REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
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 7, 2026.
Mayor Jeannine Leary called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Pastor Archie Messenger from New Hope Church of God gave the Invocation.
Mayor Leary led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk, Janae Ortego took the roll call:
Members present: Shelley Gladding-Visser, Bonita Steele, Linda Curtis, Nikolai Zerkle (Active U.S. Military, virtual attendance per MCL 15.263(2); joined meeting at 7:05 p.m.) and Jeannine Leary
Members absent: None
Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding-Visser to remove the March 17, 2026 minutes from the Consent Calendar and add them to New Business, Item C. Motion carried 4-0 by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. (Zerkle had not joined the meeting at the time of this vote.)
Mike Brady commented on the March 17, 2026 minutes.
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 84901 to 84978 in the amount of $371,187.62
Approve Mercantile Bank Check 1749 in the amount of $5,223.36
Approve ACH Payments
Curtis reported on the Housing Commission meeting.
Gladding-Visser reported on the Planning Commission meeting.
Steele had no report.
Zerkle reported on an upcoming ZBA meeting.
Mayor Leary reported on the Museum Board meeting.
A. Council discussed acceptance of Mayor Jeannine Leary’s resignation from City Council. Moved by Gladding-Visser seconded by Steele to accept Mayor Jeannine Leary’s resignation from City Council. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
B. Council discussed a date to conduct interviews and appoint a qualified candidate to City Council with a partial term expiring November 2026. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Curtis that as of April 7, 2026, to accept the resignation of the Mayor in accordance with the City Charter, and to direct that the process for soliciting and reviewing applicants to fill the vacancy be initiated pursuant to Charter guidelines. Further that interviews for the position be conducted during the May regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., under New Business, in compliance with the Charter. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
C. Council discussed the minutes from their March 17, 2026, regular meeting. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding-Visser to strike Mike Brady’s comments on the bottom of page 3 and to approve the amended minutes as specified. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
D. Council discussed the Special Event application to hold Car Cruise-in events at Veteran’s Park. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding-Visser to approve the Special Event application to hold Car Cruise-in events at Veteran’s Park. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
E. Council discussed the Special Event application for the Belding Area Soccer Club (BASC) Spring Season. Lynn Kehoe was in attendance to represent BASC and gave a short presentation about the program. Moved by Gladding-Visser, seconded by Steele to approve the Special Event application for the Belding Area Soccer Club (BASC) Spring Season. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
F. Council discussed at length, the Museum Board’s recommendation to approve the audit of the Museum Board terms. Zerkle called Point of Order at 7:35 p.m. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Curtis to approve the Museum Board’s recommendation to approve the audit of the Museum Board terms. Motion failed 2-3 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Curtis, Zerkle
NAYS: Steele, Gladding-Visser and Mayor Leary
G. Council discussed the Museum Board’s Recommendation for Appointment/Reappointments to the Museum Board. Moved by Curtis, seconded by Zerkle to approve the Museum Board’s Recommendation for Appointment/Reappointments to the Museum Board as follows:
1) Abigail Brown, (appointment) partial term expiring 12-31-26
2) Bruce Feuerstein, (reappointment) partial term expiring 12-31-27
3) Barb Fagerlin, (reappointment) partial term expiring 12-31-27
4) Angie Terry, (reappointment) partial term expiring 12-31-28
5) Don Bryant, (reappointment) partial term expiring 12-31-28
Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Curtis, Zerkle, Gladding-Visser and Mayor Leary
NAYS: Steele
H. Council discussed Resolution 2026-04-06 to Appoint City Manager Adam Poll to the DDA Board. Moved by Gladding-Visser, seconded by Steele to approve Resolution 2026-04-06 to Appoint Adam Poll to the DDA Board. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Curtis, Steele, Gladding-Visser and Mayor Leary
NAYS: Zerkle
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN APPOINTING ADAM POLL TO THE DDA BOARD
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 7th day of April, 2026.
WHEREAS, there has been a change in the City Manager position in the City of Belding, effective March 19, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Downtown Development Authority Act 197 of 1975 states the Chief Executive Officer, being the mayor or city manager, will serve on the board; and
WHEREAS, to retain consistency of prior practices established by the City of Belding, that Adam Poll, City Manager, be appointed to the DDA; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that City Manager Adam Poll is appointed to the City of Belding DDA.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 7th DAY OF APRIL, 2026.
I. Council discussed Resolution 2026-04-07 to Appoint Adam Poll as Street Administrator. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding-Visser to approve Resolution 2026-04-07 to Appoint Adam Poll as Street Administrator. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Curtis, Steele, Gladding-Visser and Mayor Leary
NAYS: Zerkle
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN DESIGNATING ADAM POLL AS STREET ADMINISTRATOR
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 7th day of April, 2026.
WHEREAS, Section 13(9) of Act 51, Public Acts of 1951 provided that each incorporated city and village to which funds are returned under the provisions of this section, that, "the responsibility for street improvements, maintenance, and traffic operations work, and the development, construction, or repair of off-street parking facilities and construction or repair of street lighting shall be coordinated by a single administrator to be designated by the governing body who shall be responsible for and shall represent the municipality in transactions with the State Transportation Department pursuant to this act."
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that City Manager Adam Poll be designated as the Single Street Administrator for the City of Belding, Michigan, in all transactions with the State Transportation Department as provided in Section 13 of the Act.
THIS RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026.
J. Council discussed Resolution 2026-04-08 to Add Adam Poll as Signatory on City Account(s) at Independent Bank. Moved by Gladding-Visser, seconded by Steele to approve Resolution 2026-04-08 to Add Adam Poll as Signatory on City Account(s) at Independent Bank. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Curtis, Steele, Gladding-Visser and Mayor Leary
NAYS: Zerkle
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER ADAM POLL TO SIGN CHECKS FROM THE CITY’S
INDEPENDENT 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 7th day of April, 2026.
WHEREAS, Adam Poll has been appointed City Manager of the City of Belding effective March 19, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager must have the authorization from city council to sign checks from the city’s bank account(s) at Independent 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 Adam Poll to sign checks from the city’s Independent Bank account(s) for the City of Belding.
THIS RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026.
K. Council discussed Resolution 2026-04-09 to Add Adam Poll as Signatory on City Account(s) at Mercantile Bank. Moved by Gladding-Visser, seconded by Steele to approve Resolution 2026-04-09 to Add Adam Poll as Signatory on City Account(s) at Mercantile Bank. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Curtis, Steele, Gladding-Visser and Mayor Leary
NAYS: Zerkle
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER ADAM POLL 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 7th day of April, 2026.
WHEREAS, Adam Poll was appointed City Manager of the City of Belding effective March 19, 2026; 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 Adam Poll to sign checks from the city’s Mercantile Bank account(s) for the City of Belding with an effective date of March 19, 2026.
THIS RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026.
L. Council discussed Resolution 2026-04-10 to Authorize issuance of a Mercantile Bank credit card to Adam Poll for City Use. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding-Visser to Authorize issuance of a Mercantile Bank credit card to Adam Poll for City Use. Motion carried 4-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Curtis, Steele, Gladding-Visser and Mayor Leary
NAYS: Zerkle
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN AUTHORIZING MERCANTILE BANK TO ISSUE A CREDIT CARD TO ADAM POLL FOR CITY USE
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 7th day of April, 2026.
WHEREAS, Adam Poll was appointed as the City Manager for the City of Belding, effective March 19, 2026; and,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan, to authorize Mercantile Bank to issue a credit card to Adam Poll for city use.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 7th DAY OF APRIL, 2026.
M. Council discussed Resolution 2026-04-11 to Appoint Adam Poll as Representative to GVMC Board of Directors. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to Appoint Adam Poll as Representative to GVMC Board of Directors. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING DESIGNATING ADAM POLL AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GRAND VALLEY METROPOLITAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WHEREAS, The City of Belding is a member of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC); and
WHEREAS, the GVMC requires that either a member of the governing body or the head administrative official of a governing body be appointed as their representative to the GVMC Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Adam Poll was appointed as the new Belding City Manager effective March 19, 2026; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Belding, designate Adam Poll, City Manager, as their representative to the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC) Board of Directors.
THIS RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026.
N. Belding Chief of Police Dion Sower gave the Belding Police Department 2025 Year End Report as required by the City Charter. The report is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
O. Council discussed their membership’s ZBA voting member and alternate member. Poll presented the matter and recommended clarification. Moved by Curtis, seconded by Steele to confirm that Zerkle is a voting member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Poll further clarified that if an alternate City Council member is appointed as a voting member that the alternate City Council member would only attend the ZBA meeting and vote if Zerkle is unavailable due to his military status and deployment. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Curtis, to table selecting an alternate City Council member to serve as an alternate voting member on the ZBA if Zerkle is unavailable to attend, to the first meeting in May. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
P. Council discussed proposed Resolution 2026-04-12 regarding the PFAS Class Action Lawsuit. Poll presented the resolution and recommended approval. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding-Visser to approve Resolution 2026-04-12, PFAS Class Action Lawsuit. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING TERMINATING REPRESENTATION WTH STAG, LUIZZA, LLC., IN REGARD TO THE PFAS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
WHEREAS, In July, 2025 the City of Belding, Michigan, entered into a class-action lawsuit regarding the presence of PFAS in various water systems and the impacts caused by this presence; and
WHEREAS, the City of Belding, Michigan, authorized execution of a legal service agreement with Resolution No. 2025-07-21 and directed the City Manager to authorize a contract for legal services AFFF PFAS litigation with Stag, Luizza, LLC.; and
WHEREAS, Belding Legal Counsel (Varnum) has advised against additional testing as all tests taken have resulted in a “Not Detected” status; and
WHEREAS, Belding Legal Counsel (Varnum) further advise that the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan, officially withdraw from the class-action lawsuit and further terminate their contact with Stag, Luizza, LLC.; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan, hereby give notice that they officially withdraw from the class- action lawsuit and further terminate their contact with Stag, Luizza, LLC., effective immediately.
THIS RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026.
Q. Council discussed the proposed FY 2026/27 budget. A public hearing will be held on the proposed FY 2026/27 budget at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
Jim Mason commented on the following:
· Friends of the Library
· Welcomed Poll
· Thanked Mayor Leary
· Thanked Zerkle for his service
· City Council minutes
Lynn Kehoe commented on BASC and thanked the City for the use of the fields.
Bob Brown commented on the following:
· Thanked Mayor Leary
· DPW
· Belding Police Department
· Fireworks
Jenny Bennett commented on the following:
· Welcomed Poll
· Mayor Leary
· New council member
· Labor Day fireworks
John LaClear commented on parking, taxpayers and Leppink’s parking lot.
Poll commented on looking forward and open-door policy.
Zerkle comments on asking questions and conversation.
Curtis commented on the Police Department’s Annual Report.
Gladding-Visser commented on reactions.
Steele commented on reactions and about asking questions.
Mayor Leary commented on different views, concerns and solutions.
Moved by Gladding, seconded by Curtis to adjourn the meeting at 9:49 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
_________________________ __________________________
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk