REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, January 6, 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, January 6, 2026.
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, Linda Curtis, Nikolai Zerkle and Jeannine Leary
Members absent: None
At Zerkle’s request, Mayor Leary added Item A. Robert’s Rules Voice Vote vs. Roll Call Vote under New Business. Moved By Zerkle, seconded by Steele to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Frank LaFata announced that he is running for District 91 State Representative. His website is www.FrankLaFata.com.
Mike McCarty gave an update on the 5-year deal for SMASH Park to be a destination and course for the Disc Golf Amateur Disc Golf State Championship, which will also likely be held during Labor Day weekend. This will be a great way to showcase Belding.
Curtis Holt from Michigan Municipal League gave a brief update on the City Manager search. There are currently 12 candidates. The posting closes January 13th. A Closed Session will be scheduled to discuss the candidates.
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 84531 84954 in the amount of $127,044.06
Approve Mercantile Bank checks 1718 to 1728 in the amount of $48,366.80
Approve ACH Payments
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Regular meeting – December 16, 2025
Curtis reported that the Housing Commission met. Along with the regular reports and paying of bills, topics of interest included a discussion regarding a shared IT Position, new equipment at Taft Court the strategic plan.
A. Zerkle requested that the Council consider conducting voice votes in lieu of roll call votes, unless requested, as a way to cut down on the time spent in meetings. After a brief discussion the matter was tabled pending more information.
Curtis gave closing comments.
Zerkle gave closing comments.
Gladding gave closing comments.
Steele gave closing comments.
Mayor Leary gave closing comments.
Moved by Gladding, seconded by Curtis to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
______________________________ _________________________
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk