Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Cedar Springs City Council Thursday, February 14, 2008 Cedar Springs City Hall 66 S. Main St. Cedar Springs, Michigan Finance Committee Meeting 6:15 p.m. Members Present: John Teusink, Linda Hunt, Ronny Merlington. Also Present:
Linda Lehman, Finance Director; Christine Burns, City Manager.
Members reviewed bills with the Finance Director. Workshop 6:30 p.m. Members Present: John Teusink, Linda Hunt, Ronny Merlington, Charlie Watson, Raymond Huckleberry, Pat Capek, Ken Benham. Also Present:
Christine Burns, City Manager; Linda Lehman, Finance Director; Linda Branyan, City Clerk; Gerald Hall, DPW Superintendent; Ed Good, Interim Police Chief.
Members reviewed agenda items with the City Manager. Meeting 7:00 p.m. 1.
The Meeting was Called to Order by Mayor Linda Hunt at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2.
ROLL CALL:
Mr. Ken Benham Mr. Raymond Huckleberry Mr. Ronny Merlington Mr. John Teusink Mr. Charlie Watson Mayor Pro Tem Mrs. Pat Capek Mayor Mrs. Linda Hunt
Present Present Present Present Present Present Present
3.
PUBLIC FORUM. Gwen Perry, 30 W. Cherry St., brought her concerns regarding snow plowing that had occurred at the Chase Bank parking lot to the attention of the Council. It was determined that it was not a City snow plow that was in operation at the time. Ralph Zielke, 155 N. Seventh St., said he was totally happy Mrs. Perry’s complaint was unfounded and said he was very proud of the DPW and felt they had done a good job cleaning snow off the City streets.
4.
Motion by Capek, supported by Teusink, to approve the agenda as amended. VOTE:
5.
7 – 0,
Motion Carried.
Motion by Merlington, supported by Capek, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the following: A. approval of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 10, 2008. B. approval of the Checks Paid Prior #s 28103 – 28180 totaling $311,563.38 and the January Accounts Payable #s 28181 – 28233 totaling $60,741.05. The Grand Total of all checks was $372,304.43. VOTE:
7 – 0,
6.
Correspondence was reviewed from the following: A. a luncheon invitation from Disability Advocates. B. an email from Kathy Bremmer.
7.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Motion Carried.
A.
There were no Mayoral Business Matters.
B.
Discussion ensued regarding financing options for the purchase of a new fire truck. Finance Director Linda Lehman had put together some figures that could possibly be used as a source of funding the purchase of a new fire truck; but stated the figures were only recommendations at this point since final bids for certain recommended funding sources were not final at the current time. Bids for those were expected during the coming month and the funding recommendations would be more exacting once those bids were received, Lehman said. Taking approximately $19,000 from the Fund Balance was one of the recommendations. Hunt said she wanted the Council to keep in mind that the Fund Balance needed to be replenished once money had been taken. A plan needed to be in place to do that, she said. Watson said was uncomfortable giving money away before the cost for certain projects was known. Merlington stated he was concerned with using monies from demolition funds without knowing what the demolition costs for the
remaining projects were going to cost. If money was left after the demolitions, then using those remaining funds for the purchase of the fire truck would be a perfect use, he said. 8.
NEW BUSINESS. A.
Parks & Recreation Director Amanda Gerhardt presented her plans regarding a new location for a skate park. She had presented a proposal for the use of Morley Park in December; but had been asked by Councilmembers to try to find another location. The new location is at the corner of Second and Maple Streets. She felt this was a good location as it was close to the site of the proposed new library and the Frederick Meijer White Pine Trail. She also felt it was a visible site from Main Street. Merlington asked if the size of the site would present a problem since it was a regular City lot. Gerhardt did not feel that would be a problem since the equipment could be sized to fit the location. Watson asked if parking would be a problem. Gerhardt said there appeared to be adequate parking in the area and also felt that many of the users of the park would be walking. City Manager Christine Burns stated there would be parking available at the staging area for the White Pine Trail that is proposed to be built at the area as well. Hunt stated she felt this site was a better choice than taking space at Morley Park. Burns said she like the fact that the park would be located close to the new library and that it might bring added traffic to the library. Huckleberry said he felt this was a new and dynamic area of the City with all the things that will be going on at the site. There was consensus among Councilmembers that the proposed site at Second and Maple Streets was an acceptable location for a skate park.
B.
Motion by Merlington, supported by Watson, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 11, a resolution to amend the Elm Street Vacation Agreement dated July 12, 2006 with Festida Foods, Ltd. VOTE:
C.
Motion Carried.
Motion by Merlington, supported by Teusink, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 12, a resolution to enter into a lease agreement with the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a parcel of land located along the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park. VOTE:
D.
7 – 0,
7 – 0,
Motion Carried.
Motion by Teusink, supported by Capek, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 13, a resolution to approve Mr. Gary Gust’s request for an easement on Parcel No. 41-02-25-429-008.
Discussion: Huckleberry suggested adding wordage to the resolution that when the building located on the property is demolished, the easement ceases to exist. Another language suggestion was that Mr. Gust was to incur the costs associated with drafting the easement language. Watson said he felt the easement should be approved because Mr. Gust had done numerous things that benefited the City and community. VOTE: E.
7 – 0,
Motion Carried.
Hunt stated a letter had been received from Justin Harnden, Drama Director at Cedar Springs High School in which he asked permission to hang a 4’ by 10’ banner on the footbridge that crosses over Main St. He requested the banner to be hung twice a year to advertise high school theatre performances. Motion by Watson, supported by Benham, to approve the request from the Cedar Springs High School Drama Director for a 4’ by 10’ banner to be hung on the footbridge that crosses over Main Street. The banner may be hung twice a year for the high school drama productions. Permission to hang the banner for the two annual performances must be requested annually and the banner is to be installed and removed by the City’s Department of Public Works employees. VOTE:
F.
Motion Carried.
Motion by Merlington, supported by Capek, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 09, a resolution to amend the City of Cedar Springs’ 2007 – 2008 Annual Budget. VOTE:
G.
7 – 0,
7 – 0,
Motion Carried.
Motion by Merlington, supported by Teusink, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 10, a resolution opposing the relocation of the 63rd District First Division Court. Discussion: Hunt stated she had received a phone call from a township resident asking her what her opinion was of Kent County’s proposal to relocate the district court from Rockford to Grand Rapids Township. She told him she felt it was terribly wrong of the County to move the court away from the northern Kent County area. It would mean extra money to pay officer’s time to drive further to the court as well as wear and tear on the City’s cars. It would also be an extra burden on residents to drive further away for court functions. A further outrage was that the County never asked what northern Kent County residents thought about the proposal before it was a done deal, she said. Since all the media coverage, she has not heard one single resident who is a proponent of the move, she said. Contrary to what the County officials
might think, the County line does not stop at 10 Mile Road, she said. It extends all the way to 22 Mile Road. Merlington said he is tired of being treated as a poor sister of the County. Capek said what had been said was not opinion; but fact. Burns suggested contacting County Commissioner Roger Morgan and County Administrator Daryl Delabbio and letting them know how one feels. Huckleberry said he echoed everything that had been said. VOTE:
7 – 0,
Motion Carried.
H.
There was consensus that the process to form a Fire Barn Committee to research alternate locations for a new fire barn should begin. The Mayor will put together a list of possible committee members and will bring the list back to the Council for approval.
I.
Motion by Teusink, supported by Benham, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 15, a resolution authorizing the purchase of a mobile data computer for the police department. VOTE:
J.
Motion Carried.
7 – 0,
Motion Carried.
Motion by Teusink, supported by Benham, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 18, a resolution authorizing the purchase of shotgun rifle mounts and decals for the police department’s Crown Victoria. VOTE:
M.
7 – 0,
Motion by Capek, supported by Huckleberry, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 17, a resolution authorizing the purchase of two Ram Vehicle Mounts for the police department’s Crown Victoria. VOTE:
L.
Motion Carried.
Motion by Watson, supported by Capek, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 16, a resolution authorizing the purchase of a mobile radar unit for the police department. VOTE:
K.
7 – 0,
7 – 0,
Motion Carried.
Motion by Merlington, supported by Capek, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 19, a resolution authorizing the purchase of a mobile radio for the police department’s Crown Victoria. VOTE:
7 – 0,
Motion Carried.
N.
Motion by Teusink, supported by Capek, to approve Resolution No. 2008 – 20, a resolution authorizing the purchase of a siren, bumper and console for the police department’s Crown Victoria. VOTE:
9.
10.
Motion Carried.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT. A.
General Information and Special Projects. Burns reported Chief of Police Interviews would take place February 22 and 29th with a candidate expected to be presented to the Council at its March 13th meeting. Other items discussed included: 1. Construction Projects. 2. Region 8 Notes from the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission. 3. Cedar Springs Mobile Estates payment for sanctions awarded the City by the Court. 4. Mayor Exchange Day. 5. MLGMA Winter Conference.
B.
Monthly Department Reports were offered from the following: 1. Department of Public Works. a. Infrastructure Alternative’s operational and maintenance report. 2. Police Department. 3. Fire Department. Fire Chief Jerry Gross said a grant had been submitted on behalf of the department for the purchase of new pagers. 4. City Clerk. 5. Finance Officer/City Treasurer. a. Cash Balances Report. b. Revenue/Expenditure Report. c. Engineering/Attorney Fees. 6. Professional Code Inspections. 7. Minutes from the following Boards and Commissions were reviewed: a. the January 14, 2008 Library Committee Meeting. b. the February 4, 2008 CS Planning Commission Meeting. c. the January 28, 2008 CS DDA Meeting. d. the November 15, 2007 CS Public Library Board Meeting, the December 20, 2007 and January 17, 2008 Library Director’s Reports and the 2008 Library Board Meeting Schedule. e. the January 7, 2008 CS Area Parks & Recreation Meeting.
The following Informational Only Item was offered: A.
11.
7 – 0,
Kent County Senior Millage Minder.
There was No Other Business Brought Before the City Council.
12.
COUNCIL COMMENTS. Benham – said it was a good meeting; there were a lot of positive things coming forward; thanked the DPW and crew for all their hard work and wished everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. Merlington – said he was pleased with the Council meeting and the discussion among the Councilmembers; there were several agreements happening now for the good of the citizens and felt the City Manager had contributed to that. Teusink – said he felt the Mayor was doing a fine job. Huckleberry – extended his sympathy to the victims and family of the Kirkwood, MO shooting tragedy. Watson – echoed things already said; the things that were happening in the community the last few years were terrific and he was thankful for the tremendous support and input from the citizens of the community. Capek – said they had talked about a lot of things that are finally going to get done; thanked the DPW for the superhuman effort with all the snowplowing; thanked the City Manager for the note sent to Kirkwood. Hunt – agreed with everything that had been said and was so appreciative to live in Cedar Springs; she had never felt personally threatened and truly believed this was a great place to live, work and play.
13.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
____________________________
________________________
Linda Branyan, City Clerk
Linda Hunt, Mayor
