meeting so the proposed bylaws were not discussed further.
A. After a brief discussion, it was moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele to adopt Ordinance #564, An Ordinance to Amend Appendix B, “Zoning” of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Belding by Amending Section 2.2 Related to “Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses”. Motion carried 3-2 (Zerkle initially abstained and then changed his vote to no) by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Steele, Gladding and Mayor Leary
NAYS: Curtis, Zerkle
The Ordinance is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
COUNTY OF IONIA
MICHIGAN
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND APPENDIX B, “ZONING” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELDING BY AMENDING SECTION 2.2 RELATED TO “ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES, AND USES”
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS:
Section 1. Amendment of Section 2.2. Section 2.2 of Appendix B, “Zoning” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belding is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Section 2.2. - Accessory buildings, structures, and uses.
A. Accessory buildings, structures, and uses—General.
1. Where an accessory building or structure is attached to a main building in a substantial manner, such as by a wall, roof, or breezeway, it shall conform to all regulations of this ordinance applicable to the main building, unless otherwise noted in section 2.7, projections into yards.
2. Accessory buildings, structures or uses are permitted only in connection with, incidental to, and on the same lot with a main building or use that is permitted in the particular zoning district. No accessory building, structure or use may be placed on a lot without a main building or use.
3. An accessory building, structure or use must be in the same zoning district as the main building or use on a lot.
4. No accessory building, structure or use shall be occupied or utilized unless the main building, structure or use to which it is accessory is occupied or utilized.
5. Accessory buildings and structures shall not be occupied for dwelling purposes unless otherwise permitted in this ordinance.
6. No detached accessory building shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any main building or structure, nor closer than three (3) feet from any side or rear lot line. On a single family residential lot, the setback requirement from a side or rear lot line shall apply to the drip-line edge of the accessory building.
[B. Reserved. ]
C. Residential accessory buildings and structures. Accessory buildings that are accessory to residential uses shall be permitted within the R-1, R-1.5, R-2, and R-3 Districts or with any residential use in any other district (including nonconforming uses), provided that the following restrictions are
1. No more than two (2) detached accessory buildings shall be permitted on any one- or two- family residential lot. There shall be no limitation on the number of accessory
structures permitted on lots containing multiple family uses or non-residential uses that are allowed in the residential districts, provided that all other requirements of this ordinance are met.
2. The total area of all accessory building sizes are limited based on parcel size:
a. For all residential uses:
i. Accessory buildings not exceeding a cumulative area of 960 square feet may be placed on any lot subject to the lot coverage and other applicable requirements of this Ordinance.
ii. Accessory buildings where the cumulative area of all accessory buildings exceeds 960 square feet may be permitted in the following circumstances:
1. The cumulative area of all accessory buildings shall not exceed 2.5% of the lot area, excluding public or private street rights of way.
2. The cumulative area of all accessory buildings shall not exceed 2,000 square feet, unless a special land use permit is obtained from the Planning Commission.
3. An attached accessory building, such as an attached garage or attached storage area, shall not exceed the square footage of the main floor of the principal building.
For purposes of determining square footage of accessory buildings, the measurement shall be length multiplied by the width of the exterior of the building measured from the outside corners of the building frame.
b. Multiple family uses and non-residential uses that are allowed in the residential districts: The aggregate gross floor area of all allowed accessory structures shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the gross floor area of the main building(s) or structure(s).
3. Accessory buildings in excess of one hundred forty-four (144) square feet must be designed, constructed, and finished such that the exterior appearance is similar to that of the main building.
4. No accessory building shall exceed fourteen (14) feet in height.
5. Accessory buildings shall not be permitted in the front yard or the principal front yard; however, this restriction shall not apply to secondary front yards or to a golf course allowed as a special land use, provided:
a. The accessory structure shall be setback a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) feet from the front lot line and shall meet the minimum side yard setback requirements for the district in which it is located.
b. The structure shall utilize siding, roof and other exterior materials that are similar to or of the same or higher quality as those used on the main building.
c. The accessory structure shall be screened by landscaping, berms, or a combination thereof.
Accessory buildings may be permitted in the front yard of single-family and two-family residential uses if such buildings are set back at least 100 feet from the front lot line.
D. Non-residential district accessory buildings and structures. Accessory buildings shall be permitted within the OS-1, B-1, B-2, 1-1, and P-1 districts provided that the following restrictions are met:
1. The aggregate gross floor area of all accessory buildings shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the gross floor area of the main building(s).
2. Detached accessory buildings shall meet all setback requirements for the zone district in which they are located.
3. No accessory structure shall be permitted in the front yard; however, the Zoning Administrator may issue a zoning permit for an accessory structure in the front yard that meets the following requirements:
a. The accessory structure shall be set back a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) feet from the front lot line and meet the minimum side yard setback requirement for the district in which it is located;
b. The structure shall utilize siding, roof and other exterior materials that are similar to or of the same quality as those used on the main building;
c. The accessory structure shall be screened by landscaping, berms, or a combination thereof.
4. No accessory building shall exceed the permitted height for main buildings in the district in which it is located.
Section 2. Severability and Captions. This Ordinance and the various parts, sections, subsections, sentences, phrases, and clauses thereof are hereby declared severable. If any part, section, subsection, sentence, phrase, or clause is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected thereby. The captions included at the beginning of each Section are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of this Ordinance.
Section 3. Repeal. Any existing ordinance or resolution that is inconsistent or conflicts with this Ordinance is hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict or inconsistency.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance is ordered to take effect seven (7) days following publication of adoption in the Daily News, a newspaper having general circulation in the City, under the provisions of 2006 Public Act 110, except as may be extended under the provisions of such Act.
B. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to adopt Ordinance #564, An Ordinance to Amend Appendix B, “Zoning” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belding by Amending Section 2.2 Related to “Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses”. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
The Ordinance is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 86 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELDING BY AMENDING SECTIONS 86-233, 86-234, AND 86-246 TO DEFINE AND ADD LOCAL LIMITS FOR PFAS PASS THROUGH FROM INDUSTRIAL USERS TO THE PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS OF THE CITY OF BELDING
WHEREAS industrial users of the City of Belding’s Industrial Pretreatment Program have repeatedly discharged and/or contributed pollutants, specifically per- and polyfluroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), into the City of Belding’s Publicly Owned Treatment Works (“POTW”); and
WHEREAS the State of Michigan has determined that PFAS are injurious to human health and placed restrictions on the allowable concentrations of PFAS in drinking water, surface water, and groundwater; and
WHEREAS the City of Belding hired the services of Fleis & Vandenbrink to determine feasible local limits to enact that would regulate the pass through of PFAS from industrial users to the POTW; and
WHEREAS the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy reviewed and approved the proposed local limits developed by Fleis & Vandenbrink for the City of Belding.
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS:
Section 1. Amendment of Section 86-233. Section 86-233 is amended to insert the following after the definition for “pass through” and before the definition for “person”:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) means a group of synthetic organofluorine chemical compounds that has multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain.
Section 2. Amendment of Section 86-234. Section 86-234 is amended to insert the following into the table of abbreviations according to alphabetical order:
| PFAS | per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances |
| PFOA | perfluorooctanoic acid |
| PFOS | perfluorooctane sulfonate |
| ppt | parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter |
Section 3. Addition of Subsection 86-246(b)(4). Subsection 86-246(b)(4) of the Code of Ordinances is added to read as follows in its entirety:
(4) Specific local limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. No industrial user under the City of Belding Industrial Pretreatment Program shall discharge or contribute to the POTW, directly or indirectly, pollutants in concentrations that exceed the daily maximum concentrations below in this subsection:
| PFAS | Daily Maximum Concentration (ppt) |
| PFOS | 20 ppt |
| PFOA | 390 ppt |
Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective 10 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Belding.
ORDINANCE DECLARED ADOPTED.
C. After a brief discussion as it relates to Proposed Ordinance #566, An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 82 of the City of Belding Code of Ordinances to Add a New Article VII Related to Golf Carts, it was moved by Zerkle, seconded by Mayor Leary to NOT accept the ordinance based off of the Planning Commission’s recommendation. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
D. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to adopt Resolution #2025-03-13 to Add Keven Kreiger as Signatory on City Account(s) at Mercantile Bank. Motion carried 4-0 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Gladding, Curtis, Zerkle and Mayor Leary
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Steele (Council Member Steele briefly left the Council Chambers for a personal matter.)
The Resolution is a follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER KEVEN KRIEGER TO SIGN CHECKS FROM THE CITY’S MERCANTILE BANK ACCOUNT(S) FOR THE CITY OF BELDING
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 18th day of March, 2025.
WHEREAS, Keven Krieger has been appointed City Manager of the City of Belding effective March 3, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager must have the authorization from city council to sign checks from the city’s bank account(s) at Mercantile Bank for the City of Belding; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan, that authorization is hereby granted to City Manager Keven Krieger to sign checks from the city’s Mercantile Bank account(s) for the City of Belding with an effective date of March 13, 2025.
THIS RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
Mayor Leary called for a brief recess at 7:49 p.m.
Back on the record at 7:54 p.m.
E. Moved by Steele, seconded by Zerkle to adopt Resolution #2025-03-14 for Re-application of the Passport Grant for East Riverside Park. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES RECREATION PASSPORT GRANT PROGRAM RESOLUTION OF AUTHORIZATION OF LOCAL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT MATCH WITHOUT DONATE FUNDS
Minutes of a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, Ionia County, Michigan, held in the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street, in said City, on March 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding supports the re-submission of an application titled “East Riverside Park Pavilion Improvements” to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Recreation Passport Grant Program to increase previous scores for the renovation of the existing pavilion to provide ADA accessibility, construction of a universally accessible pathway from the parking area to the playground and the pavilion; upgrades to Wood Trail and upgrades to playground equipment at East Riverside Park; and, improve stormwater management, wherever feasible and applicable, through low-impact development solutions.
WHEREAS, the proposed re-submission of application is supported by the Community’s 5-Year Approved Parks and Recreation Plan; and, the existing pavilion lacks sufficient accessibility for all community members; and use of the park for events continues to grow amplifying the need for playground improvements upgrading dated equipment and play surface to ensure the safety as well as inclusion of users as per playground safety standards; and pathways and associated fixtures are not fully accessible and need to be upgraded; and the installation of a security camera system integrated to all City Public Park spaces; and introduction of low-impact development solutions such as bioswale, bioretention, and integrated rain garden systems to improve stormwater management that promote native planting, support native flora and fauna populations, reduce long-term maintenance costs, improve the quality of underground and water table, and increase urban resiliency in the event of storm precipitations and run-off.
WHEREAS, the City of Belding is hereby making a financial commitment to the project in the amount of $51,750.00 matching funds, in cash and/or force account; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Belding hereby authorizes re-submission of a Recreation Passport Grant Program Application for $207,000.00, and further resolves to make available its financial obligation amount of $51,750.00 (25%) of a total $207,000.00 project cost, during the 2025 - 2026 fiscal year.
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
F. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to accept the Kiddville Street Proposal with Fleis & Vandenbrink (on file in the Clerk’s Office). Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
G. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele to adopt Resolution #2025-03-15 for a Charitable Gaming License for the Black Knights Band Boosters. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes -all.
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
AUTHORIZING THE CITY COUNCIL WILL RECOGNIZE THE BLACK KNIGHTS BOOSTERS AS A NONPROFIT TO OBTAIN A CHARITABLE GAME LICENSE.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan was held in said City on the 18th day of March, 2025 at 7:00pm.
WHEREAS, that the request from The Black Knights Band Boosters of Belding, county of Ionia asking that they be recognized as a nonprofit organization operating in the community for the purpose of obtaining charitable gaming licenses, for approval.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that The Black Knights Band Boosters of Belding, county of Ionia, asking that they be recognized as a nonprofit organization operating in the community for the purpose of obtaining charitable gaming licenses, for approval.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
H. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to Amend the Belding City Council Rules and Procedures with new language regarding the appointment of Board/Commission members. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
The new language is as follows:
INTERVIEW AND APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
The interview and appointment of new members to city boards and commissions (excluding the Museum and Library boards) is the responsibility of the City Council.
When a vacancy occurs, a notice of the same will be posted on the city’s website for one month following the vacancy. Interested persons will be encouraged to submit an application for the position on a form provided by the City Clerk. At the end of the one month period, they City Clerk will provide copies of interested applicants to the members of the City Council and schedule them for a personal interview at either their next regularly scheduled meeting or at a special meeting of the City Council if necessary. Following the interview process, the preferred candidate will be selected for approval by the City Council for the respective board or commission.
I. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to approve the Revised Planning Commission Bylaws with the caveat to change the appointment process to reflect the new Interview and Appointment procedure as adopted above. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
J. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to approve the Revised Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Bylaws with the caveat to change the appointment process to reflect the new Interview and Appointment procedure as adopted above. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Mary Renne commented on Civil War Reenactors. She will work with Steele on this matter.
Linda North commented on condemned property and commented on Morgan Drive.
Krieger commented on the following topics of interest:
· He has had a super-productive first couple of weeks
· He has been making an effort to meet with local business owners
· Belding is lucky to have F&V looking out for our best interests
· WWTP products have been ordered ahead of the tariffs implemented by President Trump
· Dump vouchers are back! He is working on developing a blight program. This will give residents an opportunity to take one normal size load of trash to Pitsch Recycling. Some items have an additional charge, billed to the resident. One voucher will be issued per City of Belding address, apartments included. If assistance is needed, the city has people to help.
· A job posting for a Community Development Director is open until April 11th. The job entails handling the administrative portion of Dial-A-Ride, the DDA Director and the Rec Director.
Steele commented on accomplishments.
Gladding commented on handling the blight and commented on the time and care that DPW Director, Alex Bannister, has put into Demorest Field.
Zerkle commented on the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
Curtis commented on how much Zerkle does for the community and additionally expressed her excitement about the Community Development Director position.
Mayor Leary expressed her excitement about the Community Development Director position. She commented the City of Belding being represented on a national level as Fire Chief Tim Lubitz, Chief of Police Dion Sower and DPW Director Alex Bannister spoke at the Gus Macker National Conference.
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
____________________________ _____________________________
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk