City of Hastings

County of Barry, State of Michigan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

February 14, 2011

 

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

 

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

 

          City staff and appointees present: Mansfield, Emery, Sarver, Caris, Girrbach, Holzwarth, and Fekkes.

         

3.       Pledge to the flag.

 

4.       Approval of the agenda.

         

          Motion by Bowers, with support by Wood, to add Item 8.E., Boy Scout presentation, and to approve the Agenda as amended.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

         

5.       Approval of the minutes of the workshop and regular meetings of January 24, 2011.

 

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

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

6.       Proclamations: (None).

 

7.       Public Hearings: (None).

 

8.       Formal presentations and requests:

 

A.                 Request from Ken Radant, WBCH, to hold the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

 

Motion by Wood, with support by McNabb-Stange, to approve request under direction of City staff.

 

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

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

B.                 Request from Jason Gole, D.D.S., Hastings AYSO Regional Commissioner, to use Fish Hatchery Park for Soccer Camp.

 

Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Tossava, to approve request under direction of City staff.

 

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

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

          C.       Consider approval of the Major Goals and Objectives of the Hastings City Council for the

                   2011/2012 budget.

 

Motion by Bowers, with support by McNabb-Stange, to approve as presented.

 

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

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

          D.       Request from Patty Osborn, March of Dimes Manager of Operations, to hold March for

                   Babies in Fish Hatchery Park with the use of the Arts Council building.

 

Motion by Tubbs, with support by Campbell, to approve request under direction of City staff.

 

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

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

          E.       Zak Price, Boy Scout Troop 175, stated that was attending meeting for a merit badge.  He also stated that he expected to continue in Scouting to earn his Eagle Scout award.

 

9.       Recommendations from other Boards: (None).

 

10.     Ordinances: (None).

 

11.     Resolutions: (None).

 

          Consider Resolution 2011-04 committing funds to the Riverwalk Project.

 

Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Wood, to adopt Resolution 2011-04 as presented.

 

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

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

12.     Appointments: (None).

 

13.     Bids, Contracts, Agreements, and Sales:

 

Consider approval of and authorization for the Mayor and Clerk to sign a Rental Rehabilitation Loan Commitment and Agreement with MarLar Real Estate, LLC.

 

Motion by Campbell, with support by Tossava, to approve and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Agreement as presented.

 

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

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

14.     Consent items without individual discussion:

 

          A.       Invoices:

                             Gerald A. Fisher - $7,016.50 (Joint Planning Alliance)

                             SME - $29,165.98 (Brownfield Assessment Grant)

                             Lakeland Library Cooperative - $5,795.75

                             M.C. Smith - $23,012.34 (Riverwalk Project)

                             Morton Salt - $9,943.17

          B.       Gas pipeline safety information.

          C.       Correspondence from Carl Levin.

          D.       Minutes of the Public Library Board of Directors meeting of January 17, 2011.

          E.       Information from the Liquor Control Commission.

          F.       Correspondence from Janine Dalman, Pennock Foundation.

          G.       Minutes of the Downtown Development Authority meeting of January 20, 2011.

          H.       Minutes of the LDFA meeting of January 19, 2011.

          I.       Minutes of the Cable Access meeting of January 17, 2011.

          J.       Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of February 7, 2011.

          K.       Minutes of the B. C. Board of Commissioners meeting of February 8, 2011.

          L.       Correspondence from Abby Lomas, SE P.T.O., to Mayor May.

 

          Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Wood, to receive items 14.A. through 14.L. inclusive and place on file.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

15.     City Manager's report:

 

Mansfield discussed current shared services activity with the City and other governmental units.  He noted that there are ongoing discussions to continue and add to this activity.

 

          A.       Director of Public Services Tim Girrbach gave his monthly and annual reports.

 

          B.       Fire Chief Roger Caris gave his monthly and annual reports.

 

C.                 Library Administrator Evelyn Holzwarth gave her monthly report.

 

D.                 Consider draft language to allow the use of parks for events that are exclusively on-site fundraisers.

Mansfield discussed the existing code, the history of the code language, and possible changes.

Campbell emphasized distinction between “commercial” activity and not-for-profit organization.

Tossava asked about farmers market – Mansfield replied that parking lot is not in the park per se.

McNabb-Stange opposed allowance of fundraising only.  She would permit fundraising only as part of larger event.

 

Motion by Campbell, with support by Depue, to direct staff to prepare an Ordinance for readings with Mansfield’s language regarding fundraising.

 

Ayes:            Campbell, Depue, Tossava, Tubbs, and May.

Nays:            Bowers, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, and Wood.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried. (5-4)

           

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

 

17.     Legislative Director's Report:

 

          Mayor May appreciated volunteer Gil Agostini clearing snow around fire hydrants in the City.

Wood reported that he attended Legislative Coffee where State Rep. Callton, State Sen. Jones, and staff for US Rep. Amash spoke about cuts to the State budget across the board.

Tubbs attended Metro Council where personal property tax elimination was discussed.

 

18.     Open Public Discussion from the Floor: (None).

 

19.     Mayor and Council comment:

 

          Bowers suggested that shoveling sidewalks would make a suitable community service project.

 

20.     Motion by Bowers, to adjourn at 8:20 PM.

 

21.     Read and Approved:

 

 

 

                                                                                                                  

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