REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, October 7, 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, October 7, 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
Mayor Leary requested to add Item B. Special Event Application, to the agenda under New Business and Item B. Appreciation, to the agenda under Presentations. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
A. Isabel Thompson and Marlene Quintino, accompanied by Pastor Paul Hulford, gave a presentation about Collective Impact, a Belding High School Club. They host several community events and provide food and resources to fellow students.
B. Sharon Carlson, Executive Director of the Belding Housing Commission was honored for her decades long service with a tribute signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, Senator Rick Outman of the 33rd District, and State Representative Pat Outman of the 91st District. The tribute was read and presented by Zerkle and Curtis. The Housing Commission Board, in its entirety, was present in support of Carlson. A copy of Carlson’s tribute is on file in the Clerk’s Office. Congratulations, Sharon!
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding 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 84132 to 84211 in the amount of $1,128,968.92
Approve ACH Payments
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Regularly scheduled meeting – September 16, 2025
Gladding reported that the Planning Commission reviewed the final draft of the Master Plan and recommended it to go before City Council for review.
Curtis reported that the Housing Commission will be meeting on October 23rd.
Mayor Leary reported that the Museum Board met on September 23rd. On October 23rd they have an Edmond Fitzgerald legend and song event.
A. Mayor Leary recommended to table the Master Plan. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to table the resolution and request Andy Moore, City Planner from Williams & Works, to attend the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting to be present to answer any questions and to explain the proposed Resolution. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
B. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to approve the Special Event Application requested by Project Graduation. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Jim Mason, 210 S. Broas, commented on the following topics:
· Housing Commission making up 3.2% of Belding’s population
· Thanked Carlson
· The 13th Annual Book Sale at the Library, 1,500 new books donated by one person
· October 23rd there will be a celebration for Betty Jenkins 50th year at the library
Mike Tefft, 715 Bridge Street, commented on the following topics:
· Community Clean-up last week after the DDA meeting, DDA had discussion as to whether it was a DDA function or not, 6 members were present with 5 leaving after the meeting
· Rec Board had a Community Clean-up a couple of months ago
· Clean-ups made a positive impact
· Participation
· Thanked Community Development Director Hanna Samuels for organizing the Community Clean-up and trying to make Belding a better place
Robert Sieterlet inquired when a copy of the Master Plan will be available.
Interim City Manager Becky Schlienz commented on the following topics of interest:
· $95,933 Cyber Security Grant was received
· BV Mechanical getting the furnace running at the new city hall
· 4 Greenville Area Community Fund Grant requests are in process
Zerkle commented on his attending the MML Annual Conference, attending some classes at the conference and further commented on revenue sharing.
Gladding commented that the process for the new city manager has started, thanked Carlson and thanked everyone for coming.
Steele commented on Collective Impact, noting that they stayed for the entire meeting and thanked them for their level of respect. She further congratulated Carlson and introduced Carlson’s Housing Commission Board members.
Carslon advised that she receives great guidance and support from her board members.
Curtis thanked Collective Impact for a great presentation, noting they are our future leaders and also congratulated Carlson.
Mayor Leary voiced appreciation for everyone coming, congratulated Carlson and thanked Collective Impact.
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk