City of Hastings

County of Barry, State of Michigan

                                                                                                                                      

 

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

January 25, 2010

 

1.       Regular meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.

 

2.       Present at roll call were members: Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Wood, and May.

 

          Motion by Wood, with support by McNabb-Stange, to excuse Member Tubbs.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

          City Staff and Appointees present:  Mansfield, Emery, Sarver, Caris, Hart, Holzwarth, and Fekkes.

 

3.       Pledge to the flag.

 

4.       Approval of the agenda.

 

Motion by Wood, with support by McNabb-Stange, to approve the Agenda as presented.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

                  

5.       Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 11, 2010.

 

         Motion by Wood, with support by Tossava, to approve the minutes as presented.

         All ayes.  Motion carried.

         

6.       Proclamations: (None).

 

7.       Public Hearings: (None).

 

8.       Formal presentations and requests:

 

A.       Dave McIntyre presenting a request for speakers to be installed on poles downtown for events.

 

McIntyre introduced George Wetzel of the National Weather Service. McIntyre was nominated and chosen to receive the John Campanius Holm Award for meteorologist observations. McIntyre is one of 12,000 weather observers nationally and only 25 are selected for the award.

                   Lois McIntyre received a “Special Service Award” for supporting Dave through the years.

 

McIntyre then discussed the need for a PA system downtown for events and parades and requested that Council continue to explore the idea.

 

B.       Tom Thompson, Professional Code Inspectors, presenting the year-end report.

 

          Mansfield reported that Tom Thompson unable to attend meeting due to illness.

 

          Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Wood, to receive the report and place it on file.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

C.       Request from Crystal Parish, American Cancer Society, to hold Relay for Life activities in Tyden Park on August 12-14, 2010.  Consider Resolution 2010-02 to stay the necessary ordinances.

 

Motion by Campbell, with support by Tossava, to approve request under direction of City staff and adopt Resolution 2010-02 to stay the necessary ordinances.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Wood, and May.

                   Nays:            None.

                   Absent:         Tubbs.                   

                   Motion carried.

 

D.       Brad Carpenter will give a status report on Leach/Middle Lakes Sewer Project.

 

                   Brad Carpenter, Supervisor Carlton Township, discussed the history of the project beginning with citizens requesting improvements; the Township obtaining grant funding of planning costs; the Township approaching the City about possible connection.  Work continued with a special assessment for engineering costs.  Federal stimulus money for 40% of construction cost was secured.  Construction bids came in $1.5 million under estimates.  Ground breaking this week. Great success for joint efforts to improve the larger community.  Carpenter thanked the City for its cooperation.

 

9.       Recommendations from other Boards: (None).

 

10.      Ordinances:

 

Second reading and consider adoption of Ordinance No. 453 to regulate abandoned signs in the City.

 

          Campbell suggested defining “substantial” in 2(a)(c).

 

          Motion by Wood, with support by McNabb-Stange, to adopt Ordinance No. 453 as read.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Wood, and May.

          Nays:            None.

          Absent:         Tubbs.

          Motion carried.

 

11.     Resolutions: (None).

 

12.     Appointments: (None).

 

 

13.     Bids, Contracts, Agreements, Abandonment’s, and Sales:

 

A.       Consider award of bid for folder/inserter as recommended by Clerk/Treasurer staff.

 

                   Motion by Tossava, with support by Bowers, to approve award as recommended to Neopost for a purchase price of $7609.20 and annual maintenance support.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Wood, and May.

                   Nays:            None.

                   Absent:         Tubbs.

          Motion carried.

 

B.       Consider approving and authorizing the Mayor to sign a Grant Agreement for CDBG funds from the Michigan Strategic Fund for the Hastings Press Building/Seasonal Grille project.

 

          Hart discussed funding of the “local” contribution by the Cook Trust.

 

          Motion by Wood, with support by McNabb-Stange, to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement as presented.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Wood, and May.

                   Nays:            None.

                   Absent:         Tubbs.

          Motion carried.

 

14.     Consent items without individual discussion:

 

          A.       Invoices.

          B.       Barry County Central Dispatch calls dispatched for October – December 2009 and year stats.

          C.       Information from Campbell, Kusterer & Co., P.C.

          D.       Proclamation that was presented to Thomas Pennock for retirement.

          E.       Information regarding 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

          F.       Information commending Lisa Wallace for her service to the library.

          G.       Minutes of the Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting of January 12, 2010.

          H.       Minutes of the Hastings Public Library Board of Directors meeting of January 18, 2010.

          I.       Information regarding the Capital Conference.

          J.       Minutes of the LDFA meeting of November 18, 2009.

          K.       Minutes of the LDFA meeting of December 16, 2009.

          L.       Minutes of the DDA meeting of November 19, 2009.

          M.      Minutes of the DDA meeting of December 17, 2009.

          N.       Communication regarding LDFA meeting of January 20, 2010.

          O.      Minutes of the Joint Planning Committee meeting of January 18, 2010.

          P.       Combined notice for CDBG Funds.

 

         Motion by Tossava, supported by McNabb-Stange, to receive and place on file Items 14.A. through 14.P. inclusive.

          All Ayes.  Motion Carried.

 

15.     City Manager's report:

 

          A.       Chief of Police Sarver gave his report.

          B.       Clerk/Treasurer Emery gave his report.

          C.       Community Development Director Hart gave his report.

 

16.     City Attorney's Report: (None).

 

17.     Legislative Director’s Report:

 

          May asked Council members to sign up for MML Capital Conference.

 

18.     Open Public Discussion from the Floor:

 

          Valerie Byrnes, Chamber and Alliance, praised John Hart and the job he is doing.

          Jim Brown: thanked Brad Carpenter for sewer project work. He stated he was disappointed in County Commission Committee of the Whole and had met with County Board Chair to review the issues.  He indicated that there would be an invitation to the next Committee of the Whole meeting.  Finally, he also stated that he supports downtown PA system for events.

 

19.     Mayor and Council comment:

 

          Bowers thanked St. Rose teachers and staff for not parking on S. Jefferson during snow season.

 

20.     Consider Closed Session as permitted by PA 267 of 1976, Section 15.268-8(h) to consider material exempt from disclosure by state or federal statute (to receive privileged attorney-client communication) and Session as permitted by PA 267 of 1976, Section 15.268-8(e) to consult with attorney regarding trial or settlement strategy in connection with specific pending litigation.

 

          Motion by Bowers, with support by Jasperse, to enter into closed session at 8:34 PM as permitted.

 

          Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Wood, and May.

          Nays:            None.

          Absent:         Tubbs.

          Motion carried.

Return to open session at 9:06 PM.

 

21.     Adjourn.

          Motion by Wood, with support by Bowers, to adjourn at 9:06 PM.

 

22.     Read and Approved:

 

 

 

                                                                                                                  

          Robert L. May, Mayor                                                Thomas E. Emery, City Clerk